The perianal second best seller in the States behind arch rival Ford’s F150, the fourth generation Silverado, which originally came powered by updated versions of the 5.3-litre and 6.2-litre V8 motors, now offers the inline-four as standard on the LT and RST derivatives, making it the only pick-up in its class to have this configuration.
Displacing 2.7-litres and aided by a turbocharger, the mill produces 228kW/472Nm and comes connected as standard to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. According to Chevrolet, the blown-four, a first for any generation Silverado, will make up 10% of the model’s sales and improve fuel consumption by 22% versus the previous 4.3-litre V6.
The addition of the 2.7 brings the Silverado’s engine count to five with the entry-level Work Truck, Custom and Custom Trail Boss variants sporting the aforementioned V6 as standard, or with the 5.3-litre V8 optional. Output is rated at 210kW/413Nm for the V6 and 265kW/519Nm for the V8, with both being backed-up by a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Aside from the turbo-four, both the LT and RST can be equipped with the 5.3 albeit connected to the eight-speed ‘box, and from 2019, the highly awaited new 3.0-litre straight-six Duramax turbodiesel linked to a 10-speed auto co-developed with Ford. No output for the oil burner has yet been revealed.
Slotting in above the RST, the LT Trail Boss features the 5.3 as the sole option, while the upscale LTZ and top spec High Country can be fitted with this engine, the diesel or the 6.2 as an option. Punching out 313kW/623Nm, the most powerful V8 also comes mated to the 10-speed ‘box and like the 5.3, comes with Dynamic Fuel Management which GM claims can deactivate seven of the eight cylinders.
Despite reports last year that both Ford and Fiat-Chrysler owned Ram are considering right-hand drive versions of the F150 and 1500 pick-up, GM is unlikely to bring RHD versions of the Silverado 1500 to market soon, in spite of signing an agreement with Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) to convert examples of the mid-size Silverado 2500HD and Camaro for the Australian market.
