GM Defense, LLC has been serving as a spearhead for the fuel cell vehicle efforts at General Motors. While companies like Honda and Toyota have introduced more pedestrian takes on what a fuel cell vehicle can be with various passenger cars, GM went full ‘Merica and rolled out the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 truck, followed by the autonomous SURUS platform. The next product offering in line for that federal defense money appears to be the Chevrolet Silverado ZH2 truck – and it’s yuge.
The Chevrolet Silverado ZH2 might very well be based off of the all-new 2020 Silverado HD, based on the official video from GM Defense, and the teaser image from Chevrolet back in April. The imposing pickup from the future is powered by a “next generation” hydrogen fuel cell system branded as Hydrotec, as well as a lithium-ion battery system. That makes the Silverado ZH2 a hybrid, but not of the conventional gas-electricity type. The hydrogen is stored in a quartet of 700 bar tanks, and is said to be good for an estimated range of 400 miles. Based on what, we don’t know. And don’t expect the production 2020 Silverado HD to utilize by this power unit, which seems a little unchecked at first blush. It’s likely that the 2020 Silverado HD will feature a new Duramax Diesel engine, as well as a new 6.6L gasoline engine.
The GM Defense video also revealed that the Chevrolet Silverado ZH2 will feature dynamic spool valve dampers, or DSSV for short. Supplied by Multimatic, these dampers have been on less than ten production cars ever sold, but do include the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 and the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 off-road pickup truck. This could tease some type of 2020 Silverado HD ZR2 production model, but we won’t hold our breath.
Also teased in the GM Defense video is a Silverado ZH2 medical truck, and a flat bed version of the truck. Should the military warm up to alternative fuels, General Motors will be at the forefront of product offerings.
Comments
Too boxy, too ugly. How about interior? The same as new 2019 Silverado 1500. Sorry GM RAM is better choice. Another GM way how to get big money from U.S. government.
Obviously this is a “over the top” version ad it’s a decked out military version. The consumer base version won’t be so wild, but I do think the sheet metal will be the same or very very similar.
Ask your self this – Ford claims military grade aluminum, which has proven to me nothing because there’s no such thing as military grade, its mil-spec. all they’re saying is that we use aluminum in the military uses it for some stuff to, which can be applied to basically every material in the world. GM however builds military vehicles. When the two are clearly the same product at least aesthetics, who is building the real military grade vehicle?
I want one. With a plasma cannon on top please.
Who says military contracts are given to the manufacturer with the most qualified product? Is it the lowest bidder, or maybe a company who the government itself made a recent very large financial investment in?
It’s a decision made by pencil pushers most of the time. The last time real warriors got to choose which vehicle to go into battle with they chose the Toyota Tacoma. No dealerships in Afghanistan to perform repairs and recall work, and not a ideal place to break down or for the AC to go out.
LOL! Ya, “Phase Plasma Rrrifle in ze 40 kilowatt Range”…
As a former GMer and a current hydrogen fuel cell engineer:
Ignore the uninformed haters.
I want one. Now.
Iam a gm person always and chevy makes killer trucks i have a silverado truck 1991 extended cab model with 2 doors love it and great body style and the 350 eng the best engine they made and 400 turbo tranny
I’m afraid it will also be a polarizing “love it or hate it” design. It would be nice to see a toned down front clip and a stepped up interior.
The front suspension is T1 1500 truck which would support the ability for the DSSV to make a ZR2 Silverado 1500, not an HD.
You can see at the 0:38 second mark its got IFS strut front suspension, a-la T1 1500. If it was HD based, it would have torsion bars.
The frame rail design is also T1 1500 truck based, but with a taller rail for protection of the fuel cell.
The HD spyshots indicated the GMT-900/K2 HD frame still looks to be what’s underneath the T1 HD, but I’m sure with some sort of revisions.
This would be a great truck for Chevy to build! Obviously without all of the military stuff on it but it would be great if Chevy had a hardcore off roader in their HD lineup. Honestly i’d love to see Chevy do a lot of cool stuff with their lineup. Drop some of the not needed cars out of their lineup, switch the Corvette to Cadillac and have a basic lineup of the following
Camaro
LT: 310hp 2.7L Camaro AWD A10 only
RS: 350hp 3.6L V6 A8/M6 w/ 1LE pkg optional
Z28: 5.7L (5.3L stroked with LT1 top end) 425hp/425tq A10/M7 RWD, 19″ wheels standard, option 20″ wheels, 4-piston BRembo brakes standard optional 6-piston, optional performance magnetic ride suspension, AGR seats, B&O stereo system, GMPP upgrades, specific Z28 ground effects and spoiler
SS: New 6.6L 396 500hp/485 torque, 1lE suspension and braking and cooling equipment standard A10/m7, Standard 1LE interior, B&O optional stereo system, GMPP performance and styling upgrades, GMPP Yenko pkg upgrades
ZL1: upgraded 7.0L 580hp V8, current ZL1 equipment
ZL1 COPO: ZL1-1LE
To be continued
Corvette should never go to Cadillac. Corvette should become a family of vehicles a la Porsche. Change Chevrolet dealerships to Chevrolet/Corvette dealers. They can share platforms with Cadillac like Porsche and some Audi’s do.
Although I would like to see this built in a civilian version, I in know way feel that this should be the only way to get a 4X4! People today are just to lazy, they want the factory to do all of the work. There are dealer installed lift kits that dont void the warranty and aftermarket kits that do the same! Then you get exactly what you want instead of having to look at a factory sheet to see what you can get!
You can lift a factory truck with a 6 inch lift with tires that doesn’t void the warranty.
So why dont people go this route instead of just complaining about what they can’t get?
The truck has a warranty, the kit has a warranty so what’s the problem?
The point most here aren’t getting is the fact this is a hydrogen fuel cell concept. Zero emissions as well as on board power supply to run buildings if needed. They also can provide emergency drinking water. Ford and Ram have not yet built one like this do it’s not a bidding situation and the military is involved in this concept. The guy who was worried about style compared to the Ram missed the entire point of this truck. Not to mention Rams along with Dodge police cars spend more time in the shop on recalls and bad suspensions style makes no difference. This truck will be cheaper to drive and how about when your power goes out st home. If the one offered to the public has same option you could just plug your house into your truck.
To the Ram Lover you forget the 2018 Ram 2500s currently are up to 28 recalls. A friends truck spends more time in the shop for recalls than on the road. But I agree with some others you missed the point of this truck. It isn’t about styling at this point. It’s about what this truck can do. Frankly the truck would out pull any truck on the market. The only possible competition is the up coming Ford F-150 all electric. But it will have to be charged at 400 miles. The ZH2 can fuel up with hydrogen in a few minutes and be on its way. Plus in a power outage at home you don’t need a generator just plug the house into you Silverado. Thisty? Get water from storage tank if included in civilian model. In the end I’m sure the styling and interior will be worked out to very kool. Oh not to mention this would be a true 4X4.