2007 Chevrolet
Silverado 2500HD & 3500HD
New Chevy Heavy-Duty Truck Lineup
to Arrive Early 2007
September 29, 2006
The new 2007 Chevrolet Silverado heavy-duty
pickups are coming in early 2007, and this is a first look at the
all-new model. Immediately you will notice the new exterior design, a
beefed-up version of the new half-ton 2007 Silverado. Under the hood
you will find more powerful engine choices, and inside you will find
an interior that is available in two distinct styles, shared with the
new Silverado lineup.
The new heavy-duty Silverado is available in two
flavors: the three-quarter-ton 2500HD and the one-ton dually 3500HD.
Available in one of three trim
levels: WT, LT and LTZ. Add this to the three cab configurations and
three cargo box styles, and you will find that the new heavy-duty
lineup covers five
wheelbase lengths.
The new Silverado heavy-duty models are
differentiated from the half-ton trucks by a unique grill, headlights,
hood and front fenders. The grill is taller and wider with a split center bar. The headlamps
with integrated
corner lights are taller, and blend into wider, flared front fenders.
The hood features a more prominently raised power dome design. The
bumper is taller, and features a center opening and is flanked by
taller chrome end sections, available with integrated fog lamps.
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2007 Chevrolet
Silverado 2500HD |
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Silverado heavy-duty trucks are offered in
regular, extended and crew cab configurations, available with either a
standard 6.5-foot bed or a long 8-foot bed length. The Silverado
3500HD dually model uses a dual rear wheel configuration with the long
bed length. The pickup bed has been designed with a one-piece wheel
well and inner box side to both add strength and to provide a smoother
appearance. The dually cargo boxes are made of all steel, including
the hydroformed sheet metal outer fenders. Dually models have marker lights on the
rear fenders and low-profile roof lights on the cab.
The tailgate has been enhanced by providing a
locking feature, and is available with an optional EZ Lift
torque-assist system. Even though the tailgate is larger than the
previous generation, these features in addition to a lighter
construction makes the tailgate easier to operate, and is easily
removed by opening it to a 45-degree angle and pulling straight out.
Inside, the new heavy-duty trucks have more
room, more comfort and a more upscale appearance thanks to the
enhancements of the new Silverado. The WT and LT trim levels feature
the functional "pure pickup" interior design theme carried throughout the
interior, including the dash design, door panels, and instrument panel,
and seat design. The upscale LTZ trim level uses a more upscale
interior, with its own distinct instrument panel design, center
console, door panels, seats and other trim elements. Features on the
premium interiors include power-adjustable heated bucket seats,
leather surface seats, leather-covered steering wheel and chrome trim.
The standard engine is a new, Gen-IV 6.0L
gasoline V-8 with variable valve timing. This engine is
rated at 353 horsepower and 373 lb-ft of torque. The engine is backed
by a new Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic transmission featuring
two overdrive gears and manual tap up/tap down control. With this
combination the truck has a maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR)
of 18,500 pounds.
For serious hauling, the Duramax 6.6L
turbo-diesel engine is available. It leads the segment in power and
torque, with 365 horsepower and 660 lb-ft of torque. Various upgrades
to the Duramax include a new filter system help provide a 90-percent
reduction in particulate matter and a 50-percent reduction in NOx
(compared with current standards), meeting a new federal government
mandate. The diesel engine is paired with the workhorse Allison 1000
six-speed automatic transmission.
The new heavy-duty frames are comprised of a
ladder design with reinforced cross bracing. It uses a segmented
design to accommodate the various lengths of five different
wheelbases. The frame sections are connected using overlapping
segments for maximum strength and rigidity. The added strength of the
new frame and increased engine power have allowed Chevrolet to offer a
2.5-inch trailer hitch receiver, with a whopping 13,000 pounds of
towing capacity. Adding a fifth-wheel hitch will boost the maximum
allowable trailer to 16,700 pounds.

Silverado 3500HD Dually |

Power Dome Hood |

Dual Rear Wheels |
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All 2500HD and 3500HD trucks use a wider,
68.6-inch front track, with a 66-inch rear track on 2500HD and a 74.7-inch
rear track on
3500HD. The heavy duty trucks are available with two suspension packages: the standard Z85 and
off-road capable Z71. The Z85 suspension is standard on 2WD and 4WD
models, while the Z71 Off Road suspension is optional and includes
additional chassis and suspension equipment, including skid plates.
The trucks use new a steering control box of the
recirculating ball design, to deliver improved returnability for a
greater feeling of control and on-center feel. A high capacity,
four-wheel disc brake system with Hydroboost and four-wheel ABS is
standard on all models. The brake system includes large-diameter front
and rear disc rotors and stiff brake calipers, and offers optional
brake controller to control electric-controlled trailer brake systems.
The new heavy duty Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
and 3500HD production will be shared between several assembly plants,
including Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Pontiac and Flint, Michigan. They
are scheduled to arrive in dealer showrooms in the first quarter of
2007.
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