‘Twas the night before the SEMA show went into full effect when GM held their annual media preview event and revealed this little carbon fiber-clad gem – The Silverado Cheyenne Concept. GM wants to give more to Silverado customers and we think this would be the perfect starting line.
Powered by GM’s all-new EcoTec3 6.2L V8 mated with a Borla exhaust, producing a stout 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, this concept truck has the most grunt in the light-duty truck segment to date. GM started the Cheyenne’s weight loss diet by replacing the factory bumpers, tailgate, and inner cargo box with lightweight carbon fiber pieces. Also included in the diet is a lightweight aluminum driveshaft, composite leaf springs, 19-inch aluminum Z/28 Camaro wheels with high performance tires, and yes, those just happen to be the carbon ceramic brakes off of the Z/28 Camaro. Last, but not least, the concept truck also features a deleted trailer hitch, spare tire, interior center console and some of the sound-deadening material. This is a total weight loss of approximately 200 pounds over a factory 5.3L-equipped Silverado regular cab with 6’6″ cargo box.
All of the weight loss equates to direct handling, which is where the driver gets to have fun – the cabin. With carbon fiber bits everywhere, the cockpit of the Cheyenne Concept features Recaro bucket seats and a flat bottom ZL1-styled steering wheel. Enhancing safety, the truck includes a lane departure warning system, front and rear park assist, and a rear-vision camera. While it seems like everything has been replaced on this truck, the factory 6-speed transmission with hill descent control, fuel-saving electric power steering, and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with hill start assist are the only items that have been carried over.
We think that this truck would be the perfect platform to build on and have some fun with, and also a great competitor for Ford’s F-150 Tremor. We’ll just have to wait and see what GM decides to do, because a high performance Silverado would be an awesome addition to help broaden Chevrolet’s performance line.
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We think that this truck would be the perfect platform to build on and have some fun with, and also a great competitor for Ford’s F-150 Tremor. We’ll just have to wait and see what GM decides to do, because a high performance Silverado would be an awesome addition to help broaden Chevrolet’s performance line.
