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2017 Chevrolet Silverado High Desert Concept
The Silverado High Desert is a concept pickup truck introduced by Chevrolet at the 2016 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Equipment Association (SEMA).
Silverado High Desert Show Truck
The show truck features premium leather interior accents and unique appearance enhancements that, according to Chevrolet, represents “the ultimate expression of Chevy Trucks’ functional style and performance.” Based on the production High Desert package offered on 2017 Silverado 1500 LT, LTZ and High Country models, the concept features an all-new, lockable and water-resistant cargo system and available Magnetic Ride Control suspension. The storage system creates a unique profile for the truck, with sail panels inspired by the Chevrolet Avalanche.
The concept features the following equipment:
- Illuminated black bowtie grille emblem
- All-weather floor liners
- Performance brake kit
- Performance exhaust kit
The Performance Exhaust kit adds 7 horsepower and a throatier note to the available 6.2L L86 V-8 engine in the Silverado 1500. Chevrolet also offers a performance exhaust kit for models equipped with the 5.3L L83 V-8 engine that adds 10 horsepower.
The show vehicle also includes several concept accessories and performance parts, such as:
- 22-inch wheels with anodized bronze finish
- B old CHEVROLET grille insert
- Performance air intake
- Painted engine cover
The truck’s exterior is finished in Slate Blue accented with bronze-tinted trim, while the interior features a unique High Desert theme with Cocoa leather seat inserts, brown accent stitching and embroidered headrests. Additional features include heated and vented front seats, wireless charging, heated steering wheel, Bose audio system and Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system with an 8-inch-diagonal color touchscreen and navigation.
“This Silverado High Desert is dressed to impress, inspired by the successful legacy of premium, special-edition models Chevrolet has introduced recently,” said Piszar. “As our customers continue to integrate their trucks in more personal ways, we’ll continue to offer more unique choices that speak to their lifestyles and interests.”
The Silverado 1500 High Desert show was unveiled on October 31st, 2016 at the SEMA Show, where it shares the floor with approximately 20 additional Chevy cars and trucks.
Production Silverado High Desert
Chevrolet already offers a High Desert package on the Silverado. Available on the 1LT (LT), 1LZ (LTZ), and 3LZ (High Country) trim levels, the Silverado High Desert package includes:
- Sport Bar with Sail Panel
- Lighted Side Box Storage
- Hard Tonneau Cover
It deletes the pickup box rail caps pickup tailgate upper molding.
The flexible and lockable storage system is mounted over the roll-formed, high-strength steel bed to add dual side storage bins and a three-piece hard tonneau cover. Inside, a cargo divider can be raised to secure smaller items or lowered to access the full length of the bed floor. As with all Silverado LT, LTZ, and High Country models, the tailgate locks with the key fob, enabling users to secure their cargo with the push of a button.
“The new High Desert package blends the capability and utility of Silverado with even greater refinement,” said Sandor Piszar, director of Chevrolet truck marketing. “It’s ideal for those customers who want the security of a lockable cargo area as well as the flexibility of a pickup truck bed.”
The High Desert package on the LT trim level features 20-inch wheels with all-season tires while 22-inch wheels and all-terrain tires are available on LTZ and High Country trim levels. In addition, the High Desert trim level offers GM’s legendary Magnetic Ride Control suspension system when configured with the High Country (3LZ) trim level. Magnetic Ride Control delivers more precise body motion control, incorporating sensors that “read” the road every millisecond, triggering damping changes in as few as 5 milliseconds in electronically controlled shock absorbers that replace the conventional mechanical-valve shocks.
Under the hood, the Silverado’s 6.2L L86 V-8 is available on LTZ and High Country models and is backed by the new Hydra-Matic 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine is SAE-certified at 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful engine offered in a light-duty truck.
