2007 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD

[Oracle of Delphi]

AT A GLANCE:

2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD

ON SALE: Now

BASE PRICE: $24,575

DRIVETRAIN: 6.0-liter, 353-hp, 373-lb-ft V8; rwd, six-speed automatic

CURB WEIGHT: 5308 lbs

0 TO 60 MPH: N/A

FUEL MILEAGE: N/A

Rolling along through the countryside northeast of San Diego aboard a Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, it was difficult suppressing the urge to head off-road, find an old barn and yank it out of the ground—just for kicks. Driving a big truck with 660 lb-ft of torque at your disposal does strange things to a man’s mind.

“You have the feeling of driving something enormously capable,” said General Motors product guru Bob Lutz, on hand at the launch of the 2007 Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups. Bob’s right.

Thoughts of heavy-duty trucks may not cross the average consumer’s mind, but Lutz’s presence spoke volumes about the importance of these vehicles to GM. Big trucks make big bucks for the company, and the heavy-duty segment is the last remaining battleground populated only by GM, Ford and Chrysler (Dodge). How long it will stay a Detroit-only party remains to be seen, but Ford, with the release of its new Super Duty line (“Gloves Off,” AW, Feb. 19), and GM are not taking their truck customers for granted. The Silverado and Sierra HD models were pulled ahead by more than three months to square off against the new Fords.

Heavy-duty-truck buyers are a loyal bunch, and while the segment is not necessarily recession-proof—big-truck sales are dependent on the housing market, where more contractors working means more trucks sold—but they’re not as susceptible to the up-and-down whims of the consumer market. In recent years, the heavy-duty line has seen an increase in buyers who make the purchase to pull trailers for recreation—for travel trailers, livestock trailers or any assortment of big toys. If you’ve got a big load to pull, a heavy-duty truck is better fitted for the job than even a big SUV. To that end, making trailering easier, the new GM trucks have an optional factory-installed brake modulator, matching what Ford offers. Maximum towing is 16,700 pounds for trucks fitted with a fifth-wheel hitch, 13,000 pounds with a conventional hitch.

Link: http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...01002/1528/FREE

[biff]

That's the same towing rating as the old trucks. I know truck buyers, GM guys, that don't by GM for their businesses because of the 16700lb towing rating. Ford has a higher rating, I think around 20-21000 (I'm too lazy to verify).

Is a V10 gas in the works? The 6.0 just won't do what the 8.1 could.

[gm4life]

Got as much HP actually more.

[RJB]

The exhaust pipe for the Duramax is still messed up looking if anyone has seen it. It envokes what the hell is that?!

[gm4life]

The exhaust pipe for the Duramax is still messed up looking if anyone has seen it. It envokes what the hell is that?!

I kinda like it, that puppy is HUGE!

[biff]

Got as much HP actually more.

Torque moves loads, not HP. Drove a 06 3/4 ton Dodge with a HEMI pulling pretty big load. Not impressive. Lots of RPMs and fuel to get moving and up hills. I'd expect the 6.0 to be better, but not by a lot. The 8.1 must not have made many sales with it's fuel appetite?

[RJB]

I kinda like it, that puppy is HUGE!

But it is an exhaust pipe over another pipe and this is right at the tailpipe.

[BuckeyeBowtie]

But it is an exhaust pipe over another pipe and this is right at the tailpipe.

???????????

Id does appear to stick out a little to far in this photo of the Sierra HD

Edited March 13, 2007 by BuckeyeBowtie

[Z-06]

Those tires look so skinny.

[RJB]

The first photo is of a non-Duramax truck which does not have the weird tailpipe. The second photo is a Sierra with a Duramax, but you can only get a small idea of what it looks like from the pic. Wait until you see one in person and you will know what I mean.