Chevy Gets Back Into Big Truck Game With Super-Ultra Extra Heavy-Duty Silverado

Did you think the Chevy Silverado HD was a pretty big truck? Well it is, in terms of consumer pickups. But this new version is even bigger.

Unveiled at the NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, the new Siverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD is a medium-duty truck – not in pickup terms, but in commercial truck terms.

The new addition to the Silverado range takes General Motors back into the Class 4, 5, and 6 chassis-cab truck market for the first time since discontinuing the Chevy Kodiak (and GMC TopKick) in 2009. That puts the latest Chevy trucks back in direct competition with the Ford F-450/F-550 and F-650/F-750, and the Ram 4500/5500 Tradesman.

But while the 4500/5500/6500 Silverado HDs are decidedly targeted at commercial users, they’ve been designed to be as consumer-friendly as possible. They’ll also be “the most connected commercial truck available,” with features like 4G LTE internet, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and wireless cellphone charging.

“Chevy’s designers and engineers were obsessed with making this Silverado the most customer-focused medium duty truck of any major competitor,” said GM fleet chief Ed Peper. “By customer-focused, I mean work-ready trucks that are easy to upfit, easy to drive, easy to service and easy to own.”

Truck drivers, fleet managers, upfitters, and technicians may be more concerned about the oily bits that’ll get the job done. To that end, the big new Silverados will come powered by a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel, kicking out 350 horsepower and a monstrous 700 lb-ft of torque. The engine’s mated to an Allison transmission and can be had in two- or four-wheel drivetrains.

It’ll also be offered with seven cab-to-axle (CA) sizes ranging from 60 to 162 inches and with five axle-to-back-of-frame (AF) lengths offered in 8-inch increments. There’ll be a rear air suspension offered as well, filling out what’s sure to be a huge range of configurations to cater the new ultra-heavy-duty Silverado to the job for which it’s needed.

The new model joins the Colorado, Silverado, Silverado HD, Express, and (Isuzu-made) Low Cab Forward models in an expanding Chevy Trucks lineup. Expect a GMC version to follow as well.