The market of pickup trucks is bigger than ever and that particularly refers to the half-ton segment. These vehicles aren’t just workhorses anymore, but there are also several segment-specific niches. For example, there is a pretty big fan base of off-road pickups, such as F-150 Raptor or Ram Rebel TRX, while every manufacturer also offers luxurious versions of its truck. Chevy fulfills both of these niches but the latest reports suggest that GM could revive another sub-segment of the pickup truck class, which was popular nearly two decades ago. Of course, we are talking about the comeback of the legendary SS model, which would come as the 2021 Chevy Silverado SS Concept.
This is still just a rumor and the only thing we saw so far is just a couple of rendering photos. Still, there are plenty of reasons that make us believe there is room for such a truck on the market. Judging on the latest rumors, we are not the only ones and we believe that there is a chance to see this truck, at least in a concept for. In any case, take the following paragraphs with a reserve.
2021 Chevy Silverado SS Concept Design
Of course, we can only speculate about the 2021 Chevy Silverado SS Concept at this point, but there are many aspects that are quite easy to predict. One of them would be the exterior design, as well as the direction of the chassis setup. The engine is another thing that comes to our minds, while the inside of this pickup should receive several upgrades as well.
Engine
Naturally, the engine is one of the first things that come to mind about the 2021 Chevy Silverado SS Concept. As we are talking about a street performer, which in the original variant was equipped with a 345-hp 6.0-liter V8 engine, we presume that things wouldn’t be much different in this case either.
Of course, the engine that would be used for this occasion would be a familiar 6.2-liter unit, though a different variant compared to the standard L87 engine we can find in base Silverado. For this occasion, we could easily see the LT iteration of the engine, which is used for sports cars, such as Camaro or Corvette. The most familiar, LT1 engine would be a reasonable choice. We would pick the same version that powers the Camaro. This one is good for about 455 horsepower and that seems like a decent upgrade over the standard 420-hp unit.
Still, things are going crazy these days in the truck market, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see something even more powerful. Of course, we are thinking about LT4 and LT5 iterations, which come equipped with a turbocharger. Depending on the variant, the max output goes between 650 and 755 horsepower.
2021 Chevy Silverado SS Concept Chassis
When it comes to the exterior design, all kinds of upgrades seem natural as well. The first thing that comes to mind is the suspension setup. Compared to the aforementioned F-150 Raptor and Rebel TRX, this model would go in the completely opposite direction, designed for on-road performances. Therefore, we would see a new setup, with significantly lower ground clearance, which would provide a lower center of gravity and improve handling significantly. Furthermore, we would expect to see bigger rims, lower-profile tires and significantly upgraded brakes.
Styling
With such upgrades in terms of performance, we would expect to see a styling that complements such an engineering effort. Therefore, all kinds of upgrades over the standard model would be expected. We already mentioned things like lower ground clearance and bigger wheels, which would definitely have a big impact on performances. Furthermore, we would count on new bodywork, with aggressive bumpers, exhaust pipes and similar things. The grille could feature an exclusive design too. Naturally, some unique color options should be in offer as well.
Just like the original version, the new model would come exclusively in a crew cab body style.
Interior
On the inside, we would count on several modifications as well. Some of the things that come to mind are sports seats, with better support, as well as a sportier steering wheel. Naturally, unique trim and materials would come as well, along with a quite exclusive list of features. We could see a new instrument cluster too, and maybe even paddle shifters.
2021 Chevy Silverado SS Concept Premiere and Production
At this point, the 2021 Chevy Silverado SS Concept is just a rumor at moment, but several sources suggest we could such a concept in the near future. In our opinion, this could happen already at some of the upcoming major car shows in the second half of 2021.
When it comes to serial production, it’s still early to talk about chances. More details should come soon. One of the potential competitors would be a smaller but similarly designed, also rumored, Honda Ridgeline Type R.