First revision of the Silverado 2.7L Turbo 2019 engine: a better basic offer

New Chevrolet Silverado has a lot of success. Of course, its design is polarizing and the design and materials of the interior are a little disappointing. But the fact is that the Silverado 2019 is lighter, more powerful, more efficient and more spacious than before.

However, the biggest shock for hardcore truckers is the arrival of a four-cylinder turbocharged engine. Yes, a four-to-four in a full-size van. This 2.7-liter I4 engine will soon be used as the engine on the LT and RST versions of the Silverado, replacing the 4.3-liter V6 that will now only be available on entry-level Work Truck and Custom models.

Big block four

Relatively speaking, one in four lines with 2.7 liters of displacement is a whopper of an engine. But Chevrolet says this engine was developed from the ground up for heavy-duty applications and that it generates a healthy 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque. In any case, it surpasses well the 285 horses and the 305 pounds of the V6 of 4.3 liters.

Not only is the I4 engine more muscular, it has a wider power band, suitable for everyday driving, with maximum available torque of 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. The V6, on the other hand, does not reach its maximum torque up to 3,900 rpm.

The turbo four also compares favorably to competing core engines. It packs a bigger shot than the 3.3-liter V6 (290 horsepower and 265 lb) from the Ford F-150. And he also bypasses the 310 horses and 269 pounds offered in the Ram 1500 & # 39; s Hybrid V6 3.6 liter.

The towing and hauling capabilities are not too bad either. Depending on the configuration of the transmission and the cab, the four-cylinder Silverado, combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission, can pull up to 7,200 pounds with a maximum payload of 2,280 pounds.

In nature

With a week of siege time in a V8 of 5.3 liters The Silverado RST is still fresh in my head, piloting a four-cylinder version in Arizona is both familiar and different. At no time will you take the four for one eight, but my RST double cabin tester of around 4,700 pounds is still up to speed with respectable haste. The bottom line is good, but the thrust decreases as you get closer to the 6,100 rpm red line.

The tuning of the transmission is on the point, remarkably fast and fluid, especially during downshifts, while I press the accelerator. Surprisingly, the engine emits an insightful exhaust note – that's not what you expect from a turbo-four – and at no point does it seem overloaded. Of course, it will probably be a slightly different story with a mountain of gravel in bed or a trailer in tow.

During an essentially road trip, the Silverado Onboard fuel economy monitor says I have an average of 22.8 mpg. Although these dashboard displays tend to be optimistic, their numbers may not be impossible, thanks to a quick engine stop-start system that saves valuable fuel when limited city driving, and a transparent cylinder deactivation system switching to a two-cylinder operation for large portions of highway operation. The EPA estimates that four-wheel-drive models will return 19 miles per gallon in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. The ratings of two-wheel-drive trucks improve by 1 mpg / cycle.

These numbers represent a breakthrough compared to the 2018 Silverado V6 city economy figures: 18 mpg for two-wheel drive and 17 mpg with all-wheel drive. However, on the road cycle, the Silverado V6 is actually more efficient, returning to 24 mpg with two-wheel drive and 22 mpg with four.

Apart from less punch, the driving experience reflects the RST V8. It's a quiet and comfortable ride with body movements on bumps. Overall, the ride quality is better than Ford F-150 but not as buttoned as the Ram 1500 with its air suspension. The steering is sensitive and heavy, body roll remains well controlled in turns. It just behaves like a more refined Silverado.

A walk-in cabin

The interior of the Silverado does not change for four-cylinder service, and again, I'm disappointed. The design is not so different from previous truck – The group of indicators and the central stack almost resemble the carry bits. All storage spaces in the massive center console, the door panels and the double glove boxes are nice, but the materials used do not allow to move the needle of its predecessor.

On the other hand, the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system remains a noticeable improvement in the cabin. In my test truck, the 8-inch touch screen has a clean look, is intuitive, and the answers are fast. Features include a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities.

For safety reasons, the Silverado 2.7 includes Blind Spot Monitoring with Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Parking Sensors, though they are part of a safety set at 890. $ that I highly recommend. A reversing camera is also standard, as on all new vehicles, but unfortunately, the quality of the image is formidable. Let's hope that Chevy tackles what ASAP did as it did recently in the Volt.

A stronger base

The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado four-cylinder LT and RST will start being distributed on dealer lots in December. They will be available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, in double cab and crew cab versions. Crew Cabs will offer short and standard bed options. The LT will start at $ 38,395, including $ 1,495 for the destination, while the RST with body-color bumpers, grille, mirrors and door handles will start at $ 40,295. The move to full traction adds $ 3,300 to the profitability of all models. My RST 4×4 double cab tester with option stickers for $ 47,300.

Is there a group of Silverado the buyers miraculously not throw for a V8 and decide a turbo four is good enough? Absolutely not. But people who do not tow and do not carry heavy loads daily and who have already bought V6s should be delighted. The new Chevy four turbo is stronger, more flexible and more efficient than the six-cylinder in almost every measure. Yes, both cylinders are low, but something tells me that these buyers will have a slightly more open mind to reducing the size of the engine than the typical buyers of the V8.

Editor's note: Roadshow accepts multi-day loans from builders to provide editorial reviews. All rated vehicle evaluations are completed on our property and on our terms. However, for this feature, the manufacturer has taken care of the travel expenses. This is common in the automotive industry because it is much cheaper to send journalists to cars than to send them to reporters.

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