'07 GM full-size pickups: First Drive

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credit: AUTOWEEK

World Exclusive First Drive 

Pull-Ahead Program — Full-size pickups give GM an early lead in looming truck wars 

By BOB GRITZINGER

6:00 am, November 6, 2006

AUTOWEEK

In March 2005, more than two years into development of General Motors’ latest full-size pickups, word came from management that these big trucks needed to be in the market 13 weeks ahead of schedule.

“Obviously, these pickups are hugely important,†said GM product development vice chairman Bob Lutz. “With the volume they represent, they’re enormously important.â€

What kind of volume? Try 998,614 Silverados and Sierras (in 2005), and 10 million since 1998 when the previous generation went on sale.

The 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks, on sale now in limited quantities, represent an enormous leap on the truck evolutionary scale. But they also represent a gigantic step for GM’s product development process.

First to market, though, are these 2007 pickups, based in large part on the already successful and highly lauded 2007 full-size SUVs (Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon) introduced in the past year. Making a pickup from the ute required added frame stiffness, and increased payload and towing capacities.

As a result, the truck gets a unique frame from the A-pillar rearward, rear leaf springs (vs. five-link coil springs on the utes), and splayed rear shock absorbers that GM says help smooth the unladen ride while readily handling heavy loads.

Otherwise, the truck gets most of the improvements built into the utes: rack-and-pinion steering (replacing a recirculating-ball setup), coil-over front shocks (vs. the old model’s torsion bar), stiffer engine mounts, wider front and rear tracks, Eaton locking rear differential, stronger brakes, and StabiliTrak stability control (standard on crew cab, optional on extended cab).

The trucks come in three cab configurations, three bed lengths, multiple trim levels, five suspension setups and with a raft of engine options. At launch, only the four-speed automatic transmission is available (no manual transmission is offered); Sierra Denali will get a new six-speed automatic when it arrives next spring. Other models won’t get the six-speed until 2008 (2009 model year), but program leader Gary White makes no excuses: “It would be a problem if we didn’t have segment-leading fuel economy.â€

GM says the 5.3-liter trucks make a combined average of 21.6 mpg (rwd) and 20.5 (4wd); EPA labels show 22 highway/16 city for the rwd, 20 highway/16 city for 4wd. Once the six-speeds come to the entire line, White estimates they’ll be good for a 3 to 5 percent gain in fuel economy across the board.

GM developed two distinct interiors for the trucks.

The “luxury†LTZ interior, borrowed directly from the SUVs, features twin bucket seats and permanent center console, low center stack, single glovebox and passenger-car-like door panels and armrests.

But for those who have grown accustomed to the functional interiors in GM trucks, the company retained a more traditional interior. Dubbed “Pure American Pickup,†the alternative interior retains the driver-centric center stack and handy dashboard storage spots, while adding upper and lower gloveboxes, huge armrest grab handles, and a 40-20-40 split front benchseat with a lockable storage bin under the center of the seat.

Exterior styling isn’t radically different, but a careful observer will note a faster windshield angle, more distinctively sculpted fender and hood bulges, and tighter shutlines.

Like the large SUVs that preceded them, however, there is a huge improvement in the driving quality of these new trucks.

We test-drove a Silverado Crew Cab Z71 4x4 and found the chassis steady and competent over a variety of road surfaces, its steering crisp with a solid on-center feel, and ample power from the 5.3-liter V8. Road and tire noise was minimal, and the ride was smooth and predictable, especially for a truck fitted with an off-road package. Brakes, known for being squishy on GM trucks, felt confident and strong.

We were particularly impressed with the Eaton locking rear differential, which takes hold under 25 mph whenever sensors detect a 25-rpm variance in the rear wheels.

We tested the system in 2wd mode on wet, leaf-covered pavement, with traction control and stability control defeated. We noted a brief moment of wheelspin, but just as the rear end started to wag, the locking differential hooked up, straightening the truck immediately and launching it forward with straight-line authority.

Though many owners want four-wheel drive whether they need it or not, buyers in most climates would be well-served by opting for the inexpensive locking differential on a rwd truck, with savings coming on the sticker price, in fuel economy and in long-term maintenance.

We also like the Z60 performance suspension with its 20-inch wheels and tires, paired with the 6.0-liter V8 and an optional 4.10:1 rear axle. We’ll like it even more when Chevy decides to offer those options in the lighter-weight, regular-cab short-bed truck.

Can you say SS?

Configurations

In addition to three trim levels for Silverado and four trims for Sierra (including the GMC-exclusive high-end Denali), here are some of the options available on the General’s full-size 2007 pickups:

CAB CONFIGURATIONS

CREW Full four doors

EXTENDED Rear-hinged access doors

REGULAR Two doors

BED LENGTHS

SHORT 5 feet, 8 inches

REGULAR 6 feet, 6 inches

LONG 8 feet

SUSPENSIONS

Z83 Smooth ride

Z85 Enhanced towing and off-road

Z71 Off-road

Z60 Street high performance

NHT Maximum towing

ENGINES

4.3-liter, 195-hp, 260-lb-ft V6

4.8-liter, 295-hp, 305-lb-ft V8

5.3-liter, 315-hp, 338-lb-ft V8

6.0-liter, 367-hp, 375-lb-ft V8

6.2-liter, 403-hp, 417-lb-ft V8

The 5.3-liter engines all run on regular unleaded or E85, while the 5.3-liter and 6.0-liter engines offer fuel-saving Active Fuel Management, which shuts off four cylinders during low-load driving. The 6.2-liter engine is available only on GMC Sierra Denali.

Edited November 8, 2006 by hoss

[Guest CrotonFalls33]

Ah I dont know... Packages sound pretty nice, but i just dont like the new face of the silverado.. In my opinion the 03-06' body style looked much nicer... Prolly just needs a little getting used to... Can't wait for the new SS package.