Dual stacked headlights will not be seen on the updated 2016 Chevrolet Silverado. Instead, the pickup will get smaller and more stylized units as well as a more muscular hood and a new front fascia to give it a menacing vibe. Chevrolet scrapped the stacked headlights, a primary feature on the brand’s fast-selling truck since the ‘80s.
Its new lights are comparable to those used for high-tech electronics. Chevrolet spokesman Tom Wilkinson said that the styling revisions were meant to make the truck fresh as it competes with Ford’s revamped F-150 and Fiat Chrysler’s Ram 1500.
Another model that it will have to compete with is the new Titan pickup that Nissan will bring to the market in a few months. The changes to the new Silverado represent some of the most radical ones implemented mid-cycle.
The redesign for the 2014 Silverado was questioned by several dealerships, truck fans, and journalists if they were extensive enough. Several critics complained that it was still too similar to the truck that it had replaced.
This year, sales of the light- and heavy-duty Silverado in the U.S. have gone up by 15% while the full-size truck market grew by 4.7%. There was a 2.4% drop in deliveries of the F series, which include super duties. Meanwhile, the Ram volume has increased by 4.3%.
The upper trim levels of the 2016 Silverado, which include the Z71, will feature two rows of LED lights divided by an accent bar that is seen across the grille’s width. In addition, the lower fascia now has a different design and comes with smaller vertical fog lights. There are few revisions to its mechanics and trim.
Chevrolet has expanded the availability of an eight-speed automatic transmission for models that are powered by a 5.3-liter V-8 engine. Previously, the eight-speed gearbox had been offered just on models that have a 6.2-liter V-8.
Modifications were done on the Chevy MyLink system to support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There have been no confirmations yet if the GMC Sierra, which shares Silverado’s platform, will get the same updates for 2016. According to GMC spokesman Brian Goebel, the company won’t reveal specific details about the 2016 model yet.