![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Very American, and music to our ears.Īlthough the 454SS excelled at smoky burnouts and fishtailing runs through empty parking lots, the Silverado SS is more about subduing those hormonal overloads. Either way, the vibe emanating from the single 3.5-inch ovoid outlet pipe is deep, guttural, a bit raspy, and constantly burbling like a small-block beast. Chevy says it's tuned "for a throaty NASCAR-inspired roar," but to us, it's more like the reverb of James Earl Jones talking and gargling simultaneously. With the SS's stirring exhaust, flooring it becomes addictive. Mated to GM's heavy-duty 4L65-E four-speed automatic, the LQ9 powers the SS from standstill to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and through the quarter in 14.8 seconds at 90 mph, nearly a full second quicker than the 454. Chevy estimates fuel economy at 12 mpg city and 16 mpg highway-we saw 13 mpg overall, so expect to drop some serious coin at the gas pump. Higher compression means higher-grade fuel, and Chevy recommends premium unleaded only, as opposed to regular unleaded used in the LQ4. Unlike its GMC Sierra Denali cousin, which is powered by an LQ4 version (325 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque) of GM's Vortec 6.0-liter OHV V-8 engine, the Silverado SS uses the LQ9 variant-motivator to Cadillac's Escalade lineup-that bumps the compression ratio from 9.4:1 to 10.0:1 and boosts output to 345 horses and 380 pound-feet. There's still a sense of disconnect with the front contact patches, but otherwise, the overall feel and linearity are top-notch among trucks. With its quick 14:1 ratio and low-effort feel, the steering makes easy work of city driving and doesn't feel terribly out of place when the road ventures into the country. Sure, a tighter turning circle would be welcome in a vehicle this big, especially when parking, but the power recirculating-ball setup does a commendable job. GM's Quadrasteer four-wheel steering isn't offered, and the reasoning is simple: The system adds substantial cost and weight, and increasing weight in a vehicle with sporting intentions is like telling a jockey he needs to bulk up. Lows: Slower than a Lightning or SRT-10, 40 grand for a pickup still doesn't sound right. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |