
Motor Trend Truck of the Year – Silverado HD – Provides Unparalleled Heavy Duty Clarity
The designation of Motor Trend’s 2011 Truck of the Year is anything but a formality, but with its new frame, new suspension, new powertrain and new styling cues, the latest Silverado HD makes sure that the 2011 Truck of the Year wears a bowtie.
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For 2011, Chevy revamped its legendary HD Silverado (in 2500HD and 3500HD iterations) to look, perform and feel better than any other pickup in its class. The folks at Motor Trend took notice, and, after evaluating the newest Silverado against its competitors in design, engineering, efficiency, safety, functional performance and overall value, awarded the most powerful Chevy ever some serious hardware: 2011 Truck of the Year. With the 2500HD having already earned Best Three-Quarter Ton Diesel honors from PickupTrucks.com, the newest Silverado is quite simply Chevy’s most impressive heavy-duty truck ever.
2011 Silverado HD – Redefining Heavy Duty Trucks in Iowa
The 2011 Silverado HD earned its designations with a collection of impressive enhancements. First, in the face of stiff competition in its segment, the newest Silverado did what any good heavy-duty should: It got stiffer with a new high-strength steel frame. Now fully boxed with welded crossbeams, the pickup’s new frame provides five times more torsional stiffness, and handles up to 6,635 pounds of payload.
The new frame supports a new and improved independent front suspension with bigger, stronger components (like enhanced torsion bars, precision-forged upper control arms and the HD’s largest steering gear to date) that live up to the “heavy-duty” nameplate. In addition to delivering one of the finest ride-qualities in its class (even when not towing or hauling a thing), Chevy’s sturdier construction keeps overall weight low, but drastically increases the Silverado’s maximum Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (from 4,800 pounds to 6,000), so HD 4×4 models now have the ability to attach a snowplow.
Beneath the hood, HD Silverados start with Chevy’s versatile Vortec 6.0-liter V8 engine, proving that you don’t have to mess with what works. Through a six-speed automatic transmission, V8s churn 360 hp and 380 lb/ft of torque. The 2011 Truck of the Year also houses an available new Duramax 6.6-liter Turbo-Diesel V8 with a heavy-duty six-speed Allison® automatic transmission, which not only improves power over last year’s model (now 397 hp and 765 lb/ft of torque), but efficiency and cleanliness as well. Chevy’s Turbo-Diesel is B20 Biodiesel compatible, features a 60 percent reduction in harmful emissions and an 11 percent increase in highway fuel economy.
Trailering also sees significant upgrades under Chevy’s diesel regime. The 3500s now pull up to 21,700 pounds. Silverado 2500s see an uptick of a full ton to 17,800 pounds. Chevy’s standard StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control, Hill-Start Assist and automatic Trailer Sway Control systems deliver serious towing confidence, as does the Silverado’s enhanced new heavy-duty braking system. Bigger and stronger than in years past with an Intelligent Brake Assist feature and a generally improved response and feel, the Silverado’s advanced antilock brakes also sport automatic grade braking, which instinctively downshifts the transmission while descending steep grades, as well as a new exhaust brake system, which prolongs brake life by creating back pressure in the pickup’s turbo-diesel engine – effectively slowing down the engine without applying the brakes.
2011 Chevy Silverado HD Design and Technology
Fulfilling all Motor Trend’s lofty criteria (and not just those focused on performance), Chevy complements its supremely functional HD pickups with sleek styling and impressive interior amenities. In Regular, Extended and Crew Cabs, and with or without the 3500’s available “dually” rear quad-tire setup, the Silverado HD is a commanding and iconic figure on the pickup landscape. For 2011, a new front bumper and grille design fits nicely with the available classic chrome accents and optional new 20-inch wheels. Inside, Chevy’s work truck is committed to luxury and convenience, sporting optional heated, leather-appointed seats (with ample room for up to six adults in Crew Cabs), innovative storage areas and a pair of gloveboxes. Instruments and trim are sleek and streamlined, and accompany available features like a rearview camera, a touchscreen DVD navigation radio with XM Satellite Radio and real-time traffic information, Bluetooth hands-free communication and an integrated USB port.
Chevy brings the newest Silverado well into the new year with the available Chevrolet Wi-Fi by Autonet mobile system, which turns the HD pickup into a mobile Internet hotspot; a must-have for worksites and anyone who runs their business from behind the wheel. New this year, iPhone and smartphone owners can download the free MyChevrolet App, which syncs with the Silverado and allows drivers to remotely lock and unlock doors, set alerts, check vehicle diagnostics, contact OnStar and much more, right from their phones. Chevy’s latest HD also delivers the confidence of the standard OnStar system, as well as a Five-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Warranty.
Stronger, sturdier and more secure than ever before, the 2011 Silverado HD, Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year, earns its designation due to its commitment to superior engineering and functionality. And with a starting MSRP of $28,315, the newest HD stands as one of the best values in a now very jealous class.