2013 Canadian Truck King: 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

BY Editor

2013 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

Nov 06, 2012– Oshawa, Canada (Techreleased) – After two days of competition and over 2,600 km of testing, the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD was crowned Canada’s Truck King for 2013, outperforming the Ford 350 and Ram 3500.

“The heavy-duty truck segment is one of the most competitive in Canada and it’s an honour to have the Silverado HD officially crowned the Canadian Truck King for 2013,” said Sharon Sikorski, GM Canada marketing manager for trucks.  “Customers know what they need and how the competitors stack up. When customers compare the 2013 Silverado HD, they’ll find everything they’re looking for and more – including capabilities the competition can’t match.”

Five judges tested the trucks back-to-back over two days in Southwestern Ontario.  Day one consisted of towing 14,500 pound 5^th wheel trailers (40-feet in length).  On day two, the trailers were removed and each truck bed was loaded with 4,480 pounds of roofing shingles (A 4-foot wide by 4-foot high by 5-foot long pallet). Judges drove and recorded real world fuel consumption and also travelled as passengers to evaluate various interior comforts and features.

The 2013 Silverado 3500 HD is powered by the Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel engine and Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission powertrain combination. Highlights of the Duramax diesel include:

• 397 horsepower (296 kW) at 3,000 rpm
• 765 lb.-ft. of torque (1,037 Nm) at 1,600 rpm
• High-pressure (30,000 psi/2,000 bar) Piezo-actuated fuel system for greater fuel efficiency, improved performance and reduced emissions
• Exhaust brake system that enables controlled vehicle slowdown on downhill grades without actuating the brakes
• Selective catalytic reduction after-treatment system using diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) injection to provide the best overall diesel characteristics and performance
• Combustion and after-treatment have been optimized to provide about 1,125 kilometres (700 miles) between diesel particulate filter regenerations – a 75-percent improvement over the previous system and significant contributor to improved fuel efficiency, as the regeneration process requires additional fuel
• B20 biodiesel capability for an alternative fuelling option.

The Allison 1000 features driver shift control with tap up/tap down shifting and a patented elevated idle mode cab warm-up feature. Also, the Tow/Haul mode reduces shift cycling for better control and improved cooling when towing or hauling heavy loads.

The Silverado 3500HD also boasts:

• Best-in-class maximum payload of 3,276 kilogram (7,222 lbs)
• Best-in-class conventional towing capacity of 8,164 kilograms (18,000 lbs)
• Best-in-class fifth-wheel towing capacity of 10,478 kilograms (23,100 lbs)
• Fully-boxed, high-strength-steel frame
• Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel rated at 397 hp (296 kW) and B20 biodiesel capability
• Standard 136 litre (36-gallon) fuel tank
• Smart exhaust brake feature that provides greater control on grades and reduced brake pad wear
• An array of control features, including trailer sway control, integrated trailer brake control, hill start assist, automatic grade braking, intelligent brake assist and larger brakes.

About Truck King Challenge

The Canadian Truck King Challenge is an annual testing event that was conceived by, and owned solely by, Howard J Elmer, Canadian automotive journalist and truck industry expert. Started in 2006 the mandate of the event was (and is) to be a truly non-partisan truck-only event involving all the brands and evaluated by a knowledgeable, recognizable group of automotive journalists.  As such, testing involves real-world challenges, like towing, payload evaluation, design comments, mechanical review and fuel consumption results. This event is not a beauty contest. It has winners and losers, and its results are presented to the manufacturers and buying public alike – unedited and unvarnished. Over the past six years the Canadian Truck King Challenge has built significant credibility with Canadian truck consumers and is now a much anticipated fall event.