Chevy Silverado Cheyenne Concept is the Z/28 of Pickups

Proving that sometimes less is more, Chevrolet has revealed its new Silverado Cheyenne Concept ahead of its official debut at the 2013 SEMA Show this week.

Featuring an EcoTec 6.2-liter V8 engine under the hood, the Silverado Cheyenne Concept packs 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque and has a reduced curb weight, giving it an impressive power-to-weight ratio. Thanks to carbon fiber replacements for the bumpers, tailgate and inner cargo box, the Silverado sees about 200 lbs shaved off its normal weight of 4,503 lbs from the 5.3-liter-equipped Silverado regular cab with a 6’6″ box.

2013 SEMA Show Coverage

But fitting in at SEMA isn’t just about more performance and a lightened load. The Silverado Cheyenne Concept has a lowered ride height, a rear stabilizer bar and Brembo carbon ceramic brakes for enhanced handling and braking capabilities. The carbon brakes are actually borrowed from the Camaro Z28 along with the 19-inch wheels finished in charcoal paint. To spring even more weight off the truck, the American automaker tossed out the trailer hitch, spare interior, interior center console and some of the sound-deadening material.

On the inside, are Recaro sport seats and a flat-bottom steering wheel. What’s even more exciting however is that a Chevrolet exec confirmed that though it’s a concept, the automaker is “continually exploring new ways to give Silverado customers more.” Perhaps if the feedback is good at SEMA, this could turn into a production vehicle, albeit not as extreme.

“Lightweighting is a time-honored method of making the most of a vehicle’s performance which Chevrolet has demonstrated time and again with vehicles like the original 2001 Corvette Z06 and the 2014 Camaro Z/28,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “And like those vehicles, the Cheyenne complements its lower weight with more horsepower.”

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