Overview:
The Chevrolet Silverado full-size pickup - GM's best-selling vehicle
- continues to set new standards for performance and capability
in 2003. Bold new exterior design only hints at Silverado's more
than 40 new features/enhancements, ranging from expanded availability
of the Quadrasteer four-wheel steering system and a hot new Silverado
SS to the segment's first-ever Bose audio systems.
The
Quadrasteer four-wheel-steering system - which offers low-speed
maneuverability and high-speed stability, handling and control that
are ideal for pulling a trailer - was introduced on 2002 Silverado
extended-cab short-box pickups. For 2003, the 1500HD short-box pickups
become the industry's first full-size crew cabs to offer this revolutionary
system.
At
low speeds, Quadrasteer enables the rear wheels to turn in the opposite
direction of the front wheels. That helps the vehicle make tighter
turns, such as when cornering or getting into a tight parking space.
The turning diameter of 1500HD models is reduced 21 percent, from
49.6 feet to 37.4 feet.
Exterior
Design:
The 2003 Silverado receives an expressive new front-end design.
The look shares a strong family resemblance with other Chevy trucks
such as TrailBlazer and Avalanche, yet strongly differentiates Silverado
from anything else on the road. The hood evokes Chevy power and
strength, and the grille is smoothly integrated into the front end.
The bumper offers larger, recessed fog lamps, while the front and
rear fenders feature crisp lines and angular wheel openings. New
body-side moldings add protection, and restyled taillamps complete
the design. Two new exterior colors - Dark Gray Metallic and Arrival
Blue - are also available.
Interior
Design:
Impressive new entertainment systems on all models - from available
Bose sound systems to a Panasonic DVD Passenger Entertainment System
that includes a DVD player with a flip-down screen for Crew Cab
models - add to Silverado's creature comforts. These systems (except
the base fleet radio) feature the next-generation Radio Data System,
and can interface with services such as the new optional XM Satellite
Radio. On Crew Cab models, available rear-seat audio controls allow
second-row passengers to enjoy a separate audio source from front-seat
occupants.
The
2003 Silverado also offers XM Satellite Radio as an option. XM Radio
features 100 coast-to-coast digital channels, including 71 music
channels (more than 30 of them commercial free) from hip hop to
opera, classical to country, bluegrass to blues and 29 channels
of sports, talk, children's and entertainment programming. XM also
brings to the car, for the first time on radio, a diverse selection
of 24-hour news sources previously available only in the home. XM's
next-generation sound-quality technology provides superior sound
remarkably close to compact disc.
Additional
new safety enhancements for 2003 include a passenger-sensing system
and dual-level air bags. The passenger-sensing air-bag system automatically
deactivates the passenger-side air bag under certain conditions
to protect children. The system assesses whether the occupant in
the seat is an adult or child, based on the measured weight in the
seat cushion and tension in the belt system, if any. If these measurements
are typical for a child, the air bag is disabled. If they are typical
for an adult, the air bag is enabled.
A dual-level
air-bag system (not available on 1500HD Crew Cab and 2500HD and
3500 Series models) is a supplemental restraint system designed
to detect vehicle deceleration and, based on the deceleration data,
provides an appropriate amount of air-bag inflation.
A new
dual-zone heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system,
available with both manual and automatic climate control, provides
outstanding comfort. Dual-zone controls allow the driver and front
passenger to adjust the temperature to their own comfort levels
- as much as a 30-degree Fahrenheit difference between the two front
zones. The optional automatic system automatically controls air
delivery, fan speed, temperature and recirculating/outside air to
provide faster warmups and cooldowns.
Redesigned
seats and center console enhance Silverado's interior look. Dark
Charcoal Gray is a new interior color.
Powertrain:
Silverado features an impressive Vortec gasoline engine lineup -
Vortec 4300 V6, Vortec 4800 V8, Vortec 5300 V8 and Vortec 6000 V8
- ranging from 200 hp to 300 hp. Payload capacities range from 1,593
to 3,224 pounds, and Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings extend from 6,100
to 8,600 pounds.
The
Silverado 1500HD has the strength of a three-quarter-ton model frame,
plus a crew cab's four full doors. The 1500HD has a standard 300
hp Vortec 6000 V8 engine with a gross combination weight rating
of 16,000 pounds, and a payload of as much as 3,143 pounds. Maximum
trailer weight is 10,300 pounds.
