We've driven two versions of the all-new 2007 Chevy Silverado on paved and gravel roads in the desert west and north of Phoenix. We drove an LTZ crew cab with the 5.3-liter V8, four-wheel drive, and the Z85 suspension. Later we got into the more upscale version of the LT with an extended cab and standard bed, same V8 engine and same Z85 suspension. The LTZ had the luxury-inspired interior while the LT had the pure pickup interior, though with optional bucket seats.

The suspension did a nice job of providing stability and also soaking up the rough surface of the gravel road, even in areas which featured a surface you might better call rocky than graveled. But it also was sure-footed and the V8 provided more than sufficient power on winding two-lane roads that climbed from the desert into the mountains.

The Silverado can be equipped for a towing capacity of as much as 10,500 pounds, and that's for the light-duty version. The heavy-duty Silverado models will be coming to market early in calendar year 2007.