Chevy rolls out refreshed 2016 Silverado pickups
Chevrolet will reveal to the public Thursday its refreshed 2016 Silverado that has a more aggressive front-end design.
The pickups will be available this fall, and turn up the heat in the competitive and popular full-size pickup segment. The Silverado and the redesigned 2016 GMC Sierra go head-to-head with the new 2015 F-150 aluminum body pickup and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Ram brand. Ram for mid-2015 and 2016 is offering a new off-road Rebel model and redesigned upscale Laramie Limited.
It’s the first major refresh for General Motor Co.’s full-size trucks since 2013, when they were new for the 2014 model year. Analysts expect to see new fully redesigned GM trucks by the 2019 model year.
Chevrolet will show the trucks during a media event at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. A Chevrolet spokesman said the trucks have tested very well in clinics with potential customers.
New safety features are available on the 2016 Silverado, including forward-collision alert and lane keep assist. The trucks support Apple CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto.
New headlamps, grille, hood and taillights are among the changes; the truck’s headlights now integrated into the grille, and turn signals and brake lights wrap around the truck’s corners. A remote locking tailgate also will be offered.
Each Silverado trim level gets a unique look. The LT and LTZ models get a chrome grille and bumper. Some trims get additional and LED lighting. New for 2016, a eight-speed transmission that was standard on the 6.2-liter V-8 Silverado will be standard on the LTZ, LTZ/Z71 and High Country Silverados with the 5.3-liter V-8 engine.
Silverado sales are up 16.6 percent this year through August to 387,179. GM, citing third-party data, says in the second quarter this year that the Silverado and Sierra generated an average sales price of $37,000. That was $2,000 less than competitors’ average price, but the trucks gave GM a 41 percent market share, which was higher than in some recent quarters.
Pricing on the new Silverado has not been announced. A 2015 Silverado regular cab work truck in two-wheel drive begins at about $27,700.
mburden@detroitnews.com