To help make the new 2014 Silverado not only better than its predecessor, but better than other full-size pickups, Chevrolet decided something needed to change. They wanted their new truck to be able to pull heavy trailers through mountain trails, haul tools down washboard gravel roads, and drive through mud on farms and construction sites.
That's why Chevy engineers decided to chose high-strength steels when constructing the new full-size pickup. The frame was updated to be more durable and tougher than ever, without increasing the weight, an accomplishment General Motors is already proud of.
"Chevy owners use their trucks for earning a living and taking care of their families," said Jeff Luke, executive chief engineer in a GM press release. "To meet the needs of these hard-working men and women, we chose high-strength steels for the key structural elements of the 2014 Silverado. That reduces the weight of these components without sacrificing the toughness and durability customers count on."
To make sure the 2014 model would live up to the company's expectations, engineers updated the frame and included main rails and major cross members, made from high-strength steel according to Chevy. Hydroforming was used to "improve strength and reduce mass of the front of the frame."
The new high-strength steel was used in locations on the truck like the rocker panels and underbody to help the vehicle perform better in shallow-offset crash tests. More than half of the new truck is made from high-strength steel according to Chevy.
Aluminum was also used to construct the vehicle to reduce mass without changing the reliability that fans have grown to love. The company plans on putting the new Silverado through more than 6 million miles of durability testing on tough test roads that will equal 240 trips around the earth.
"But whether we are engineering full-size pickups like Silverado, or our efficient new midsize trucks, we can't forget that trucks are workhorses," said Luke in the press release. "The materials we select and the powertrains we engineer must be able to get the job done, and save our customers money by holding down overall cost of ownership year in and year out."
The truck is expected to be released this coming summer.
Related Articles:
Asteroid Apophis Revealed In Photos, Could Hit Earth In 2036, Watch Webcast Live (VIDEO)
Apple Rumors: Company Working on Cheaper iPhone, iPhone 5 Costs $215 To Build (VIDEO)
Jeep Sets All-Time Global Sales Record In 2012, Sells Over 700,000 Vehicles
2013 Ford Fusion Energi Named Connected Car Of The Year By Connected World Magazine
Nissan Starts Assembly of 2013 Leaf Electric Vehicle And Batteries (VIDEO)
See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?
