In late August, GM Authority was first to report that General Motors has filed to register the term ZRX both in the United States and in Canada. Now, we have information that the ZRX name will be affixed to an upcoming variant of the Chevrolet Silverado.
Sources familiar with future GM products have tipped that, besides improved interiors for the new Silverado, The General is planning an off-road version of its bread-and-butter Chevrolet pickup truck that will slot above the current Silverado Trail Boss. That version will be called Chevrolet Silverado ZRX, and it will feature a more robust suspension, DSSV dampers from MultiMatic, front and rear electronic lockers, and modified bumper treatments for improved departure and approach angles.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss
The direction follows the successful formula taken by GM with the Colorado ZR2, which has proven to be an extremely capable off-road machine. It’s worth noting that the upcoming Silverado ZRX pickup will only share the name but not the overall product direction with the last ZRX produced by GM, which was a GMC Sonoma with a street-style body kit and a more sporty suspension.
The upcoming Silverado ZRX will be offered with the naturally-aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 EcoTec3 engine, which currently serves as the range-topping power plant for the truck. The atmospheric eight will be mated to the new GM 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s not likely that the combination will see any power gains from the current 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque in the Silverado ZRX.
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison
Sources also tipped GM Authority that the turbo-diesel 3.0L LM2 inline-six Duramax engine could also be offered in the Chevrolet Silverado ZRX. The formula differs from that taken by Ford, which stuffs a higher-output version of its turbo-charged 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine under the hood of the F-150 Raptor to make a maximum 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Nevertheless, the Silverado ZRX will indirectly take on the F-150 Raptor and upcoming Ram 1500 Rebel TRX in the full-size off-road pickup truck space.
We say indirectly because the Raptor is more of a desert jumper, while the ZRX will deliver more along the lines of the trail-conquering and rock-crawling prowess of the Colorado ZR2.
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison
Expect the Chevrolet Silverado ZRX to slot above the Silverado Trail Boss models and have a starting price in the $50,000-$60,000 range. A launch is expected to coincide with the mid cycle refresh of the T1 platform Silverado, which we expect for the 2022 model year. A concept to foreshadow the production truck is possible.
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Comments
Good to see
finally!
Can I please have the first one.
This is too good to be true! Thank you!
Just to clarify something. Nothing competes with Raptor today. Rebel in NOT Raptor competitor. Rebel more closely competes with Trail Boss.
Not the Rebel, but the Rebel TRX, which will be a completely different animal.
Can I please have the first one.
Does Rebel really offer anything that the Trail Boss and AT4 don’t? Seems like this would slot nicely between Raptor and Power Wagon type capability (other than larger beefier size of the Heavy Duty based Power Wagon).
I believe a locking front differential which is a big deal for a true off road truck.
They are talking about the future Rebel TRX, not the current RAM 1500 trim package, just known as the Rebel.
Unless there is a wait theirs more this will be more a ZR2 than Raptor truck. That means more climbing and rock crawler, or trail truck than open desert runner.
While not a full on body conversion open runner it will do things the Raptor can’t and GM will price it under the Raptor by a good degree. It will not be stickered at $85k.
Some will complain but more will be able to afford this and like the ZR2 it will be able to take on Moab class trails.
In other words it will be tuned for what most people do off road.
Looks like the ZR2 package but on a full-size. Electronic lockers front and rear …..Excellent! Nicely done GM. This rash of actually putting content into these specialty packages instead of just stickers and badges is a welcome change!
Maybe we will see an SS again? Heard Ford is bringing back the Lightning.
An won’t it be nice if it had 454 on the side
Why the 6.2 is a great engine. More modern and much better breathing. Also lighter.
Not a chance in hell. The SS was a complete joke compared to the Lightning.
That last version of the Silverado SS was no match for the Lightning, this is true. However the SS454 was a much better competitor to the Lightning-351W. It would be very nice to see Street performance pickups coming back into the mix with V8 engines.
I would agree with that on the first Gen Lightning.
We’ll see.
Thanks Gm authority this is the best news I’ve heard since they said they were going to update the interior I just pray it’s TRUE an if it is I hope they truly make it the best off road truck out there an hopefully it’s not just an appearance package
How about an HD ZRX also?
A ZRX HD would be awesome but not sure how likely it is given they still don’t offer a Trail Boss HD. Either way this is great news that many have been begging for. GM seams to be slowly learning (sometimes the hard way) that it needs to step up its truck game.
“Off-road” HD trucks is one of the dumbest trends that has come about in recent years. Look no further than the Power Wagon with its worthless payload ratings and size/weight that’s so massive it can’t make it through most trails. My favorite example is the famous youtube video where a guy in his Ford Super Duty thought he would go out on the trails with a bunch of friends in Jeeps. His big lift and mud tires were worthless. The truck was so heavy it slid off the trail and he couldn’t get anywhere without tearing up the body his truck. Totally ruined it.
Amazing news. Cannot wait to see what GM has in store for the Raptor.
The Rebel in my opinion is not in the same level as the Raptor. Hopefully this really will be a true Raptor rival. It makes me sick to praise Ford but the Raptor is amazing. They hit a Grand Slam
grand slam is right, they convinced people to pay $80,000 for an F-150!
Yup. They sure did.
To give Ford credit though, they offer everything under the Sun in it. They even give you the Huge Paddle Shifters found in their $400,000 GT Sports Car. Nobody can tell Ford that they cut any corners. They deserve al the Praise they are getting for the Raptor.
I hope and Pray GM will do the same. GM needs many more niche vehicles. They are turning into a bland Company in my opinion.
They need the true V’s for Cadillac ASAP
They need a hot Hatch
They need a Raptor fighter
They need their version of a Wrangler
They need a Roadster for Cadillac that they can offset pricing with Chevrolet
They need convertibles for Cadillac….insane there are none
They need a 4-Runner type SUV
The sad thing is all of these can be had and can be done but will the current Top Brass controlling the Purse allow it to happen?
I agree. Maybe a rwd v8 sedan with multiple trims. 4 runner thing would be awesome as a colorado based s10 blazer. If they rename the current blazer the nomad an give it proper performace (an offroad trailblazer version too) they would have room for a tahoe based K5 to slot above s10.
The Raptor has been fine PR wise but they only sell about 20k units per year.
GM does that with the much lower volume ZR2.
The Raptor is kind of like the Ford GT very low volume while the the ZRX is priced better could be like the Corvette with similar performance at a lower price selling 70k units or more a year.
If you are going to build these special models at least price them where for a little more customers can consider buying one. These are trucks not a Ferrari’s and they should be common sights on the road or trail.
The whole point to the Raptor is that it is a zero compromise vehicle for the person that needs this type of vehicle. Of course it will be expensive. How else do you think Ford and or GM will recoup it’s money from that program?
It is still a compromised vehicle as it is not made for tight trails or rock climbing. It also has a different body package that adds to the cost.
There are two ways to make money one is low volume with high price or more volume with lower price.
GM hit a home run on the ZR2 as most expected a truck that was $10 k or more higher in price. But they came in better and they are selling 15% of production of all Colorado’s as ZR2 which is really good. And they are making money at that volume.
Ford on the Ranger Raptor had no compromise yet it is not for sale as it would be $70k based on Aussie dollars converted to American.
The best move is to make the most capable truck you can but keep it still affordable for the masses.
Rebel TRX is not the current Rebel, hasn’t been released yet.
Compete with the Raptor? Lol theres nothing in the market that will compete with it!!! Keep dreaming Chevy! Your 3rd in pick-up sales behind Ram!!! Lol
Considering a STOCK 3.6 Colorado was tested to be faster around an offroad track then both stock and modified Raptors, I’d say you’re in for a surprise.
The DSSV multimatic suspension could make this an absolute beast. The 6.2 is no slouch, unlike the meh 3.6 in the Colorado.
Kudos to Ford for building the Raptor but don’t kid yourself, nearly any truck manufacturers could build a Raptor competitor if they chose to. Some seam to think a Raptor is a trophy truck with a warranty. YouTube is good for plenty of laughs for those that tried to use them that way. Unfortunately the average Raptor is used for nothing more than posing. From reading the article the ZRX is basically going to be a full-size ZR2. Not a direct Raptor competitor, more crawl than dessert running but still legit in its own right.
The weak 4WD hubs (“IWE’s”), underbuilt ball joints, and on-road oriented suspension bushings really limit the Raptor. It’s a neat truck, but it’s a long way from being a legit pre-runner or trophy truck. Drive them hard off-road and you’ll be replacing suspension components very often.
Anybody can build an ultra high priced truck only few can buy. But few can build a competitive off road truck most can buy and that is what I expect GM to do.
The ZR2 was the right call and is a home run volume and profit wise. The Bison
added more content with another mfg sharing most of the development cost too.
This needs to be the full size off road equivalent S10 ZQ8 where they sold a ton of those because it was good and affordable.
My only question is why is this 2 years off? It seems this could be introduced as a 2020 1/2 model.
Fingers crossed for an LT4 option
I’m excited but don’t need it.
Just upgrade the interior and fix the front end for me, that’s all I want! Drop those wide pull handles on the interior A post and add some color choices inside and storage in the fold down armrest for Custom and W/T models. Really all I thought the new truck needed but this at least indicates GM is still interested.
How is this gonna compete against those two when GM refuses to make any high powered SUV’s or pickups? I’m a die hard GM fan and I want a new truck or SUV but it must be high performance to be competitive with the jeep trackhawk for an SUV or raptor/trx.
Naturally aspirated c8? The upcoming raptor is getting the blown 5.2 liter motor with 600-700hp and the ram will be getting the hellcat motor which I think now sits at 717 this year up 10hp from last.
Someone please explain how this is competitive!
If Chevy made a true Silverado SS with at least the Z06 650hp motor and brembo brakes if be on it like white on rice.
Instead they choose not to. Sucks for them and me because we are missing out.
I will be leaning towards a Raptor or Trackhawk myself. Both are different with different uses. I want a sports car like awd vehicle that can tow and be used year round like the two mentioned.
Although I hear a high hp Escalade is coming. But it’s just a rumor as of now.
I’m just disappointed in my favorite auto maker. Saddens me to actually have to leave the truck world of GM Behind because of this.
I will always remain faithful to the Corvette and Camaro though. At least they got those right…
This isn’t a serious effort to build a Raptor competitor.
Some are saying the new GT 500 engine is going in the new Raptor…
It’s all about design and looks because the Ford Raptor is striking. Performance will be important but not an overriding factor.
This is fantastic news but they can not cheap out on this one. It needs a powerful motor like the 6.2 supercharged one in the Z06. No turbo v6 and no regular 6.2. They also need to offer some different color options for the interior and every option available
A supercharger on an off road speced pickup has zero real world application, especially when the NA version has 460 hp. I have a ZL1 and it’s a great motor, but unless your running the Baja 1000, 650 hp will do nothing but push the cost of the pickup beyond it’s ability to sell. Offer a SC through GM performance like they did recently with the Colorado if you want a SCer.
They need to compete with the Rebel TRX which will have a supercharged 6.4L Hemi. The new Raptor is also rumored to have a supercharged V8.
I don’t think GM will be able to sell this as an equivalent competitor without a high powered motor.
Exactly. Most Raptors are used as fancy street trucks. A 700 hp Raptor with the GT 500 motor will sell. It’s currently Ford’s most profitable vehicle.
I would pay extra for the supercharged motor as will many others. I have a Trailboss rn which is great but this ZRX has so much potential and I’m ready to purchase when it comes out
Ten years behind it better not be a half hearted attempt.
Chevrolet DOES NOT NEED A RAPTOR FIGHTER!!! It doesn’t. The ZRX needs to be a good, off road trail truck. Knobby wide Off road tires, 4″ Lift, under body pannels, running boards with rock sliders, water barrier pannels on the bottom of the engine compartment, Cold air intake, dual exhaust, big brakes, washable interior, premum stereo system a sprayed in bedliner, fender flares, lower body armor cladding, brush guards, black metal front and rear bumpers, etc. That’s what this truck need. Chevrolet needs this, a true SS Silverado along with a sporty RST silverado, and a Luxury muscle Silverado 1500 Cheyenne (bumping out the High Country) along with a Cheyenne Classic (two-tone, 2″ lift, knobby tires, 18″ wheels, classic badges, blue bowties, classic interior cues, etc) along with an Tahoe-Blazer (same as the Silverado ZRX) a Tahoe SS, and a Tahoe Limited (same as Cheyenne with the theme of the ’99 Tahoe Limited). This along with a new Camaro and a Charger fighting Chevelle would bring alot of people back to Chevy. Let buick have the hybrids/electric cars and Cadillac have the Premium stuff. Let Chevrolet be fun again. I guarentee if Chevy went back to being a more inexpensive (not cheap) fun exciting brand like it was before. Chevy would crush dodge and in some areas, Ford.
OH HECK YAAAAAAA! I like how you think.
GM Trucks are getting left behind in a”’High Performance truck” category in my opinion.Even though there are plenty of packages to choose from I personally wouldlike to see a 2door RegCab ss truck with The 6.2L V8 with a variant of the Lt4 Supercharger /red seat belts sport suspension etc. Similar to the 2018 Yenko SC Silverado with 800hp made by a specialty vehicle engineering but through GM and not a outside shop. Hopefully in the near distant future….s
What? Why does everyone want an LT4 ZRX? The ZRX is a crawler and needs low end torque, but the LT4`s hp and torque are identical. It would be uncontrolable on most trails. The diesl would be best for crawling. An SS would do great with a big-block 6.0 stroked to 454cid or an LT4. ZRX for crawling, maybe BajaBoss for high speed off roading?