2007 Chevrolet Silverado Spy Photos

Chevrolet’s Silverado, along with its corporate General Motors twin the GMC Sierra, is officially the oldest full-size pickup on the market now that Toyota has announced a redesigned 2007 Tundra. Both the Silverado and the outgoing Tundra date to the 1999 model year, and while Chevy has continually updated its bread-and-butter profit generator over the years, the Silverado needs a complete redesign to remain competitive. That redesign is coming for the 2007 model year, and starting this fall full-size pickup buyers can drive home in a new Silverado. Our spy caught the Silverado 1500 crew cab shown here during a GM photo shoot, and based on the Z71 decal on the rear fender, the roof rails, the brushed aluminum alloy wheels, and the running boards, we'd say this is a 4WD model in LT trim. From a styling standpoint, the front end carries strong Chevrolet flavor, from the arrangement of the lighting elements to the chrome-trimmed grille and its center spear with decorative bowtie badge. The wheels on this LT model are also quite good looking. The flared and bulging body, however, doesn't present a cohesive appearance, making the truck look like it's wearing clothes one size too big with shoes one size too small. The new 2007 Chevy Avalanche is a cleaner-looking model.

*Image Copyright Brenda Priddy & Company

Spy Photo – Rear

Shown here is a rear view of the redesigned 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab. Previous photos of test mules showed signal indicators built into the sideview mirrors, a nice touch. Also note that it does not appear that the new Silverado crew cab will match the Dodge Ram Mega Cab in terms of interior space, though it appears competitive against the Ford F-Series and the Nissan Titan. Chevy is clearly trying to drum up some visual interest with the flared fenders and a tailgate bulge (not visible in this photo), but the end result is that the Silverado's wheels look too small. Better start checking wheel prices at Tire Rack. Expect a range of engines similar to today’s Silverado, with a V6 at the bottom end of the range and a choice between two V8 engines and a turbodiesel V8 for the heavy-duty 2500- and 3500-series trucks. The popular choice is likely to be GM’s 5.3-liter V8, which includes Active Fuel Management technology to shut down half of the engine’s cylinders during low-load cruising, and which can run on E85 ethanol. In the new Avalanche pickup, this engine makes 320 horsepower and 340 lb.-ft. of torque with two-wheel drive, and 310 horsepower and 335 lb.-ft. of torque with four-wheel drive. A more powerful 6.0-liter V8 is expected as an option, and Chevrolet will certainly bump the current Silverado 1500’s maximum towing capacity of 10,400 pounds to ensure that it beats the new Toyota Tundra on paper.

*Image Copyright Brenda Priddy & Company

Spy Photo – Interior

Based on detail in this interior photo of the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado, it will get a unique dashboard that is not shared with the Avalanche pickup or the Tahoe SUV. The dash sits taller and offers more acreage for the controls, but the gauge cluster, steering wheel, and shifter all look similar. One thing’s for sure: even this development mule’s cabin looks nicer and of higher quality than the current Silverado’s cheap, tacky plastic.

*Image Copyright Brenda Priddy & Company

Current Silverado Ext.

The 2006 Chevrolet Silverado has an angry, angular appearance that is softened on the redesigned 2007 version. Historically, the Silverado has shared its appearance with the Avalanche pickup and/or the Suburban/Tahoe SUVs. This time around, though, the Silverado will get a unique look. Currently, the maximum tow rating for the 1500-series models is 10,400 pounds, while the heavy-duty HD-series can tug as much as 12,000 pounds.

Current Silverado Int.

Today’s Chevy Silverado has a tall, cheap, ugly dashboard that does not impart a sense of quality. The redesigned 2007 Chevy Silverado is certain to rectify this situation by offering higher-grade plastics, a better control layout, and upscale touches like bright rings around the gauges and chrome accents on some of the switchgear.

New Avalanche Ext.

If you think you need, or want, a pickup truck for do-it-yourself weekend projects, the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche is what you want to buy thanks to its ingenious “midgate” which allows the cargo bed to expand into the interior for carrying longer loads. The Avalanche shares its unibody structure with the redesigned 2007 Suburban, which means towing is restricted to a maximum of 8,000 pounds. In contrast, the new Silverado is a traditional body-on-frame pickup with a separate cargo box designed for hauling and towing heavier loads. It is possible that light-duty versions of the new Silverado will share the Avalanche’s front styling.

New Tahoe Int.

One of the biggest improvements made to the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche, Suburban, and Tahoe is the quality and design of the interior, which moves full-size GM trucks several notches up the scale. Though it appears from the spy photos that the new 2007 Chevy Silverado will get a unique dashboard that is taller than the Tahoe’s, we expect similar gains in terms of quality and design.

Dodge Ram Ext.

Dodge refurbished the RAM pickup for 2006, installing an all-new frame, restyling the front end and interior, and adding the Mega Cab model, currently the biggest full-size truck on the market. Dodge also offers a 345-horse/375 lb.-ft. 5.7-liter V8 engine with the same cylinder deactivation technology that is going to be available in the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado, and Dodge gives enthusiasts a Ram SRT-10 sport model equipped with the V-10 engine from the Viper sports car. The Ram’s maximum tow capacity is 9,100 pounds when properly equipped in 1500-series trim, but heavy-duty models can tackle up to 16,250 pounds.

Dodge Ram Int.

Restyled and upsized for 2006, the Dodge Ram’s cabin is simple, user-friendly, and offers plenty of space to stow all types of gear. Plus, the Ram Mega Cab offers more interior space than any other crew cab pickup on the market. Shown here is the Ram Laramie trim, which is available with an optional navigation system.

Ford F-150 Ext.

When the new 2007 Chevrolet Silverado goes on sale this fall, the Ford F-150 will be heading into its fourth year on the market, making the oldest full-size pickup truck on sale. Ford has been holding onto its best-selling sales crown, but with a new Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Toyota Tundra to fend off in 2007, as well as the recently updated Dodge Ram chipping away at sales, it’s time for Ford to get its “Hurricane” engine program back on track to fix what ails the Ford most – power ratings. Currently, the Ford F-150’s strongest engine makes 300 horsepower, 365 lb.-ft. of torque, and can tow up to 9,900 pounds. Super-Duty models are distinctly different from the F-150, and can manage up to 13,000 pounds. Ford used to sell a sport truck called the SVT Lightning, but has unwisely cancelled that image-maker after a decade on the market.

Ford F-150 Int.

Ford was one of the first full-size truck makers to design the cabin with the upscale touches of a regular car. Shown here is the top-trim King Ranch model, but even the most basic Ford F-150 features a quality appearance. If anything, the use of parts-bin radio and climate controls hurts Ford, because the buttons are too hard to use when wearing work or winter gloves. Full-size pickup buyers like full-size knobs, buttons, and switches.