GM presents the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 SUV as a flagship truck before the EV collection

DETROIT – General Motors will add a new off-road version of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 to its highly profitable truck range next year, ahead of the brand’s momentum in electric pickups.

The automaker unveiled the Silverado ZR2 2022 online on Thursday as a new vehicle as part of an updated line for the Silverado that is expected to go on sale next spring.

Changes in collection are advancing before GM offers at least three electric pickups, including a Silverado, in the coming years. Officials with Chevrolet declined to discuss the electric version of the tablet, which the brand has confirmed, but released few details.

“We’re getting ready and we’ll get there soon, we’ll release more information. It’s a huge product and we can’t wait to share it soon,” Kelly MacDonald, Chevrolet’s director of truck marketing, said during a media briefing.

Industry analysts expect the Silverado EV, as well as an electric pickup between GMC brothers in 2023, following the arrival of the GMC Hummer EV pickup, which is slated to launch later this year.

Chevrolet executives told reporters that they do not expect a continuing shortage of semiconductor chips to affect the launch of the 2022 Silverado. ‘this year.

Upgrades to Silverado 2022 trucks, including the ZR2, range from redesigned features to new safety and comfort technologies, including the addition of GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system.

The Super Cruise will be offered in the Silverado 2022 high-end High Country model, officials said. The system uses a large number of sensors, radars and cameras to steer, accelerate and brake automatically in the vehicle lane. GM is in the process of expanding the system to 22 vehicles by 2023.

The exterior design of the 2022 tablets evolves the look of current Silverado models. They have thinner headlights and large cooled grilles that more prominently feature the brand’s tie logo. The designs are similar to GM’s full-size Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban SUVs, which share the same platform as the Silverado.

Inside, GM redesigned consumer-oriented Silverados to include more technologies, such as larger screens and an e-optional switch instead of a traditional column switch. The updates address some of the criticism from industry professionals when the trucks were completely redesigned in 2018.

GM has also added standard safety features to the Silverado 2022, such as forward collision alert, lane keeping assistance with lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking.

The Silverado ZR2 will be Chevrolet’s second ZR2 model. The cut was first introduced to the Colorado medium-sized pill in 2017.

According to MacDonald, approximately 60% of Silverado’s current sales are collected off-road focused. He said it includes a uniform split between its “Trail Boss” models and a Z71 trim package with less capacity.

The appearance and features of all-terrain vehicles have become popular in recent years among major consumers. These models also tend to increase profits.

The ZR2 adds to the other eight Silverado models ranging from three work-focused tablets to the high-end Country that can top $ 70,000.

GM said prices for the 2022 models will be announced closer to when the vehicles arrive at dealership showrooms. Current Silverado starting prices range from $ 31,000 to $ 62,000.

GM unveiled the 2022 Silverado ZR2 online Thursday before the pickup made its national television debut in an ad during the first game of the NFL season between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.