SILVERADO REVAMP

ZR2 MODEL LEADS 2023 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 RANGE

- MATT RAUDONIKIS

GMSV’s 2023 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up trucks for Australia have been revealed and they come with a few changes; gone is the previous LT Trail Boss entry-level model, and a new ZR2 hero model joins at the top of the two-model range. The line-up revision means the Chevrolet Silverado LTZ Premium is now the entry-level rig at $128,000 plus on-road costs, while the new ZR2 tops the range with a starting price of $133,000 (+ORC).

Both 1500-class trucks are powered exclusively by GM’s 6.2-litre petrol V8 engine backed by a 10-speed transmission and 4x4 transfer case that offers 2WD, on-demand 4WD and 4x4 in both high and low range. The engine makes a stout 313kW and 624Nm and is officially rated to return 12.2L/100km on the combined cycle.

All Australian-delivered LTZs come equipped with the Z71 package which is an option in the USA. This ensures they get the two-speed transfer case, auto-locking rear differential and underbody protection, so it’s essentially an off-road package.

The ZR2 was a new model for Silverado back in 2022 and this is the first time we’ve seen it in Australia. It was previously applied only to the midsize Chevrolet Colorado utes and designates the premium off-road models.

Like the Colorado ZR2, the Silverado’s key components are the DSSV (Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve) dampers from Multimatic. These shock absorbers were originally developed and used in the highest of high-end performance sports cars, and even by F1 racing teams, and Chevrolet has re-valved them for off-road uses on its trucks.