Chevrolet followed up its announcement of the all-new 2014 Corvette, a call for celebration to gearheads, with one that will make its shareholders equally happy. The Corvette might be Chevy’s most iconic model, but the Silverado truck is its bestseller. That may explain why the new 2014 Silverado 1500 will debut in December, one month before the Corvette.
Chevy is promising a thorough exterior redesign, but all we can confirm from the teaser image released today is that the Silverado will have some type of electrical lighting device prominently positioned on its prow.
The headlight shot might not be too revealing, but spy shots, including some released by Chevy itself a few months ago, show a truck with the same bulky proportions as the current Silverado, and the same chiseled, nearly flat, front end. Expect many changes in detail areas, such as the grille, fenders, and bumpers.
Extensive changes are also expected in the interior, which will feature Chevy’s MyLink control system, with added buttons for pickup truck duty. It’s reasonable to expect a Silverado owner to operate these systems with gloves on, so this time, buttons are beautiful.
As with most truck redesigns, the most significant changes will occur under the skin. Whether or not the 2014 Silverado looks like its predecessor, it will be riding on a new chassis with plenty of aluminum and magnesium bits. A lighter curb weight will help curb fuel economy, and every little bit helps when you’re dealing with this much metal.
The 2014 Silverado is also likely to get the new “Gen V” small block V8 that GM is putting in the new Corvette. Obviously, the Silverado’s version won’t be identical to the Vette’s, but it will most likely include direct injection to boost efficiency. As with the current Silverado, there will probably be more than one available engine, as well as a Duramax diesel in 2500 and 3500 HD models.
Chevy may also introduce a luxury “High Country” trim level for this working man’s vehicle. Such a truck would compete with Ford’s F-150 and Super Duty Platinum models for the money of millionaires who can’t fit their 10-gallon hats in a Mercedes GL.
One-percenters aside, Chevy sells more Silverados than anything else, so a lot is riding on this redesign. The 2014 Silverado will be unveiled in Detroit on December 13, with a more public showing at the Detroit auto show in January.
