HSV has confirmed it will release the all-new Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in Australia and New Zealand in March.
No pricing has been announced yet, but the new-generation Chevrolet Silverado will initially be available in one highly-specified dual-cab petrol V8 variant, the LTZ Premium Edition.
We expect it to be priced around $110,000, undercutting the bigger Silverado 2500, which is powered by a 6.6-litre diesel and starts at $114,990 ($135K for the LTZ), but not the RAM 1500, which now includes base V8 Express Quad ($79,950) and Crew ($89,950) variants, plus the Laramie dual-cab V8 ($99,950) and diesel ($109,950) form.
However, while both utes are converted to right-hand drive in the same Walkinshaw facility, the 2020 Silverado is a full generation ahead of the RAM 1500 (the latest version of which is yet to be launched in Australia) and HSV says it will set new class benchmarks for power, technology and safety.
And the new Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium Edition will be followed by other variants, as well as the new Silverado 2500HD (replacing the model HSV launched in 2018) and the redesigned Suburban SUV that shares its platform.
Based on an all-new ladder platform dubbed T1, HSV says the new 1500 is the strongest, most advanced Silverado ever, wrapped in a bold new twin-cab body.
The Silverado 1500 LTZ packs a 6.2-litre EcoTec3 V8 delivering a “class-leading” 313kW of power and 624Nm of torque and matched as standard to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Idle-stop and Dynamic Fuel Management technologies are included.
Maximum towing capacity is 4.5 tonnes with a 70mm tow ball, 3500kg with a 50mm ball or 750kg with an unbraked trailer, while payload is 712kg and Gross Combined Mass 7160kg.
Standard features will include Tow/Haul mode, Trailer Sway Control, Hills Start Assist and auto grade braking, while an optional Advanced Trailering Package will comprise Hitch Guidance with Hitch View, integrated trailer brake controller, trailer theft alert, in-vehicle Advanced Trailering System and more.
HSV will also offer a number of performance upgrades, including retuned suspension “for those seeking more driver feedback across a variety of terrains” and a performance airbox/exhaust set-up, among others.
Among the list of standard safety equipment is Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, IntelliBeam automatic headlights, Following Distance Indicator, Safety Alert Seat, front/rear Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward collision alert, Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking and Front Pedestrian Braking, making the 1500 the first full-size ute with AEB.
These are in addition to a 15-inch multi-color head-up display, dual-stage front airbags, seat-mounted front side airbags, full-length head-curtain airbags, StabiliTrak electronic stability control with Proactive Roll Avoidance and four-wheel disc brakes with DuraLife rotors, Hill Descent Control.
On the convenience front, the Silverado 1500 LTZ brings Jet Black perforated leather-appointed seat trim, heated and ventilated outboard front seats with 10-way power adjustment and driver’s memory and a heated steering wheel.
Multimedia is via an 8.0-inch Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus touch-screen system including Bluetooth, wireless phone charging, voice recognition, reversing camera and seven-speaker Bose Premium Sound System with Richbass woofer and four USB ports.
Other technologies include electric rack-and-pinion power steering, drive mode selector, four-wheel drive, two-speed transfer case with electronic Autotrac rotary dial control, heavy-duty locking rear differential, keyless open/start, remote starts, six-gauge instrument cluster featuring speedo, tacho, fuel level, engine temperature, voltage and oil pressure.
The list goes on with a rear camera monitor, tilt/telescoping steering column, auto-dimming rear-view interior mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents, 60/40-split folding rear bench seat with fold-up functionality
Rounding out the package are 20-inch polished alloy wheels with 275/60 R20SL all-terrain tyres, a spray-on bed liner, 12 cargo bed cargo anchors, power up/down tailgate, front frame-mounted recovery hooks, tinted rear glass, skid plates, chromed grille and side steps, rear bumper corner steps and a Z71 Pack with interior trim plates and exterior badging.
Revealed in the US in January 2018, the new-to-Oz Chevrolet Silverado 1500 rides on a fully-boxed, hydroformed ladder frame that’s claimed to be 40kg lighter by 10 per cent more torsionally rigid than its predecessor’s. As much as 80 per cent of the frame is made of high-strength steel varying from 2mm to 5mm in thickness.
Despite riding on a longer wheelbase and providing more cargo volume, it is said to be up to 205kg lighter thanks to aluminium in the doors, bonnet and tailgate.