Are you planning to purchase a Chevy truck and you are looking to find out more about the Chevy truck special editions? Well, if that is the case, then you are at the right place because, in this article, there will be quite a lot to cover.
- Chevy Trucks
- Truck Lineup
- Colorado Specs
- Colorado Specials
- Silverado Specs
- Silverado Specials
- Final Conclusion
- FAQs
Doing your own research before you make a purchase of a new car or truck is always a good idea. Mainly because these types of vehicles nowadays are really expensive. Especially trucks which have gone up in value quite significantly, such as the most wanted classic trucks.
Nowadays trucks will cost you an arm and a leg, to be honest. Especially the Chevy truck special editions. Special editions always cost more than regular trims. But what is good about these editions is that they also deliver quite a bit to the table because they have some features that most of the trucks out there don’t.
And also they are worth a lot more on the used market as well, which tends to be among the least among the most depreciated cars. But we are going to explain everything in this article. First, we are going to learn what is a Chevy truck and the Chevy truck lineup right now.
Then we will cover each of the models, their specs, dimensions, size, engines, and transmissions, as well as the Chevy truck special editions. So, if you want to learn more about this topic and learn about the best Chevy truck, feel free to follow along.
Chevy Trucks
Now before we dive into the Chevy truck special editions, let’s first take a look at what is a Chevy truck and cover some of the basics of these trucks. It’s a good place to start if you want to learn more about the history of Chevy trucks. So, let’s dive into the details and learn more about the trucks that Chevy makes in general.
The history of Chevy trucks is really rich. Everything started in 1933 when the Chevy Master was introduced. This was a chassis that was used for many purposes. As a coupe, cabriolet, sedan, and a truck. So, this model was not a proper pickup truck.
Then the AK series followed in 1941. These trucks were inspired by Art Deco styling and they were known as the Art Deco trucks. These AK series of trucks were made until 1947.
Starting from 1948, the new Chevy Advance Design was introduced. And these trucks were produced until 1955. But the first proper pickup truck that matches the current definition of pickups was the Chevy Task Force Series introduced in 1955 and produced until 1961.
And in 1960, the Chevy C/K series of trucks were introduced, which stayed in production alongside the popular S10 trucks. And this series basically lasted until 2002. There is a total of four generations of this model and the most popular are the square bodies from the 70s, which in fact is the third generation.
Then starting in 1998, the Chevy Silverado was introduced on the market which replaced the C/K Series of trucks in the full-size segment, and then the mid-size Colorado was introduced. But what is the current lineup of Chevy trucks and the Chevy truck special editions? More on that, next.
Chevy Truck Lineup
Now let’s take a look at the lineup of trucks that Chevy offers. And right off the bat, we can tell you that there are two trucks that Chevy makes. And these are the Colorado and Silverado.
The Colorado is the mid-size truck that Chevy makes, while the Silverado is the full-size truck that Chevy is making. In the following chapters, we are going to cover both of these trucks.
First, the Colorado and then the Silverado. We will also learn more about the Chevy truck special editions for both of these trucks. So, if you want to learn more, follow along.
Chevy Colorado Specs
Now let’s start with the Colorado before we dive into the Chevy truck special editions. So, what is the Colorado?
Well, the Chevy Colorado is Chevy’s take on the mid-size segment. This truck was introduced to compete with the Ford Ranger and the Dodge Dakota (one of the few Dodge trucks in the midsize segment). GMC also builds the Colorado. But their Colorado is the GMC Canyon.
So, if you don’t like the Chevy flavor, you might opt for the Canyon if you want something really cool. And GMC has really some well-built Canyons. Specifically the AT4 (if you want to know what does the AT4 trim stand for, our guide there might help), the off-road package, and the Denali.
Nevertheless, the Colorado was introduced in 2003 and is produced as of 2022. There is a total of three different generations released on the market.
The most recent is the 2023 model. Which is a completely new generation of the Colorado. This new model features quite a lot of technology and also very improved looks. And in our honest opinion, it is the best-looking Colorado ever. There is basically a trim for everybody and each of the trims looks spectacular. Even the entry-level ones.
Chevy really liked to come in with a bang and outsell the Ford Ranger on the first try. We strongly hope that there will also be an alternative to the Ranger Raptor. But more on that, we will cover in a moment where we will cover the Chevy truck special editions. Now let’s take a look at the dimensions and size of this Chevy truck.
Dimensions & Size
Now let’s take a look at the dimensions and size of the current Colorado before we dive into the Chevy truck special editions.
In terms of size, the new model comes with a wheelbase of 131.4 inches. The wheelbase is fixed for all of the trims. But the length can vary between 212.7 inches and 213 inches.
The model is 84.4 inches wide and between 78.8 inches and 81.9 inches tall depending on the model. Also, the curb weight varies between 4,716 lbs and 5,298 lbs depending on the model. But what about the Chevy truck special editions? We will get to that in a bit.
Engines & Transmissions
In terms of engines, this model comes with only one engine. And this is the 2.7L inline-4 engine that is turbocharged. The power that this engine produces varies between 237hp and 310hp. The most powerful version also makes about 430lb-ft of torque. Which is quite a lot of power for this chassis.
The transmission used in this pickup truck is the good old Chevy 8-speed. This transmission delivers excellent fuel economy. All you need to be wary of is some of the Chevy Silverado transmission problems, which have been somewhat prevalent in the past.
Fuel Economy
The fuel economy of the new Colorado is not yet published by the EPA, unfortunately, since this truck is not yet released. But it should deliver decent numbers considering that it uses a small displacement engine with a turbo. But what about the Chevy truck special editions? More on this we will cover more in a bit.
Chevy Truck Towing Capability
In terms of towing, the 2023 Colorado should be a really good performer. The numbers are set between 3,500 lbs for the base model and up to 7,700 for the more powerful versions of the Colorado. There should also be some towing packages as well. But what about the Chevy Truck Special Editions? More on that, we are going to cover next.
Chevy Colorado Special Editions
Now let’s discuss the Chevy truck special editions for the 2023 Colorado. What is worth noting is that there will be quite a bit of special editions for the first model year.
The most interesting special edition is the Colorado ZR2 Bison. The ZR2 Bison should be the top trim level for this truck.
And this truck will be solely off-road focused with all the bells and whistles. Something similar to the AT4 trim level by GMC. There will be really heavy-duty front and rear bumpers, meaty tires with big aluminum rims, and a big snorkel on the passenger side that will guarantee that your engine can run, no matter how deep your take it into the river.
More nimble are the ZR2 Midnight and Dusk editions. Both of these editions feature similar specs to the Bison. They both pack blacked-out aesthetics and what is interesting is that they have off-road lights mounted on the bar behind the cabin.
If you want to get something more normal, there is the standard Z71 Midnight trim. And in our opinion, this is the model for people who want to have good performance but want something that looks something less flashy, like a proper sleeper on the road. And also, this model is expected to be the second most affordable of the special trim editions.
The most affordable model should be the Redline. The Redline features red and black accents. And honestly, there is hardly any better color combo than red and black.
And the last special trim model should be the Colorado Custom. The Custom is a proper work truck that you can spec in any way you desire. What is interesting about this truck is that there will also be a 3.5L V6 engine.
Chevy Silverado Specs
Now let’s cover the second truck on our list before we dive into the Chevy truck special editions. And this is the Chevy Silverado. So, what is the Silverado?
Well, the Silverado is basically the model that replaced the C/K series of Chevy trucks in 1998, and this truck since then has been released in four generations in total. With the most recent generation introduced in 2019.
What is interesting about this truck is that it is basically the same as the GMC Sierra. They share the platform and all the mechanical components. The main differences are the front fascia and other small bits and pieces.
The Sierra also has a lot of special trims available. So, if you want something special, you might want to check them out as well. Our favorite special editions of the Sierra are the AT4 and the Denali. So, if you can’t find your favorite Chevy pickup truck special editions, make sure that you check the Sierra editions as well.
Nevertheless, this truck is a real eye-catcher in terms of looks ever since it was released to the market. There are a few models available like the 1500, 2500, and 3500. Each of these models is a bit bigger and more truck capable than its predecessor.
So, if the Silverado 1500 seems a bit underpowered, you might be checking out the 2500 or 3500. And while you’re here, do check out our write-up on the Chevy Silverado 1500 model years to avoid if you’re looking to find a good used example.
The model is assembled in two factories in the US. More specifically, the Fort Wayne Assembly in Indiana, and the Flint Truck Assembly in Michigan. The models are also assembled in Canada, Mexico, and even in Australia for the Australian market. But what about the Chevy truck special editions? More on this in a bit.
Dimensions & Size
Now let’s discuss the dimensions and size of the Chevy Silverado before we dive into the Chevy truck special editions. As you probably know, this truck comes in different variations. Both as a Regular cab and also as a Double/Crew cab. And the dimensions vary between these two cab layouts.
The regular cab has the shortest wheelbase of 126.5 inches. While the double cab and crew cab designs have the longest wheelbase of 147.4 inches.
The overall length also varies. So, if you get a regular cab with a 6.6ft bed, the truck will be 210.7 inches long. If you get an 8 ft bed, you get a 229.5 inches long truck.
The length of the Double cab is 231.8 inches. While the Crew cab comes with a 5.8 and 6.6 ft bed is 231.7 and 241.2 inches respectively. We’ve also compiled a more detailed truck bed dimensions chart for a Chevy truck, if you’re keen to compare the Silverado and its siblings.
The weight also varies. For the Regular cab, the weight is somewhere between 4,474 and 4,686 lbs, for the Double cab, the weight varies between 4,793 and 5,007 lbs. And for the Crew Cab is also somewhere between 4,789 and 5,008 lbs. But what about the Chevy truck special editions? We will get to that in a moment.
Engines & Transmissions
Another thing that we would like to cover before we dive into the Chevy truck special editions is the engines and transmissions that are used in these trucks.
What is worth noting is that in terms of engines, there is a big variety to choose from if you want to spec your dream truck.
Starting from a tiny 2.7L inline-4 turbo that is making about 310hp and 420lb-ft of torque. There is also the good old 5.3L Chevy V8 that is making about 355hp and 383lb-ft of torque. There is also a 6.2L V8 that develops about 420hp and 460lb-ft of torque.
But our personal favorite is the 3.0L Duramax inline-6 engine – one of the best Duramax engine to date. The Duramax diesel makes about 305hp and 495lb-ft of torque. And honestly, this engine is our personal favorite when it comes to the Silverado 1500. Since it can tow a lot and also is crazy fuel efficient.
There are also bigger engines for the 2500HD and 3500HD like the 6.6L V8 and the 6.6L Duramax that can make close to 1,000lb-ft of torque. The 6.6 Duramax diesel engine’s MPG is also pretty decent. But we will not get to them since we are only interested in the Silverado 1500.
Nevertheless, the transmissions used in these models are the 6-speed, 8-speed, and 10-speed automatics. We recommend either getting an 8-speed or 10-speed for fuel economy. But more precisely on the numbers, we are going to cover next before we learn about the Chevy truck special editions.
Fuel Economy
The fuel economy of the 2.7L turbo engine is really good. The model gets about 19 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway with an average of 20 mpg. On the other hand, the 5.3L gets about 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. With about 18 mpg combined.
The diesel variant is the most fuel efficient. This model gets about 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg combined. And honestly, it is our personal favorite. But what about the Chevy truck special editions? More on this, we will cover it in a bit.
Chevy Truck Towing Capability
In terms of towing, the 3.0L Duramax diesel can tow up to 9,500 lbs. On the other hand, the 6.2L V8 can tow much more, about 13,300. This 6.2L V8 is more or less related to the GMC 6.2 engine, so be sure to check out our guide on the common GMC 6.2 engine problems to find out if it’s worthwhile.
The 5.3L is also not a bad performer in this aspect. This model can tow about 11,200 lbs. So, these are the three models that you want in terms of towing.
If you’re wondering about how reliable is the Chevy 5.3 liter engine, we do have an extensive guide on the common Chevy 5.3 engine problems, as well as some other odd issues such as the ‘engine power reduced’ error on the Chevy Silverado (or the engine malfunction reduced power issue on the Nissan Altima).
The 2.7L engine is also claimed to be able to tow about 9.600 lbs. But since this is an inline-4 engine, we wouldn’t recommend it for towing regularly this amount of weight. But what about the Chevy truck special editions? More about the special editions we are going to cover next.
Chevy Truck Special Editions
Now let’s dive into the Chevy truck special editions that are available for the 2023 model year. We will focus only on the latest special editions. In other words, we will not discuss the previous ones.
Chevy Truck Special Editions #1: ZR2 Bison
ZR2 Bison – The ZR2 Bison is present on the 2023 Silverado model and you can see that the Colorado is not an exception. The Bison is the most extreme variant of the Silverado, primarily focused on off-roading.
It comes equipped with a 6.2L V8 engine and 10-speed transmission. Also, special front and rear bumpers for this trim level make this truck to be unique on the road.
Not to mention that the front and rear end differentials are unique to this model and also the model implements both transfer case, as well as fuel tank skid plate. In addition to this, there are the special Bison wheels and unique decals.
Chevy Truck Special Editions #2: Realtree Edition
Realtree Edition – The RealTree edition is a special edition offered on the Custom Trail Boss model. This edition comes with a 2-inch factory lift and 18-inch black painted alloy wheels with special Goodyear Wrangler Duratec mud terrain tires.
In addition to this, there are also special camo graphics on the bed and a big Realtree logo. The are also dual exhaust outlets with black tips and the Z71 badging all over the truck.
Chevy Truck Special Editions #3: Redline Edition
Redline Edition – Redline Edition is the next in our Chevy special editions. This redline edition features red and black accents that make the truck really stand out on the road. There are also 20-inch black alloy wheels with red accents.
In addition to this, there are dual exhaust outlets with rectangular tips. In addition to this, there are red emblems on the mirrors, tailgate, as well as towing hooks.
Chevy Truck Special Editions #4: Midnight Edition
Midnight Edition – The Midnight edition is basically a blacked-out Z71 off-road package level. This special edition is available on the Custom Trail Boss and LT Trail Boss trims. If you like the black color, you are going to enjoy driving this truck.
Chevy Truck Special Editions #5: Rally Edition
Rally Edition – The last in our list of Chevy truck special editions is the Rally Edition. The Rally edition comes in white or red color with black hood and tailgate rally stripes.
There are 20-inch black wheels as standard and 22 black RST wheels as an option. In addition to this, there are also black doorsteps.
In Conclusion…
In this article, we covered the Chevy trucks. We discussed both Colorado, as well as the Silverado.
First, we discussed their specs and learned more about the numbers. Then, we covered the Chevy truck special editions. We covered all the special editions that are available for the 2023 model year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
Where Are Chevy Trucks Made
The Chevy Silverado is assembled in two factories in the USA. One of them is in Flint, Michigan, while the other is in Roanoke, Indiana. The truck is also assembled in Ontario, Canada, Silao, Mexico, and Melbourne, Australia.
What Does Limited Edition Mean
Limited Edition is a term that carmakers use when they introduce a special limited trim of one of their products. They can make from 1 to 1,000 units of limited edition vehicles. It really depends on the carmaker and the number they choose. The smaller the number of cars, the bigger the price of the car.
What Does HD Stand For On A Truck
HD is usually used by truck makers and this abbreviation stands for heavy-duty. This means that these are trucks intended for heavy use and commercial applications.
What Year Was Silverado Made
The Chevy Silverado was introduced in 1998. Previously, the model was named C/K. But in the 90s, GM decided to rebrand their truck lineup and they chose the Silverado name.
What Does SS Stand For Chevy
SS is an old acronym that Chevy introduced in 1957. The SS refers to Super Sport. This means that these are the sport models. It was first introduced on the first-generation Corvette as a special trim package. And then with the Camaro and Chevelle.
How Much Is The Chevy Trail Boss
The Silverado Trail Boss can be purchased for both the Custom and LT trims. For the Custom, the price starts at $49,500 and for the LT the model starts at $55,000.
