Cool Details on the 2019 Silverado You May Have Missed
Forget about stuff like engine choices and bed materials. These are the little details that make the 2019 Silverado truly amazing!
Chevy dropped the 2019 Silverado on the world (literally) several weeks ago. And since then, we got all the deets surrounding the all-new half-ton pickup at the North American International Auto Show. But amid all the glitz and glamour surrounding things like the steel bed and exciting design, little focus was placed on the many other cool details present on the 2019 Silverado. And that’s a shame, because this thing is chock full of innovative and interesting stuff.
For starters, let’s talk about how the truck was developed. Chevy built a whopping 500 Silverado prototypes. Those mules were abused to the tune of nearly 500,000 different tests, including one called (no joke) the “hoof test.” This checks the bed and tailgate for strength in the event a large animal decides to try and hitch a ride in the back.
And in case an elephant in stepping on the power tailgate while you try and close it, a sensor prevents it from pinching his hoof. He’ll also find the bed 6.75 inches wider than before, thanks to a revised wheelwell design.
Inside the bed, you’ll find a generous 12 tie-downs and even a 110-volt outlet. But the actual design inspiration for the exterior comes from the past. The design team’s focus was on “lean muscularity,” with cool details like a hood inspired by the 1970 Chevelle SS. The design team aimed to make the front end look like a Spartan helmet, which is why body color pieces pierce the headlights on each side.
Design was also largely affected by aerodynamics. The 2019 Silverado spent 10,000 hours in the wind tunnel, resulting in a 7% reduction in drag over the outgoing model. Details like Camaro-like air curtains in the front bumper, a built-in roof spoiler, and door-mounted side mirrors all play a part in making what Chevy claims will be the most aerodynamic truck on the market.
But Chevy didn’t forget about the Silverado’s customers while doing all this high-tech stuff. A 2-inch lift kit is a factory option, a welcome addition considering how many people hate how modern trucks sport a “raked” look from the factory. Unlike every other vehicle on the planet, Chevy also opted to relocated the blind-spot detectors from the taillights to inside the bumper to keep replacement costs down. And the rear bumper steps are 70% larger to accommodate big steel-toe work boots.
Perhaps the coolest features of the 2019 Silverado are inside the cab, however. Innovative storage solutions abound, including cubby holes built into the rear seat backs. Under the rear seat, there’s a narrow but deep trough for storage, and up front you’ll find two gloveboxes. Heck, there’s even a storage compartment underneath the middle section of the front bench seat!
It’s easy to dismiss all this cool stuff when looking at the new Silverado. But it’s abundantly clear from these cool features that Chevy put a ton of work into making their new half-ton pickup as usable as possible!
