Chevy brings beastly off-road Silverado, electric ’57 to SEMA show

Article content

The annual SEMA circus rolls into Las Vegas this week, with many automakers using the event as a testbed for concept vehicles ranging from outta-this-world flights of fancy to near-production machines.

Article content

Somewhere in the middle of those two extremes are these two rigs — a beastly Silverado and an electric ’57 shoebox.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Chevy brings beastly off-road Silverado, electric ’57 to SEMA show Back to video

Unsubtly named the Chevy Beast, it’s a concept in high-performance desert running — you know, the type taken on by the Ford F-150 Raptor?

Brought to life in order to demonstrate the capability of Chevrolet Performance components when installed on a bowtie pickup, the Chevy Beast concept is based on a modified Silverado chassis wearing a customized pickup body. This four-seater is powered by a Chevrolet Performance LT4 supercharged crate engine good for 650 horsepower.

Article content

A concept long-travel off-road suspension was created, including a five-link rear making for a 91-inch track. With that type of footprint, Chevy says it has stable handling and driver control during high-speed off-road driving. Designers and engineers started with the chassis of a short-bed Silverado and modified it for high-speed desert running by shortening the frame and hewing a custom-designed chromoly tubular safety structure.

Toggle full screen mode Previous Gallery Image

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Next Gallery Image Toggle gallery captions

View All 6 Photos

1 of 6

All 6 Photos for Gallery

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 

Function Not Available

Full Screen is not supported on this browser version.

You may use a different browser or device to view this in full screen.

OK

Article content

Save for the custom bits up in under the thing, many high-performance parts like the brakes and crate engine are off-the-shelf items. A custom plate lists some impressive off-road numbers, but we will point out to The General that the proper spelling is “breakover angle” not “brake over angle.”

Elsewhere in the GM booth, SEMA attendants will find this blindingly yellow ’57 Chevy. It’s been force-fed a whole bunch of electrons, including a 400-volt proof-of-concept lithium-ion battery that stores 30 kilowatt-hours of electricity.

Toggle full screen mode Previous Gallery Image

1. 

2. 

3. 

Next Gallery Image Toggle gallery captions

View All 3 Photos

1 of 3

All 3 Photos for Gallery

1. 
2. 
3. 

Function Not Available

Full Screen is not supported on this browser version.

You may use a different browser or device to view this in full screen.

OK

Article content

Called Project X, it rides on a C6 Corvette front suspension and is powered by an electric motor making an estimated 340 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. That battery, by the way, is being evaluated for potential use as a next-generation Chevrolet Performance product.

Interestingly, this ’57 has been part of the Hot Rod magazine family ever since it was purchased for $250 back in 1965. Since that time, it has played home to any number of gasoline-powered engines, most recently a supercharged LSX V8. In fact, it has been re-imagined so often and so extensively that some in the loop call it the “million-dollar Chevy.”

SEMA runs from November 2 to 5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada.