SPY PHOTOS: 2010 CHEVY SILVERADO TO GET MORE THAN 8 GEARS? Source SEMA Even with truck sales down and fuel prices up, General Motors doesn't intend to let its competitors get ahead of its heavy-duty program. From Brenda Priddy's spy photog network come these shots of the next-model 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 diesel test mule. The Silverado HD and its GMC Sierra HD twin first went on sale about 18 months ago, but GM plans a mild facelift that hints at major revisions under the hood, Priddy says. Priddy explains that the temporary grille in these photos is cribbed from a current light-duty Chevrolet Silverado 1500, but that the revised front bumper is slated for production. The inlet in the middle of the front bumper feeds air to the transmission cooler and is about one-third larger than the current version. Priddy speculates that the enlarged inlet could signal big changes in the Allison transmission package, perhaps to include eight—or more—gears to improve fuel economy and towing efficiency. The larger inlet could also provide increased airflow for the next-gen Duramax diesel, which will be overhauled to meet tougher nitrogen oxide (NOx) standards taking effect in 2010. Part of that overhaul could include a new exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system which reduces NOx emissions, although GM has stated that the 2010 Duramax will use urea selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to scrub NOx, thus requiring a less complex EGR system. The current Silverado HD uses a six-speed transmission mated to a 6.6L Duramax. Competitor Ford, meanwhile, plans to launch the 2011 Ford Super Duty with a 6.7L Scorpion V8 and six-speed transmission, and Dodge will launch its next heavy-duty in 2010.
Eight gears..............:doah: I mean...... how many does a pickup truck need? Of course this is just speculations, but........ I hate to think of rebuildibg a tranny like that.
the LMM's get horrible fuel economy in stock form, hopefully the Urea injection will be better but you got to add the Urea fluid to the truck occasionally 5 and 6 speed Alli's are the same tranny with a different TCM and valvebody......same with the Alli's in the big trucks, just depends on how and which clutches you apply.......this one probably wont be too far off.... i am glad they went back to the older plastic top and bottom bumpers, now they just need to lift the nose or lower the rear......