Chevrolet has premiered the new Silverado HD in ZR2 and ZR2 Bison variants designed for heavy off-road use. The production lines will start rolling in summer.
Both pickups come with four-door cabs as standard. The ZR2 is an entry spec, but it still makes use of special suspension arms, steering knuckles and Multimatic DSSV shock absorbers. The ground clearance is 40 mm (1.6 in) above stock and amounts to 300 mm (11.7 in). 18-inch wheels are shod in 35-inch all-terrain tires.
On the outside, the pickup has a new radiator grille, black fender flares and running boards, as well as metallic skid plates to protect the engine.
The ZR2 Bizon takes the above list and complements it with a bull bar at the front optimized for steeper approach angles, towing eyes and a winch prep. It also gets more armor at the bottom and a differently styled wheel set.
Customers can choose from two 6.6-liter V8 engines – petrol and diesel. The former can do 407 PS (401 hp / 299 kW) and 628 Nm (463 lb-ft) of torque, while the latter pumps out a superior 477 PS (470 hp / 351 kW) and 1,320 Nm (974 lb-ft). Both use the same ten-speed automatic transmission. There is an electronic rear diff lock and an off-road assist mode on board, too.