2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country

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The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country will have unique colors, chrome inserts, projector headlamps and body-colored front and rear bumpers. The interior will have heated and cooled perforated saddle brown leather (8-way adjustable) bucket seats and plenty of wood accents and rich materials throughout. The standard engine will be the new EcoTec3 5.3L V-8 (rated at 355 hp) that is reported to get an EPA rating of 16 city and 23 highway mpg (in 2WD), the best for a V-8 in the half-ton class. The new High Country will also offer the EcoTec3 6.2L V-8.

PickupTrucks.com

I bet this trim package will be in high demand. Doesn't look too bad at all... to me anyway. Overall, this is a big improvement in the looks department over the current generation Silverado.

I like the trim package, but I still don't like the front bumper. I wish I could find something aftermarket to replace the front on mine.

The inside looks nice, very upgraded but I'm not fond of the headrest lettering.

I don't care for the wheel well design, too GMC Terrain-ish.
Front clip is too tall, it isn't like these trucks have to hide a monster intercooler/radiator combo.

Here's another shot...

The exterior looks a little bit better than the previous design. I'm not feeling the artsy excessive grooves on the engine hood or the overall monotonous square look - wheel wells etc.

Most of the exterior design is relatively smooth and aero. The windshield swept back, tight rear view mirrors, and then they try overcompensating with pseudo-machismo bulging wheel-wells and an oversized, flat front grill. The cab looks smaller and the front end bigger. It's an abomination of nature. An albino animal trying to survive in the wild. It's planned obsolescence.

Ford and GM have a square-look hard-on. The first manufacturer that hires a semi truck designer gets the win with significant aerodynamics (fuel economy savings), functionality, and that all important masculinity.

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The first manufacturer that hires a semi truck designer gets the win with significant aerodynamics (fuel economy savings), functionality, and that all important masculinity.

Exactly why I think the 1994-2002 Ram is one of the best looking trucks made. It may not have the aerodynamics and fuel economy, but it IMO was the best looking truck within those years. I was disappointed when they *softened* the look in 03.

Diesel Dan wrote:

I don't care for the wheel well design, too GMC Terrain-ish.
Front clip is too tall, it isn't like these trucks have to hide a monster intercooler/radiator combo.

I'm thinking that the presented design clip is an attempt to move as much air above and around the truck as possible. Given there's considerable style and creases I would expect its an aero benefit over the previous generations.

I noticed on the Ford 1/2 4x4 ton loaner I'm driving now they have much of the same concept except the lower most aero valence is rearward of the front bumper by about 4/5", actually its a separate piece, thus making the front not appear as vertically tall.

Is the cow girl model optioned with the High Country package?

That was the best part of that video.

I parked next to a late model F150 today. I didn't realize the F150 front grill wraps around much more than GM's.

joemac wrote:

Given there's considerable style and creases I would expect its an aero benefit over the previous generations.

I wonder how the aero is compared to 1988-98 GMT400.

I would have think the aerodynamics of the '14s would have a substantial advantage over the GMT400s. Given todays trucks are increasingly under the spotlight of fuel savings all the manufacturers are spending a lot of time in wind tunnels. Though the GMT400 may look more streamline, it's hard to see how successful the aerodynamics are just from the look and shape.

Yep, I'm assuming they've learned a bunch of what works and what doesn't with computer modeling, thus translating over to validation in the wind tunnel, and to the showroom.

Lets see some cd #s.

You got to love scientific data. They're releasing information on the new trucks in a bread trail fashion. Did they publish coefficient of drag numbers for the GMT900 and GMT800 trucks? I can't remember if they did.

I do remember reading something years ago about the changes and benefit from GMT800 to GMT900, not sure they ever scientifically qualified it with data, but the premise was removing most all the designed gaps between components on the front end. For instance the headlamp assembly on the 2002 had a continuous 1/2" gap between the hood, the cross bar, grill and quarter panel. The day time running light assembly, same issue. The presented idea was being able to better manage air with design.

The little "reverse mud flap" on the 2014 has something to do with aero. It would be nice to learn what all little tricks were performed to benefit air management translating into CD numbers.

We'll see if it's better than the 2013 Silverado Hybrid's reportedly class leading 0.412.

Car companies don't always improve aero figures.
Look at the '82 Pontiac Firebird, ala "kitt" from the Knight rider era. It had a low 0.29Cd and was a big deal. Don't know the actual numbers for the last gen but do not think they were better, most likely worst for more aggressive styling.

Diesel Dan wrote:

Car companies don't always improve aero figures.
Look at the '82 Pontiac Firebird, ala "kitt" from the Knight rider era. It had a low 0.29Cd and was a big deal. Don't know the actual numbers for the last gen but do not think they were better, most likely worst for more aggressive styling.

The government wasn't mandating astronomical fuel efficiency figures back then though, unlike with todays trucks.

I don't see Cd reported often but they should keep improving it. However the designer in the video had a goal of the pickup acting like a fist punching the wind. Maybe that's all marketing BS otherwise it doesn't sound too hopeful.