Here’s an early look — at least in patent drawings — of the next-gen Chevy Silverado!
Even though GM did give the Chevy Silverado a refresh a few years ago, the current generation truck has been in production for the past seven years now. It’s time for an update, and if you’ve been following along, you know a new model is on the way for 2027. A bit ahead of time, though, we’re getting a look at what a new era of Silverado will look like without the camouflage…sort of.
There are new filings with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) showing the truck’s exterior design in its entirety. Car and Driver spotted the document, filed on December 9. So, within the past week or so, we have a better look at what is undoubtedly the next-generation Silverado. Patent filings aren’t usually that specific of course, so it’s not actually named as such in the filing itself. But come on, that design is instantly recognizable.
To be clear, General Motors has not (and will not) confirm future product, as that’s standard protocol before automakers are ready to share official information. To that end, a company spokesperson sent over the statement: “GM regularly files with the US Patent Office to protect our IP, trademark and technologies. Filings are not always indicative of future product. We cannot comment on speculation on future product.” Yes, there’s a nonzero chance this won’t ultimately be what the truck looks like. Chances are pretty good however, if you ask us, though some details may change between this patent application and the actual Silverado’s launch.
Now, the fact that it is instantly recognizable could spark some discussion on whether GM went far enough. Even at first glance and only using these patent drawings as proof, the look is an evolution of the T1 generation, rather than an earth-shattering revolution. The front clip is notably different, though, particularly when it comes to the larger headlight design. There is still a pair of thin running lights just above the primary light assemblies, and Chevrolet designers saw fit to make the power bulge on in the hood a bit more pronounced than in the current trucks. Lower down in the front bumper, it seems we’re getting more of an angular look, as is fashionable these days, but it will feel familiar to any fan of the current Silverado models.
Moving along the side profile, this new truck looks to get a few more creases and angles for added bulkiness, in keeping with the front end design. Around back, the Bow Tie on the tailgate again makes it all too clear which truck we’re looking at, while there are a set of chunkier looking taillights that cut forward into the bedsides a bit, much the same as the DRLs move rearward into the fenders. That’s another increasingly common trend in design, so you’ll get a more distinctive look of the truck in side profile, as well as from the front or back.
It looks like Chevy’s Multi-Flex tailgate is intact, judging by the various creases in the drawings. The integrated bumper steps also remain, and you get a couple cutouts in the rear bumper for what looks like some decently chunky exhaust pipes.
Of course, what will power the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 should be pretty straightforward, with one exception. GM will almost definitely continue to offer a wide range of powertrain options, from your four-pot TurboMax to the 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel. Most folks will care about the V8s, though, and that’s where things could get seriously interesting.
Why? Because the automaker announced a nearly $900 million investment into its Tonawanda engine plant near Buffalo, New York. That plant will produce a brand-new V8 engine, which should make it into the next-gen Silverado as well as GM’s crop of full-size SUVs. Tonawanda builds the current EcoTec3 V8s, and while we don’t know what specs this new sixth-generation Small Block will have just yet, it’s nice to see that continuity as we round the corner toward the latest crop of GM trucks that will emerge from 2027 onward. We suspect these new engines could be 5.7-liter or even 6.6-liter units.
We should have some more concrete information on the next-gen trucks next year, so we’ll have plenty of more information to share on that soon.
Update 12/17/2025: Added the statement from General Motors.
