After a couple of years of hiatus, Chevy is once again in the segment of Medium Duty pickup trucks. However, we saw changes in naming policy, so new models now come under the Silverado badge, as 4500 and 5500 versions. However, the latest reports suggest this could change soon. Rumors suggest a mix of two nameplates, so the new title would be the 2021 Chevy TopKick. To remind you, the TopKick name was used for GMC Medium Duty trucks in the past, while Chevy models were known as Kodiak.
In any case, we presume that bigger changes won’t come. The name would be new, but the overall design would remain the same. Simply, the current generation has been around for just a couple of years, so it’s hard to believe that any bigger changes are about to come soon. The 2021 Chevy TopKick could arrive already in the first half of the next year.
2021 Chevy TopKick Design
As we’ve just mentioned, not many things are expected to be new in the 2021 Chevy TopKick, other than the name. Simply, the current generation has been around for just a couple of years and that’s a way too short period for this segment, where production cycles last for decades. The current model is built in Ohio and it is actually a reworked version of the Navistar International CV.
Medium Duty trucks from Chevy were developed along with Navistar, the American company that is known for making capable work machines. More precisely, Silverado 4500 and 5500 models are pretty much re-badged versions of the International CV pickup truck, though Chevy uses its own engine. In terms of the chassis and other mechanical components, you will hardly find any particular difference. On the other side, there are few visual differences, especially at the front, where Chevy’s variant resembles the previous generation of Silverado light-duty and HD models.
Styling
The fact that the current model visually resembles the previous generation of Silverado trucks indicates changes in terms of the styling. So, the new nameplate could also bring new styling, at least at the front. This update would mean a new front face, inspired but the new Silverado. This would bring a new grille, new headlights and similar updates. On the other side, Navistar’s version would probably remain the same.
The rest of the body would remain the same. We would see the same overall layout, which comes in a typical chassis cab body style, so all kinds of things can be attached, for all kinds of work. Still, that doesn’t mean we won’t see some new variants, which haven’t been in the offer so far. Simply, the rivalry with Ford’s Super Duty models and Ram 4500 and 5500 is pretty big, even though we are talking about commercial trucks.
Interior
The 2021 Chevy TopKick would probably carry on with the same cabin layout. Simply, these are primarily working machines that doesn’t put too much attention to interior design and convenience. Therefore, count on a pretty basic approach, which includes a pretty simplistic dashboard design, mostly hard plastics and other low-rent materials. When it comes to cabin designs, you may count on both single and two-row variants.
2021 Chevy TopKick Engine
Changes under the hood probably wouldn’t come either. The current model comes with a well-known 6.6-liter Duramax V8 turbodiesel engine and we have no doubt things would remain the same for the new nameplate. This truck uses a version that’s good for about 350 horsepower, which seems like a perfect measure for a truck like this. The engine comes in pair with the latest generation of Allison automatic transmission.
Some sources suggest that the 2021 Chevy TopKick could be also offered with a gasoline engine. If this happens, we presume that would be a new 6.6-liter V8, which puts out 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. In HD models, this engine comes in pair with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Still, this scenario doesn’t seem very likely to as, so the turbodiesel will most likely remain the only option in the offer.
2021 Chevy TopKick Release Date
The new nameplate could arrive already in the next year. We don’t expect bigger changes to the current, Silverado models. So, the base price should go around 47.000 dollars.
