New from hood to hitch, the 2014 Silverado Light Duty is engineered to be stronger, smarter and more capable than ever before.

Among the hundreds of improvements, large and small, are:

•A trio of all-new EcoTec3 engines, a V-6 and two V-8s

•A stronger, quieter and more comfortable cab

•A refined new interior with features and connectivity tailored to the needs of truck customers

•Revised steering, suspension and brakes for improved ride and handling

•Ingenious solutions for managing cargo in the bed.

Silverado crew cabs and double cabs (which replaces the extended cab) with the standard 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8 will begin reaching Chevrolet dealers in late October. Also available is an all-new EcoTec3 V-6 with the most torque and highest payload and towing rating of any standard V-6. The crew cabs and double cabs will be joined next month by a regular cab Silverado.

Coming later in 2013 are an all-new 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8, engineered to raise the bar for premium truck engines, and the High Country, a rugged, luxurious Silverado tailored to the growing market for high-end pickups.

The 2014 Silverado Light Duty pickups will be available in seven distinct trim levels, from a Work Truck (WT) to the new premium level, High Country.

Silverado’s innovative technology is tailored to the way customers use full-size pickups, providing the power, efficiency, refinement and dependability they expect from their trucks.

Examples include:

•EcoTec3 engines that provide class-leading V-8 fuel efficiency and towing capability, without the cost and complexity of turbocharging

•High-strength steel that makes the frames and cabs stronger and lighter, yet can take the pounding of towing, hauling and off-road operation, year after year

•The strategic use of aluminum alloys to reduce the weight of engines, front suspension components, hoods and other parts

•New interiors featuring ample storage, multiple power and USB connections and available high-wear cloth for bench or bucket seats

•Chevrolet MyLink, which provides powerful connectivity for work or family with simple, intuitive controls.

EcoTec3 engines: Silverado Light Duty pickups will offer three all-new EcoTec3 engines – a 4.3L V-6 SAE-certified at 285 horsepower and 413 Nm of torque, a 5.3L V-8 certified at 355 horsepower and 519 Nm of torque, and a new 6.2L V-8 certified at 420 horsepower and 624 Nm of torque.

All three EcoTec3 engines feature direct fuel injection, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and continuously variable valve timing, a combination not found in competitive trucks. The engines also use a compact overhead-valve design and weight-saving components such as aluminum blocks and cylinder heads, to reduce mass, for additional energy savings.

All three provide the proven power, torque and dependability of a large-displacement engine, seamlessly switching to four-cylinder mode to save fuel during light-load driving. The 5.3L V-8 has EPA–estimated fuel economy of up to 10.2 L/100km highway (2WD models), the best of any V-8 pickup.

Silverados equipped with the 4.3L V-6 will have towing ratings up to 3,266 kg, the highest for any base V-6 in the segment. Silverados equipped with the 5.3L V-8 and the max towing package will have towing ratings of up to 5,216 kg, which is more than any light-duty pickup currently on the market.

Silverado’s exterior design blends strong Chevy truck heritage with a refined, modern aesthetic. The new design is more muscular, more functional and more aerodynamic.

The new Silverado design is about much more than just looks, however. The new front end is engineered to improve sealing for more efficient cooling, while the roof and tailgate spoiler were shaped in the wind tunnel to smooth airflow over the truck for reduced drag. New inlaid doors, which fit into recesses in the bodyside, reduce wind noise for a quieter cab.

The new truck cab is stronger, with nearly two-thirds of the structure made from high-strength steel, for a confident feel and improved safety. Similarly, the main rails and key cross members of the updated frame are high-strength steel with major elements hydro formed for reduced mass and improved strength.

The chassis of the 2014 Silverado includes a number of customer-focused updates. Silverado will be available with segment-exclusive safety features such as forward collision alert, lane departure warning with an active safety seat, and front and rear park assist.