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2014 Chevy Silverado to Go on 500 lbs Diet

The new 2016 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards might be the biggest hurdle faced by the American pickup truck segment right now. In order to increase fuel efficiency figures, the US carmakers are introducing more frugal conventional engines and are making plans for hybrid variants. However, this is only part of the solution, as automakers are increasingly looking at cutting weight as a way to improve overall fuel economy.

According to AutoGuide, the next generation Silverado could shed as much as 500 lbs (226 kg) over the current model. GM isn’t stopping there, as the company hopes to cut as much as 1,000 lbs (452 kg) from its trucks by 2020. The reduction should be achieved by moving away from traditional steel construction to more steel alloys, aluminum and even magnesium.

The 2016 CAFE regulations state that US carmakers must reach an average fleet fuel economy of 35.5 miles per gallon (6.7 liter per 100 km). The figure is worrying when you consider that light trucks, which up half of US car sales in the first 11 month of 2010, will have to average 30 miles per gallon (7.8 liters per 100 km).

Long story short, the days of cheap pickups powered by big V8 mills may come to an end, as more expensive building materials and costly engine development should add to the final pricetag. We want to remind you that the 2010 Silverado 1500 only does 22 mph (10.7 l/100km) on the highway and 15 mpg (15.7 l/100km) in the city. This will undoubtedly turn into a race, as the first first company to reach 30-35 mpg without losing capability will own the market.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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