New Chevy Silverado Aussie bound

The new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck made a surprise debut in Texas over the weekend… and it's coming to Australia in the next few years along with other big American utes like the RAM 1500.

Chevy says the 2019 Silverado ute will be lighter than before, offer more accessories for owner customisation and deliver more technology than any truck its built before.

Although details are scant, with specifications to be revealed at the 2018 Detroit motor show in January, the company has confirmed the 2019 Silverado 1500 truck is "all-new from the ground up" and expected to arrive in US showroom late in 2018.

It remains to be seen if the Chevy truck will get an aluminium intensive structure like the Ford F-150 but the US car-maker has confirmed that the "use of mixed materials and advanced manufacturing" will deliver a "significant reduction in total vehicle weight and improved performance in many measures" for Silverado.

The 2019 Silverado's Texas reveal was calculated to whet the appetite of US pickup truck buyers' appetites with its bold new look, which for the new Silverado LT Trailboss includes a modern front end design with sleek – possibly LED – headlights.

The wheel arches are now curved, replacing the previous square design.

Chevy's exterior designers have reworked the Silverado's rump too, with a neater overall styling comprising slimmer brake lights, bold exhaust outlets and cleanly integrated bumper.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trailboss could be compared to the Ram 1500 Rebel or Ford F-150 Raptor, with a boosted ride height, rugged looks, superior off-road capability and plenty of pepper from the engine.

Speaking of which, it's unclear which engine is hidden beneath the new Chevrolet Silverado's large bonnet, but a range of V8s are expected to be offered, displacing 5.3- and 6.2-litres. There's a 4.3-litre V6 expected to carry over, along with a diesel V6 along with a V8 hybrid.

Transmissions? An eight-speed auto is tipped to be joined by the new 10-speed auto co-developed with arch-rival Ford.

With more than 85 million pickup trucks already under its belt, Chevrolet reckons the new 2019 Silverado model range will expand significantly, with eight more Silverado variants to bob up during the vehicle's first year on sale.

Or in Chevy's words: "The next-gen Silverado will offer an expanded range of models, more engine/transmission combinations and more technology and convenience features to help customers find their ideal truck."

Interior, powertrain and pricing details will be revealed in the new year but as it stands carsales.com.au can confirm this new model will be offered in Australia in due course.

Holden will sell the larger Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 HD (heavy duty) models in Australia with a little help from HSV, starting from mid-2018.

The big US utes will be sold in co-branded Holden Chevrolet dealerships, complete with warranty and service regimes.

Our sources have confirmed that Holden and HSV will also convert the all-new – and more affordable – 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 model to right-hand drive for sale through Holden showrooms in Australia in roughly three years, sometime in 2020.

The Chevrolet Suburban 1500, a large SUV based on the same underpinnings as the new Silverado ute, is also tipped to take pride of place at Holden dealerships Down Under.

Big ute fans will be in seventh heaven as the new 2019 Ram 1500 pickup will also be unveiled at the same motor show, adding a little rivalry to the mix.