2019 Chevy Silverado 1500: Importance of Aerodynamics and What’s Under the Hood? (Op/Ed)

2019 chevy silverado 1500 z71 trailboss engine
2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71 Trailboss

The pickup truck wars in the United States are escalating for the upcoming 2019 model year. Chevrolet, Ford, and Ram are all expected to show new trucks next month at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show. While trucks are still about functionality, capability, hauling, and towing – fuel economy, convenience, and luxury feature are becoming ever more important.

Aerodynamics

Aerodynamics are a big part of the fuel economy equation. Unfortunately, large off-road trucks, such as the 2019 Silverado Trailboss you see here are inherently bad at moving through the air with efficiency. It does not mean that engineers should stop coming up with new ways to improve coefficient of drag and make gains in economy. A TFLtruck viewer pointed out that the teased Silverado Trailboss has what appear to be side air inlets (or “gills”) to aid with aerodynamics.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado
[Photo: Chevrolet]
Look closely at the back of the cab, and you will see a small spoiler with the built-in center brake light assembly. This and the body-mounted side mirrors are all part of an elaborate aerodynamic design. Surely, there is much more that we cannot see from these initial images.

Powertrains?

Which engines will power the next generation Silverado? Chevrolet hinted at a wide array of powertrain options for the new truck.

Allow me to speculate…

V6

The base work truck version could see a 3.6L gasoline V6 that is currently available in the Chevy Colorado. It’s paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

V8

Chevy is very unlikely to drop the use of their V8 engines in the Silverado. Will the 5.3L and the 6.2L V8s stick around with minor updates? Yes, it’s very possible, and these could pair nicely with GM’s new 10-speed automatic. I don’t think GM will transition to using smaller turbocharged gas engines, but time will tell.

Diesel

Many rumors continue to fly about a Silverado 1500 with a Duramax turbo-diesel engine option. There several prototypes caught in the wild earlier this year that were filling up with diesel fuel. Which diesel will it be? What will be the transmission? It’s very difficult to say at this point.

Electrification

Will GM move forward with further electrification of the Silverado? This will likely not happen for the 2019 model, but GM undoubtedly has several advanced powertrain options available for evaluation and development: hybrid, plug-in hybrid, full electric, or hydrogen fuel-cell electric.