Chevrolet Silverado Excels in “HD to HD” Testing

Videos show real-world evaluations with Ford and Dodge heavy-duty diesel pickups

DETROIT — Chevrolet takes the heavy-duty pickup battle to the test track and the mountain roads in HD to HD, a video series that pits 2011 Silverado HD pickups against the competition in real-world tests of capabilities that matter to real-world truck buyers.

“We wanted to get away from spec-sheet comparisons and show how these trucks perform in the real world,” said Rick Spina, global vehicle line executive for full size trucks. “To do so, we engaged an independent company to test the Silverado HD with the Duramax diesel and Allison transmission head-to-head with the competition, and record those tests for everyone to see.”

The tests include acceleration, passing, and braking tests, all conducted with a loaded bed, or in some cases, a loaded trailer. Other tests measure the effectiveness of the exhaust brakes on long downgrades and the stiffness of the frames during twist-ditch simulations. Competitors were diesel-powered 2011 Ford Super Duties, and in some tests, 2011 Dodge Ram HDs.

For example, in a zero-to-96 km/hr test of three-quarter ton models with a 1,500-pound load, designed to simulate merging onto a busy freeway, the Silverado 2500HD outpaced the F-250 Super Duty, 7.66 seconds to 8.36 seconds, despite the slight advantage in published horsepower and torque ratings for the Ford.

We worked hard on the Duramax-Allison combination to deliver torque smoothly throughout the entire power band, said Spina. That is what gives us class-leading acceleration.

Silverado HD pickups showed a similar advantage in acceleration tests on a 7-percent grade, and in passing tests at both sea level and at 6,000 feet while towing loaded trailers.

For additional details on the tests, please refer to the HD to HD Video Summaries.

Spina hosts the videos with Pro Football Hall of Famer Howie Long. AMCI Testing, an independent company used by many carmakers, was engaged by Chevrolet to conduct and certify the tests.

Silverado HDs real-world performance helped make it the Motor Trends 2011 Truck of the Year.

The full set of HD to HD videos can be viewed at chevrolet.com/hd-to-hd-truck-comparison.

About Chevrolet in Canada

Founded in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 140 countries. From todays Cruze Eco which consumes just 4.6 L/100 km on the highway to the Volt coming this fall, which provides up to 80 kilometres of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 500 kilometres of extended range, Chevrolet offers gas-friendly to gas-free solutions. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse and a host of new, smaller, highly efficient models to come including the all-new Orlando and Sonic (fall 2011) and Spark (2012). Chevrolet also provides iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro as well as dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.ca or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chevroletcanada

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