.::sports and home: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Bows in Motor City

2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Bows in Motor City – 2013 Detroit From the auto show floor: Though the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 did not get any love during Monday morning’s Chevrolet press conference — which was spent entirely on the 2014 Corvette Stingray — there’s still much to learn about the next-generation full-size pickup. The Silverado, as well as its GMC sibling, the Sierra, are parked right across the aisle from the line of Stingrays and are just as new this year. The Detroit auto show is the first public venue for both vehicles.

2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Bows in Motor City – 2013 Detroit

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2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Bows in Motor City – 2013 Detroit

One of the few people to play an important role on both projects is Tom Peters, the director of design for performance vehicles, full-size truck and SUV exteriors at General Motors. Peters noted Monday that the design studios for both vehicles only have a hallway between them, and he was often going from one studio to the other over the past few years.

“Both customers are passionate about their vehicles,” he said. “And when they think we’ve done something wrong, they’ll come after you.” Indeed, since Sunday’s unveiling of the Corvette, Peters said, he’s heard from a number of people about the new taillights, which are no longer round. “We knew it was going to be controversial,” Peters said. “We wanted it to be controversial, we wanted to shake things up. We even tried to design the rear end with round taillights, but [the new Corvette] just looked old.” At the same time, Peters said that he’s aware of the complaints over the new Silverado and Sierra that the exterior changes weren’t enough or more dramatic.

“We’re not going to please everyone,” Peters said, “but there’s all new sheetmetal on the pickups and we’re very pleased with the new front end and the bolder presence it presents.” While Chevrolet and GMC gave us the first look of its full-size trucks in December, Detroit is the first chance the public will get to see them up close.

Here is a quick look at the changes and updates to the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado pickup:

Powertrian:

Choice of 4.3-liter V-6, 5.3-liter V-8, and 6.2-liter V-8 with more horsepower and torque than previous models

All engines feature aluminum block and heads as well as direct-injection, cylinder deactivation (V-4 mode), and continuously variable valve timing to optimize power and fuel efficiency

New transmission and exhaust mounts reduce vibration during four-cylinder mode

Active exhaust system tunes backpressure and sound to be smoother and quieter

Six-speed automatic transmission with Auto Grade Braking for steep hills

Chassis/Suspension/Steering/Brakes:

High-strength steel and hydroforming used in main rails, major cross members, cabin A- and B-pillars, roof rails, and rocker panels for quieter ride and increased strength

Ultra-high-strength steel in rocker panels and underbody for better offset crash test results

New mounts better isolate cab from frame

Roll-formed steel pickup box is lighter and stronger than stamped steel

Coil-over front suspension uses lighter and stiffer aluminum upper and lower control arms

30 percent stiffer springs for improved handling

Rear two-stage multi-leaf springs with new bushings for load capacity and smooth ride

Four-wheel disc brakes standard

Body/Bed:

CornerStep bumper with built-in hand grip pockets in bed rail protectors assist bed access

Internal tailgate torsion bar and rotary damper reduces effort to open and close

Locking tailgate, two-tier loading, and bed light are standard

Three bed lengths: 5-foot 8-inch (available on crew-cab), 6-foot 6-inch (regular cab, extended-cab, and crew-cab), and 8-foot (regular cab)