According to knowledgeable sources, the Ford F150 Raptor will have a new rival in the 2022 model year when its Silverado ZRX goes on sale.
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The competition between Ford and General Motors in the off-roading space is heating up as GM is reportedly working on a competitor to the ultra-popular Ford F150 Raptor. The new GM off-road vehicle is reportedly named the Silverado ZRX. Its debut is the 2022 model year.
Ford F150 Raptor Rival To Have Many Changes
According to an authoritative source, the new off-road truck will carry the name Silverado ZRX. The new model is expected to have an upgraded suspension. A set of DSSV MultiMatic dampers reportedly highlights the suspension. The new truck will feature front and rear electronic lockers and new bumper treatments. The new features mean the pickup will have more aggressive departure and approach angles.
The new truck will follow Chevy’s current Colorado ZR2, not the GMC Sonoma ZR2. The ZR2’s design was a compromise. The Colorado performs as well as a street machine as it does off-road. Meanwhile, the new Chevy Silverado model is expected to handle more than just the Ford F150 Raptor. Sources indicate that the new ZRX is expected to take on the Ram 1500 Rebel TRX, which will be a tall order as reports are that the Rebel will be quite a performer. And the Raptor is so popular that it has spawned many performing truck clones.
One thing to note is that the new Chevy isn’t a direct Ford F150 Raptor rival. The Raptor was designed as a desert racer, while the upcoming Chevy Silverado ZRX will be more like Ford’s future Tremor model, a trail-busting off-road pickup. Meanwhile, there is a bit of news about the 2020 Ford F150 Raptor.
Watch for news about upcoming changes coming for 2021 and 2022 Ford F150s and rivals here. Click To Subscribe To Torque News YouTube Channel For Daily Ford and Automotive Industry News Analysis.
Ford F150 Raptor Rival Engine Choices
The powerplant is likely to be the Silverado’s top-end engine, the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8. The specs on the engine show it offers a hefty quota of performance. At 420-horsepower and 460 pounds-feet of torque, the Silverado’s V8 can handle just about any situation. A 10-speed automatic handles the power output. Another potential engine for the Silverado ZRX may be the 3.0-liter, six-cylinder Duramax diesel.
The Silverado ZRX’s engine is on a par with the Ford F150 Raptor’s turbocharged, EcoBoost 450 horsepower and 510 pounds-feet of torque. It also uses a 10-speed automatic to handle the output. Meantime, a set of Fox Racing shocks, plus an electronic-locking rear differential, and a Terrain Management System help keep things under control.
Ford F150 Raptor May Have Concept Launch
The ZRX arrives as a 2022 model. It will likely be shown off as a concept vehicle in the year before it is officially released. The new model is expected to slot in over the Silverado Trail Boss in the Chevy lineup.
Marc Stern has been an automotive writer/columnist/editor/professional for more than 45 years. He began writing a weekly column “You Auto Know” in 1971 and continued writing it for 32 years. Now, semi-retired, Marc spends his time finding pieces for Torque News as the Volkswagen – and subsidiary – reporter, as well as pieces on pickups and SUVs. He has also been known to write a race report or two. Also, he covers more generalized auto news pieces as well. Marc has also written for the Examiner.com, Fixya.com, Gearheads.org and others, including some smallish publications -- Popular Mechanics, Mechanics Illustrated, AutoWeek, Automotive News, and Automotive Age. You can follow Marc on Facebook and Twitter.
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