Review: 2003 Chevrolet Silverado SS - Hot Rod Pickup
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS
Pickup truck as sports car? It's not as far-fetched an idea as you
might think. A front-engine, rear-wheel drive drivetrain in a vehicle
with body-on-frame construction and a ladder chassis, with
independent front and solid-axle rear suspensions describes not only
a pickup but the majority of sports cars built before 1960 or so. And,
with front-wheel drive and V6 engines the dominant paradigm for
contemporary sedans, rear-drive V8 muscle fans have mostly
pickups to turn to these days. So, a sport-oriented pickup could be
considered an exercise in nostalgia. Maybe so, for some sport trucks.
But Chevrolet's new-for-2003 Silverado SS differs from its
competition in one very important respect. It's not rear-wheel drive.
It has all-wheel drive.
Run 300 or more horsepower through a standard pickup leaf-
sprung solid rear axle and you will likely discover a major limitation
of the leaf-sprung solid axle. It's strong, it's simple, but leaf springs
have problems handling large amounts of torque without undue
torque reaction effects that can upset handling and ride comfort. The
Silverado SS controls that with a full-time all-wheel drive system
with a static 38/62 percent front/rear torque split. Meant for on-road
performance, it is not to be confused with the more common (for
pickups) part-time, off-road and towing-oriented four-wheel drive
systems.
I've been driving a Silverado SS for the past week, and it's been a
very entertaining week. The latest Super Sport vehicle from Chevy
really does work as a performance vehicle. It could also be a work
vehicle as well, but I suspect that few will spend their days with beds
filled with building materials. The AWD system tames the 6.0-liter
V8's 345 horses and 380 lb-ft of torque even under hard
acceleration, and it's far more fun on the road than a pickup has any
right to be. And name another sports car that can tow 7500 lbs.
APPEARANCE: Differences between the SS and other extended-
cab, short-bed Silverados are subtle. Like all 2003 Silverados, it has
angular new front styling inspired by Chevy's Avalanche. The SS
gets a sporty monochrome look from a lack of chrome trim and
body-colored plastic-clad bumpers. Aluminum-look rectangular
``brake duct'' vents are incorporated into the front bumper, and a
large rectangular exhaust exits to the side just behind the right rear
wheel. The SS sits a touch lower than other Silverados, although it
still has plenty of ground clearance. Most apparent are the 20-inch
spoked alloy wheels shod with low-profile 55-series performance
tires. ``SS'' badges are found on the front doors and tailgate.
COMFORT: The SS builds on the Silverado's premium-level LT
interior. The basic design and the leather upholstery, power heated
front seats and a flip-up rear bench, dual-zone climate control,
adjustable leather-rimmed steering wheel with cruise and audio
controls, power windows, mirrors, and doorlocks, remote entry, and
a good AM/FM/CD/cassette stereo system are all standard LT fare,
and are first-rate. The SS package adds special logo embroidering to
the front headrests, sporty-looking backlit black-on-white
instruments, and the ``SS'' logo in the center of the instrument panel.
The plushly comfortable front seats feature integrated shoulder strap
anchors, and the rear seat compares favorably with that of a
midsized sedan. Rear access is by auxiliary rear-hinged doors, and
the rear seat is wide enough for three people. Or that area can hold
cargo that shouldn't be out in the elements. So far, the Silverado SS
sounds like a large sports sedan. And it could be considered such,
except no sedan has a trunk as large as even the short cargo bed of a
full-size pickup.
SAFETY: The 2003 Chevrolet Silverado SS has standard dual front
airbags with an off switch for the passenger side and four-wheel
antilock disc brakes with a rear-proportioning system.
ROADABILITY: With the exception of its all-wheel drive system,
the Silverado SS is a well-executed example of typical pickup
chassis design, with body-on-frame construction, independent front
suspension, and a solid axle on leaf springs in the rear. The AWD
system controls the engine's strong torque very well, and helps get
all of its considerable power to the ground efficiently. A locking rear
differential also helps in this respect. The Z60 suspension is tuned
softly enough so that the wheels stay in contact with the ground,
very important for traction and braking. Monster power requires
monster contact patches, and the P275/55 R20 tires oblige, putting
plenty of rubber on the road. The relatively low (for a truck)
sidewalls help the steering response, although - basic physics - the
inertia associated with two and a half tons of mass makes itself
known. The ride is smooth on smooth pavement, but it does remind
occupants that they are in a pickup on rougher surfaces.
PERFORMANCE: Even though the Silverado SS is hardly a
lightweight at 5300 lbs, its 6.0-liter LQ9 ``Vortec'' V8 moves it very
quickly. With 345 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 380 lb-ft of torque
at 4000 rpm, acceleration is rather startling considering the mass
being accelerated. Sixty mph can come up in a touch over six
seconds, which is not exactly slow, and other vehicles that quick
generally don't have a 1496-lb payload or a 7,500-lb towing
capacity. Like GM's other current V8s, the LQ9's power is good
right off the line, but strongest in the mid-range where it is most
useful. The four-speed, electronically-controlled 4L65-E
transmission's ratios are right for this application, and its ``tow/haul''
mode, which holds gears longer to make better use of the engine's
maximum power, and also works for sport driving.
CONCLUSIONS: What do you get when you cross a pickup truck
with a Corvette? A Chevrolet Silverado SS.
SPECIFICATIONS
2003 Chevrolet Silverado SS
Base Price $ 39,205
Price As Tested $ 40,010
Engine Type 16-valve pushrod overhead valve V8
Engine Size 6.0 liters / 364 cu. in.
Horsepower 345 @ 5200 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 380 @ 4000 rpm
Transmission 4-speed electronic automatic
Wheelbase / Length 143.5 in. / 227.6 in.
Curb Weight 5298 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 15.4
Fuel Capacity 26 gal.
Fuel Requirement 91 octane premium unleaded gasoline
Tires Goodyear Eagle LS P275/55 R20
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc,
antilock standard
Suspension, front/rear independent double wishbone with
torsion bars
solid axle with variable-rate two-stage
leaf springs
Drivetrain front engine, all-wheel drive
PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 13 / 17 / 14
0 to 60 mph 6.3 sec
OPTIONS AND CHARGES
Spare Tire Lock $ 15
Destination charge $ 790
