An open stretch of summer-lit highway right to that clear mountain lake. A soon-to-be-roasted package of hot dogs, a cooler of cold ones and a fishing pole. Some things make you feel fantastic only looking forward to them. If you happen to be a Chevy aficionado, the roll-out of the new HD Chevys just might be on your grin-making radar.
Chevy's newly-announced lines of 2011 Silverado and Sierra Denali HD GMC pickup trucks are due to arrive on truck lots just in time for summer camping, towing, boating, ATVing and biking. We know what you're going to say-we're all broke, too. But daydreaming about buying diesel trucks with our piles of imaginary money sure can be a nice way to pass the time waiting for a test drive.
First off the lot: The Sierra Denali HD. Right away you can tell it has been redesigned with that four-bar chrome grille and 19- and 20-inch forged aluminum wheels. With a 6.6L Duramax turbo diesel engine under the hood, the Denali offers drivers a tidy 397 hp. And where Ford put dollars into greater fuel efficiency with its green engineering and alternative biodiesel fuel capability, Chevy manufacturers instead focused on a "catalytic reduction after treatment system" for the Duramax.
According to General Motors, ".system delivers better overall diesel performance, with a range of about 5,000 miles (8,000 km) between DEF refills." GM specs state the 6.6L Duramax does have lower NOx emissions-63 percent lower-and B20 biodiesel capability. So a ride down the highway will be about 11 percent better in the fuel economy department. While it's true not everyone is interested in the green revolution, diesel truck devotees can't help but appreciate having money saved on fuel that can now go for mods, parts and other oh-so-necessary upgrades.
But is there greater towing capacity? Check. Try about 15,600 up to 20,000 lbs. worth. As for increased payload, 12 of the new 3500HD models have more than 6,000 lbs., with the 2011 Sierra coming in at a nice 6,335 lbs. What about that Allison 1000 six-speed transmission upgrade? As Sarah Palin would say, "You betcha." However, the standard model does have a Vortec 6.0L V-8 powertrain. There's also the new brake pad-saving "smart" exhaust brakes that promises better downhill brake control. Likewise, the front suspension has been improved for a 25 percent front axle rating increase. The Sierra Denali also has 2500 HD chassis in a 4WD crew cab setting.
The 2011 Silverado HD class also has some promising gains in overall power. The 6.6L Duramax turbo came in at 397 horsepower stock, with 765 lb-ft of torque. A stock Silverado 3500HD can tow about 20,000 lbs.
According to a statement from GM's Duramax chief engineer Gary Arvan, "Segment-leading power is great, but it's not the only thing that makes the new Duramax a winner. We designed the engine to make that power with less fuel and fewer emissions, while also increasing its durability."
With power increases and fuel usage tackled, GM assures consumers the Silverado will please the HD boys-and when they start the rebuilt/mod process, they should be even more happy. You know: the guys or girls who can't help themselves but to mod an engine? You might even be one of them. They have to take an engine apart and rebuild it each year to feel alive inside. Brothers/dads and their strange, grease monkey personalities aside, a ride in a brand new class of heavy-duty trucks can be like scratching an itch, the kind that leads to more scratching. How would the new ride perform with some tuning? A lift kit? An injector nozzle? You get the idea.
GM has tossed those of you a few bones in than vein. Interestingly, GM reformatted its turbocharger oil circuit to deliver speedier oil delivery and turbo pressure. They've also modified the rod pin ends to give greater sustainability to the pistons. The truck also has a 30,000-psi peizo-actuated fuel injection system that can utilize biodiesel, again at an 11 percent fuel savings. The heftier 36-gallon tank gives you about 680 miles of riding into the sunset before a fill `er up.