Chevy tests Silverado EV off-road chops with ZR2 race truck concept

Chevrolet is testing the off-road chops of its electric Silverado full-size pickup — on the racetrack.
The brand revealed the Silverado EV ZR2 off-road race truck concept ahead of the planned summer launch of the pickup's Trail Boss variant. It planned to compete with the ZR2 in the Mint 400 off-road race near Las Vegas.
Developed in five months, the Silverado EV ZR2 concept uses about 98 percent GM production parts and shares elements with the gasoline Silverado ZR2 and Colorado ZR2, including a lifted front and rear suspension that is designed to go off-road, locking differentials, underbody skid protection and Multimatic dampers.
It produces 1,100 hp and 11,500 pound-feet of torque from a tri-motor electric propulsion system.
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'There is no better proving ground to test the limits of our vehicles than competitive racing,' Scott Bell, vice president of global Chevrolet, said in a statement.
To that end, Chevy said engineers will study the Silverado EV ZR2's race performance and apply their findings toward future production vehicles, parts and accessories.
While the Silverado EV ZR2 is a concept, Chevy is preparing to release a production off-road version of the electric pickup this summer. The Trail Boss will be sold with a factory-installed lift, 18-inch wheels and 35-inch all-terrain tires, and a Terrain Mode for better maneuvering.
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