In March 2017, General Motors announced that a flagship medium-duty truck known as the 2019 Chevy Kodiak HD 4500 was on the way. The company collaborated with Navistar International to create a medium-duty model in October 2015. Two years later, nothing substantial has emerged concerning the Classes 4 and 5 commercial trucks, at least until now.
We were privileged enough to get hold of some spy images showing a camouflaged mule prepping for stability testing. Its rig highlights a beefy roll-bar attached to the flatbed, whereas its front bumper is ready to host the outriggers. Chevy insider said GM is tasked with supplying engines and commercial components while Navistar would handle the chassis configurations.
If this information is anything to go by, then the 2019 Chevy Kodiak HD 4500 uses a GM-sourced drivetrain along with other manufacturing components. The Navistar International, on the other hand, is responsible for developing other body parts. It will also handle the manufacturing part of it.
2019 Chevy Kodiak HD 4500 – Body Design
The General Motors is sharing some photos of the inbound 2019 Chevy Kodiak HD 4500 truck. These images suggest that the prototype brings a lot of elements of both GM and Navistar. The front grille and hood are identical to International cues, whereas the headlights borrow inspirations from the 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT.
Similarly, we noted that the cab is pure GM and resembles what we find on the Silverado 2500/3500 HD. Other features that are GM’s dead giveaways are the roof marker lights, trailer tow mirrors, and door handles.
Overall, the visual cooperation of the 2019 Chevy Kodiak HD 4500 is not GM’s exclusive thing anymore. The images divulge a melting pot of design cues stemming from both Chevy and International.
The headlights are Silverado inspired while the grille is Navistar’s deal. We have no spy images of the cabin. However, like the case of Ram and Ford, Chevrolet’s light truck is likely to step in as the base.
2019 Chevy Kodiak HD 4500 – Engine Options and Gearbox
Beneath the hood of the 2019 Chevy Kodiak HD 4500 is GM’s latest Duramax L5P 6.6-liter V8 turbo diesel engine. We expect this unit to receive a six-speed Allison 1000 automatic gearbox.
We do not imagine a gasoline engine making its way into this model. That is contrary to Kodiak and TopKick trucks of the 2000s, which featured the big-block 8.1-liter V8 powertrain. Regarding the output, the above powertrain delivers up to 425 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque.
The other potential engine that might appear in this medium-duty truck is the 6.0-liter petrol Vortex V-8 drivetrain. This unit produces about 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque.
2019 Chevy Kodiak HD 4500 – Debut and Cost
Chevrolet has made an affirmation that the new Chevy Kodiak HD 4500 truck will launch in March 2018. At launch, it will likely become a designated medium-duty truck for the 2019 model year. As for the prices, the base model will start at $40,000.
Worth noting, the Navistar International is manufacturing this medium-duty truck in the United States. Rumor has it that work is currently ongoing at the Navistar International’s Garland, Texas manufacturing facility. Stay tuned as we reach out to GM for more news about this subject.