Although we’ve gotten a peek at the new 2019 Silverado already, last night in Detroit, we obtained some exciting news for the entire Silverado lineup. So, what’s the big news? Chevrolet’s half-ton truck is getting a 3.0 liter Duramax diesel engine and a whole lot of aluminum.

“With the all-new Silverado, we’ve taken the best truck on the road and made it even better,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors executive vice president of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. “It has a longer wheelbase, more passenger and cargo volume, more horsepower and torque, and yet, thanks to our mixed materials strategy and mass reduction expertise, the new truck is 450 pounds lighter than the current model.”

The all-new 2019 Silverado High Country features an exclusive front grille design with two-tone chrome and bronze finish and body-color accents, plus chrome assist steps from wheel to wheel. It also includes the power up/down tailgate as standard equipment.

The truck is as much as 450 pounds lighter than the current model thanks in part to an aluminum hood, doors, and tailgate. Reuss announced that this generation of the Silverado’s was “built from the ground up,” meaning they redesigned nearly every aspect for a lighter stronger option.

The specifications for the 2019 Silverado are to be announced, but there will be a total of six engine and transmission options which include the 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel Duramax. We’re on stand-by frantically waiting to get the numbers from this new inline-six engine.

With Ford announcing its own 250-horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque 3.0-liter Power Stroke engine a few weeks ago, and Ram trucks 240-horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque 3.0-liter EcoDiesel having already a public presence, it’s time the Chevrolet steps up to the plate and puts some skin in the game.

2019 Silverado Details

• 450 pounds lighter than the outgoing model thanks to mixed-material construction
• Frame-rail chassis and pickup bed remain steel while the hood, doors, and tailgate are made from aluminum
  • Roll-formed (not stamped) high-strength bed with:
    • The biggest box in its segment – width is up by seven inches, length is up one inch over the current model
    • More bed tie-downs for a total of 12
• Updated powertrain lineup:
  • Engines: the 5.3-liter V8 and 6.2-liter V8 get updated with what appears to be Dynamic Skip Fire technology aka Dynamic Fuel-Management, which can shut off up to seven cylinders, depending on need
  • 3.0-liter Inline-six Duramax turbo-diesel engine developed in-house
  • Transmission: Ford-GM 10-speed automatic transmission will be coupled to the 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine and the 3.0-liter I-6 turbodiesel

2019 Silverado 1500 Trim Levels

• Work Truck: features “CHEVROLET” graphic across the grille and tailgate, blacked-out trim and 17-inch steel wheels for maximum durability. The interior features durable vinyl or cloth seats and 7-inch color touchscreen.
• Custom: features a body-color styling theme, 20-inch painted aluminum wheels, LED signature taillamps and available integrated dual exhaust.
• Custom Trailboss (new for 2019): adds off-road equipment to the Custom, including a 2-inch suspension lift and the Z71 Off-Road Package with a locking rear differential, skid plates, Rancho shocks, 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires.

The new Trail Boss trim for 2019 is going to be Chevrolet’s version of the Ford Raptor.

• LT: features chrome accents on the bumpers, front grille and mirror caps, Chevrolet bowtie in the grille, LED reflector headlamps and signature daytime running lights. The interior features an 8-inch color touchscreen and available leather seating surfaces
• RST (new for 2019): brings a street-performance appearance to the LT, with body-color trim, full LED lighting (fog lamps, headlamps and taillamps) and up to 22-inch wheels with all-season tires.
• LT Trailboss (new for 2019): adds off-road equipment to the LT, including a 2-inch suspension lift and the Z71 Off Road Package, including locking rear differential, skid plates, Rancho shocks, 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires.

Like always, the interior on the new GM pick-up’s is terrifyingly nice.

• LTZ features chrome accents on the bumpers, front grille, mirror caps, door handles and hockey-stick beltline as well as power folding and heated outside rearview mirrors. Leather interior trim is standard equipment.
• High Country features an exclusive front grille design with two-tone chrome and bronze finish, body-color accents plus chrome assist steps from wheel to wheel. It also includes the power up/down tailgate as standard equipment.

Until we get all of the details regarding this new diesel engine, we’ll have to just hold off and wait to see how the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado stacks up against the diesel half-ton competition, but it’s good to know that everyone will now have options to choose from.