Big changes to Chevrolet’s largest traydeck hit Stateside – will we also see them?

 DISCUSSION about updates announced for the Chevrolet Silverado in its home market is not on the agenda for the outfit that re-engineers the current model for sale in New Zealand.

 In addition to a host of technical improvements and a new interior coming for models that represent here, Chevrolet has delivered a hard-out off-road halo variant, the ZR2 (above), set to face off against the Ford F-150 Raptor, the bigger brother to our own Ranger Raptor.

 When, or if, what is being referred to Stateside as the Model Year 2022 change will transfer to the Kiwi market editions that come to us via Melbourne, where brand-new US-market derivatives are taken apart then rebuilt into a brand-backed right-hand drive format that the factory itself cannot create, is anyone’s guess.

When asked for comment today, General Motors Specialist Vehicles was steering clear.

“At GMSV we're focusing on launching Silverado LT Trail Boss, LTZ Premium and HD - as well as the first-ever right-hand-drive Corvette,” a spokesman said.

“At this point in time we don't have any other product-related announcements to make.”

Interestingly, the company goes as far as namedropping the Corvette as a minor influence in terms of what amounts to a significant redesign of the models Kiwi see.

The ZR2 is the only additional model, siting as the new flagship offering Multimatic DSSV dampers, more suspension travel than any other Silverado and the best ground clearance, e-lockers front and rear, skid plates, 33-inch MT tires and the 6.2-litre petrol V8 in 313kW/624Nm tune married to a 10-speed auto.

It looks more bullish, too, with a front bumper redesigned for better approach angles, and the exhaust tips moved to prevent damage off-seal, plus cosmetic changes including a Flow Tie badge, additional grille lighting, black bonnet insert and unique wheels.

The major effort with carryover editions, meantime, is to primarily rethink the interior design, which many customers in North America have found wanting.

The dashboard has been completely altered in all but base models, now with a 13.4-inch infotainment screen and 12.3-inch instrument display. A console-mounted electronic shifter is also introduced for editions with five-passenger seating; six-passenger models maintain the column shifter.

The LT and above achieve new grilles that move the badge up and change the bars; the headlight design is relatively unchanged, save that running lights have an illumination animation on start-up and fog lights have angular slotted covers. 

Chevrolet fans who believe this model is V8 pure might be intrigued to know that some versions aren’t; these instead take a turbocharged 2.7-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol whose 569Nm of torque is more than is generated by the 5.3-litre V8 still used in some Silverados. It makes 231kW power.

The 3.0-litre diesel-powered Silverado is also updated. While the engine itself is unchanged, chassis changes allowed for the fitment of a Max Tow package that is good to haul 6032 kilograms, a massive improvement over the 4303kg of the previous version.

 Safety tech updates run to all versions having automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist and automatic high-beams. The High Country version is available with the fancy Super Cruise self-drive assist, which also operates with a trailer, and can execute lane changes. Previous Silverado options such as its various trailering assist systems and multifunction tailgate continue.