The 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 Actually Means Business
We have been patiently waiting for the Chevy Silverado 1500 to put up an answer toward the Ram 1500 TRX and 2021 Ford Raptor. Now, there might be a light at the end of the tunnel with the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado Z2R.
The 2022 Chevy Silverado Z2R is coming
The Chevy Silverado Trail Boss is a fine off-roading option. It takes a work truck and turns it into a more capable beast. However, the Silverado Trail Boss is no match for the Ford Raptor or Ram 1500 TRX.
Chevy has seemingly been behind the curve with off-roading monsters. But the 2022 Chevy Silverado Z2R might help it catch up. According to Auto Blog, spy shots show that Chevrolet has a serious off-roader in the works.
The truck might not be called the Z2R, but that’s what it’s being referred to for now. This keeps things simple because the off-roading version of the smaller Chevy Colorado is known as the Z2R.
What do we know about the Silverado Z2R?
From the photos, you can see that the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 Z2R is turning up the heat. Despite being covered in camouflage, we can tell that the new Silverado has a turned-up front bumper to enhance the clearance around the tires.
We don’t see an aerodynamic air dam either, which could also improve ground clearance. Under the chassis, there is a huge skid plate to offer protection.
The Chevy Silverado prototype looks taller too. The tire size from the images is unknown, but the Trail Boss has 32-inch tires. To match the Ram 1500 TRX and Ford Raptor, the Z2R will have to have 35-inch or 37-inch tires.
It’s safe to speculate that the Silverado Z2R will have an enhanced version of the Colorado Z2R’s spool-valve shocks. They have already been fitted to a race truck too, which means they would be great for a desert off-roader.
Having long-travel suspension arms and a five-link suspension in the rear would also help this truck be on par with rivals. It will need a smooth ride and the ability to crawl over rocks to keep up.
Plus, what about a V8? The 2021 Ford Raptor doesn’t have a V8 yet, but it will in 2022. The 2022 Silverado could gain the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that will increase its horsepower from 420 to 625. However, this will put it behind the Ram 1500 TRX, which has 702 hp.
Is the Chevy Silverado Trail Boss worth buying?
If you don’t want to wait for the 2022 Chevy Silverado off-roading truck to come out, or want to save some cash, then the Traill Boss is a solid option to consider. The Ram 1500 TRX begins around $69,995, but the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss starts at about $51,100.
According to GM Authority, the Trail Boss package adds a 2-inch suspension life, Ranchero monotube shock absorbers, a high-capacity air filter, skid plates, hill descent control, and an automatic rear locking differential.
The Silverado Trail Boss custom comes with a 4.3-liter V6 engine that provides 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque. It’s about $7,000 less than the LT Trail Boss. With the LT version, you get a 5.3-liter V8 engine with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. You can also upgrade to the 6.2-liter V8 engine for 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.
