Take a look at this 2027 Chevy Silverado 1500 prototype truck that is driving from Flagstaff, Arizona toward Phoenix. Is it a Chevy or a GMC? Is it an off-road model or not? Let’s dig in and take a look at all of the details.
GM officially stated that redesigned Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks will be shown this calendar year, as the company prepares to roll them out. It’s been over a year since we started to see various camouflaged prototypes of these upcoming full-size pickup trucks. Studying many of these images and videos closely, the following conclusions come in focus.
CHEVY OR GMC?
Why am I calling this prototype a Silverado and not a Sierra? This trucks front grille appears to match some other Silverado 1500 prototypes that we have seen before. This truck’s front tow hooks are painted red and clearly visible. This is a first indication that it could be an off-road model. The suspension appears to have a lift. This truck is fairly tall when compared to the traffic around it. It’s unlikely to be a top dog ZR2 off-road model judging by the wheels and tires. The wheels are also covered in camouflage, but they look large. I am guessing they are 20 inches in diameter. The tire tread does not look very aggressive. The ZR2 off-road model is likely to have 18-inch wheels and more aggressive all-terrain tires. This is why I am referring to it as a Silverado Trail Boss and not a ZR2.
NEW TRUCK’S SIZE?
It appears that these upcoming new T1/T2 generation trucks will be about the same size as they are now. This makes a lot of sense since the current GM trucks already have some of the longest wheelbases in the segment and the most volumous pickup beds. The current Chevy Silverado 1500 crew cab has a 147 inch wheelbase. This is about an inch longer than the F-150 crew cab wheelbase. These pickup trucks are already very big. They don’t need to be any bigger.
The bed length or size is also unlikely to change because manufacturers usually to keep these the same for several decades so that accessories you bought for your 2019 Silverado or Sierra will transfer and fit the new trucks as well.
NEW TRUCK’S POWERTRAINS?
We expect a significant change for the 2027 GM full-size truck engine lineup.
- 2.7L TurboMax I4 engine should remain and get a power increase from 310 hp to around 350 hp.
- 3.0L Duramax I6 turbo-diesel engine is likely to remain with 305 hp.
- 5.7L V8 replaces the existing 5.3L V8
- 6.6L (or 6.7L) V8 replaces the existing 6.2L V8
All of these engines are expected to be backed up by GM’s latest 10-speed automatic transmission.
What about a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid powertrain option? Our friends at GMAuthority.com say that new PHEV (plug-in hybrid) GM truck power system is coming. Details of this powertrain are unclear. GM Authority says it’s possible that this gas/electric powertrain could use a 2.7L I4, a yet unnamed V6, or a V8 power plant as its basis. If this plug-in full-size truck is coming, we are guessing it will not be in the initial 2027 model year lineup. It will likely be a later introduction.
This prototype truck has a dual exhaust system with a double outlet tip on each side of the rear bumper. I watched it accelerate in order to pass some traffic. It’s pretty quick. I could not hear this truck’s engine, but there was absolutely no indication that it had a gas/electric hybrid system under the hood. This one was likely powered by a V8 engine.
NEW TRUCK’S SUSPENSION?
After observing this prototype for nearly two hours (driving from Flagstaff to Phoenix), we can only assume that the suspension retains the same geometry and setup as before. It’s a solid rear axle with leaf springs and shock mounts that hang down near the middle. The front still offers an independent suspension setup. The top of the line off-road models such as the ZR2 and the AT4X may get Multimatic’s more advanced adjustable spool-valve dampers. These would be similar to those that we saw on the Silverado EV ZR2 off-road racing concept truck last year.
NEW TRUCK’S CAPABILITY?
We expect the new 2027 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 trucks to have approximately the same payload and towing ratings as the current truck lineup. No significant changes or updates here.
Thank you for joining me for this update. We will publish a full length video about this prototype at a later date.
