Sponsored by GM Specialty Vehicles
Since the first examples of right-hand-drive big American pickups started selling here a few years ago we have seen an increasingly sophisticated range of trucks landing on our shores, and without doubt one of the most sophisticated is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
The 1500 is available in New Zealand in LTZ Premium and ZR2 models, both of which are powered by the same 313kW/624Nm 6.2-litre petrol V8 with a ten-speed automatic transmission, which is enough to make it the most powerful pickup in its segment.
For the 2024 model year, both models now also get a new GM active performance exhaust that allows drivers to switch between quiet running or open things up to really enjoy the big V8 rumble.
The ZR2 is a relatively new addition to GMSV’s Silverado line up. Visually the ZR2 departs from the LTZ Premium, replacing the chrome exterior with a distinctive blacked-out grille, incorporating the Chevrolet “Flow Tie” (the Chevrolet Bow Tie logo acts as an air-intake).
The upgraded interior brings a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen and 12.3-inch configurable digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, along with a multi-colour 15-inch Head-Up display, a power tilt/telescoping steering column, adaptive cruise control and a Bose premium audio system.
The ZR2 also gets some serious suspension upgrades in the form of a factory lift and DSSV (Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve) dampers from suspension specialist Multimatic, which are multi-chamber dampers that were originally developed for track racing but have been re-valved by Chevrolet for off-road use on its trucks.
In simple terms, the DSSV dampers soften at low speed to allow a more compliant ride and free up wheel travel, and then firm up at higher speeds to improve control and dynamics. And they work exceptionally well both on and off road, endowing the ZR2 with serious articulation off-road and remarkably dynamic handling on it.
Adding to the impressive suspension set up, the ZR2 also gets a grille-mounted camera (complete with a washer system), front and rear electronic locking differentials, 18-inch alloy wheels shod with 33-inch mud tyres, aluminium underbody skid plates and a redesigned off-road bumper that is higher for an improved approach angle but is also modular with end sections that can be removed or easily replaced if damaged, without having to replace the entire bumper.
But possibly the most impressive feature of the upgrade is the awesome “Terrain Mode” that is a ZR2-only feature. Slipping the ZR2 into Terrain Mode essentially gives it one-pedal driving in an off-road setting – lifting off the throttle slows the ZR2 and will even bring it to a complete stop, either up or down hill.
Terrain Mode makes the ZR2 almost unstoppable off-road, making crawling over difficult terrain utterly effortless.
But while heading off-road is deeply impressive in the ZR2, towing is what the Silverado is really all about, and both the ZR2 and LTZ Premium make effortless work of some truly huge loads. While the LTZ Premium can haul a remarkable 4500kg, the ZR2’s clever off-road suspension drops its towing capacity to “only” 4200kg, which is still 700kg more than the likes of a Ford Ranger and marks the 1500 out as an absolute no-brainer if you regularly tow a big load.
The addition of the ZR2 essentially now means Silverado customers in New Zealand can have luxury and cutting-edge technology in either a slick and smooth road-oriented package or a tough and seriously capable off-road package that brings a lot more ability for only a little more money.
Learn more about the Silverado 1500 range
https://www.gmspecialtyvehicles.com/chevrolet-trucks
Stock is available to order at seven dealers across New Zealand.