General Motors began producing a full-size Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck in 1998. A similar model was also offered under the name GMC Sierra. The truck was offered with regular, one-and-a-half, or double cabs, and the cargo platform had three lengths.
1 Generation 1998-2007
The Chevrolet Silverado came with a 427 cubic inch V6 engine. There were also two choices of 8-cylinder engines with displacements of 4.8 and 5.3 liters, with horsepower ratings of 270 and 295 respectively. The transmission was a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Drive could be rear or all-wheel drive. In 2003, a version with 6-liter "V8" engine with 345 hp appeared in the lineup, and in 2004, a pickup with a hybrid power plant was launched.
In addition to conventional pickups, customers were also offered heavier duty Heavy Duty models. Heavy Duty versions were equipped with 8-cylinder engines 6.0, 6.6, and 8.1 (210-360 hp).
Every year in America 600-700 thousand such pickups were sold.
2 Generation 2006-2013
The second generation of the Chevrolet Silverado pickup was produced from 2007 to 2013. The truck, based on the GMT900 platform, had a new exterior and interior design and improved suspension. As before, the Silverado was offered in standard and heavy-duty models, with several different cabins, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive versions.
Standard pickups could be equipped with V6 4.3, V8 4.8, V8 5.3, V8 6.0, and V8 6.2 engines with power from 195 to 403 hp. Also, there was a hybrid version. In the U.S. and Canada, manual transmission versions are no longer offered, and the Mexican market is the only one to keep it.
"The Heavy Duty Chevrolet Silverado was equipped with 8-cylinder engines with a working volume of 6.0 and 6.6 liters (353-397 hp).
Demand for the second-generation model declined slightly, with about 400,000 pickups sold each year.
3 Generation 2013-2018
The pickup has a frame construction with a continuous rear axle on a leaf-spring suspension. Under the hood are gasoline engines with direct injection and variable valve timing: 4.3-liter V6, 5.3-liter V8, and 6.2-liter V8. The transmission is six-speed automatic only, rear or all-wheel drive.
The pickup also has a "Heavy Duty" version, which can reach 3.5 tons of payload. These "Silverado" are equipped with a gasoline V8 6.0 engine (322 or 360 hp) or turbodiesel V8 6.6 with 397 hp.
4 Generation 2018- n.d.
The frame pickup is available with a single, one-and-a-half, or double cab, and has several versions with different design options - work, off-road, and luxury. The Chevrolet Silverado's counterpart is the GMC Sierra pickup - they differ only in design and equipment.
Base versions of the Silverado are equipped with a four-cylinder turbocharged 2.7 gasoline engine (310 hp), or an in-line six-cylinder turbodiesel Duramax 3.0 (305 hp). For those who like tradition, the truck can be equipped with an atmospheric petrol V8 engine with a working volume of 5.3 or 6.2 liters, making 355 and 420 hp respectively.
Transmission is automatic only, six-, eight- and ten-speed. Drive is rear or all-wheel drive.
In the U.S., prices for the Chevrolet Silverado start at $34,600. Ford F-150 and Ram pickups can be considered the model's main competitors.