Chevrolet will unveil to the public for the first time its updated 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 today at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. Aside from major updates to the look of the front end, such as added LED lighting, the 2016 Silverados will include expanded use of its 8-speed automatic transmission to the 5.3-liter V8, updated available Chevy MyLink with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and additional safety technologies.
“The new 2016 Silverado will build on the Chevy truck legacy of dependability,” said Sandor Piszar, marketing director for Chevrolet trucks. “New muscular front end designs, sculpted hoods and signature LED lighting accents reflect Silverado’s strength and dependability, which have helped make Silverado the fastest growing full-size pickup brand this year.”
Chevy’s design team looked to use lighting to enhance the ’16 Silverado’s look and design. This use of advanced lighting allowed the team to integrate the lights “into the sweeping horizontal elements and deep grille inserts.” The front end also clearly has a more rounded, streamline look, as the turn signals and brake lamps wrap around the corners of the truck more so than the previous version.
Chevy also says the new designs allowed for a unique look in each trim level to offer the ideal option to fit each buyer. For example, Chevrolet notes the Silverado WT features chrome horizontal grille elements, black grille inserts, and compact high-intensity discharge headlamp, while the LT and LTZ Silverados feature chrome grille elements and bumpers and the Z71s have a monochromatic appearance; the Silverado High Country features chrome horizontal bars, grille inserts and skid plates, set off by body colored bumpers.
Instead of retaining the tradition square-nose front end, the ’16 Silverado has a much more sculpted hood to update and modernize its appearance. Chevy also notes that all trim levels will feature premium lighting with LED signature daytime running lamps and park/turn lamps. LED fog lamps will be available on LT and come standard on LT Z71. In the lighting department, Chevy notes that the LTZ, LTZ/Z71 and High Country models feature LED technology for all lighting, including LED headlamps, daytime running lights, fog lights, park/turn signal lamps, and tail lamps.
Chevrolet says that Silverado customers are among the top users of its OnStar and 4G LTE Wi-Fi. So for 2016, the company has enhanced these offerings on the Silverado, as it will now be available with support for Apple CarPlay, which projects select iPhone features (iPhone 5 and later) on the available MyLink display in a smart, simple manner. It also allows the driver to make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri.
For those without iPhones, don’t fret. Chevrolet says the Silverado models with the available 7-inch color MyLink also will support Android Auto.
Chevy also has enhanced the safety of the 2016 Silverado by offering Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist and IntelliBeam high beam assist. It is also available with a remote locking tailgate for convenience and security. Wireless phone charging is available on LT and LTZ double cab and crew cab models with available bucket seats, and it is standard on High Country. Silverado High Country also will be available with power articulating running boards, which extend to enhance access to the cab, and can also swing rearward for easier access to the bed.
The 2016 Silverado will be offered with the same three engine options as the 2015 model – 4.3L V-6 (285 hp, 305 kb-ft), 5.3L V-8 (355 hp, 383 lb-ft) and 6.2L V-8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft) – but the biggest update will be the expanded use of the 8-speed transmission. No longer just standard equipment on the 6.2L V8, it will also be standard 5.3L V8 trucks in the LTZ, LTZ/Z71 and High Country trim level. Chevy says the 8-speed trans “provides a numerically higher first gear ratio to help drivers start off more confidently with a heavy load or when trailering. Its wider overall gear ratio spread also enables numerically lower rear axle ratios, which reduce engine rpm on the highway.”
Chevy says it will look to continue its upward trend in 2016, as the company notes its pickup sales are up 33 percent so far this year. Chevrolet looks to retain this momentum with its updated Silverado, its new diesel engine offering for the Colorado, and new special models for Silverado and Colorado. We’ll get a chance to check out many of these truck first hand soon, so be sure to check back for our first-drive impressions of the 2016 Chevy truck lineup.
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