New Chevrolet, GMC light duty pickups deliver best towing capacity in class

 The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and High Country and the GMC Sierra and Sierra Denali 1500, available this fall, with a 6.2L V-8 producing an SAE-certified 420 horsepower (at 5600 rpm) and 460 lb-ft of torque (at 4100 rpm), the most power of any pickup engine and torque of any light duty pickup truck engine.

The 6.2L V-8 available for Silverado LTZ and High Country and Sierra SLT and Denali models also delivers class-leading maximum available trailering capacity of 5,443 kg (12,000 pounds) when properly equipped.

“Power and towing capacity are fundamental capabilities for full-size pickups,” said Jeff Luke, General Motors Executive Chief Engineer for full- and mid-size trucks. “The 2014 Silverado and Sierra deliver unmatched power and towing capability with a host of ingenious driver aids.”

The optional Max Trailering Package is available on 2WD and 4WD V-8 crew cab and double cab models and includes:

• Trailering package with seven-pin and four-pin connector
• Enhanced cooling
• Automatic locking rear differential
• Heavy-duty 9.75-inch rear axle with 3.73 ratio
• Increased-capacity rear leaf springs
• Revised shock tuning for increased control
• Integrated trailer brake controller.

In addition to the 6.2L V8, Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 will offer a 4.3L V-6 SAE-certified at 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque and a 5.3L V-8 certified at 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque.

Silverado and Sierra trucks equipped with the 4.3L V-6 will have available towing ratings of up to 3,447 kg (7,600 pounds), the highest for any base V-6 in the segment. Silverado and Sierra trucks equipped with the 5.3L V-8 and the max towing package, available later this year, will have towing ratings of up to 5,216 kg (11,500 pounds) when properly equipped.

All three engines feature direct fuel injection, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and continuously variable valve timing, a combination not found in competitor vehicles. The engines also use a compact overhead-valve design and weight-saving components such as aluminum blocks and cylinder heads to reduce mass for additional energy savings.

All three provide the proven power, torque and dependability of a large-displacement engine, seamlessly switching to four-cylinder mode to save fuel during light-load driving. The 5.3L V-8 has an estimated fuel consumption rating of 8.7 L/100km highway (2WD models), the best of any V-8 pickup, and better than Ford EcoBoost V-6.

Fuel consumption ratings for the 6.2L V-8 will be finalized in the near future.

About Chevrolet  in Canada

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.ca, on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/chevroletcanada or by following @ChevroletCanada on Twitter.