What do you do when you introduce an all-new half-ton pickup truck to the segment and can't afford to show every performance-truck variation at its debut?
You create special concept versions and show them to select audiences to gauge customer interest.
And that's exactly what Chevrolet will do at the 2013 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show this week in Las Vegas when it will debut the Silverado Cheyenne concept, which is about as close to a new muscle truck as we've seen since Ford's attempt with the F-150 Tremor.
Chevrolet is not calling it the Silverado SS, but it wasn't that long ago that Chevy tried to offer a performance pickup; most of them were sold (2003 to 2007) with all-wheel drive, the extended cab and 20-inch rims.
This new Cheyenne concept will show off several high-performance options, not the least of which will be the 420-horsepower, 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8; Brembo ceramic brakes; a Borla exhaust; a lowered suspension; and 19-inch aluminums wheels with performance tires. Also, in order to give this truck the best power-to-weight ratio possible, Chevy replaced the bumpers, tailgate and inner bed liner with carbon fiber versions to save more than 200 pounds. That should put the short-bed sport-truck weight at just less than 4,500 pounds.
According to the Detroit News, that should put the little half-ton truck in the 5.3-second zero-to-60 mph range. You can expect to see more photos of this truck later (keep checking back) and find out what we thought of it when we post our video. More to come.
