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OK, folks, here it comes — the vehicle you’ve been waiting for since Dodge introduced the new Ram in 1994 and Ford brought out the new F-150 in 1996.

General Motors finally has caught up, and let me tell you, it was worth the wait.

Chevrolet’s all-new, full-size pickup begins rolling into showrooms late this summer, the first remake of this vehicle since the current generation, C/K, debuted for 1988.

For 1999, the truck takes the name Silverado, which in the past was the designation for an upper level trim package on the Chevy pickups.

The GMC version, which will show up in the fall, has a new name, too: the Sierra.

To answer the big question first: No, there are no radical styling changes, such as those on the Ram and F-150.

These trucks look different, make no mistake about that. But they still look like General Motors full-size pickups; they’re just a bit rounder and have some updated trim, such as new headlights, grilles and bumpers.

Unlike the Ram and F-150, the big differences aren’t in style, they’re in substance. These trucks are stronger, faster, bigger, roomier and more high-tech than before — and they outclass the competition in all of those areas.

Take the back seat in the extended-cab models. It’s a real seat, with enough leg and knee room even for big folks. And the third door, which comes on the passenger side, is larger than before (and larger than those in the Dodge and Ford), which makes it easier to get in and out.

The new GM pickups’ V-8 engines are more powerful than the competition’s, too. However, with no loss in fuel economy. In fact, gas mileage exceeds that of the Ram and matches or exceeds that of the F-150 in almost all cases.

Braking is vastly improved over the past C/K model and the competition. The GM trucks stop 30 to 50 feet sooner than the current models from 80 mph, thanks to large, four-wheel disc brakes and a standard, four-wheel antilock system — an exclusive feature for this vehicle class.

The body is stronger than before, cutting down significantly on squeaks and rattles, and providing better occupant protection. The frame is 23 percent stiffer than that of the current model, creating a strong foundation, and the frame is welded together, rather than riveted, to add to that strength.

Even the cargo box’s strength has been improved — by 20 percent, GM says. That’s from the use of new high-strength, low-alloy steel.

Reliability should be dramatically improved, too. The electrical wiring, for instance, has five splices — down from 92 in the current model. Ford’s F-150 has 118 wiring splices — places where something can go wrong.

There are some other great features about the new Chevy and GMC trucks, too. They come with a coolant-loss protection system that allows them to be driven up to 50 miles at 55 miles per hour with no coolant in the radiator.

Battery rundown protection is built in: It shuts d own the electrical accessories if any are inadvertently left on after the engine has been turned off.

Even the windows have been enlarged for greater visibility. Brighter headlights and backup lights go on automatically to add to visibility.

Five engines are available on the Silverado and Sierra, a V-6 and four V-8s, including a turbo diesel. Here are the choices:

–A 4.3-liter V-6, with 200 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque.

–A Vortec 4.8-liter V-8, with 255 horsepower and 285 foot-pounds of torque.

–A Vortec 5.3-liter V-8, with 270 horsepower and 315 foot-pounds of torque.

–A Vortec 6.0-liter V-8, with 300 horsepower and 355 foot-pounds of torque.

–And a 6.5-liter turbo diesel V-8 with 215 horsepower and a whopping 440 foot-pounds of torque.

Four transmissions are offered: regular and heavy-duty five-speed manuals, and regular and heavy-duty four-speed automatics.

Body and drive combinations are numerous: Ther are regular and extended-cab models in short- and long-bed versions, both with the standard bed and the step-side bed — and in two- or four-wheel drive. They also come with varying suspensions, from a smooth on-road configuration to a tough off-road one.

The Chevy trucks come in three trim levels: base, mid-level LS and uplevel LT. Leather seats are available in Chevy and GMC models, as are front bucket seats.

I’ve driven most of the new trucks, in both the GMC and Chevy versions, including the four-wheel-drive models with the sporty Z-71 off-road package. I put one of those to the test on a rugged dirt road from Oracle, Ariz., to the top of Mount Lemmon, near Tucson, and found the optional AutoTrac automatic four-wheel-drive system to be convenient for on- and off-road use. The system engages the front axle whenever the rear wheels begin to spin, automatically transferring power up front.

These trucks also can be easily equipped for serious trailer-towing. The Silverado’s Z82 trailering package makes it the most trailer-ready pickup on the market, Chevy says. It includes outlets for trailer lights and electric brakes. And a tow/haul mode in the automatic transmission changes the vehicle’s shift patterns to improve performance while towing. There’s a button at the end of the gearshift lever to switch the transmission into towing mode.

The cabs are comfortable, and there’s room for six adults with three abreast in front and rear. Road and wind noise are surprisingly light for a truck.

I couldn’t find anything bad to say about these trucks, except that there is no four-door extended-cab model planned. That could drive some sales to the Dodge Ram Quad-Cab. However, overall performance outshines that of the Ford and the Dodge, and only the Ram’s V-10 engine has more power than the best of the GM trucks.

Those of you concerned about the environment might like to know that all of these trucks’ plastic parts are recyclable. There are 44 pounds less scrap metal produced in the manufacture of each truck that in the current model.

1999 Chevrolet Silverado pickup

The Package: Full-size, two- or three-door, two-to-six-passenger, V-6 or V-8 powered, rear- or four-wheel-drive pickup truck, an all-new replacement for the C/K models; also available in GMC version, called the Sierra.

Highlights: Stronger, bigger, more powerful and more high-tech than before; significant but not outrageous restyling; built well; most powerful V-8 engines in the class; roomier than the competition; lots of standard safety features, including four-wheel antilock brakes as standard equipment.

Negatives: No fourth door available in extended-cab models.

Major competitors: Ford F-series, Dodge Ram.

EPA fuel economy: 16 miles per gallon city, 21 highway (4.8-liter V-8, automatic, 2-wheel drive).

Base price: Not available.

Price as tested: No t available.

On The Road rating: A-plus.