It looks like Chevy customers have won the daily double: Shortly after Motor Trend recognized the amazing Chevrolet Volt as the magazine’s 2011 Car of the Year, it was the all-new Chevrolet Silverado HD that took home top honors as the Motor Trend 2011 Truck of the Year.
A key reason: It turns out that the Chevy HD roster weighs significantly less than the Ford Super Duty competition all down the line, eliminating many of the purported horsepower/torque advantages being trumpeted by the Silverado’s arch-rival. In fact, according to MT, the Chevrolet models boasted better power-to-weight ratios, a nicer ride with better handling and on-road feel, as-tested MSRPs up to $13,000 less than the Ford’s, better acceleration, and even better observed fuel economy. Oh, and “the entire crew universally preferred the shifting smoothness of the Allison (diesel) and Hydra-Matic (gas) transmissions over the Fords’ six-speeds.”
Other factors called out by the magazine as Silverado HD benefits include:
* A payload rating of up to 21,700 lbs.
* The addition of 32 hp and 105 lb.-ft. of torque to its 6.6-liter Duramax diesel, which now makes 397 horses and 765 lb.-ft. of twist—and 63 percent less NOx emissions than the 2010 model
* A higher front-axle weight rating
* Fully boxed frames with more cross sections, more high-strength steel and hydroformed front sections
* An attractive interior with easy-to-use controls
“On the outside, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD appears to have been given a subtle makeover, but it’s what’s under the skin that makes this truck a winner,” said Angus MacKenzie, editor in chief for Motor Trend. “Chevy engineers focused on three key areas—powertrain, frame, and suspension—to deliver a truck with significantly improved capability and more refinement.”
The bottom line according to MT: “The trucks in this category may be expensive, but the Chevrolet heavy-duty line offers a value that’s tough to ignore. No wonder it’s this year’s Truck of the Year.”
A key reason: It turns out that the Chevy HD roster weighs significantly less than the Ford Super Duty competition all down the line, eliminating many of the purported horsepower/torque advantages being trumpeted by the Silverado’s arch-rival. In fact, according to MT, the Chevrolet models boasted better power-to-weight ratios, a nicer ride with better handling and on-road feel, as-tested MSRPs up to $13,000 less than the Ford’s, better acceleration, and even better observed fuel economy. Oh, and “the entire crew universally preferred the shifting smoothness of the Allison (diesel) and Hydra-Matic (gas) transmissions over the Fords’ six-speeds.”
Other factors called out by the magazine as Silverado HD benefits include:
* A payload rating of up to 21,700 lbs.
* The addition of 32 hp and 105 lb.-ft. of torque to its 6.6-liter Duramax diesel, which now makes 397 horses and 765 lb.-ft. of twist—and 63 percent less NOx emissions than the 2010 model
* A higher front-axle weight rating
* Fully boxed frames with more cross sections, more high-strength steel and hydroformed front sections
* An attractive interior with easy-to-use controls
“On the outside, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD appears to have been given a subtle makeover, but it’s what’s under the skin that makes this truck a winner,” said Angus MacKenzie, editor in chief for Motor Trend. “Chevy engineers focused on three key areas—powertrain, frame, and suspension—to deliver a truck with significantly improved capability and more refinement.”
The bottom line according to MT: “The trucks in this category may be expensive, but the Chevrolet heavy-duty line offers a value that’s tough to ignore. No wonder it’s this year’s Truck of the Year.”
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