Power came from a new, cleaner and more efficient 6.6 liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine that cranks out 365 horses and a mighty 660 lb.-ft of torque. A new emissions system and particulate filter significantly reduce the emissions of harmful gasses and particulate matter, and if you're paying attention, you can spot diesel-powered Silverado's by their afterburner style tailpipe. It's used to blend fresh air with superheated exhaust when the engine goes into clean-burn mode to vaporize stored pollutants.

Power came from a new, cleaner and more efficient 6.6 liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine of 365 horses.

A six-speed Allison transmission with 'tow-haul' and manual modes was fitted to handle the engine's power. The Allison transmission impresses with its smooth shift quality despite the tremendous power-handling capabilities it was built for.

In fact, on a test-drive, you may find that the entire truck comes off as notably softer and more refined than it appears. The ride is reasonably quiet and comfortable, even when the heavy-duty suspension isn't loaded up with a horse trailer or skids of roofing shingles. The engine emits an authoritative bellow when pushed, though it's smooth, quiet, civilized and soot-free when cruising around town gently.

This isn't a truck that's intended to prioritize comfort or refinement, but engineers have struck an ideal balance between toughness and civility that's easy to appreciate. A Silverado 3500 4x4 long-box with diesel power starts around $52,000.


Photo Credit : Justin Pritchard