2019 Chevrolet Silverado - Let the One-Upping Begin

There’s something about truck marketing.

Any time an automaker has a redesigned, refreshed, or updated truck to sell, out come the shots at the competition.

Tonight it was Chevy’s turn — the automaker wouldn’t divulge specs related to the 3.0-liter diesel inline-six that will be available in its all-new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, but GM product boss Mark Reuss made sure to imply that the diesel would make more power than that of the diesel Ford just unveiled for the F-150.

Contests of ego aside, the next Silverado is now here. It’s bigger yet lighter, shedding 450 pounds, and it’s available with six engine/transmission choices.

Full Disclosure: Chevrolet provided me with a hotel room and meals so that I could cover the Silverado unveiling in Detroit in advance of the North American Auto Show. They did not provide a flight, as I drove to the Motor City.

Other details of note include a short-box bed that has 63 cubic feet of cargo volume, more cargo tie downs (up to 21, 12 fixed and nine movable), and stronger steel for the bed floor.

In addition to the diesel, other available engines will include a 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8. Both will have cylinder-deactivation systems that can shut down any number of cylinders, as necessary.

Chevy is touting the use of mixed materials, such as aluminum in the swing panels and steel in the fixed panels, and in what I read as a subtle swipe at the brand’s friends in Dearborn, Chevy also touted the high-strength steel used for the pickup truck bed floor, which is even stronger than before, or so Chevy says.

Key available features will include a power tailgate and bumper corner steps that are enlarged to better accommodate boots. In-seat storage in the rear-seat backrest is also available.

Several trim levels, including LT, LTZ, and High Country will be available, and available packages will include Z71, RST, and Trail Boss.

Chevrolet assembled media and some loyal owners in Detroit’s Eastern Market, and upon first glance, the truck is handsome up close (sorry, Steph, but I disagree with you on this), with an interior that is more evolutionary than revolutionary.

There’s not much news about the next GMC Sierra, but presenters hinted it would have more differentiation from the Silverado than it does now.

I’m curious to see if the Silverado’s final specs can trump Ford, Ram, and Toyota, but no matter what, there are already marketers in Detroit and elsewhere sharpening their skills.

[Images © 2018 Tim Healey/TTAC]