NEW FOR 2015:
– New model
If towing and hauling make up the bulk of new vehicle needs, chances are you’re in the market for a three-quarter ton or one-ton truck. The segment is a four-horse race between Ford, Ram, and GM’s Chevrolet and GMC trucks, and it’s even hotter this year as both Chevy and GMC have put out all-new versions of their HD trucks.
Power is the name of the game with the Silverado HD, and two engines are available for both 2500HD and 3500HD trucks. The gas powertrain is a hefty 6.0-litre overhead valve V8 with 360 hp in the 2500HD and 322 hp in the 3500HD. Torque output is 380 lb-ft for both. For those who move mountains on a regular basis, there’s also the 397-hp, 765 lb-ft of torque 6.6-litre Duramax turbodiesel. Both engines receive six-speed automatic transmissions; the gas motor uses a GM-made ‘box, the diesel uses one by Allison.
Trim levels for this beast of burden include WT, LT, LTZ, and high-zoot High Country for both 2500HD and 3500HD. The latter can also be had with either single or dual rear wheels. The Regular Cab comes paired exclusively to the Long Box, where Double Cab and Crew Cab models can be had with either Regular Box or Long Box configurations.
In addition to receiving the refined cabin and luxury-oriented options like a heated steering wheel and ventilated seats from the Silverado 1500, the 2500HD and 3500HD also receive an infusion of technology to help drivers on the road. Features such as lane departure warning, forward collision alert, as well as vibrating safety seats are now available.
WT trim standard features include chrome bumpers and grille surround, floor-mounted manual-shift two-speed transfer case (4WD models), four cargo box tie-downs, black door handles, manual-folding black side mirrors, recovery hooks, tailgate and bedrail protection caps, locking tailgate, 17-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, driver information centre, tilt steering, manual windows (regular car models), power windows with driver express-up and express-down for other windows, 40/20/40 split front bench seat, rear folding bench seat (double cab), rear 60/40 split folding rear seat (crew cab), and a four- (regular cab) or six-speaker (double/crew cab) AM/FM stereo with 4.2-inch display, USB port and auxiliary input.
LT trim adds OnStar, heavy-duty trailering package, electronic 4WD shifter (4WD models), body-colour door handles, power heated side mirrors, body-colour side mouldings, EZ-lift and lower tailgate, 4G LTE hotspot capability, 17-inch aluminum wheels, rear wheelhouse liners (double and crew cab), carpeting and removable vinyl floormats, upgraded driver information centre, keyless entry, leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls, 60/40 split rear seat (double cab models), Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, Bluetooth, satellite radio, six-speaker stereo (regular cab), USB ports and a CD player.
LTZ trim brings a theft-deterrent system, remote starter, reverse camera, chrome door handles, projector headlights with LED daytime running lights, fog lights, chrome power-folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals, chrome bodyside mouldings, 18-inch polished forged aluminum wheels, automatic dual-zone climate control, rear window defroster, auto-dimming rearview mirror, 110-volt power outlet, tilt-and-telescopic steering, garage door opener, 10-way power driver and front passenger seats with leather inserts, memory seats, heated front seats, Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system with eight-inch display.
High Country models come with six-inch chrome rectangular assist steps, spray-on bedliner, body colour front and rear bumpers, four adjustable cargo box tie-downs, unique chrome grille, front and rear park assist, 20-inch chromed aluminum wheels, reconfigurable floor console with power cord management and hanging file folder capability, brushed metal sill plates, 12-way power adjustable front seats, heated and cooled front seats, six-speaker Bose stereo system, and navigation.
