New 2019 Chevy Silverado revealed

Chevrolet’s all-new Silverado 1500 pick-up made a surprise debut in Texas over the weekend… and it's coming to Australia in the next few years along with other big American utes like the new RAM 1500.

Chevy says the redesigned 2019 Silverado ute will be lighter than before, offer more accessories for owner customisation and deliver more technology than any truck it has built before.

Although details are scant before full specifications are revealed at the 2018 Detroit motor show in January, the company has confirmed the 2019 Silverado 1500 truck is "all-new from the ground up" and expected to arrive in US showrooms late in 2018.

It remains to be seen if the Chevy truck will get an aluminium body like the Ford F-150, but the US car-maker has confirmed that the "use of mixed materials and advanced manufacturing" will deliver a "significant reduction in total vehicle weight and improved performance in many measures".

The 2019 Silverado's Texas reveal was calculated to whet the appetite of US pick-up truck buyers with its bold new look, which for the new Silverado LT Trailboss includes a modern front-end design with sleek – possibly LED – headlights.

The wheel-arches are now curved, replacing the previous square design, and Chevy's exterior designers have reworked the Silverado's rump too, with neater overall styling comprising slimmer brake lights, bold exhaust outlets and a cleanly integrated bumper.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trailboss could be compared to the RAM 1500 Rebel or Ford F-150 Raptor, with a boosted ride height, rugged looks, superior off-road capability and plenty of pepper from the engine.

Speaking of which, it's unclear which engine is hidden beneath the new Chevrolet Silverado's large bonnet, but a range of V8s are expected to be offered, displacing 5.3- and 6.2-litres. The 4.3-litre V6 is expected to carry over, alongside new V6 diesel and V8 hybrid powertrains.

Transmissions? An eight-speed auto is tipped to be joined by GM’s new 10-speed auto co-developed with arch-rival Ford.

With more than 85 million pick-up truck sales already under its belt, Chevrolet reckons the new 2019 Silverado model range will expand significantly, with eight more Silverado variants to bob up during the vehicle's first year on sale.

In Chevy's words: "The next-gen Silverado will offer an expanded range of models, more engine/transmission combinations and more technology and convenience features to help customers find their ideal truck."

Interior, powertrain and pricing details will be revealed in early 2018 but as it stands motoring.com.au can confirm this new model will be offered in Australia in due course.

Holden has announced it will sell the larger, heavy-duty Silverado 2500HD and 3500 HD models via a new network of Chevrolet-branded dealerships from mid-2018, following confirmation that HSV will join the list of local Silverado importers/converters next year.

Our sources have confirmed that Holden and HSV will also convert the all-new – and more affordable – 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 model to right-hand drive for sale through Holden/Chevrolet showrooms in Australia by 2020.

The replacement for the Chevrolet Suburban 1500, a large SUV based on the same underpinnings as the Silverado ute, is also tipped to eventually take pride of place at Holden dealerships Down Under.

The Chevrolet Camaro muscle car will be sold in Australia from mid-2018 as well.

The new Silverado 1500 will make its global debut at the 2018 Detroit motor show in January, where the bow-tie brand will celebrate 100 years of the Chevy pickup.

Truck fans will be in seventh heaven as the new 2019 RAM 1500 pick-up will also be unveiled at the same motor show, adding a little rivalry to the mix.