Silverado ZRX Set to Challenge Rival Raptor's Claim of Full-Size Off-Road Market

For a steady ten years now, Ford's F-150 Raptor has enjoyed ownership title of the full-size off-road pickup truck segment. Ram purveys success with the Rebel and Power Wagon, and rigs such as the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro are made more for traditional off-roading than the more free and boulder-climbing Raptor's persona. Chevy also has the Colorado and ZR2 Bison, but the Colorado is a full size smaller than a regular F-150, and not as beefy and wide as the Raptor.

The Raptor's sheer domination as the toughest predator in the pickup ecosystem could possibly be about to end. A brand new report highlighted by Gearpatrol.com now reveals that Chevy is hard at work in development stages for a version of the Silverado designed to take on the fight for Ford's toughest truck. Muscle Cars and Trucks reported that this new all-terrain beast will be called the Chevy Silverado ZRX, and that it will use the same sort of overall formula that GM applied to its midsize off-road truck. The ZRX will reportedly pick up a suspension that is fine-tuned for rock hopping, featuring dampers that offer up the great blend of capability and comfort in the ZR2.

 

There are also locking differentials for both front and rear axles, and an array of other upgrades and changes that will improve its capabilities far beyond the pavement, including various tweaks that drastically improve approach and departure angles. When it comes to new arrivals engine sourcing is always a big question that our loyal customers here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse have, and the initial report says that it would stick with the Silverado's 6.2-liter V8 that is similar to what you see under the hood of the Camaro and Corvette, doling out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.

According to the folks on staff at TheFastLaneTruck.com, GM is working on fitting a new supercharged 6.2-liter V8 into its full-size pickup platforms: a fierce beauty that delivers 650 horsepower in the Camaro ZL1 and an earthshaking 755 in the departed Corvette ZR1. It seems plausible that a hefty motor like this would be more than potent enough to help Chevrolet do battle with the Hellcat-powered Ram Rebel TRX and any other Ford Raptors high up the chain.

Since this all seems to be true at this point, it is also true that Chevy would not be the only brand active in competing with Ford's feisty rock crawler. Ram is currently working overtime to concoct a Raptor-combatant billed the TRX that sports off-road goodies along with the supercharged Hellcat motor that edges in at 707 horsepower right off the bat. Ford may bring more abundant action by haplessly packing the Raptor's engine bay with the new 7.3 liter V8 known as “Godzilla”; this will be one viable buildup of suspense to keep the eyes peeled for!