GM Enhances Leading Truck Lineup For 2005

[PontiacJ8]

General Motors continues to enhance its leading portfolio of trucks for the 2005 model year with fuel economy improvements, new models and useful features.

Fuel economy improvements. GM's 2005 full-size pickup trucks and SUVs extend their leadership with incremental aerodynamic and fuel saving technologies that add up to a fuel economy increase averaging 1 mpg across the full-size truck portfolio.

The improvements include a new cooling system consisting of twin electric cooling fans that draw power from the electrical system only when required. A new, patented regulated voltage control system monitors the battery's charge status and controls the vehicle's generator to minimize parasitic losses.

Aerodynamic enhancements include sealed tow hook openings on vehicles without hooks, sealed fog lamp openings, an extended front air deflector, a recessed roof-mounted CHMSL and improved running board aerodynamics.

These improvements have been adopted across GM's entire light-duty full-size pickup and SUV lineup, the highest volume vehicle platform in North America. In 2005, GM expects to sell 1.3 million light-duty full-size pickups and SUVs with a savings of 28 million gallons of fuel at an average of 15,000 miles driven per year. This adds up to one supertanker carrying 1.4 million barrels of crude oil.

Hybrid highlights. Introduced during the 2004 model year for commercial sale, the 2005 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Hybrid models are now available for retail sale. The hybrid promises up to 10 percent improvement in fuel economy while maintaining the performance and capability expected in a full-size pickup. It also provides something other hybrids do not: It is a mobile generator with outlets that can be used for everything from heavy-duty power equipment to a television. The hybrid system is self-sufficient, providing incremental power and recharging itself during braking.

Heavy-duty changes. Sporting a rugged look for 2005, Chevy Silverado Heavy Duty pickups feature a redesigned hood and grille. Both the Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty pickups boast a 15 lb.-ft. (20.3 Nm) increase in torque on the Duramax 6.6L diesel engine to a segment-leading 605 lb.-ft. (836 Nm) of torque at 1600 rpm when equipped with the Allison automatic transmission.

More potent power. For 2005, an even more potent 310 horsepower (231 kw) version of GM's Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8 is available on 4WD Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cabs with a standard cargo box. The first of GM Powertrain's Gen IV engine family, the engine features an aluminum block and cylinder heads for lighter weight and high-lift camshaft and compression ratio for more horsepower. Torque is 330 lb.-ft. (447 Nm) at 4000 rpm.

SUV improvements. The Chevy TrailBlazer EXT, GMC Envoy XUV and Envoy XL feature a new Vortec 5300 V-8 engine, rated at 290 horsepower (216 kw) and 330 lb.-ft. of torque (447 Nm). These 5.3L V-8s are equipped with Displacement on Demand, which enables fuel economy gains of up to 8 percent in certain light-load driving conditions by reducing the number of cylinders engaged in the combustion process.

All of GM's midsize SUV's benefit from interior enhancements, including new colors, chrome accents, revised instrument panel cluster, monotone color scheme and revised badging.

Chevy Colorado Xtreme. The new Chevy Colorado Xtreme pickup truck features a sport-truck appearance package and performance ZQ8 suspension.

Chevy Suburban 2WD Z71. With a rugged look and modified off-road suspension, this new 2WD model is ideal for those who have no need for four-wheel-drive but want the appearance and features of the Z71 package including: monochromatic front and rear fascias, Z71-specific tubular assist steps, underbody skid plates, and integrated, stylized roof rack system.

GMC Envoy Denali/Envoy XL Denali. The new Envoy Denali and Envoy XL Denali feature interior and exterior styling cues that immediately identify them with the Denali family.

GMC Sierra Crew Cab Denali. GMC also adds the Sierra Crew Cab Denali model to its full-size pickup line. This new Denali model is equipped with premium Denali-specific exterior and interior styling features and powertrain.

Stayed tuned to GMI for more information & pictures!

[chevyman62]

605 lb.-ft of torque! That is awesome.
But what about HP? <_<

[MelvinJ]

Originally posted by chevyman62@Jul 30 2004, 12:50 AM
605 lb.-ft of torque! That is awesome.
But what about HP? <_<

Horsepower stays at 310.

[GMObsession6]

Sounds good to me!

[garyw]

How about replacing the dated plastic and dis-jointed dashboards. The TrailBlazer is a joke and the entire interior design team (warning: oxymoron in play) should be fired.

Has anyone at GM even sat in a Ford or Dodge truck lately. Forty-plus large ones for a Suburban/Tahoe and it looks like 1988 inside.

[GotAWD]

its good to hear that GM is updating the interiors, cant wait to see what they look like, hope they do the Hummer line too. that a real bad interior for an expensive truck.... <_<

[jro4566]

Originally posted by GotAWD@Jul 29 2004, 09:26 PM
its good to hear that GM is updating the interiors, cant wait to see what they look like, hope they do the Hummer line too. that a real bad interior for an expensive truck.... <_<

The only interior that is changed is the Escalade...and it's still a joke.

[diablo4]

I agree with that last post.I hope GM dose not put the chevy uplander's interior in the new trucks.

[Dumb_Ass_2003]

The average silverado or sierra buyer could care less about the interior. Most people who own them like the interiors believe it or not because they are tough and well thought out. When the new trucks come out they will have 'better' interiors, for now GM is putting their money into things that the average truck buyer cares about: fuel milage, power and torque.

[ibechip]

I think putting the hybrid system on trucks makes much more sense than in cars. Cars are usually better on gas than trucks plus trucks are hurt less by adding the additional weight on a hybrid system (batteries, ect).

[megan]

Have owned 7 Chevy trucks over the past 25 yrs. I actually think they have a nicer dash than Ford or Dodge. Have driven them both frequantly over the past 5 yrs from work. Chevy seems to have a ruggedness feel to it that the others don't convey to me. Just personal taste. Friends in the body shop feel the same way.

[Ultimate]

Xtreme is once again mostly an appearance package?!?!

damn. It still doesnt follow the original Xtreme Force concept after all this years

[rme8494]

Found this article (with pictures) on the Colorado Extreme..... Looks nice... enjoy!


http://trucks.about.com/cs/concepttrucks/a...rado_xtreme.htm

Ryan

[silverado_13]

Way to go GM!!! I can't wait to see the new look.

[Buick61]

Originally posted by RCtennis3811+Jul 30 2004, 02:29 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (RCtennis3811 @ Jul 30 2004, 02:29 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-GotAWD@Jul 29 2004, 09:26 PM
its good to hear that GM is updating the interiors, cant wait to see what they look like, hope they do the Hummer line too. that a real bad interior for an expensive truck.... <_<

The only interior that is changed is the Escalade...and it's still a joke. [/b][/quote]
Really? That's a shame. Are there pictures of it yet?


So, are all the 5.3L getting DoD, or just the ones put in the Trailblazer EXT/Envoy XL?