GM Shows Off New 2020 Silverado Lineup At Flint Mfg. Plant

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
2-5-2019

Chevrolet rolled out the new 2020 Silverado HD lineup today at the Flint Manufacturing Plant where the new truck will be built. Chevy says that towing ability increased by a whopping 52% to 35,000 pounds. A heavier-duty frame compared to the current model, enables a higher gross combined vehicle weight rating (GCWR) of up to 43,500 pounds on properly equipped trucks. “We set out to make the best HD trucks on the market, bar none,” said Jaclyn McQuaid, chief engineer, Silverado HD. “We increased towing capabilities across the line, not just for dually buyers. We added class-leading towing technologies, such as 15 available camera views, to make trailering more convenient, whether pulling a large cargo trailer or fifth-wheel camper. And we made a host of changes to make tasks easier.”

The new 2020 Silverado HD will be available in five different trim levels — Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ and High Country — available across 22 cab, bed, chassis and driveline configurations. Chevy is offering two new powertrains. The base engine is a new 6.6L V-8 gas with direct injection producing 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. That’s adds up to an 11 percent increase in horsepower and a 22 percent increase in peak torque, respectively, resulting in 18 percent more towing capability. The up-powered engine is the Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V-8 engine making 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque mated to an all-new Allison® 10-speed automatic transmission. Chevy says that every component between the transmission and the wheels has been upgraded to enable an available 52-percent increase in max towing capability — now up to 35,500 pounds on Regular Cab, two-wheel drive, DRW, diesel models.

Chevy Lists the Following As 2020 Silverado HD highlights:

-New, more powerful 6.6L V-8 gas engine with direct injection for greater performance and stronger trailering capability with 22 percent more torque and up to 18 percent more towing compared to previous 6.0L gas engine.
-All-new Allison 10-speed automatic transmission is matched with the available Duramax 6.6L V-8 Turbo-Diesel engine for a 52 percent increase in max towing to 35,500 pounds on properly equipped models.
-Autotrac active two-speed transfer case on 4x4 models electronically controls “4 Auto” mode, allowing the truck to seamlessly shift between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive based on road conditions.
-Advanced Trailering System technologies and new transparent trailer view: The in-vehicle trailering system features an available total of 15 available camera views (requires an installed accessory camera), such as HD Surround Vision and other unique -views including a transparent trailer feature to help provide added confidence when towing. Also features increased integration with the myChevrolet mobile app.
-HD-exclusive sculpted exterior design features the most differentiation from the Silverado 1500 ever — the roof is the only shared sheetmetal.
-Heavy-duty details designed to make work easier and more intuitive, including features such as an easy-access engine block heater outlet, easy-to-fill diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank with opening inside the fuel door, a more integrated snow plow prep -package and new, advanced trailering mirrors with available spot lamps and more.
-BedStep feature and larger CornerSteps makes it easier to load or reach items in the cargo box, which is designed to hold a pair of size-12 boots and up to 500 pounds.
-Larger cab enables more spacious interiors with Crew Cab models adding about 3 inches in overall length.

 

Drivelines

Chevy outlined many new driveline changes that add to the Silverado HD's towing ability. The upgraded driveline includes new, larger, more robust front and rear axles, a standard 11.5-inch ring gear on 2500HD models, and 12-inch ring gear on 3500HD diesel models. Also, 30-percent larger-diameter prop shafts provide greater strength with the high torque output of the new 6.6L gas engine and the Duramax Turbo-Diesel. Helping cool the Duramax engine is a massive 28-inch diameter fan with variable fan speed – 2.5-inches larger than the current fan.

 

Engines

A new 6.6L V-8 gas engine now has gasoline direct injection. Chevy uses a cast-iron Small Block for long-term durability with aluminum heads. The higher compression ratio of 10.8:1 and longer stroke produce a greater power output of 401 hp with strong performance at low rpm where it’s needed when pulling away with a loaded cargo box or trailer. Torque increases to 464 lb-ft. The 6.6L gas engine also gets dual alternators to support the electrical needs for trailering, snowplowing and other jobs. 

 

Chevy's proven Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V-8 with 910 lb-ft of torque is th top engine option. Towing capability is increased up to 52 percent with driveline improvements. A diesel after-run feature specifically for use following a demanding towing situation is an additional new technology for the Duramax engine. The after-run allows the engine to keep running for up to 15 minutes to allow it to cool down using the fan and circulating coolant. If the driver puts the truck in park when an after-run situation is needed, an alert will appear on the driver information cluster directing them to keep the engine running for cool down. Should the customer ignore the message and exit the vehicle, the truck will restart on its own via remote start mode for cool-down. At that point the customer can walk away and the truck will turn itself off when the engine reaches an acceptable temperature.

 

Transmission

The new Allison 10-speed automatic transmission is better at transferring all of the Duramax’s torque to the pavement, allowing more torque to be put to the ground in lower gears, enhancing the overall driving dynamics and trailering with smoother gear changes and shorter steps between them. It also supports smart engine braking, which can help reduce brake wear. The Duramax/Allison combination’s standard axle ratio is lowered to 3.42:1, which reduces engine speed, therefore enhancing refinement. “The 6.6L Duramax diesel and Allison® transmission is a legendary combination in the HD truck market with proven durability and capability that our customers expect,” said McQuaid. “For 2020, we made the combination even better and upgraded nearly every driveline component.”

 

PTO

An all-new, factory-integrated engine-driven Power Take Off (PTO) is available that eliminates the need for an aftermarket unit. Exclusively offered with the Allison® 10-speed transmission on select diesel models, it’s the first fully integrated PTO system of its kind in the HD truck segment, with the PTO’s drive gear operated via chain to direct engine power. And because it is engine-driven rather than turbine-driven, owners can use the PTO while the vehicle is idling. A button inside the cab enables the PTO, and a mode selector allows adjustment of load and torque output.

 

HD Highlights Include:

- Smother door skins to make attaching signage easier for owners

-Relocated engine-block heater. Designers moved the engine-block heater outlet to a more convenient, external location on the driver’s side of the truck, integrated into the front bumper, eliminating the need for cords hanging out of the grille or to open the hood for plug-in. The block heater is standard with diesel models and available with the new 6.6L gas engine.
-More-intuitive snow plow package8. The front end of the truck is designed for easy removal of the air dam and skid plate for easier and more intuitive mounting of the plow hardware. The design even eliminates the need to drill additional holes in the front bumper. And when the plow blade is removed, the Silverado HD returns to form by maintaining a smooth, integrated appearance without visible hardware.
-Diesel DEF tank/filler enhancements. The Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank is relocated farther back on the Silverado HD’s frame and out of sight from the exterior, and the inlet is located next to the fuel filler for more convenient filling. An electronic gauge readout for the DEF fluid level is added to the Driver Infotainment Center of diesel-equipped models.
-Redesigned trailering mirrors with improved perimeter lighting. New, larger and more functional door-mounted trailering mirrors are standard on all 2500HD and 3500HD models. The mirrors extend and retract using a four-bar-link system that makes for smoother operation, whether done with power or manually. The surface area of the mirrors is larger, for a greater field of view compared to the current model, and an available power extension feature makes it easier to adjust the view from the driving position.

-New for 2020 is the forward-facing spot lamp on each mirror that shines light at about a 45-degree angle, providing illumination on the job site or camp site. There also are side-view cameras mounted within the mirror housings, and when equipped, mirror-mounted puddle lamps and two rearward-facing spot lamps are also available.

- Aero Shutters on 2500 and 3500 SRW models improve efficiency.

- Diesel models get a more prominant hood scoop

- Beds are no longer shared with standard duty Silverados, but are custom to the HD

 

Trim Details:

Work Truck: Distinguished with a unique, black “CHEVROLET” flow-through grille bar. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard on 2500HD and 3500HD with dual rear wheels (DRW); 18-inch wheels are standard on 3500HD with single rear wheels (SRW).
Custom: New to the Silverado HD lineup and exclusive on 2500HD, the Custom trim offers standard 20-inch wheels and body-color trim details for a more contemporary design expression.
LT: Featuring chrome-trimmed vertical grille elements and a bright grille bar with the flow-through “CHEVROLET” name. 2500HD models feature 17-inch aluminum wheels, 3500HD SRW models feature 18-inch aluminum wheels and 3500HD DRW models feature 17-inch steel wheels.
LTZ: Takes bright trim to the next level, including a bright grille surround with the flow-through “CHEVROLET” bar and chrome-accented grille inserts. It also features LED reflector headlamps, LED daytime running lamps and LED taillamps. 2500HD and 3500HD SRW models feature standard 18-inch aluminum wheels with 20-inch wheels available. 3500HD DRW has standard 17-inch steel wheels and 17-inch polished forged-aluminum wheels are available.
High Country: The most dramatic and expressive trim in the lineup, with a distinctive fascia featuring a grille with the Chevy bowtie and two-tone metallic grille trim, and LED lighting. 2500HD and 3500HD SRW models feature 20-inch polished aluminum wheels and the 3500HD DRW features 17-inch polished forged-aluminum wheels.

 

 

Chevy Also Created This Matrix Showing the Comparison To Other Trucks

 

Please see our separate story for full specifications. 

 

Image Gallery:

 

[BIGDOGx]

Wonder how the GM people at this conference felt when they looked on their phones and saw the news about the new ford hd trucks dropping this morning basically one upping in ever check box. 

[Sierra Dan]

The 2020 Sierra HD is better looking IMHO 

[rkj__]

A 52% increase is a massive improvement. 

 

That said, I wonder how many drivers will be using a new Chevy HD to actually tow more weight than the old HD was rated to tow. 

 

I'm not expert on travel trailers, but even a 39ft tri-axle 5th wheel is usually in the ballpark of 18,000 lb.  Occasionally, I'll see a 3500 tow a heavy piece of equipment, like a small Bobcat / excavator, but it's not often I see one towing something that my guess-o-meter says weighs over 20,000 lb.

Edited February 5, 2019 by rkj__

[DTB]

Fuglyrado is more like it. I’m not sure why Chevy has got it wrong so consistently lately, but they continue to amaze me. 

[DEV1ST8R]

Not a bad looking truck. Those mirrors though - gotta go! They look like something a kid threw together with Legos...

[mookdoc6]

5 hours ago, BIGDOGx said:

Wonder how the GM people at this conference felt when they looked on their phones and saw the news about the new ford hd trucks dropping this morning basically one upping in ever check box. 

I bet pretty good....They saw a stock price almost 5x higher....Plus, they are still chuckling over the whole ecoboost thing....now the Skinny Gasser!  Yeah, FERD

[j-ten-ner]

36 minutes ago, mookdoc6 said:

I bet pretty good....They saw a stock price almost 5x higher....Plus, they are still chuckling over the whole ecoboost thing....now the Skinny Gasser!  Yeah, FERD

So, are they putting a stop on the lay-offs now?

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[wizard4878]

that fugly two color brown and black interior has most definitely got to go,  looks like the Nissan platinum reserve edition, yuck

[Imcrazy]

I am not sure I can get past that front end...... At least you can't see it while you're driving... If I needed an HD truck I would be buying a GMC

Edited April 16, 2019 by Imcrazy