If you’ve been waiting for a truck that really maximizes fuel efficiency, without sacrificing power and performance, your wait is over. Chevrolet has announced plans to equip a number of 2016 Chevy Silverados with their eAssist technology, which boosts city miles per gallon by as much as 13 percent, based on EPA ratings.
This might not seem like a big number, but it can really end up saving you big at the pump, depending on how and where you do most of your driving.
“Silverado already leads the full-size truck segment in V8 fuel economy. For customers and small-business owners who use their trucks for more urban driving, the addition of eAssist can further reduce their fuel costs without sacrificing the utility they expect in a full-size truck,” said Sandor Piszar, marketing director for Chevrolet Trucks.
And it gets better. Not only does this system improve fuel efficiency, but it also adds 13 horsepower and 44 pound-feet of additional torque during acceleration and passing.
The eAssist system combines a lithium-ion battery pack with the Silverado’s 5.3-liter EcoTech V8 and eight-speed automatic transmission to provide:
- Regenerative Braking: Energy regained during braking is transformed into electricity to renew the onboard battery.
- Stop/Start Capability: The engine is automatically turned off when stopped at a traffic light and in heavy traffic to conserve fuel. It effortlessly turns back on with one press of the pedal.
The 2016 Chevy Silverado with eAssist technology will achieve 18 miles per gallon in the city, according to EPA ratings. This is a two mpg jump over the same Silverado 1500 with the 5.3-liter V8 and eight-speed automatic transmission. The EPA estimate for the Silverado eAssist on the highway is 24 miles per gallon, while the combined rating is 20 mpg.
For more information, stop by Kenny Kent Chevy and take this tough truck for a spin today!
