Silverado history

Designed in 1999 as a light-duty pickup truck for off-road adventure and hauling, the first generation Silverado had the classic body style with three cab styles of a two-door standard cab, an extended cab with four doors, and an extended cab with front-hinged doors.

The heavy-duty GMT 400 pickups continued onwards into 2000, even as the brand new GMT 800 Silverado/Sierra Heavy Duty was launched.

2001: Chevy engineered one of the top powerful engines for their heavy-duty Silverado models known as the Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel engine with 520 pound-feet of torque.

During 2002, slight changes were introduced in the design specs.

Several variants of the Silverado were offered during the first generation, including a high-performance SS model that was introduced in 2003 and boasted 345 horsepower.

In 2004, Chevy even introduced a mild-hybrid version of the Silverado, making this legendary truck the first GM hybrid passenger vehicle.

The SS originally came with an all-wheel-drive as the only option until 2005 when Chevy offered a two-wheel-drive platform to improve sales.

A special edition Intimidator SS in 2006 honored Dale Earnhardt, and fewer than 1000 were built, making it a particularly rare version of the Silverado.

If one were to take a closer look, they'd find aesthetics very reminiscent of the 2007 GMT 900 SUVs and Chevrolet Colorado pickups.

Midway through the 2009 model year, all Sierra and Silverado ½-ton models were upgraded with shorted front fascia and a revised bumper.

During the mid-cycle of 2010, all models were updated with new interior door panels (which added an extra cup holder amongst other things), and a six-speed automatic transmission on both regular and extended cab models.

In 2011, all heavy duty GMC and Chevrolet’s were upgraded with a new highly durable steel frame from front to rear which improved stiffness by 92% with bigger rear springs, larger transmission mounts, a larger engine, and a new hydraulic body mount.

Another refresh occurred in 2012 that included an updated grille and front fascia on specific models.

A new and improved 2014 release of the Chevrolet Silverado, alongside the 2014 GMC Sierra was presented in Detroit, Michigan at the North American International Auto Show.

With the 2015 Silverado, the model had its first luxury model, the High Country special edition with amenities such as leather upholstery and luxurious badging.

With that in mind, the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD was picked as number two in a study conducted by iseecars.com in 2016 that ranked the top 10 longest-lasting vehicles.

Chevy trucks celebrate 100 years in 2018.

They are planning to create a fresh 2019 Chevy Silverado.

The Silverado in 2020 has five engine options, including a 4.3-liter V6 with 285 horsepower, a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, and a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower.