Overview
The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is a one-ton pickup truck that provides excellent towing and hauling capacities as well as a refined and smooth ride. A 3500HD Crew Cab with a 6.5-foot cargo box is new. A power dome-style hood with a new, louvered design, as well as a new grille and full-width chrome steel front bumper are the highlights of this model offered in WT, LT and LTZ trim levels.
There is a new Z71 Appearance Package available with the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD LT and LTZ models that include a body-colored bumper, grille with chrome mesh, door handles and mirrors, unique Z71 decals, foglamps, bright doorsill plates and 18" polished forged-aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires.
For 2012 Chevy added new color choices, bringing Silver Ice Metallic, Mocha Steel Metallic, Black Granite Metallic and Graystone Metallic to the lineup. New rugged 17" forged polished aluminum wheels are standard on 2012 Silverado 3500HD Crew Cab LTZ and available on Crew Cab LT with dual rear wheels.
Power and performance
A 6.0-liter gasoline V8 engine rated at 360 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque mated to a six-speed automatic is standard. A new Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel rated at 397 hp and 765 lb-ft of torque is optional for towing or hauling on a regular basis. This new engine is teamed with a heavy-duty six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control. Its emissions are much cleaner than the earlier diesel engine. Rear-wheel drive is standard for all models, with four-wheel drive optional. A Silverado 3500HD crew cab/long box can tow up to 21,700 pounds (9,843 kg) with a fifth-wheel hitch and the maximum payload (3500HD) is 6,635 pounds (3,009 kg).
Body and styling
The new Silverado 3500 HD includes purposeful technology like available mobile WiFi, USB connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity, XM Satellite Radio, OnStar 9.0 and navigation. New for 2012, Silverado offers a new Touch-Screen Navigation and Entertainment system. Up to 30GB hard drive lets you store your favorite music. Features include DVD-playback, voice recognition, and, when equipped, integration with NavWeather, NavTraffic, a choice of 2D or 3D full-color map displays, and rear view camera only on the LTZ.
The 2012 Silverado 3500 truck gets bold and muscular design elements. A wide and tall dual-port grille with a prominent gold bow tie emblem that is flanked by plush reflector-optics headlamps at the center and large door-pull handles enhance its appearance. Silverado 3500 HD has an impressive and quiet interior that comes with excellent fit and finish, improved cabin materials and comfortable seats. More space for passengers, good amount of storage cubbies, cupholders, three power points and simple, large controls create a user-friendly atmosphere inside the Silverado 3500. Vinyl 40/20/40 split-bench seats with recliners are standard on the WT trim and custom leather-appointed , A new option for the 2012 Silverado 3500HD LTZ is the available heated?and cooled?front perforated leather appointed seats for comfort. It also features reclining, heated, 10-way power-adjustable front bucket seats are standard on the LTZ version. Some key standard features include oil cooler, instrument panel, a family of 16-inch chrome-clad steel, 17-inch machined-aluminum and steel wheels, AM/FM stereo with MP3-compatible CD player and XM radio with three trial months.
Safety Features
The new 2012 Silverado 3500 HD truck, made up of a new high-strength steel tubular frame cross member that enhances safety and improves crashworthiness, comes with new exhaust brake system, StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System, 4-Wheel ABS, 4-Wheel Disc Brakes, Traction Control System and Daytime Running Lamps. The seat pelvic/thorax and head curtain side air bags available. The segment-exclusive OnStar 9.0 comes with this anywhere anytime truck.
*Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008 .Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
