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2021 Chevrolet Silverado SS Rendered

Back in 2003, General Motors debuted the Chevrolet Silverado SS, a high-performance iteration of its popular light-duty pickup truck. Based on the standard GMT-800 generation Silverado 1500 (half ton) Extended Cab, the original Silverado SS came with a number of upgrades to back its claims to the Super Sport badge, including upwards of 345 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque courtesy of the 6.0L Vortec “HO 6000” LQ9 V8 engine. It’s the same engine used in the second-gen Cadillac Escalade, but under the hood of the Silverado, it propelled the pickup to 60 mph in a little over six seconds. So what if GM decided to make a new Silverado SS? To find out, we put together the following rendering.

Before we launch into this thing, it bears mentioning that, as far as we know, GM has no plans to actually build a next-gen Chevrolet Silverado SS. Rather, we wanted to do this rendering purely for fun. And hey, with so much horsepower getting thrown around in a number of different segments these days, a new high-performance Silverado isn’t really all that crazy of an idea.

On to the rendering, starting from the front three-quarters view, where we find the next-gen Chevrolet Silverado SS boasts the same styling as the all-new fourth-gen Silverado released for the 2019 model year. That includes the revamped headlamp housings and grille treatment, while the lower fascia forms a grimacing snarl. Up top, the fresh character lines in the hood do well to communicate the extra muscle that undoubtedly lies underneath.

In the sides, we find a dramatically lowered stance thanks to upgraded suspension components, which help the pickup hold the road and make better use of the extra grip offered by the new wheel and tire package. The rollers are from the Chevrolet Camaro SS, by the way. Upgraded brakes haul it down, and the requisite SS badging in the doors lets everyone know the score.

The rear view provides a glimpse of the tailgate, which ditches the Silverado nameplate in favor of additional SS badging. Quad polished exhaust tips pump out the good noises. At the top of the cabin, we wouldn’t be surprised to find a sun roof, similar to the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado SS.

These days, off-roaders seem to be the model variant du jour, but who could deny a road-hugging, pavement-shredding performance pickup like this next-gen Chevrolet Silverado SS?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Silverado news, Chevrolet news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. How about a ZRX render there are plans for it?

    Maybe in red?

    Reply
    1. All in due time 🙂

      Reply
      1. I love the SS line from it’s beginnings. However, today, GM needs to step up their game. I know the sticking point is an affordable SS vehicle but the badge is all that really separates it. If you’re going to call it an SS, it should set the bar. The power plant should be number 1. I’m 1970 they knew it…and in went the LS6 454 in the Chevelle. I’d love to see them shed some pounds of the new Silverado and throw in the supercharged 6.2 that they had in the Z06. That’s the beginnings of a real Super Sport.

        Reply
      2. Needs a FLOW TIE….

        Just a touch of Camaro ZL1…

        Then 6.2 LT4, IRS

        Buy a low mileage truck and a banged up ZL1.
        Make it the one you want ???

        Just a thought… ???

        Reply
  2. The person who coined ‘Great job if you can get it’ would love Chevrolet’s approach to marketing as Chevrolet’s Silverado can be 3 different vehicles with the only difference being possibly a badge and a splash of paint; you can order a Silverado with a 6.0L Vortec L76 V8 engine, a Silverado Midnight Edition with some black striping and the 6.0L Vortec L76 V8 engine or finally the Silverado SS that has special badging and the 6.0L Vortec L76 V8 engine (who knew this is what Chevrolet meant when they said the Silverado was versatile).

    Reply
  3. The best thing about this render is that it doesn’t have a giant ugly badge on the front drivers fender.

    Reply
    1. I tried to order a 2wd short box single cab truck with a 6.2l engine, bigger brakes and tires. I was told you can only order it in an extended cab version.
      I wanted to buy a 454SS in 1990 but couldn’t afford it at the time. I ended up with the 5.7L version of it instead. I’d be interested in the truck even if it was available with just a 5.3l engine as long as it came with bigger brakes, wheels/tires and better suspension. Those upgrades must be “on the shelf” parts and fairly easy to put together.
      I believe that if they did a version of the 454SS but upgraded to today’s parts availability, GM would sell enough to make it worth the expense to do it. A 1990 454SS in decent shape today is still bringing $10K and up. Kinda tells me that buyers still think of it as a great truck.
      COME ON GM, MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!

      Reply
  4. Outstanding rendering!!…. Bring it on GM!….Oh, I forgot..I better get a hold of myself. Never going to happen…Mary Barra won’t allow it. It doesn’t have a third row seat for her sisters that haul youngin around.

    Reply
    1. Neither does the Corvette!

      Reply
  5. Looking good we’ll see what happens ? Possible AWD 6.2 500+ hp just my opinion,

    Reply
    1. HOW ABOUT A LT4 650+ HP THAT WOULD BE SWEET

      Reply
  6. Chevy should really build a new SS like the one rendered you all know it would be a bad ass ride!!! People would love it

    Reply
  7. Might use care for what you wish for. The last SS really was a disappointment. Yes it had a big engine but it really was not fast or handled great. It also was expensive.

    How about a ZO6 option much like the S10 had where you get a real lowered suspension then you choose what engine and options to fit your build or budget.

    This way you sell many more trucks and people can pick and choose vs an SS that would be loaded up with a high price and options you may not want.

    AWD might be tough as it would take a lot of extra work to do that one if you lower it,

    Reply
    1. GM offers the perfect engine for the SS pickup. It’s the cast LSX 454 cube small LS style block. GM has a HP rating of 495 to 505 on this LS style small black of 500 to 515 pounds feet of torque. That is for the low deck block version with only a 4.125 inch crankshafts stroke and a 10 to one compression ratio. If GM was to use the high deck LSX block, then a much longer stroke of 4.3 or 4.5 inches, to get even more torque but at a lower RPM range. If the same bore of 4.185 inches and a stroke of 4.35 inches was used in the high deck LSX version, the cubes will be 488 inches or about 7.85 liters. The torque will then range from 538 lbs feet to 555. The HP range will be from 533 to 544 HP with the longer stroke on the high deck LSX version. If the same higher compression of 10.7 to one ratio was used on this longer stroke high deck engine, then both torque and HP will be even more by about 7 percent higher with 582 HP. The LSX 454 cube version was posted to the website GM Powertrain dot com site, under PRODUCTS, a few months ago. Here is the link to that low deck short crankshaft LSX version that GM offers today as a complete engine. LINK
      https://gmpowertrain.com/assets/images/products/pdf/gm-powertrain-7.4-l-lsx-454-engine-features-specifications.pdf

      Reply
      1. Forget the 454 bs. That is a crate engine for older cars.

        GM has a line of very advanced modern engines that are lighter, more efficient and just as if more powerful.

        The LSX 3ngines are not built for modern production cars that have to meet aggressive emissions standards and CAFE requirements.

        GM did have a 502 but even it is out dated for what we face today.

        A truck version of the New stingray LS version would do just fine.

        Reply
        1. The 2020 HD 6.6 liter gas engine used in the GM 2500 and 3500 pickups, with a hotter cam can be used. GM has done all the emissions testing for the 6.6 engine with all the modern things to give better power and torque ratings, such as cam phasing. The best thing about the 6.6 gas engine is that it already has a high 10.8 to one compression ratio and the 401 HP rating is using regular gas. Add 93 or 94 octane gas and that power rating will be close to 430. With a hotter cam, expect 460 to 480 HP.

          Reply
          1. Now that is a little more realistic.

            This is more in part with the issues GM engineers have to face.

            The more off the shelf the more real it could be.

            Reply
          2. Not enough HP ! Sounds like 6.2 with 450-500 HP has already been done, and works well, then option LT4 650-700 and tons of torque. Find a real name for it, just my opinion.

            Reply
      2. THAT 454 IS A GOOD IDEA BUT PROBABLY WOULD NOT GET PAST EMISSIONS

        Reply
  8. Needs to be in a regular cab short bed variant. AWD would be nice.

    Reply
  9. people don’t want to buy a short box new, but sure like them used.

    Reply
  10. Awd must be on ground and at least 500to650horses

    Reply
  11. Did you forget they started the SS trucks in the 90’s with the 454SS

    Reply
    1. By using a LS style LSX small block, the front end weight saving will be about 80 pounds over the big blcok 454 from the 90’s. GM offers both a low deck LSX block 454, as well as high deck block to allow a much longer crank of 4.5 inches. For those who think a long 4.5 inch crank is not the best fit, check out the yellow GM Corvette race team. They all use the 4.5 stroke crank and a bore of 4.185 inches to get 495.4 cubes in their LSX blocks. Go on Youtube and watch some videos to hear the sounds of these long stroke LSX Corvette versions at Le Mans or the Daytona 24 hour races or the Sebring 12 hour races. One of the real reasons of the GM race team Corvettes, lasting the whole race, is that with a huge torque output of a long 4.5 inch stroke, the engines can be run at a lower RPM for the 12 hour or 24 hour races. Lower RPM’s means less stress on all the engine and transmission parts and therefore less chance of breaking any driveline parts. Here is the link to hear the engine sound inside the cabin, of a GM race team Corvette, at Daytona. LINK


      Reply
      1. The C7R is limited to 5.5L … That’s with an 80mm stroke!

        I suggested the 454 in the trucks five years ago. The OE454 would be great, but it has expensive CNC-ported heads and last gen architecture. Imho not likely to go into production. Although still cheaper than an all new big block.

        I’m aware of the 8.0, and I was suggesting an 8.1L big block V8 where they basically stretch a 6.6 LTX. Big bores allow big valves to feed those cubes. 8.0 is still mark iv architecture, with all of its issues, and the small block was never meant to be that big. The purpose built 8.1 I want would have 425hp/525+ torque, and approach 20mpg highway.

        Reply
  12. I love this rendering. An LT4 sure would be nice in this.

    Reply
  13. You at least have to have 600+ horsepower to keep up with the Jones’s. Dodge is making a killing with their big engines. Be competitive!

    Reply
  14. Excellent idea that would be my next truck always loved the Chevy SS badge, The Intimidator, Yes!

    Reply
  15. They’ll never build it Ford has the raptor the other guys have supercharged engine in the line up .now Chevy is 3rd in sales …..great dream though

    Reply
  16. I wonder why the other two manufacturers not scared to do stuff like this an they OFFER more choices an option when they do but the biggest car company acts scared man I tell u sometimes I hate to be a gm fan theres nothing exciting I haven’t seen one video of gm form the texas state fair

    Reply
  17. If they would build it I would definitely buy/drive it

    Reply
  18. I think this would be great to have back as well a proper performance line up of SS vehicles but with the way things are going GM pushing more towards EV’s and Hybrids in the future it is unlikely that this would happen BUT we do get the option of the 6.2 in an RST Silverado so for those that want more power something is better than nothing. and as long as GM will give a little aftermarket will take care of the rest. both Callaway and Hennessey have great options for performance up grades.

    links for both are below just copy & past

    http://hennesseyperformance.com/vehicles/chevrolet-2/silverado/2014-2015-chevrolet-silverado-6-2l-v8-di/

    https://www.callawaycarsusa.com/callaway-silverado-sierra

    Reply
  19. Sure, the LT4 would be fun. But what is the point of a truck if you only use EPA legal car engines? Stuff the new 8.1 and call it 496SS. It’s not a sports car. Give it good handling, moderate grip, good ride, and great seats. And of course dual exhaust with NPP…let that big bore sound out.

    Reply
    1. Chis, the 8.1 liter is not the new big bock, it’s the 8.0 liter LFI version that GM builds today for large school buses and offered by Freighliner as a LPG propane fueled version. The huge difference between the 8.1 and the 8.0 LFI, is that GM designed the new 8.0 big block with full water jackets to be able to run cooler when burning hot burning propane. Brian Thomson was sent the first 6 sets of engine parts to build and test the engines using various camshafts for the heavy duty industrial and medium duty trucks in 2009. Brian got 518 lbs feet of torque at just 1800 rpm with a very mild camshaft with a 10 to one compression ratio for the new design 8.0 LFI liter truck engine on 87 octane gas. HP was set at just 2800 RPM as both the 1800 and 2800 are the world standard for torque and HP RPM settings for industrial engines and power plants. These RPM ranges apply to diesel and CNG and propane powerplants used to make electric power. The industrial, very large outside HD forklifts rated to be able to lift 15,000 pounds, all use the same 1800 torque and 2800 RPM HP ratings. Even the Japanese made, very large industrial outside forklifts, use the GM 8.0 liter big block. Most of them use propane as they get more torque and fuel mileage than if the same engine is using CNG. You often see these big mothers in lumber yards and used for unloading very heavy loads from railway cars.

      Reply
  20. GM may build it, it will be with the options they want, it will be 60 k plus and be a non performance player

    Reply
  21. Gm is waiting for ram to sell many just like they done with the ford raptor… sold a ton of trucks ….gm maybe the market is saturated by now…. just like any vehicle from cadillac late to the sales floor and half-ass done. The byson… not close to a raptor.

    Reply
    1. No jorge, they are finally realizing the off-road market is huge. The byson is not meant to compete with raptor, and it’s already sold out. Geeze. They’ve had to double intended trail boss production already….

      Reply
  22. Being as it will be a sport truck and not a heavy hauler, please put the Super charged 6.2 out of the Camaro in it! Make it dawn right awesome!

    Reply
  23. Gm needs something like this very nice rendering

    Reply
  24. The ss sjould get a light 454. They could bore out the LT2 to 454 Cid and increase throw to get lots of torque. Then they need to release a trackboss to live along side the trailboss. Trackboss should get an LT5.

    Reply
    1. Ditch the trackboss thing.

      Reply
    2. 427 small block…

      Not rocket science…

      Reply
  25. AWD SILVERADO SS and put in a block that has a billet crank and can hold 2000 hp of boost if you add higher psi get rid of that 4l60E and put in a trans that can take abuse

    Reply
  26. Beyond doing a Camaro SS style hood on this, I think GM should build it to look exactly like the render above. Same wheel design in a 24×10″ size with 6-lugs, Brembo brakes, Magnetic ride, AWD, 10-speed, and a few other things. As far as the engine is concerned. It’s no point in getting super crazy because this is a truck and it would be the only sport truck on the road today. Right now, the 6.2L truck engine produces 420hp and 480lb-ft of torque. If GM were to simply add a supercharged to that engine setup at 8-12lbs of boost, re-map the AFR, give it a Camaro styled Cold air intake, LT1/LT4 Camaro SS/ZL1 style exhaust manifolds for the truck setup and a true dual exhaust system, I could see the truck getting a 60hp/50lb-ft torque gain to 480hp and 530lb-ft of torque. Just to put this into perspective the SRT10 Ram had 500hp/525tq in a heavier truck with a manual 6-speed. Seeing that this is not going to be a truck for Off roading or anything like that, This truck should receive the upcoming front and rear independent suspension setups coming to the new Full size Tahoe which would be tuned to be agile and still strong and supportive under the new truck so it would still be able to haul things in the back or tow without issue. a smooth hard bed cover with a integrated rear spoiler should be optional for this truck as well. Yeah GM, Build this truck!!!

    Reply
    1. What he said !

      Reply
    2. So with a supercharger, new exhaust manifolds, and an intake you estimated only a 60 horsepower gain. LOL That’s not a very good bang for the buck.

      Reply
  27. The Silverado SS had an LQ9 engine not L76 . This rendering is kind of weak it only appears to have a lowered stance and different wheels than the production model. A nice rendering would have custom front and rear bumpers and a different hood at least. Doesn’t seem like much effort was put into the article or the rendering

    Reply
  28. Anything over 500 hp and Iam buying

    Reply
  29. The article states “The rear view provides a glimpse of the tailgate, which ditches the Silverado nameplate in favor of additional SS badging” but the tailgate says “Silverado”. What gives??

    Reply
  30. That Silverado look bad ass!!! I would definitely buy if they built it.

    Reply
  31. Yes build it in 3 colors black red and silver option brite 3 3 red,interior in all

    Reply
    1. As long as summit white , black trim available also, it’s nice to know that GMC, won’t have one, let chevy make it, SS has been a Chevy badge !!!

      Reply
  32. 5 lug conversion?? And whoever rendered this left a all terrain tire on the right rear….

    Reply
  33. I would love to see a GMC version of this sport truck also…

    Reply
  34. If Chevrolet wanted to build something that was worth a crap they would build a full size 2 door Blazer SS I need to take the Corvette motor turbo it and put it in the Blazer with a 10-speed big brakes nice exhaust and it’ll sell itself

    Reply
  35. I own a 1991 454SS That has been lowered and upgraded with a 540 cu. in. Big block. Build the truck described in the article and I would buy one. It looks sweet

    Reply
  36. I purchased a non-AWD version that had a 6.0 with the
    Large throttle body to support opec. I would just like to know how many more GM egineers tkink SS badging alone is going to make people who know what a SS power plant is supposed to be,don’t seem
    To have a problem when it comes to aZL-1 Camaro they to have had hard time keeping them around isn’t
    That the objective guys.If you guys wanted to you could build a screamer with a 5.3 and certainly a 6.0 now get to work and I will buy one if you do what I already know you can do.Why let all the market share go elsewhere?

    Reply
  37. The C7R is limited to 5.5L … That’s with an 80mm stroke!

    I suggested the 454 in the trucks five years ago. The OE454 would be great, but it has expensive CNC-ported heads and last gen architecture. Imho not likely to go into production. Although still cheaper than an all new big block.

    I’m aware of the 8.0, and I was suggesting an 8.1L big block V8 where they basically stretch a 6.6 LTX. Big bores allow big valves to feed those cubes. 8.0 is still mark iv architecture, with all of its issues, and the small block was never meant to be that big. The purpose built 8.1 I want would have 425hp/525+ torque, and approach 20mpg highway.

    Reply
    1. All that torque would definitely put you back in your seat!

      Reply
  38. What a truck! If you build it, they will come.

    Reply
  39. I own the 2004 SS AWD. I plan to make it a SS AWD Dually. Chang the 6.0 to the 6.2 with Super Charger.
    Same thing with a 2021 fantasy SS.
    BLACK, 68 Camaro BLUE & 69 Camaro Orange.

    Reply
  40. The GMT 800 SSS had a LQ9 6.0 which is a gen 3. The L86 is Gen4 and was never in a SSS.

    Reply
    1. L76*. Fat finger

      Reply
      1. Hey Jason
        Thank you for your correction. You’re absolutely correct – the original Silverado SS was equipped with the LQ9, and not the L76 as we originally posted. Our apologies for the error. We’ve updated the post to reflect the correct information.

        Reply
  41. BUILT IT THEY WILL SELL , 2021 Chevrolet Silverado SS Rendered , I’LL TAKE ONE

    Reply
  42. It would be a strong consideration to buy a new SS Silverado. Owning a 1990 454SS Silverado and a 2003 Silverado SS it would be a nice addition to my collection. Chevy should definitely build it.

    Reply
  43. If Dodge can do a 700hp engine
    No reason why Chev cannot put the 700 hp Corvette
    Engine in a Silverado
    I love my 2016 with 12k mikes and would sell in a heart beat for a 700 hp truck

    Reply
  44. I hope to dear god the rockers and fenders on this newer Silverado SS rusts a lot slower because i got a 03 Silverado SS with LQ9 6.0 and the first thing we found the problems to have on it was the fenders rusted and the rockers as you can see on most 03-05 models.

    Reply

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