Raptors Will Once Again Be Extinct, Says VP of Chevy Trucks! New Tahoe, Silverado, and More! (Video)

Is Chevy Silverado ZRX really around the corner?

2021 chevy silverado trucks tahoe suburban zrx interview

What is the future of Chevy trucks and GM full-size pickups and big SUVs? On this episode of TFL Talkin’ Trucks Podcast, we speak with two people who know and influence the present and future of GM trucks the most. They are: Tim Herrick (VP of GM Global vehicle programs) and Jim Danahy (Executive Chief engineer of GM full-size trucks and full-size SUVs).

Is the Silverado 1500 “Raptor fighting” off-road truck (aka. ZRX) really coming? We try to get to the bottom of this and many other questions in this double interview.

First, GM is continuing the work to deliver the all-new lineup of 2021 Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, and the Cadillac Escalade/ESV. These fully-redesigned big people & stuff movers are still set for a production debut this summer or fall 2020. The Tahoe and the Yukon will arrive first, followed by the luxurious Escalade.

Will GM increase the power output of their lineup of gas/diesel engines? There is no official information available on this yet. The most powerful gas engine remains the 6.2-liter V8 with a base 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. This output can be increased with a GM-certified performance air-intake and exhaust systems, but these internal combustion mills will continue with the current tune for now.

Will Chevrolet increase the tire diameter on their off-road and other trucks? There is no official news here either. GM says that tire size and specification has one of the longest lead times in the engineering process.

The GM engineering team was out in force at the recent Mint 400 off-road race in Nevada this year. What’s the story? Chevrolet fielded a modified Chevy Silverado 1500 and Colorado ZR2 racing trucks. The race version of the Silverado 1500 is running unique full-size Multimatic DSSV spool-valve off-road shocks and 35-inch off-road tires.

Here is a close look at this Silverado racing truck from 2019 SEMA show.

GM would not answer that a Silverado ZRX is coming, but they said that “Raptors will once again be extinct”. This is an interesting reference given that the Ford Raptor is the premier off-road desert running truck in the segment.

What’s the story with GM’s upcoming electric trucks? There is not much new to report here, but the reveal of the GMC Hummer EV trucks is still set for May 20, 2020. If this changes, we will report this ASAP. GM has developed an entirely new battery chemistry and truck chassis with the purpose of building the Hummer EV trucks and other vehicles.

Check out the video interview below for ALL of the details.