Silverado: The new face of strong – Automotive World

We dig the ominous look of the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado’s front fascia, but there’s some form-follows-function added to the mix as well.

Chevrolet’s current-generation Silverado 1500 was all-new for 2014 but the full-size pickup has already come in for a substantial update, confirming the competitive environment in which the big, burly workhorse operates. Also, Nissan Motor Co.is just months away from rolling out a new version of the Titan pickup.

It’s one of the most radical mid-cycle changes to the face of the Silverado. Some critics griped that it looked too much like the truck it replaced.

“The redesigned 2016 Silverado will build on Chevy Trucks’ legacy of dependability”.

It’s not clear if the Silverado’s platform mate, the GMC Sierra, will receive similar updates for 2016. “Additional safety technologies” are also being promised by the company, though no specifics were offered at this time.

Chevrolet is expanding the availability of an eight-speed automatic transmission for models with a 5.3-liter V-8 engine.

Besides that, the Chevrolet Silverado will also be fitted with a black surround grille and some other chrome parts including side moldings, door handles, wheels, as well as mirror caps.

Chevrolet said it will offer more details on the 2016 Silverado this fall, closer to when the truck makes a public debut. Analysts expect to see fully redesigned full-size pickups for the 2019 model year. The Ford Motor Company’s [NYSE:F] aluminum-bodied F-150 remains the biggest threat, but Chevy’s pickup offerings remain popular, with Silverado sales up 14.6 percent so far this year. It’s up 8.2% over the same period.