Silverado’s Pick-up Box Makes Tough Jobs Easier

Silverado’s Pick-up Box Makes Tough Jobs Easier
DETROIT – When it comes to pickup trucks, the usability of the back end is just as important as the power under the hood. Customer-focused innovations to the cargo box of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado were designed to make it easier to see, secure and access what’s back there.
“Silverado owners are the doers of the world,” said Lloyd Biermann, Silverado marketing manager. “Our goal when designing the Silverado’s pickup box was to create something that was stronger, more durable and versatile to help our owners get their toughest jobs done.”
Owners says they most frequently use their trucks for everyday projects. Two out of three use their truck for hauling. Seasoned truck owners want a pickup that makes loading and securing cargo as simple as possible. Making it easier to climb into the truck bed and retrieve items is a bonus.
“For the real truck buyer, they want a pickup that puts up with their abuse without making any compromises from the back end of the truck,” said Mark Williams of PickupTrucks.com. “The whole point of having a pickup is about solving problems, not creating them."
From design to functionality, the Silverado pickup box is engineered to be the most innovative cargo box in its segment with these features:

• LED Box Lights – Located in the cargo box, under the side rails, the available lights turn on with the standard overhead box lamp and make it easier to find cargo in the bed, even under a tonneau cover.
• EZ Lift & Lower Tailgate – An internal torsion bar reduces the effort to raise the tailgate while a rotary damper allows for a controlled and more gradual lowering motion when opening it.
• CornerStep Bumper – Unique steps incorporated into the corners of the rear bumper are designed to accommodate work boots and can be used with the tailgate up or down.
• Hand Grip Pockets – Located within the rails, at the rear of the cargo box, they provide easier access into the cargo box and work in tandem with the CornerStep Bumper.
• Removable Upper Tie-Down Hooks – Allow maximum flexibility to secure cargo of varying shapes and sizes and can be placed in several locations around the cargo box.

“Every time we get into a new Silverado and fill the bed with payload, we're reminded just how much thought their truck engineers put into, what we believe is, the most important part of a pickup – the bed," said Williams.

All-New 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Redefines Midsize Trucks

All-New 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Redefines Midsize Trucks
LOS ANGELES – Chevrolet today unveiled the all-new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, which will redefine the midsize truck and offer real truck capability and versatility to customers who don’t require a full-size truck.
The new Colorado is built with the DNA of a true Chevy truck, expected to deliver class-leading power, payload and trailering ratings. Colorado goes on sale in fall 2014 as a 2015 model.
“Our strategy is simple: meet the needs of the broadest possible customer base, and let them choose precisely the right truck to meet their needs,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors executive vice president and president of GM North America. “The all-new Colorado benefits from the solid foundation established by the Silverado, and it reinvents the midsize truck while reinvigorating the segment at the same time.”
The new Colorado was developed for the North American truck customer, with distinctive design, comfort and connectivity features, including segment firsts such as available forward collision alert and lane departure warning.
Chevrolet expects Colorado to be the most powerful truck in the segment, allowing owners to haul and tow more. A 2.5L I-4 is standard, and a 3.6L V-6 is available. Each engine is tuned, tested and validated for truck use, and each features direct injection and variable valve timing to make the most of power and efficiency. Each is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, and the 2.5L is available with a six-speed manual transmission on extended cab 2WD Work Truck models.
When properly equipped, the Colorado is expected to offer class leading payload capacity and trailering capacity of more than 6,700 pounds (3,039 kg). That is more than enough capability to throw a weekend’s worth of camping gear in the bed and tow a boat to a favorite lake.
Colorado will also offer the segment’s only diesel engine in its second year – a proven Duramax 2.8L I-4 turbodiesel already offered in global markets. The diesel engine will expand Colorado’s powertrain lineup to cover the broadest range of needs.
“We designed the Colorado to be the most versatile and most capable in its segment, bar none,” said Jeff Luke, executive engineer, GM Trucks. “Not everyone needs full-size capability, but they still deserve the strength and true-truck attributes that come in larger models. The Colorado delivers capability with confidence – and a fun-to-drive spirit that complements active lifestyles.”
Designed with a zeal for adventure
The Colorado’s North American design is unique, with a confident stance and a sporty demeanor. Taller bedsides, for example, are exclusive to North America and match the aggressive, raked belt line of the cab, creating a distinctive proportion that reinforces the truck’s athleticism while better securing items stored in the bed.
The 2015 Colorado’s configurations are an extended cab model with a 6-foot bed, a crew cab with a 5-foot bed and a crew cab with a 6-foot bed. With the tailgate down, the 6-foot bed allows hauling of 8-foot-long items.
“The new Colorado’s design brings a youthful breath of fresh air to the midsize truck segment and puts a progressive spin on Chevrolet’s true-truck styling,” said Ken Parkinson, executive director of Chevrolet Design. “It’s like the younger, more eager brother of the Silverado – a Chevy truck through and through, with great zeal and a spirit of adventure.”
WT, LT and Z71 trims are available, all in 2WD or 4WD. The off-road-inspired Z71 is the brawniest of the bunch. It also features a gunmetal grille surround – a change from the chrome standard on the other models – projector headlamps and unique 17-inch aluminum wheels.
The Colorado features triple-sealed doors inlaid in the body sides, like the 2014 Silverado, for improved aerodynamic performance and a quieter interior.
To help keep overall mass down and improve the front-to-rear weight balance, the Colorado features a segment-first aluminum hood. It also features the segment’s only active aero grille shutters, which close at certain highway speeds to enhance aerodynamics.
And because it’s a true Chevy truck, the Colorado leaves nothing on the table when it comes to innovative solutions for hauling and accessing cargo:

• Standard CornerStep rear bumper design pioneered on the 2014 Silverado
• Available EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgate that uses an internal torsion bar to make raising the tailgate easier with one hand, and a damper for more-controlled lowering   
• Standard two-tier loading that allows a platform to effectively split the bed into upper and lower sections, making it easier to haul, store and conceal items such as tools
• Thirteen standard tie-down locations throughout the bed for use with available, movable cargo tie-down rings
• Standard bed rail and tailgate protectors
• Available factory-installed spray-in bed liner.

An interior for work, recreation and everyday comfort
Blending cues from Silverado with a style all its own, the interior of the 2015 Colorado is designed to be comfortable, is cleverly equipped and well connected. A bold, upright instrument panel with large instruments and a central driver information center is similar to Silverado, while featuring a center console with a floor-mounted shifter similar to those found in midsize cars and crossovers.
Colorado cabin designers paid exceptional attention to detail and premium appointments, including a sculpted headliner that enhances headroom, halo lighting on key controls for easier view and an open area at the front of the center console for easier phone charging. The Z71 model features exclusive color and trim details, including embossed seatbacks and contrast stitching.
“We took the best attributes of full-size trucks and midsize cars to develop a passenger space that delivers a balance of unmatched functionality and comfort,” said Parkinson. “It’s designed to be as useful as possible, with storage compartments and clever features throughout, for owners who will use the Colorado as their daily driver and for weekend getaways.”
Interior details include:

• Sculpted door panels that make it easier to enter/exit the vehicle
• Upper-instrument panel storage bin (when not equipped with the uplevel audio system) and large glove box
• Standard center console with room to store a tablet
• Rear under-seat storage.

Dual-firmness foam helps Colorado’s seats wear for long-haul comfort with high-wear, stain-resistant cloth seating trim. Leather-appointed seating is available.
Connectivity, control and safety technologies enhance Colorado’s driving experience
The new Colorado’s technologies are aimed at complementing owners’ lifestyles with connectivity and other features that support their daily and recreational lives – and help keep them safe, including:

• Eight-inch diagonal color touch screen (LT, Z71) and multiple USB drives
• A 3.4-inch diagonal driver information screen in the instrument cluster
• Available next-generation OnStar and MyLink enhancements with gesture recognition and natural language voice recognition
• Available navigation

Standard and available features designed to keep the Colorado’s occupants safe before, during and after a crash include:

• Six standard air bags, including head side curtain air bags designed to help keep occupants from being ejected in a crash
• Large rearview mirrors and standard rear-vision camera system for greater visibility
• Available segment-first application of forward collision alert
• Available segment-first application of lane departure warning
• Standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation, trailer sway control, hill start assist and hill descent control (Z71).

Chevy truck DNA supports leading capabilities
The Colorado delivers the capability expected of a Chevy truck – including segment-leading payload and trailering. Like the Silverado, the Colorado has a fully boxed perimeter frame, which provides the strength to support its capabilities, as well as a confident, smooth and quiet ride.
A coil-over-type front suspension features aluminum knuckles that are low in mass and high in strength, contributing to a more responsive, immediate feel to driver inputs, as well as efficiency. Colorado also features the segment’s first application of electric power steering, which enhances efficiency by avoiding the energy used by what conventionally is an engine-driven feature.
The Colorado has a short turning radius of about 41 feet (12.5 meters), enabling easier turning in tight areas such as city streets or backing a trailer into a camping spot.
Four-wheel disc brakes, with four-piston front calipers, are standard and feature Duralife™ brake rotors – also pioneered on the 2014 Silverado. They offer up to double the service life, which can save money on maintenance.
Another Chevy truck feature offered on the Colorado is the G80 automatic locking rear differential. Introduced by Chevy more than 40 years ago, it gives drivers a traction advantage when needed. It is standard on Z71 and available on WT and LT.
Truck-tuned powertrains designed for work, efficiency
The 2.5L and 3.6L engines offered in the Colorado are based on proven designs found in other Chevrolet vehicles, but tuned uniquely for truck duty – including more torque at lower rpm – for a more confident feeling of power when the Colorado is loaded or pulling a trailer.
The 2.5L four is estimated at 193 horsepower (146 kW) and 184 lb-ft of torque (253 Nm), with approximately 90 percent of the peak torque available from 2,000 rpm to 6,200 rpm. The 3.6L engine is estimated at 302 horsepower (224 kW) and 270 lb-ft of torque (366 Nm). SAE certification of the power ratings is pending.
Aluminum blocks and forged-steel crankshafts, along with dual-overhead camshafts with variable valve timing, direct injection and jet-spray piston cooling are features shared on both engines. A number of extended-life components can help reduce maintenance intervals and reduce the cost of ownership.
All models are matched with a six-speed automatic that complements the truck-tuned engines with features that make hauling and trailering easier and more comfortable, including auto grade braking and a tow/haul mode. Extended cab 2WD WT models equipped with the 2.5L engine are also available with a six-speed manual transmission.
Chevrolet will continue to work on and develop the Colorado until the start of production in 2014. The content of this release is based on current GM testing and is subject to change.

Chevrolet COLORADO Reveal November 20th

It’s almost here! The all-new 2015 Colorado will be unveiled at 9:30 AM PST on November 20th at the LA Auto Show. SEE IT LIVE via the link below and watch as Chevrolet redefines what a midsize pickup should be with the most capable, infinitely versatile, and technologically advanced midsize pickup ever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XkUGs-OEE4

2014 Silverado Comparison

         

Here’s a fighter who shows how less can be more. The 2014 Chevy Silverado crew cab 5.3L V8 with 4-wheel drive weighs in in at 5,200 pounds, a modest hundred pounds less than the Chrysler Ram 1500. But when compared to the heavyset Ford F-150 or Toyota Tundra at 5,600 pounds apiece it’s easy to see who’s sneaking cupcakes at midnight. Typically, the lighter the truck, the higher the payload—and the 2014 Silverado is no exception. The same 4×4 V-8 holds just shy of 2,000 pounds of people and cargo. The comparable F-150 can only handle 1,700 pounds, the Tundra manages 1,575 pounds, and the Ram just 1,490 pounds. Time to put the cupcake down.

Less weight also means more efficiency, and the 5.3L V8 Silverado achieves 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. The EcoTec3 aluminum engine block is rated at 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, which sets the 2014 Silverado well ahead of its predecessor. Active fuel management is seamlessly converts the V8 to a V4 to save fuel when the extra power isn’t needed. Direct injection and variable valve timing also made their way into the 2014, making this the smartest Silverado ever.

With bold updates to the exterior, a whisper-quiet interior that shames many luxury vehicles, and engine technology that sets it ahead of the competition, it’s pretty  clear that the 2014 Chevy Silverado means business. Perhaps more surprising fact is that even with all the upgrades and additions, the MSRP hasn’t changed from last year’s model.

We’ve got them in—visit Ryan Chevrolet and check out the all-new 2014 Chevy Silverado today.