Just days before the 2019 Silverado’s debut, Chevrolet decided to reveal one key piece of information – the introduction of a four-cylinder engine to its line-up! That’s right, the heavyweight beast is all set to get an engine comparable to a hatch; but wait, puny, you say? This four-cylinder engine is more potent than the V-6 engine! Continue reading to know more.

The 2019 Silverado’s Line-up is HUGE!

Gone are the days when every segment demonstrated its own proficiency. Customers these days want a mix of everything in one vehicle; the ‘go-anywhere’ traits of a pickup, the elegance of a sedan, the fuel-economy of a hatchback, and so on. So, what does an automaker do to please a customer who wants a two-ton, fuel-efficient pickup? Go ahead and make one; and this is exactly what Chevrolet has done with the Silverado. The pickup segment is ‘picking up’ pace, and all needs have to be fulfilled.

The new LT and RST trims come standard with a new 2.7-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that produces 310 horses and 348 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. On paper, this turbocharged unit is slightly more powerful than the 285 horses and 305 pound-feet of torque generated by the 4.3-liter, six-cylinder unit of the higher Work Truck, Custom, and Custom Trail Boss trims.

While Chevrolet might have given the option of a fuel-efficient engine, it still expects a major chunk of Silverado’s sales to come from the 5.3-liter, V-8. This mill produces 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque and is mated to either a six-speed or an eight-speed automatic transmission. It is standard on the LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and range-topping High Country models, but is also available as an option on all other trims.

Apart from these options, there is also a top-of-the-line 6.2-liter, eight-cylinder engine that produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. It comes with a 10-speed automatic and is available on the LTZ and High Country.

Phew, quite a line-up! Well, it does not end here. In early 2019, Chevrolet will add a 3.0-liter, inline-six, turbodiesel engine with a 10-speed automatic to the lineup. However, specs for it aren't available yet.

Even the Bigger Engines go on a Diet

To make the other engines more fuel efficient, Chevrolet engineers put an emphasis on cutting weight by using more high-strength steel and aluminum for the doors, hood, and tailgate. Result? The Silverado shed up to 450 pounds over the previous generation, despite being physically larger. The automaker will also start production of the V-8 Silverado with a crew cab in the third quarter this year. We could also have the V-6, four-cylinder, and other body styles in the fourth quarter. No other details are out yet.

Our Take

These criss-cross connections are happening a lot more often than we care to admit. We recently saw the Mustang go green, the F-150 getting built with aluminum bodies and V-6 Ecoboost engines, the Ram 1500 get a mild hybrid system, etc. While these moves are sure to pay dividends in the long run, we enthusiasts can’t help but feel disappointed seeing these beasts getting tamed. No matter how well and sturdy the aluminum bodies feel, they won’t have the ‘thud’ when you close the doors. The raw power and the grunt of a naturally aspirated engine cannot be matched to that of a turbo. But the good thing is these are all additives and not replacements.

On the bright side, the eight-cylinder engines in the Silverado will be available with Dynamic Fuel Management, wherein the truck can run on anything from one to eight cylinders depending on how much power is needed. And according to Chevrolet, this enables the engine to use less than eight cylinders 61-percent of the time in normal driving conditions. So, for customers who are environment-conscious but not budget-constrained, this is perhaps your best bet. Nevertheless, can the four-cylinder engine make a difference to the Silverado's sales figures? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

References

Read our full review of the 2019 Chevy Silverado

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