Anybody who was at the Texas Motor Speedway today got a surprise nobody was really expecting: the first un-camouflaged look at the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado. With Ford refreshing the F-150 for 2018, and Ram spooling up the teasers for the upcoming DT-series pickup, Chevrolet needed to do something in order to keep the Silverado (and presumably, the GMC Sierra twin) fresh in order to keep pace in the war to sell Americans as many trucks as possible. For GM, the solution has been to un-square the truck: gone are the square wheelarches, the square rear door glass, and the slab-sided shape that has been a dominant Chevrolet theme pretty much since 1973. It appears that the Silverado is taking a cue or two from it’s Colorado mini-me and has accepted some body sculpting, especially noticeable in the front area, with a character line going from the top of the headlight down into the front doors, and another one running from just in front of the door handles all the way to the taillights. The headlights on this “Trail Boss” edition (!) are thin LED units and it appears that GM has tried to really hide the Silverado’s visual thickness, especially at the nose and tail.

This was only a preview look, with more to come at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in mid-January. Rumor has it that the all-new Ram pickup will debut then, too. Think this was a coincidence?

DALLAS — The past and future met today with the introduction of the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado at an event celebrating the first 100 years of Chevy Trucks. Many in attendance were Chevy Truck Legends members, some of the brand’s most passionate owners.

“Our owners’ passion for Chevrolet trucks is truly humbling,” said Alan Batey, president of GM North America, and global head of Chevrolet. “Many of our owners depend on their trucks for work and play, personalize their trucks in astonishing ways and pass their loyalty for Chevy Trucks down from generation to generation.

“For the Chevy Truck Centennial, we wanted to recognize the customers who have made Chevrolet part of their lives, and have them help kick off the next 100 years of Chevy Trucks.”

The 2019 Silverado 1500 is all new from the ground up and leverages Chevrolet’s experience building more than 85 million dependable, long-lasting pickups. It also reflects feedback from more than 7,000 people on what they wanted in their next truck — the most customer research in the company’s history.

The 2019 Silverado’s strong, modern design advances Chevrolet’s history of industry-leading pickup design. It’s a legacy built on decades of experience with models such as the Advance Design trucks of the 1950s and the C/K series of the 1960s. Those trucks set the standard for pickup design in their eras, and currently are some of the most coveted vintage trucks on the market. The next-generation Silverado is poised to change the face of trucks again, with a breakthrough design that is unmistakably Chevrolet.

The new Silverado also delivers improved capability and performance. For example, a higher-grade alloy is used in the roll-formed, high-strength-steel bed floor, contributing to a bed that is more functional and lighter weight. This use of mixed materials and advanced manufacturing is evident throughout the Silverado, resulting in a significant reduction in total vehicle weight and improved performance in many measures.

As no two truck customers are alike, 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.

The new Silverado LT Trailboss is one of eight 2019 Silverado models. It integrates the off-road equipment of the Z71 package as well as a two-inch suspension lift. Unlike aftermarket lift kits, the Trailboss suspension is fully tested, validated and warrantied by Chevrolet.

The 2019 Silverado will make its public debut in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, exactly 100 years after the first Chevrolet trucks were delivered to customers.