Right-hook production of the 1500’s bigger brother begins in November.

ALREADY plus-sized in regular 1500 format, the Chevrolet Silverado is soon to enter the market in an even more massive version that likely makes it the largest US pickup able to be legally driven here by anyone holding a run-of-the-mill car licence.

Build up to availability of the Chevrolet Silverado in its ultimate Heavy Duty LTZ Premium format took a step closer today with announcement from distributor General Motors Special Vehicles that right-hand drive production is expected to kick off in November.

Given that timeline, it seems unlikely if the $159,990 version will reach this market time to avoid being straight away hit with penalties Government will lay onto high CO2 vehicles from January 1.

No utility vehicle sold in NZ seems set to escape the carbon tax but the US-style traydecks models seem set to establish in the highest penalty category and so attract an impost of close to $6000.

The HD is the biggest Silverado offered by GMSV. It packs a 6.6 litre Duramax turbodiesel V8 partnered with an all-new 10-speed transmission.

GMSV has yet to offer any specific data in respect to the type’s towing and carrying capabilities in NZ specification, but the rig is genuinely in the big gun sector: That engine generates an impressive 322kW of power and a massive 1220Nm of torque.

Although GMSV haven’t revealed the final specifications for Australasia as it awaits local certification, the 2500 HD is rated to tow up to 8000kg and take 2000kg in the tray in the United States. The previous version offered a payload of 2.2 tonnes and a braked towing capacity of a whopping nine tonnes, though not simultaneously.

US market Silverado in the same configuration have a gross vehicle weight rating – basicially, a maximum safe weight counting the kerb weight (the weight of our vehicle when empty), plus the weight of passengers, fuel, any accessories, cargo, and the “tongue weight” of a tow trailer – of 5148 kilograms.

In theory, then, while the holder of an everyday car licence could legally drive the vehicle in unladen form, anyone operating it in a fully loaded state is highly likely to require a more specialist heavy transport authorisation.

The smaller and petrol V8-powered Silverado 1500, by comparison, can carry just over a tonne on the deck and tow up to 4500kg, again though not at the same time.

GMSV cites one of the standout attributes of the Silverado HD is the sheer size of the cargo area. The tray itself measures 2104mm long, is 1814mm wide and can accommodate 1968 litres of volume.

The tailgate alone is so large and heavy it is meted a power assist feature.

Joanne Stogiannis, the director of GMSV for this region, says the latest generation Silverado has been well-received in this part of the world.

“With the impending arrival of the new HD, will have three very different truck propositions to satisfy a huge variety of customer needs and wants,” she said.

“We anticipate the key to the success of the new Silverado HD is a commitment to maintain a truck-worthy, torque-rich diesel engine, as it’s a powertrain which has widespread appeal.

Stogiannis has pointed out that though it is foremost a strong and capable V8-diesel truck, the model is nonetheless “loaded with safety features and technology-related attributes.”

The HD takes a ‘technology and safety pack 2’, comprising a suite of active safety features including front and rear park assist, lane change alert with side blind zone alert and rear cross traffic alert, low speed forward automatic braking, front pedestrian braking, intelliBeam automatic headlamp control, following distance indicator, safety alert seat and electronic stability control with traction control.

The roof is the only common panel shared between the HD and two other Silverado variants offered here, but GMSV has chosen to also outfit its edition with an appearance pack to further differentiate it.

Aesthetic enhancements include body colour bumpers, a black bonnet vent and lower skid plate, black belt moulding, body colour door handles, black exterior badges, black bow tie on horn pad, 20 inch high gloss black painted wheels, a spray-on bed liner and black tubular side steps.

The NZ specification also includes a Z71 Off-Road Package, comprising an off-road suspension with Rancho twin tube shocks. It also has hill descent control and skid plates, plus a Z71 badge and grille emblem.

Interior treatments include a heated leather steering wheel with mounted controls, a multi-colour 15 inch head-up display plus an eight inch colour driver information centre.

The driver and front passenger enjoy heated and ventilated leather seats, while dual-zone automatic climate control and a power sunroof complete the interior.

When towing, additional assistance is provided courtesy of an advanced towing package which features rear vision camera, hitch guidance, hitch view, integrated trailer brake controller and power extendable external mirrors.

The Silverado arrives from North America as a fully built left-hand-drive vehicle, with a re-engineering programme to convert it to factory-standard right-hand drive taking place in Melbourne.

In addition to Silverados, the operation also converts Ram pick-ups for the separate local distributor, Ateco.

The conversion process uses GM’s own engineering and CAD data where available, uses OEM equivalent suppliers for new parts where required, and in some instances replaces factory-supplied parts with more durable local equivalents.