The 2007 Chevy Silverado LTZ 4×4 extended cab

General Motors is introducing its next-generation full size pickup trucks, the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, two trucks that could help lead the General out of its financial doldrums.

GM says the trucks have been redesigned from top to bottom: They have new exterior and interior designs, new engines and new chassis.

The Silverado and Sierra are offered with three cab styles, three cargo box lengths and several suspensions setups. GM hopes the range gives customers more choice when trying to suit their needs, particularly with the heavy duty models.

The Silverado and Sierra light-duty models will arrive in the fourth quarter of 2006. Sierra Denali and Silverado and Sierra heavy duty models will be available in the first quarter of 2007. The heavy duty trucks offer more powerful gas and diesel engines.

Silverado LTZ interior

The new pickups are sleeker and more aerodynamic, including a 57-degree windshield angle designed to reduce wind noise and improve fuel economy. Tolerances between panels are greatly reduced - including a 50-percent reduction in the space between the cab and cargo box.

In addition to the trucks’ three cab designs (regular, extended and crew cab), there are three cargo box lengths, including short (5 foot 8 inches), standard (6 foot 6 inches) and long (8 foot). The pickup boxes have been redesigned with enhanced versatility, increased strength and greater capacity. A one-piece wheelhouse and inner box side adds strength and smoother, more integrated appearance. The boxes are 1.18 inches (30 mm) deeper in the front and 1.57 inches (40 mm) deeper at the rear, with stronger inner walls that offer improved performance when fitted with ladder racks, tool boxes and other accessories. New tailgate designs include locks and torque-rod assist for easier operation. A standard end cap on each tailgate features an integrated spoiler lip that enhances aerodynamics.

GMC Sierra SLE extended cab

A new cargo-management system is also available: Three rails that run the length of the box sides and the forward box wall are secured with high-strength anchors and, unlike competitors’ systems, incorporate upper and lower tracks. Four adjustable tie-down brackets are included with each system and can be located anywhere on the tracks, each rated for a load point of 500 pounds.

The interiors are designed to be quieter and more spacious and refined. Legroom, headroom and hip room have increased. The recline angle and fore/aft travel of the front seat has been increased and power adjustable pedals are available.

Silverado LT interior

The fourth generation of the legendary small-block is the power behind GM’s all-new full-size trucks. Horsepower is up, torque is up, and the pickups will have Active Fuel Management (AFM) and variable valve timing (VVT). A FlexFuel engine is available. GM says highway fuel economy for models equipped with the 5.3L V8 now are estimated at more than 20 mpg for both 2WD and 4WD models. Engines range in size from the 4.3-liter, 195 hp V6, to the 6.0-liter, 367 hp V8.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested large sedans in side crashes and found the Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon fared best. Both cars come standard with side airbags and received ratings of “Good.” Despite the hum-drum naming convention, “Good” is actually the best a car can rank in IIHS tests. Side impacts cause the second highest number of car-crash fatalities. Airbags alone didn’t win the test for the Impala and Avalon. The Chrysler 300, when tested with optional side airbags, only received a “Marginal” rating, failing to notch even an “Average” score. So did the Buick LaCrosse and Pontiac Grand Prix. Those that received the worst, or “Poor,” rating weren’t equipped with optional side airbags. That group included the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego, Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis. Both the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego, when tested with their optional side airbags, received the top rating of “Good” in 2005. Ford will be making side airbags standard for both cars in the 2007 model year. Even if every car with side airbags didn’t receive the highest rating, they’re still an excellent feature that buyers should look for when considering safety in a purchasing decision.

Second-generation airbags, introduced in 1998, were the focus of a recent study that concluded children are less likely to be injured by the advanced airbags then they were by the previous generation.

Children under the age of 6 are 66% more at risk in a car with first-generation airbags than in one with no airbags at all. That’s why it’s recommended to place young children in the back seat. The same age group is only 10% more at risk with the second-generation airbags, which inflate with less force. At the same time, the newer airbags also marginally improve safety for adults. Prior to this study some believed the less powerful airbag deployment meant more injuries to adults for the benefit of children. Now we know that second-generation airbags are just plain better for everybody.

Mazda Company will present new seven-seated Crossover SUV CX-9 in New York Motor Show. This SUV is the second full-wheel drive car, which was created by Mazda for North America market. Earlier this year, this carmaker has presented five-seated SUV Mazda CX-7 in Detroit Motor Show.

Mazda CX-9

Mazda Company distributed first official pictures this Tuesday of their newest car – a different convertible, which is constructed on the newest generation Mazda MX-5 (in some markets it is also called Mazda Miata) basis. The main difference separating the new version of this world famous Mazda roadster from the old one is a rigid folding roof. We should remind you, that all previous generations with their versions had only convertible soft-top and optional mountable (non-convertible) hard-top roof. Consequentially all of the folding action is automated with the help of special electrical motors.

Mazda MX-5 Convertible Hard-Top in action