Halloween is over, but there’s at least one automotive costume worth mentioning — the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado Performance Concept. However, counter to most versions of dressing up, it’s what’s on the inside of this truck that matters.
Exterior design wasn’t forgotten — the Silverado is lower than a standard 1500 model and additional ducting helps cool what’s lurking beneath the hood. Air inlets add a bit of menace to the slate gray bodywork, too, which replaces any trim piece that could have been chromed. There is also a hint of red from behind the wheel spokes, denoting upgraded six-piston Brembo brakes. But it’s the 450 horsepower bestowed onto the truck via a new supercharger that makes all the difference.
As far as concept vehicles go, the Silverado Performance is maybe the least extravagant and most realistic example we’ve seen in a while. It maintains the mid-level 5.3-liter V8 but adds a supercharger borrowed from the 6.2-liter LT4 small block. We’d prefer to have seen that unit wedged into this pickup instead, as it would have made the final power specs even more impressive. But you can always buy and install that unit a la carte if you really want to.
The 5.3-liter is more reasonable and makes it seem like GM might be ready to call out Ford’s Raptor at any given moment. In fact, the Silverado includes other performance touches like a competition data logger and 22-inch wheels wrapped in performance-grade rubber. It appears well thought out, without being impractically ambitious.
Unfortunately, General Motors is unwilling to confirm production plans. As things stand, this remains nothing more than a concept pickup. But we can’t help but think it would make a great addition to Chevy’s lineup, likely stealing a few prospective Raptor buyers from Ford in the process — which is mighty high praise for a pickup that hasn’t even been built yet.
[Images: General Motors]
A nice bit of whimsy, but just offer the 6.2L in every trim and cab configuration.
And then build a top-dog 6.5L.
And put a V8 in the Colorado/Canyon.
And the ATS.
Pssssss – GM
I’m not nearly as demanding as him. I’ll settle for the 4.3 V6 in the Colorado/Canyon. (Although the 3.6 and tow package is rated for 7,000 lbs – I imagine that the 4.3 V6 tow rating in the Colorado/Canyon would make the 1/2 ton trucks look bad.
But I do agree that making the 6.2 V8 more available makes much more sense than building this concept.
CAFE is probably the biggest reason why they aren’t offering it in more configurations.
But the political climate has changed.
Do you think Scott Pruitt at the EPA will be clutching his pearls at the availability of the 6.2 in a Silverado LT?
The 4.3L V6 probably wouldn’t increase the Colorado/Canyon’s tow rating all that much while just drinking slightly more fuel. The Colorado/Canyon’s frame and wheelbase is likely the main limiting factor preventing the tow rating from being higher.
Wait…hasn’t Chevy been telling us that forced induction in spark-ignition pickups is bad – too complex?
Kinda like aluminum construction in pickups is bad – ?
The Ford Raptor was designed for high speed off road desert running. In the real world most will taken over the speed bumps at the strip mall. A slightly lowered, supercharged Silverdo with a serious tire/brake package? When GM is good, it’s very, very good. Build it and they will sell.
Agreed, why the LT4 isn’t in a new Silverado SS or Escalade-V is beyond me.
Meh, a sportsy truck
if (steering angle==0)
{
floor it;
}
else
{
big toe;
}
Why keep mentioning the Raptor? I mean, other than it’s high output engine, they couldn’t be more different. This is obviously not an off-road focused truck as the Raptor is. This is more like an F-150 Lightning, which of course isn’t part of its lineup right now, although I don’t see why not since it would be easy to drop the Raptor’s high output engine into a lowered 2wd truck.