With the Ford F-150 Raptor gaining an increased following ever since its debut 15 years ago, GM responded with a muscular off-road pickup of its own, sending the Chevy Silverado ZR2 after The Blue Oval’s entry into the space. Ford’s crosstown rival has been hard at work on a next-genation Silverado, which will launch in approximately two years – and our sister site just spotted a 2027 Silverado ZR2 prototype, giving us a better look at what’s on its way to challenge the F-150 Raptor.
- See all 2027 Silverado ZR2 spy shots
As covered by our sister publication, GM Authority, the prototype seen here sports the Crew Cab, Short Box setup, which is the only way the Silverado ZR2 is offered. It features an upright profile with generous ground clearance, set for off-road environments right from the showroom floor. It rolls on a set of meaty 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT (Mud Terrain) tires, giving it serious bite and height compared to the current Silverado ZR2.
For reference, the current model relies on 33-inch tires, the biggest it can handle without modifications to its mud flaps or other parts of the wheel well.
This 2027 Silverado ZR2 also sports a set of Multimatic DSSV dampers, which are also included on the current model, although these will likely feature a different tune to accommodate the larger tire size. Interestingly, there aren’t any running boards or rock sliders present on this particular prototype, although these will likely be offered when it hits the market.
The Ford F-150 Raptor already has the Silverado ZR2 beat in terms of tire size. The muscular pickup already offers 35-inch tires as standard, although an upgrade is offered in the form of 37-inch tires as an option, too. Ford’s entry into the space also features Fox dual live-valve shocks with position-sensitive compression control and continuously variable rebound controls. These units can adapt damping to match body control to the off-road environment via Ford Performance-developed off-road algorithms. However, some F-150 Raptor configurations still offer the carry-over live valve shocks for buyers who don’t need that much tech under them.
While the 2027 Silverado ZR2 will drop in just two years, the redesigned Ford F-150 will debut a little later than initial expectations, delayed to mid-2028.
Comments
johnny come lately huh , late by about 10-12 years right
Absolutely, typical GM
Gm has always left the performance trucks to Ford. GM’s cars are another thing though the 2025 Corvette ZR1 is just crazy with a 1064 Hp all for a 175,000 dollars. The reviewers are all saying the Mustang GTD will be second fiddle compared to the ZR1. The ZR1 that cost less than 1/2 what the GTD cost may be knocking out the GTD. The GTD is just a way over priced Mustang that should be no more than 150,000.