Silverado's frame is the stiffest and lightest truck frame General Motors has ever built. The front frame rails are hydroformed, a new process that uses high-pressure hydraulics to shape relatively large and complex components that used to be fabricated from smaller stampings. Tubular crossmembers and roll-formed mid-rails increase rigidity further. This stiff structure enhances handling and ride quality immensely, while improving crashworthiness.The front suspension comprises aluminum short-upper and long-lower control arms, with coil springs on two-wheel-drive models and torsion bars on four-wheel-drive models. Brakes are large, heavy-duty discs on all four corners, and ABS is standard on all models. All three V8 engines are based on the new GM SB-2 small-block architecture that was introduced on the Corvette three years ago and extended to the Camaro and Firebird in 1999. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard in the base truck, but most buyers will opt for the 4L60 and 4L65 four-speed automatics. These feature a delayed-upshift mode for towing. They are excellent transmissions.
As with the exterior design, the Silverado interior reflects traditional Chevrolet thinking. The doors and door openings are now the largest in the industry, while the cab is the roomiest. The instrument package looks like a cross between what is found in the new Corvette and what was used in the old C/K trucks. It comprises a large speedometer and tachometer flanked by four smaller gauges. All use pleasant white-on-black graphics. The sound-system control panel is located above the climate controls. The climate control system uses a rotary-dial layout that works perfectly. There are three 12-volt outlets at the bottom center of the dashboard for radar detectors, cellular telephones, laptop computers, and other accessories. Our test truck was an LT Extended Cab, which comes with six-way power front bucket seats with seat heaters and memory. The doors lock automatically as soon as you pull away, a security feature that can be de-programmed at the dealership. The LT also comes with a lockable floor console large enough to hold a picnic lunch for a family of four; it comes with a reversible, removable cup holder tray and a storage nook in front of the lid. Air conditioning outlets and a set of drop-down cup holders are built in for rear-seat passengers. A compass is incorporated into the LT model's overhead console, along with three storage areas for sunglasses, garage door opener, and small items. The door trim is a nice combination of vinyl panels and dotted velour that is soft and warm to the touch. We were pleasantly surprised when we climbed through one of the rear-opening auxiliary doors of the extended-cab Silverado and into the back seat, which has been redesigned and remounted for far greater room and comfort. When cargo capacity is more important than hauling passengers, the entire rear seat assembly can be removed with a wrench and lifted out through the side door. About the only thing we didn't like was the design of the interior door handles, which operate in an up-and-in arc and felt loose whenever we used them. We'd prefer more resistance and a more positive feel. OnStar, which is available on LT models, is a communications and location system that allows customers to call for 24-hour assistance. The system calls for assistance automatically if the truck's airbags have deployed. |
