2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO Brings Lux LED Upgrades, 8-Speed Auto for 5.3L V8



2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO LTZ Z71

First good look today at the 2016 Silverado! The truck is making a real-life debut in Dallas, where it will be vying for attention with the new 2017 Ford Super Duty range.

Both are a bold and futuristic milestone in the evolution of trucks. The two designs feel both quite different, as ever, but share a similar organic brutalism in their bodywork. The Chevy leaves its main fender boxes and glasshouse alone for the 2016 update, but swaps the hood and bumpers on both ends for new, sleeker units. That hood in particular has some awesome sharp inward shaping toward the leading edge of the windshield — making this shapely view something drivers will enjoy from behind the wheel.

The nose is all-new with LEDs and HIDs galore — a veritable dream come true for stylish pickup fans. The other big change is a much deeper and three-dimensional shape for the grille, extending into the bumper in a new and more-modern way versus the current trucks. A variety of unique grille looks are set to join the Silverado range, with just a few of them shown here on an LT in red, LTZ in blue, and High Country shown in a dark mocha.

The new Chevy Silverados are promised in showrooms this Fall — so likely by December 1st or so for the first shipments.2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO LTZ Z71 2423

 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO

New for 2016

  • New front designs with bold horizontal elements, sculpted hood and LED signature lighting
  • HID projector headlamps with LED signature on WT, LS and LT
  • High-performance LED headlamps with LED signature standard on LTZ and High Country
  • New grille design with specific appearances for different models
  • LED taillamps standard on LTZ and High Country
  • Available remote locking tailgate
  • Power-articulating assist steps available on High Country
  • Hydra-Matic 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmission now available with the 5.3L V-8 engine on LTZ and High Country
  • Chevrolet MyLink with an 8-inch-diagonal touch-screen features performance improvements including a faster processor for better performance and Apple CarPlay capability. Android Auto capability coming later in the model year
  • Chevrolet MyLink with a new, 7-inch-diagonal touch-screen features performance improvements including a faster processor for better performance, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability (available on base model and standard on LS)
  • Wireless phone charging is included on all models equipped with front bucket seats
  • IntelliBeam (high-beam assist) and Lane Keep Assist added to the Enhanced Driver Alert Package available on LTZ and High Country
  • Black Out Edition (late availability) offered on WT regular cab and double cab
  • Available cargo convenience package includes spray-on bedliner, upper cargo tie-downs and cross rails tiered storage system
  • Exterior colors: Siren Red Tintcoat, Red Hot and Iridescent Pearl Tricoat

Product Information

2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 OFFERS NEW LOOK, ENHANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND EXPANDED LINEUP

The new 2016 Silverado 1500 builds on Chevy Trucks’ legacy of dependability with a dramatic new design, advanced connectivity and enhanced customer-focused technologies.

New front-end designs with a bolder, more sculpted appearance reflect the underlying strength of the Silverado’s high-strength steel construction, which helps provide the capability customers need and the value of low-cost ownership they count on.

Powerful, efficient V-8 engines are an integral part of the Silverado’s capability and use advanced technologies such as direct injection, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and continuously variable valve timing to offer the best V-8 fuel economy ever in a pickup – 23 mpg in 5.3L models – and the most powerful V-8 in a light-duty truck: 420 horsepower (313 kW) from the available 6.2L engine.

The 6.2L V-8 enables up to a 12,000-pound max trailering rating, when properly equipped, providing the strength to haul heavy loads for work or recreation – with the confidence that comes from the experience of more than 100 million Small Block engines built since 1955.

Additional changes and updates for 2016 include the expanded use of the eight-speed automatic transmission for some 5.3L models and a number of new and enhanced technology, safety and connectivity features:

  • Phone integration via Chevrolet MyLink, which enhances connectivity and promotes safer driving. It allows smartphone users to connect with applications such as navigation, hands-free messaging and more through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Android Auto is standard on a new 7-inch radio at the start of production and is planned for 8-inch radios later in the model year
  • Lane Keep Assist, which helps keep the truck in its lane with subtle steering enhancements, and IntelliBeam (high-beam assist) headlamp control, which automatically adjusts the high beams for oncoming traffic. Both are added to the available Enhanced Driver Alert Package
  • Wireless phone charging is included on all models equipped with front bucket seats
  • Available remote locking tailgate
  • Power-articulating assist steps are available on Silverado High Country, which makes entry and egress easier. They swing back at the tap of a switch to provide easier access to the front of the cargo box.

Silverado’s range also includes the distinctive Black Out Edition that’s offered on the WT trim. It features blacked-out trim and black-painted 20-inch aluminum wheels to give the truck a sinister appearance (interim availability).

What hasn’t changed for 2016 is the quality customers can depend on. Silverado 1500 was the segment leader in the 2015 J.D. Power and Associates U.S. Initial Quality survey.

Chevrolet Silverado is the most dependable, longest-lasting family of full-size pickups, with high-strength steel construction backed by proven V-8 power and efficiency.

Silverado lineup

The 2016 Silverado 1500 range includes regular cab and two four-door cabs – the double cab and crew cab – body styles, all offered with 4WD. Models and trim levels include:

  • WT – available on all three cab styles and configurations
  • LS – available on all three cab styles and configurations
  • LT – offered in 1LT and 2LT trims; 1LT available on all three cab styles and configurations and 2LT is available only with 4WD
  • LTZ – offered in 1LZ and 2LZ trims on double cab and crew cab; 1LZ offered in 2WD and 4WD; and 2LZ offered in 4WD only
  • High Country – offered exclusively on the crew cab – 2WD and 4WD.

Regular cab models are offered with a 6’6” box or an 8’ box. Double cab models are available exclusively with the 6’6” box, while crew cabs are available with a 5’8” box or the 6’6” box.

The entire lineup is available with a number of features engineered for serious towing, including the available NHT max trailering package, which features a 9.76-inch rear axle, heavy-duty rear springs, unique shock tuning, enhanced cooling and an integrated trailer brake controller to optimize capability and comfort when trailering.

And along with configurations to suit just about every need, Silverado can be tailored to the way customers use full-size pickups, providing the power, efficiency, refinement and dependability:

  • Range of powerful and efficient EcoTec3 engines, including a 4.3L V-6 rated at 285 hp (212 kW), a 5.3L V-8 rated at 355 hp (250 kW) and the 6.2L V-8 rated at 420 hp (313 kW)
  • Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 7,600 pounds (3,447 kg)
  • Maximum payload rating of 2,260 pounds (1,025 kg) – with the NHT max trailering package
  • Maximum trailering rating of 12,000 pounds (5,443 kg) – with the NHT max trailering package.

High Country details

Silverado High Country embodies rugged luxury – craftsmanship, authenticity and functionality – as Chevrolet’s premium full-size pickup. It is offered exclusively in the crew cab body, with the 5’8” or 6’6” cargo box, with 2WD or 4WD.

It is distinguished by a unique chrome grille with horizontal chrome bars, LED projector headlamps and body-color front and rear bumpers. Unique 20-inch chrome wheels with P275/55R20 all-season tires are standard, as are chrome body side moldings, door handles and mirrors.

Inside, it features an exclusive saddle brown interior, along with heated and vented, premium leather front bucket seats with High Country logos on the headrests, High Country-logo brushed metal sill plates, Chevrolet MyLink connectivity with an 8-inch-diagonal touch screen and navigation radio, Bose® premium audio, wireless phone charging, color-keyed carpeted floor mats and Front and Rear Park Assist.

The available High Country Premium Package adds the Enhanced Driver Alert Package, which includes Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist, IntelliBeam and Safety Alert Seat. The package also includes a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals and an integrated trailer brake controller.

Function design elements

Silverado’s cabs are designed to reduce wind noise in the cabin. Inlaid doors, for example, fit into body sides rather than wrapping over the roof and combine with triple door seals to reduce wind noise and turbulence, helping quiet the cab. Also, the front of the truck is carefully sealed to provide efficient cooling with minimal aerodynamic drag. An aluminum hood with twin power domes also enhances efficiency with lower weight than a steel hood.

When it comes to ergonomics, Silverado’s wide rear crew cab doors make it easier to get in and out of the truck, while the pickup box’s two-tier loading design, standard CornerStep rear bumper and ergonomically shaped handholds built into new box rail protectors make it easier to load and retrieve items.

Silverado’s design also includes a smart pickup box that’s strong and durable – and offers greater cargo flexibility. It features a two-tier loading design that allows customers to insert a platform to separate items during hauling or conceal valuables below, such as power tools.

The EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgate makes it easier to access the box. An internal torsion bar reduces the effort to raise and lower it, while a rotary damper allows for a controlled and more gradual lowering motion when opening it. The tailgate is also easily removable without tools. It is standard on LT, LTZ and High Country.

Silverado also offers a remote-locking tailgate, which is available on WT and LS, and standard on all other models.

To ensure loaded items remain in place while the vehicle is in motion, four integrated cargo tie-down provisions are built into the lower corners of the Silverado’s pickup box and adjustable upper tie-down hooks are available. The patented upper hooks – each rated at 250 pounds – can be placed in several locations around the upper bed rails, providing flexibility for securing loads of all shapes and sizes. Four of the hooks are included with the optional package, with additional hooks available as accessories from Chevrolet dealers.

A box light is standard and mounted above the rear window, while available under-rail LED lights enhance illumination and turn on with the standard overhead box lamp.

Heated, power-adjustable trailering mirrors are also offered on LS and LT, featuring segment-first LED rear guidance lamps.

Silverado interior details

The Silverado’s interior is roomy, quiet and functional, with a strong cab structure the foundation for Silverado’s refinement. Nearly two-thirds of it is made of high-strength steel, while shear-style body mounts are used to tune out both up-and-down and side-to-side movement for a quiet, comfortable ride. Double and crew cab models have a set of hydraulic body mounts to further isolate the cabs.

Active noise cancellation is standard when the vehicle is equipped with the available 6.2L V-8 engine.

All models feature an upright instrument panel with a six-gauge instrument cluster and multiple storage options tailored to the needs of customers who rely on their truck for more than simply hauling cargo. The controls are logically placed and easy to operate with work gloves on.

The instrument panel has a simple, intuitive six-gauge cluster. WT and LS models include a 3.5-inch driver information center display in the middle of the instrument cluster, with a 4.2-inch color driver information center display, for vehicle and infotainment data, standard on LT, LTZ, Z71 and High Country models. Ambient lighting highlights all functional areas, such as the “4×4” and headlamp switches, as well as the radio, for easier viewing at night.

All models have extensive interior storage, tailored to the way customers use their trucks. An all-new center console – available on vehicles with front bucket seats – offers nearly one cubic foot (24.5 liters) of combined storage space – about 25-percent more room than a typical paper grocery bag, with the depth and width to conceal a laptop computer.

The locking console accommodates hanging files for owners who use their truck as a rolling office, as well as controls for overhead ambient lighting, map pockets along the side, cup holders and reconfigurable compartments. It also includes USB ports, two 12-volt power points and a new 110-volt outlet. Plus, there’s a location on the console designed specifically for cell phone storage.

The fold-down center armrest on WT and other models equipped with the 40/20/40-split bench seat offers covered storage and connectivity, with USB ports and two 12-volt power points.

New wireless phone charging is available on LT and LTZ double cab and crew cab models with available bucket seats and is standard on High Country.

Front seating configurations include:

  • WT and LS – 40/20/40-split cloth or vinyl bench seat with fold-down armrest that includes covered storage and three integrated cup holders. Cloth seating is available on WT and is standard on LS
  • LT – 40/20/40-split bench seat in cloth with fold-down armrest that includes covered storage and three integrated cup holders, lockable under-seat storage compartment. Cloth bucket seats or a heated, leather-appointed 40/20/40 bench seat is available.
  • LTZ – Heated, leather-appointed bench seat with 10-way driver and outboard passenger seat adjusters, including power lumbar and driver’s two-position memory. Heated leather-appointed bucket seats are available.
  • High Country – Heated and vented, leather-appointed bucket seats with 12-way power adjustments, including four-way power lumbar control and two-position driver memory.

High-wear material is used on the cloth seats. Along with greater durability, it is stain-resistant and can be easily cleaned. In fact, a spilled drink will bead on top of the fabric instead of soaking into it.

Three interior trim colors are offered: Jet Black, Jet Black with Dark Ash accents and Cocoa with Dune accents. Silverado High Country’s leather-appointed seats come in an exclusive Saddle color.

Additionally, several equipment packages are available across the model range, bundling popular features:

  • WT Convenience Package – offered on all cabs and includes tinted windows, 110V power outlet, remote keyless entry, remote locking tailgate and Rear Vision camera. Power windows are also included on regular cab models (they are standard on double cab and crew cab)
  • LS Convenience Package – includes 110V power outlet and Rear Vision camera
  • LT Convenience Package – includes driver 10-way power seat adjuster (with 40/20/40 split-bench cloth seat), remote vehicle starter system, Rear Vision camera, rear-window defogger, manual tilting/telescopic steering column (not available with 4.3L V-6) and 110V power outlet. Double cab and crew cab models add dual-zone climate control
  • LT Plus Package – includes Universal Home Remote, Rear Park Assist, power-adjustable pedals, rear sliding power window and rear-window defogger
  • LTZ Plus Package – includes power-adjustable pedals, Bose premium audio system, Front and Rear Park Assist and heated, leather-trimmed steering wheel
  • Entertainment package – offered on LTZ and High Country, it includes a rear-seat DVD/Blu-Ray player, wireless remote control, a 9.2-inch-diagonal LCD display and two sets of wireless headphones.

MyLink with new phone integration technology, OnStar 4G LTE

Upgrades and enhancements for 2016 include an all-new radio with a 7-inch-diagonal color touchscreen that’s available on the WT trim and standard with the LS. An 8-inch system is offered on higher trim levels and equipment packages.

Both radios offer improved system speed and performance, faster, more accurate map loading, faster service reprogramming and redesigned navigation interfaces, including a quick list of recently browsed points of interest, point of interest country grouping, last destination screen and visual landmark indication with map guidance (on navigation radios only). The 8-inch radio offers enhanced voice command execution, while the new 7-inch radio uses pass-through voice recognition synced with the user’s phone.

Also new for Silverado 7-inch and 8-inch radio systems is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability. Each provides simple and smart use of smartphones in the vehicle, integrating certain phone functions onto MyLink’s color touchscreen and allowing users to call up music, navigation apps and more via compatible phones.

MyLink with the 7-inch display is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 8-inch system features Apple CarPlay compatibility at the start of the model year. Android Auto capability is scheduled to be available on the 8-inch system later in the model year.

Apple CarPlay takes the iPhone features customers want to access while driving and puts them on the vehicle’s display in a smart, simple manner. This allows drivers to make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri. Apple CarPlay-supported apps include Phone, Messages, Maps, Music and third-party audio apps. A full list of those apps can be found at Apple.com/ios/carplay. Apple CarPlay is compatible with iOS 7.1 or higher.

Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem that includes WhatsApp, Skype, Google Play Music, Spotify and podcast players. A full list of supported apps is available at g.co/androidauto.

Android Auto requires a phone running Android Lollipop 5.0 operating system or above.

Using either application is simple. A “Projection” icon on the MyLink screen is visible when a phone is not connected, then changes to indicate CarPlay or Android Auto when a compatible phone is connected via USB.

Compatible apps need to be downloaded to a phone before using. Apple and Google’s privacy statements and terms of use apply. Data plan rates may also apply.

Complementing MyLink to enhance Silverado’s connectivity is OnStar 4G LTE with a Wi-Fi hotspot. It provides a mobile hub for drivers and passengers to stay connected. The hotspot supports up to seven mobile devices and is on whenever the vehicle is on. It comes with a three-month/three-gigabyte data trial. It is available on WT and standard on other models.

At the time of purchase, six months of an OnStar Guidance plan includes all of OnStar’s advisor-based safety and security features, including Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Assistance, as well as turn-by-turn navigation.

Five years of a subscription-free OnStar Basic Plan includes RemoteLink Key Fob Services, allowing owners to remotely start and lock/unlock a car (if properly equipped), and activate the horn and lights from anywhere with a data connection. It also includes OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, which runs monthly checks of a vehicle’s engine, transmission, anti-lock brakes and more, and Dealer Maintenance Notification, which sends a diagnostic report directly to a preferred dealer to simplify service scheduling.

EcoTec3 powertrains

The Silverado’s trio of EcoTec3 engines – a 4.3L V-6, 5.3L V-8 and 6.2L V-8 – is designed to balance confident performance with efficiency. Each features direct injection, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and continuously variable valve timing to make the most of power, torque and efficiency across a broad range of operating conditions:

  • The 4.3L V-6 is SAE-certified at 285 horsepower (212 kW) and 305 lb-ft of torque (413 Nm) – the most torque of any standard V-6.
  • The 5.3L V-8 is SAE-certified at 355 horsepower (250 kW) and 383 lb-ft of torque (519 Nm). With EPA-estimated fuel economy of 23 mpg highway (2WD), it offers the best fuel economy of any V-8 pickup.
  • The 6.2L V-8 is the most powerful engine offered in any light-duty pickup truck, with SAE-certified 420 horsepower (313 kW) and 460 lb-ft of torque (623 Nm). It is available with LTZ and High Country, and matched with the 8L90 eight-speed transmission.

At the heart of the EcoTec3 engine family is an advanced combustion system that maximizes the potential of the direct fuel injection system, cylinder deactivation, continuously variable valve timing and other technologies. The ability to more precisely control combustion also enables the engines to run with a higher compression ratio – 11.0:1 for the versions with regular fuel recommended. Higher compression is one of the best ways to simultaneously boost power and efficiency.

In the U.S. and Canada, the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission is matched with the 4.3L and 5.3L engines in WT, LS and LT models. Silverado LTZ and High Country models with the 5.3L and 6.2L engine are matched with the 8L90 eight-speed automatic.

The GM-developed Hydra-Matic 8L90 is roughly the same size and weight as the 6L80 six-speed automatic. Its 7.0 overall gear ratio spread is wider than GM’s six-speed automatic transmissions. That provides a numerically higher first gear ratio, helping drivers start off more confidently with a heavy load or when trailering. The 8L90 also enables numerically lower rear axle ratios, which reduce engine rpm on the highway.nd at www.chevrolet.com.