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Chevy upgrades the 2016 Silverado HD to take on Ford’s Super Duty

Hot on the heels of the redesigned Ford F-Series Super Duty, the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado HD gets some updates as Ford and Chevy continue their eternal struggle for dominance. The big Chevy trucks were heavily updated for 2015, but in this competitive segment, standing still is not an option.

The 2016 Silverado HD looks essentially the same as the 2015 model, which was resculpted to incorporate styling cues from the light-duty Silverado 1500. Underneath that chiseled exterior, though, the 2016 model gets a few notable tech upgrades.

A “Digital Steering Assist” feature available on certain models adds electronic controls to improve stability. Chevy says the system offers greater responsiveness, improved steering feel, and greater confidence when towing or hauling heavy loads. Electronic aids are generally the enemy of steering feel, but anything that can make a rig this large easier to turn is probably a good thing.

Heavy-duty trucks may seem like work vehicles, but they now feature all of the luxury and tech accoutrements of regular cars, For 2016, the Silverado HD’s MyLink infotainment system adds HD radio, and updated 7- and 8-inch touchscreens that Chevy says perform better than before. Models equipped with the 8-inch touchscreen will launch with an option for Apple CarPlay; Android Auto will become available beginning in March.

The Silverado HD is still available in a bewildering array of cab, bed, and powertrain combinations. There are 2500HD and 3500HD models available with a two-door “regular cab,” a “double cab,” and a “crew cab” with four full-size doors. There are also two bed sizes (depending on cab configuration), and the option for dual rear wheels on the 3500HD.

Engine choices will likely remain unchanged. The Silverado HD is currently offered with a 6-liter gasoline V8 producing 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, and a 6.6-liter turbodiesel with 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft. Both use six-speed automatic transmissions, with a reinforced Allison unit for the diesel. There’s also a bi-fuel option that allows a truck to run on natural gas.

As with the smaller Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150, the current-generation Silverado HD isn’t quite as radical a rethink as its new Ford rival. If Ford’s risks don’t pay off, Chevy is probably hoping to collect a few new truck buyers.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
The week in EV tech: From sky-high dreams to ground-level drama
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Welcome to Digital Trends’ weekly recap of the revolutionary technology powering, connecting, and now driving next-gen electric vehicles. 
Buckle up, folks — this week we’re taking off with a look at the futuristic dream of flying electric cars possibly gliding above U.S. roads sooner than you think. But before we get carried away, let’s bring it back down to the bumpy road of present-day realities.
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It didn’t help that the Trump administration followed Musk’s recommendations and relaxed crash-reporting requirements put in place since 2021, while also relaxing rules to accelerate the deployment of fully-automated robotaxis.
The Trump/Musk clash takes place just as Tesla is due to launch its robotaxi pilot progam in Texas later this month. While Trump is now threatening to pull billions of dollars in government subsidies and contracts from Musk’s companies, it’s unclear whether he might pressure the Department of Transportation to again tighten the regulatory screws on Tesla. What is clear is that Trump has never been a fan of electric vehicles and is already trying to end federal subsidies on EV purchases and leases. And while he had made a big deal about buying a bright red Tesla Model S back in March, Trump now says he wants to sell it.
Back to the tech
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We’ll have to wait and see.
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Meet Alef Aeronautics, a Bay Area company that wants to put the “car” back in “flying car.” This week, Alef announced it has received over 3,400 pre-orders for its electric flying vehicle, the Model A — and get this: it’s not a futuristic prototype gathering dust in a lab. Alef says production could begin by the end of 2025, or early next year.
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The Model A has already received the nod from regulators for test flights.
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