2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 revealed

Chevrolet's light truck range has received a broad range of updates for the 2022 model year that’s due to go on sale around March in the US, including a subtle new look for lower-tiered models and upgraded technology including GM’s ‘Super Cruise’ hands-free autonomous driving tech that will work even when a boat trailer is attached.

However, while the beefed-up diesel versions of the Chevrolet Sliverado will happily pull 6000kg, the V8 will drop down to 4000kg, but with the added ability to reach remote parts of Australia.

General Motors Specialty Vehicles, the Australian company that converts the Silverado to right-hand drive through the Walkinshaw Group’s Melbourne-based conversion operation, has not confirmed local timing.

A GMSV spokesperson said the company was “focusing on launching Silverado LT Trail Boss, LTZ Premium and HD – as well as the first-ever right-hand-drive Corvette”.

But most of the upgrades will eventually filter into Australian-market models (the Super Cruise with a question mark on it), and the ZR2 is a short-priced favourite to be offered here as a new halo for the local GMSV Silverado line-up, which starts from $106,990 plus on-road costs for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium starts from $114,990 and the equivalent Chevrolet Silverado HD (2500) model due in November opens up from $144,990 before on-road costs.

The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2, which sticks with the familiar 313kW/624Nm 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8, is not a monster truck like the supercharged V8 RAM 1500 TRX, but it has been designed as a serious off-road machine.

That includes increased ground clearance via lifted suspension and offroad race-tuned Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers. Together with new coil springs, the suspension set-up delivers greater wheel articulation than the off-road-focused Trail Boss.

The Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 will ride on 33-inch mud-terrain tyres shod to 18-inch alloy wheels. A front bash plate provides extra protection, while a new front-end design with resculpted bumpers deliver an improved approach angle.

A large black bonnet insert with power bulges also adds visual gristle, while the cabin features a unique two-tone Jet Black and Graystone leather upholstery.

As well as the standard V8 that drives through a 10-speed automatic transmission, the ZR2 will come fitted with front and rear electronic locking differentials and a special terrain driving mode with a crawl function.

It has a payload of 653kg and can tow up to 4037kg.

Beyond ZR2, the entire 2022 Chevrolet Silverado range receives upgraded safety features such as lane keep assist and automatic high beam headlights.

According to Chevrolet, the optional Super Cruise system is said to deliver “the industry’s first true hands-free driver assistance technology for compatible roads”.

It has been calibrated to operate with trailers hitched up and combines tech features such as driver attention alert and LiDAR map data to allow autonomous cruising on certain roads, providing the driver remains attentive to the road conditions.

Elsewhere, there are new-look grille designs – including the removal of the ‘side blade’ flourishes of the current model – and three new exterior colours: Sand Dune, Dark Ash and Glacier Blue Metallic.

Up-spec models (LT and above) also come with big 13.4-inch central touch-screens and 12.3-inch digital driver displays, the latter fully customisable.

Only the 6.2-litre V8 is expected to be offered in Australia, as it is now, although Walkinshaw Automotive is working on a supercharged upgrade for the Silverado that’s due later this year.

North America also offers the Chevrolet Silverado with a 5.3-litre V8, 2.7-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol or a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder diesel engine.

For MY22, the diesel is rated to tow up to 6033kg up from around 4300kg in the current model, thanks to chassis reinforcements and a 3.73 final drive ratio, instead of 3.23.

Chevrolet has also started teasing its Ford F-150 Lightning rival, the all-electric Silverado, which will offer a four-wheel steering set-up to improve towing manoeuvrability.