2007 Chevrolet Silverado By Larry Edsall, New Car Test Drive .com

An all-new Chevy Silverado debuts this fall. Redesigned and re-engineered from the ground up, the 2007 Silverado features an all-new platform designed for a smoother ride and responsive, confident handling, all while delivering top-notch towing and hauling capability, power and fuel economy.

Aerodynamics played a strong role in the design to improve fuel economy. The windshield rakes back at 59 degrees and the doors wrap over the rocker panels. Chevy says improved aerodynamics and the use of active fuel management in its 5.3-liter V8 engine will mean better than 20-mpg highway fuel economy for two- or four-wheel-drive Silverado models.

The popular 315-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 is just one of many powertrain options. The Silverado can be also be equipped with a 195-hp 4.3-liter V6, a 295-hp 4.8-liter V8, a flexible-fuel 5.3-liter V8 that operates on E85, or a 367-hp 6.0-liter V8. Diesel engines will be available for heavy-duty models, which will be available around February 2007. Two- and four-wheel drive is available and there's a choice of manual and automatic transmissions.

Buyers can choose among five suspension packages: the solid, smooth ride Z83, Z85 for enhanced handling and towing, Z71 for off-road capability, Z60 for street performance (with 20-inch wheels), and NHT for towing big, heavy trailers.

StabiliTrak, GM's excellent electronic stability control system, which can help you avoid a wreck, will be widely available. Roof-mounted side-curtain airbags, designed to provide head protection in a side impact or rollover, will be optional. Also available is rear park assist, which should prove very useful for parallel parking or maneuvering in crowded parking lots. An automatic locking rear axle, remote vehicle starting, DVD/entertainment system, touch-screen navigation and other features will be available.

The cabins have been redesigned, and cabin storage has been improved. Extended cab trucks will have rear access doors that will open to 170 degrees and will have rear windows that power down. A cargo-management system with rails and tracks to secure cargo will be available.

The Chevy Silverado will share almost every feature with the GMC Sierra, but the two have been given more distinct looks for this latest generation.

For the Chevy Silverado, that means a wider and more chiseled face, a power dome hood, headlamps that wrap around the front corners into flared fenders, body-color front bumper tips and the biggest bowtie ever seen on a Chevrolet.

The new Silverado is expected to go on sale October 2006.