ZR2 is designed for off-road use at speed.

AN incoming update for the Chevrolet Silverado will see the entry workhorse retire in favour of a model outfitted as an off-roading thoroughbred.

Core change for the big rig in its mid-life adjustment that sees introduction of a new interior is the decision to drop the LT Trail Boss, at $119,990 the cheapest of the three current models, for a new ZR2 configured for dirt and desert racing.

Pricing and final specification of the new model will not be announced until closer to introduction, expected to occur 12 months from now. GMSV has confirmed there will be a price change for the 1500 LTZ Premium as well.

The ZR2 in Stateside configuration is designed to compete with the Ford F-150 Tremor and RAM 1500 Rebel, but its priced nearer to the RAM TRX, a performance variant that is intended for sale here but has yet to be priced by the national distributor, Ateco.

To cope with tearing across tough terrain the ZR2 has 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler knobblies on 18-inch rims and Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) shock absorbers. It also stands out by having a 176cm short bed, to maximise approach and departure angles. It has 28 centimetres of ground clearance and an approach angle of almost 81cm.

NZ market outputs for the ZR2’s 6.2-litre petrol V8 have yet to be given, b uy in the US the engine makes 313kW and horsepower and 623Nm of torque. An option offered to Americans is an especially throaty Borla cat-back exhaust.

ZR2-specific aesthetic cues includes a unique black chrome grille with a Chevrolet ‘flow-tie’ emblem, a raised black bonnet insert with ZR2 badging, exclusive ZR2 wheel flares, Gloss Black wheels and exclusive Jet Black/Graystone leather-appointed interior with dark trim.

The updated Silverado also arrives with an updated infotainment system, with a 13.4-inch touchscreen loaded with features and a configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster alongside it.

Announcement of the new vehicles now, regardless that delivery won’t start for another year, seems to be GMSV pledging ongoing allegiance to its heavy-drinking petrol engines in the face of a Clean Car penalty that adds close to $6000 to the sticker price. By the time the first vehicles arrive, GMSV NZ will likely be paying an additional CO2 tax at distributor level.