This year’s CES show was where the Motor Trend team heard a rumor that they passed on to excited auto fans on their blog about the Silverado line, a tight-knit bunch of hefty haulers we love here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse! It is now officially underway that the bowtie brand is looking to make a more extreme version of the Silverado pickup beyond the ZR2 to offer up firm competition for the Ram 1500 TRX and Ford F-150 Raptor.
Even though many people disagree about what ultimately killed off the dinosaurs, the possibility of it being a “meteor” is quite likely, hence the choice of name for this new vehicle is now officially on the drawing board. The Motor Trend crew quite obviously were very excited about the concept of a Raptor-challenging ZR2, which is already quite a bit more capable for off-roading than its slick and urban appearance may suggest. A ZR2 with much more might and muscle would need some upgrades in the suspension department, with about 13 inches and front and 14 in the rear for appropriate clearance.
Designer Abimelec Arellano came up with a render that tied together the vision with a wider body and smooth bulges in the fenders. For the rear suspension leaf springs and shackles could have been a strategic answer, but this vision saw something a bit more like the Raptor with a four-link rear suspension. Since constantly demanding hauling is what a truck is meant for, it could safely be imagined that there would be a crew cab and abbreviated bed, with sheet metal alterations to provide ample room for the wider rear track.
What is affectionately known as the “secret sauce” in ZR2 models to pave the way for skillful rock crawling and high-speed Baja runs are the Multimatic DSSV spool-valve shocks. The front and rear locking differentials are not needed 24/7, but their presence can be called upon much like the buddy with a spare tire to assist with situations where you don’t have much traction at all to work with. The rendering also features a single-bulge hood to provide space for what would mostly be a supercharger and other necessary hardware for this beast-in-training.
The existing ZR2 is blessed with an awesome front fascia, bright red tow hooks, a very cool silver skid plate, and LED driving lights, which we wouldn’t want to see change. Out back the landscape is left alone for the most part, and Bead-lock-capable wheels along with 37-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires have a unique way of tying the concept together well. Another awesome way to make this model a supreme tribute of sorts could be to add a plaque in honor of Rod Hall, whose son Chad races ZR2s with a longstanding passion.
Many curious car fans are dying to know if this is really going to happen, and if there will be a formidable suitor that can do show-stopping battle with the likes of the TRZ and Raptor R. We’ll keep you posted here on the blog about any upcoming tidbits of information, and can’t wait to see you this month here at the Powerhouse. Test drive the current-model Silverado or anything else spectacular on our lot soon and experience the thrilling and thoroughly durable Chevy experience!
