Chevy Silverado gets new front redesign for 2016

General Motors Co. said Monday it is redesigning the Chevrolet Silverado full-size pickup for the 2016 model year, including giving the truck new front end looks, more safety technologies and updated MyLink infotainment system to support Google's Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It will be available this fall.

"The redesigned 2016 Silverado will build on Chevy Trucks' legacy of dependability. It will feature a more muscular appearance and offer new customer-focused technologies," Sandor Piszar, marketing director for Chevy trucks, said in a statement. "New front end designs with bold horizontal elements, sculpted hoods and dramatic lighting reflect the strength and refinement that have helped make Silverado the fastest growing full-size pickup brand this year."

Chevrolet said it is moving aggressively to keep the heat on the competition. Ford Motor Co. late last year launched a newly designed 2015 Ford F-150 pickup that features an aluminum body and is up to 700 pounds lighter. Ram for mid 2015 and 2016 is offering a new off-road focused Ram 1500 Rebel model and redesigned upscale Ram 1500 Laramie Limited. A year ago, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said an update was coming in 2016 for Ram heavy-duties and a major remake for the light-duty truck was scheduled for 2017. A Ram spokesman wouldn't comment on the timing of the updates.

Chevrolet spokesman Tom Wilkinson said the Silverado for 2016 gets new headlamps, a new grille and hood and back taillights. A GMC spokesman wouldn't comment on whether the GMC Sierra pickup also will get a refresh for 2016. However, GM in the past has redesigned its pickups at the same time, making it highly likely the Sierra will also have new looks and features coming for 2016.

GM said the 2016 Silverado also will expand use of eight-speed automatic transmissions in some 5.3-liter V-8 engines, Wilkinson said. The eight-speed is standard now on the 2015 Silverado and Sierra pickups with the 6.2-liter EcoTec V-8 engine. The Silverado comes standard with a 4.3-liter EcoTec V-6 engine and the 5.3-liter EcoTec V-8 engine costs $1,095 extra. Those two engines currently are mated to six-speed automatic transmissions.

Chevrolet said it will offer more details on the 2016 Silverado this fall, closer to when the truck makes a public debut.

The Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups were completely redesigned for the 2014 model year. Analysts expect to see fully redesigned full-size pickups for the 2019 model year. Bank of America Merrill Lynch said GM was accelerating the redesign of the trucks to respond to competition.

Silverado sales half way through 2015 totaled 275,822, up 14.6 percent from the same six months in 2014. Sierra sales totaled 100,850 through June, up 8.2 percent from the same period in 2014. Ram pickup sales of 212,716 are up 4.3 percent through June, while F-Series sales of 357,180 for the first six months are down 2.4 percent as supply of the new F-150 has been limited.

mburden@detroitnews.com