Although the first truck bearing the Chevy namesake did not see creation until 1999, Chevy had been making trucks in various forms since 1918. Since its official release, the Silverado has become one of the most well-known and best-selling pickups in existence and has already seen many changes during its days. In 1975, the actual Silverado package was offered as a luxury trim option on the C/K line of trucks. It was not until 1988 that this line was discontinued, and the GMT 400 series was where the Silverado trim resided at the top of the line.
In 1999 when the brand we love to represent so much every day here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse decided to come out with an entirely new series of pickups, it was not a surprise that they wanted to capitalize on the Silverado's existing reputation. The earliest version looked like a larger and more aerodynamic version of the last GMT and was characterized by plenty of rear legroom and leather bucket seats in the front. Inside, the truck was granted a lighter but stronger chassis, as well as the same V8 found in the Corvette.
There were 42 different available combinations of body style, engine and trim options, and so it was not at all difficult to find the exact one for anyone's specific needs. This first generation of Silverado trucks greatly impacted the truck market, and Motor Trend began the chain of great reviews by stating that it “set a whole new benchmark” for what a full-size truck could be. When the Silverado experienced a redesign for 2007, it was imperative to ensure that it would live up to the high standard set in 1999. Inside, the cabin now offered up more comfort, with high-end interior finish topping off even the most basic models.
The new 5.3-liter V8 now made the truck stronger and more fuel-efficient than any other in its class, and the onboard Dynamic Fuel Management System could make the switch between V4 and V8 mode. Once again, not too many were surprised when it earned Motor Trend's Truck of the Year award. As highlighted in this great blog last week from Hotcars.com, the third generation of Silverado Trucks released in 2014 really brought the Silverado into the 21st century with an iPhone input, Bluetooth connectivity, and multiple USB ports. The truck was much lighter due to the use of aluminum in the engine block and hood and also continued to use steel in the bed and frame to provide strength.
On the outside, this new Silverado boasted a more angular front end and larger more well- defined fenders. The following year, more driver assistance features become available included lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning. The most recent version of Silverado trucks face still competition from Ford and Ram and offer a winning combination of performance and comfort. One awesome and dynamic element that has seen redesign is the fuel management system, allowing you to use as much or as little of the engine as you need, which means huge savings at the gas pump!
