As our our staff here at Handy Chevrolet of St. Albans, Vermont has said many times over, we LOVE the new model year's arrival!  Every year it seems to be more exciting than the last, however with constantly improving feature sets and new technology, more fuel efficient engines, and increasing hybrid and quasi hybrid technologies like GM's eAssist, debuting on the upcoming 2013 Chevy Malibu, what's not to love?

As it is, the new model year is here and it's in full swing.  As of right now about half of the new Chevy vehicles on our lot bear a 2012 model tag with new versions coming by the day.  But the one we at Handy Chevrolet of St. Albans, VT and General Motors are most excited about is the quietly rolled out refresh of the world class 2012 Chevrolet Silverado.

Let it be known, and known clearly:  buyers who lay down the cash - be it in terms of financing or a Chevy lease - will enjoy a reworked and elegant truck.  Featuring a new nose, complete with a chrome mesh grille and a chrome surround on LS and LT trims, the new look will tantalize those who thought they might way another year for a new Silverado in VT or NY.  Further, the 2WD LS and LT variants feature an aerodynamic front bumper without tow hooks, giving the truck an even more streamlined view.  Stepping up to the top of the line LTZ trim level gives the owner bragging rights over a sleek body-color surround and available 20-inch wheels.  One more optional feature I think every 2012 Chevy Silverado owners in Vermont will surely enjoy is the standard trailer sway control and hill-start assist.  This is a standard feature on all non-hybrid Silverado trucks and will add a little added standard functionality and a lot more standard safety.  For a little added convenience in a lousy situation, spare tire lock is also standard on all Silverado 1500 models as is the gas-saving cruise control.

As I mentioned to start, one of the biggest changes year in and year out even when a body style redesign is not the case is technology.  For 2012, General Motors and Chevy are throwing in a new optional hard-drive based navigation radio with updated graphics.  It'll be interesting to see how that new technology stacks up against the seemingly dated 2011 system, although features like the new optional WiFi connectivity will go a long way for tweens, millenials, and those of us who need and use our Silverado 1500 in VT as a mobile office.

If you were looking for a cabin redesign you won't be seeing it this year, as the Silverado 1500 will continue on with its interior configuration for at least another year with the only exception being Chevy's offer of White Diamond (colored paint) equipment packages on Silverado LT and Silverado LTZ trims to class up the exterior.  This White Diamond package includes a tri-coat exterior paint, a smattering of chrome adorning the truck, and a Z60 high-performance suspension on LTZ trims.  As for the popular 20-inch alloys?  Those big, bad rollers are also part of the party!

The Silverado's dependable V8 performance, highly competitive fuel economy, and broad range of models and configurations continues to have a strong appeal to American truck customers and global off-road or 4WD fans alike, and this is shown to be nothing short of conclusive as Silverado sales were up 7 percent through July of this 2011 year over year.  With the changes for 2012 enhancing the already rugged and capable Silverado and adding a fresh, updated design style this upward momentum for the Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500HD, and Silverado 3500HD lineups is sure to continue, and this is only accentuated with details like the aforementioned WiFi connectivity, navigation, and more.

The new and revised design for 2012 includes a chrome mesh grille matched with either a chrome surround on LS and LT models or a body-color surround on LTZ.  LS and LT models now feature a silver-painted lower bumper fascia that is more aerodynamic on 2WD models without tow hooks, and a new 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheel.

As for color options, all the standards of last year apply with four new choices including  Silver Ice Metallic, Mocha Steel Metallic, Carbon Flash Metallic, and Graystone, whereas the interior color scheme keeps all 2011 choices and adds to new options in Dark Titanium/Light Titanium and Dark Cashmere/Light Cashmere combinations.

Then there is also the mentioned White Diamond Edition, available in LT or LTZ trim.  Additions to the White Diamond Edition include a unique White Diamond Tricoat exterior color, chrome mirror caps and door handles, and body side moldings with chrome accents on LT models, with the LTZ trim gaining the Z60 high-performance suspension package, 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels, touring tires, and a chrome tow hook and exhaust tip package for added performance and curb appeal.

Customers seeking a more rugged-looking Silverado can choose the Z71 Off-Road Appearance Package.  It is available on LT and LTZ extended cab and crew cab models equipped with the Z71 suspension and includes Rancho front and rear shocks, body colored front end appearance, 18-inch aluminum wheels with on/off-road tires, fog lamps, bold Z71 graphics and more.

Silverado offers a number of technical features that enhance its capability for both work and recreation, including new navigation radio.  It offers an enhanced display and now has a hard drive that eliminates the need for discs with map data. Silverado also is equipped with segment-exclusive OnStar Directions & Connections with Turn-by-Turn Navigation and Automatic Crash Response, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth for phone and USB connectivity.

Chevrolet WiFi powered by Autonet, available through Chevy dealers, turns the Silverado into a mobile internet hot spot and an office on wheels, providing multiple users with full internet access inside the vehicle or up to 150 feet from the exterior of the vehicle. For work sites, Chevy WiFi offers instant access to online ordering sites, municipal sites with building permits and building code information and more. For families on the go, passengers can connect with friends on social media sites, stream videos, find maps, check weather or search for fishing and camping sites.

Silverado also offers comprehensive confidence and control features. Trailer sway control, which uses the truck and trailer brakes and the powertrain controls to keep the vehicle and trailer on the intended path, is now part of StabiliTrak, as is Hill Start Assist, which avoids roll-back before accelerating on inclines.

Silverado's 6-speed transmission is enhanced so that in normal mode the transmission downshifts during deceleration to use engine compression to assist in braking to slow the vehicle more efficiently, reducing brake wear. This Cruise Grade Braking feature now works in and out of Tow/Haul mode and applies to 1500 models with the 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8 engines.

Want to know more about the new 2012 Chevy Silverado?  Check out our online inventory, schedule your test drive today, get your ePrice for our best Internet-only pricing, or simply stop into our 699 Highgate Road location in St. Albans, VT today.  You can also send me an email using our online contact form and let me know what you want, when you want it, and we'll have it ready for you!

Allen Austin
Handy Chevrolet
St. Albans, VT  05478