Latest news with #Mint400
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chevy tests Silverado EV off-road chops with ZR2 race truck concept
Chevrolet is testing the off-road chops of its electric Silverado full-size pickup — on the racetrack. The brand revealed the Silverado EV ZR2 off-road race truck concept ahead of the planned summer launch of the pickup's Trail Boss variant. It planned to compete with the ZR2 in the Mint 400 off-road race near Las Vegas. Developed in five months, the Silverado EV ZR2 concept uses about 98 percent GM production parts and shares elements with the gasoline Silverado ZR2 and Colorado ZR2, including a lifted front and rear suspension that is designed to go off-road, locking differentials, underbody skid protection and Multimatic dampers. It produces 1,100 hp and 11,500 pound-feet of torque from a tri-motor electric propulsion system. Sign up to get our afternoon video email. The video focuses on a new topic in the news each day. 'There is no better proving ground to test the limits of our vehicles than competitive racing,' Scott Bell, vice president of global Chevrolet, said in a statement. To that end, Chevy said engineers will study the Silverado EV ZR2's race performance and apply their findings toward future production vehicles, parts and accessories. While the Silverado EV ZR2 is a concept, Chevy is preparing to release a production off-road version of the electric pickup this summer. The Trail Boss will be sold with a factory-installed lift, 18-inch wheels and 35-inch all-terrain tires, and a Terrain Mode for better maneuvering. Have an opinion about this story? Tell us about it and we may publish it in print. Click here to submit a letter to the editor.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chevy's Silverado EV ZR2 blasts into off-road racing at Mint 400
Chevrolet is pushing electric technology to new extremes with its Silverado EV ZR2, an innovative off-road racing concept that's set to compete in the challenging Mint 400 desert race. This move marks an important step forward in proving the practicality and performance potential of electric trucks in demanding off-road conditions. The Silverado EV ZR2 joins Chevy's established off-road racing team, Hall Racing, led by veteran driver Chad Hall. Hall Racing, recognized for its successes with the Silverado ZR2 and Colorado ZR2, is helping Chevrolet test the performance and durability of electric propulsion under real-world racing the core of the Silverado EV ZR2's off-road capabilities are Multimatic adaptive spool valve (ASV) dampers. These advanced dampers precisely control suspension movements by adjusting fluid flow, significantly improving ride comfort, stability, and handling in challenging environments. With more than 13 inches of front and rear suspension travel, the Silverado EV ZR2 maintains excellent wheel articulation, critical for keeping tire contact with the ground over rugged terrain. It also rides on 37-inch BF Goodrich KM3 Mud-Terrain tires, designed specifically to handle rough surfaces with reinforced sidewalls and deep tread patterns for excellent traction. Powering the Silverado EV ZR2 is an advanced tri-motor electric setup delivering a remarkable 1,100 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque. The standard dual-motor Silverado EV, offers up 754 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque. Regardless, electric vehicle characteristic are particularly advantageous in off-road racing, where instant responsiveness and precise power control can determine competitive racing experiences have directly influenced Chevy's consumer trucks, leading to better suspension tuning, greater durability, and stronger protective components like skid plates. Chad Hall notes, "Working directly with Chevy engineers always results in real-world improvements." Hall Racing's remarkable track record, completing 53 out of 54 races since teaming up with Chevrolet in 2017, highlights the reliability and effectiveness of these racing-driven developments. As the Silverado EV ZR2 competes at the Mint 400, Chevrolet is simultaneously preparing the Silverado EV Trail Boss for off-road enthusiasts. This consumer-oriented truck will feature practical enhancements such as 18-inch wheels, durable 35-inch all-terrain tires, and a unique Terrain Mode designed to optimize handling and performance on various surfaces. More details on the Silverado EV Trail Boss are expected soon, reinforcing Chevrolet's commitment to bringing competition-tested technology to its consumer lineup. Love reading Autoblog? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get exclusive articles, insider insights, and the latest updates delivered right to your inbox. Click here to sign up now!
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chevy Silverado EV ZR2 Is Ready for Zero-Emission Desert Thrill Ride
Chevrolet is heading to the legendary Mint 400 desert race with the Silverado EV ZR2 race truck. According to Chevy, this special Silverado EV took five months to develop and uses 98% of production GM parts. The three-motor Silverado EV ZR2 will throw 1,100 hp at the 37-inch BF Goodrich KM3 tires. Chevrolet is taking its Silverado EV to Las Vegas to compete in the famed Mint 400 desert race. Joining Hall Racing's efforts, this Silverado EV ZR2 previews Chevy's off-road-centric Silverado EV Trail Boss that's scheduled to launch in '26. Chevy says this battery-electric Silverado is set to compete in the race's Open Production EV Class. Chevy says this Silverado EV ZR2 was developed in only five months and uses 98% of GM production parts. Of course, that doesn't mean 98% of those pieces were slated for the Silverado EV's assembly line. The three-motor, 1,100-hp powertrain, for example, seems to bear some resemblance to the 1,000-hp three-motor system underneath the GMC Hummer EV. As you'd expect from a desert race rig, the Silverado EV ZR2 sports a suspension lift, and a set of prototype Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve dampers help control the 37-inch BF Goodrich KM3 tires through 13 inches of suspension travel. This Silverado EV also sports some underbody protection and locking differentials. The Silverado EV ZR2 is part of Hall Racing's three Chevy lineup and will race alongside an internal-combustion-powered Silverado ZR2 and Colorado ZR2. While this is the only rig currently slated to run in the Open Production EV Class, there's no question that some of the research and development spent on this Mint 400 racer will eventually trickle back into the Silverado EV program. This team of Chevy trucks—and every other Mint 400 competitor—is diving into the desert on Saturday, March 8, when the green flags start dropping. Motorcycles are scheduled to kick off the event, but the Unlimited race is scheduled to start at 10:45 local time. If you want to watch some of the race, you can check out the YouTube live stream, here. While it's not wearing a ZR2 badge, the folks at Chevy are gearing up to launch a Silverado EV Trail Boss into the truck lineup in 2026. This rugged EV features a set of 18-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch all-terrain tires, a lifted suspension, and a set of red tow hooks. Do you think Chevy will build a production version of the Silverado EV ZR2? Tell us your thoughts below.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Does the Chevy Silverado EV ZR2 Concept Tease Off-Road EVs to Come?
With Mint 400 festivities starting to kick off over in Las Vegas ahead of this weekend's race, Chevrolet has just introduced the world to its latest entrant in the off-road madness. Known as the Chevrolet Silverado EV ZR2 Concept, this 1100-hp electric race truck promises to tackle the multi-day event with almost-entirely factory-sourced hardware under that slick livery. Chad Hall and Hall Racing will helm the concept truck's efforts during the event, continuing the long standing and successful partnership between Hall and Chevrolet. The truck itself is meant to act as a hype machine for the brand's upcoming Silverado EV Trail Boss model, which is set to arrive in showrooms this summer. That vehicle employs a factory lift kit, unique 18-inch wheels, and some 35-inch rubber. The concept takes those ideas and pushes them a bit further, with a prototype set of new Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve continuously adaptive dampers underneath. The setup provides this machine with more than 13 inches of wheel travel at either axle, helped along by massive 37-inch BF Goodrich KM3 Mud-Terrain tires. The truck also benefits from the tri-motor setup found in the GMC Hummer EV, which provides 1100 hp. Locking differentials at either end and additional underbody armor should help keep the truck on track during the multiple loops imvolvd in the Mint 400. 'There is no better proving ground to test the limits of our vehicles than competitive racing,' said Scott Bell, vice president of Chevrolet. 'The Silverado EV ZR2 race truck concept, which uses 98% GM production parts, showcases some of the best of Chevrolet to produce a beyond-capable pickup to tackle a challenging race of the Mint 400's magnitude.' While GM is keen to say this project is meant to promote the Trail Boss, we all know it's only a matter of time until we get a production electric ZR2. The nameplate might not carry the cultural cachet of the Raptor brand,but ZR2 models have established their own dedicated owner base. Given how capable GM's Hummer EVs have proven off-road, I don't think we need to worry much about the capability side of the equation. Customer interest may prove to be another story, however. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chevy Hypes Up the Silverado EV Trail Boss with 1100-HP ZR2 Race Truck
The ZR2 is a race truck that will run at the Mint 400, and it features an 1100-hp tri-motor powertrain. Other upgrades include 37-inch BFGoodrich tires, Multimatic spool-valve dampers, and locking differentials. Chevy is launching the Silverado EV Trail Boss this summer, which will bring off-road upgrades to the road-legal electric pickup truck. Electric pickup trucks haven't yet garnered the same interest as their gas-powered brethren. While Chevrolet Silverado EV sales got fully underway in 2024, the 7428 units sold were just a blip on the radar compared with the regular Silverado's 560,264 total sales. Still, Chevy hopes to spark more interest in its full-size electric truck with a new racing version, developing the Silverado EV ZR2 to compete in the Mint 400, an off-road race in Nevada that kicks off this week. Better yet, the race truck hints at a road-legal Trail Boss off-road trim coming later this year. The Silverado EV ZR2 was developed over just five months and features around 98 percent GM production parts. Compared with a normal Silverado EV, the ZR2 features beefier front and rear suspension parts specifically tuned for off-roading. The truck also has a substantial lift, with the taller ride height also resulting from its 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3 mud-terrain tires. Another crucial addition to the Silverado EV ZR2 is the exotic Multimatic semi-active spool-valve dampers. Described as prototype units, Chevy says they allow for more than 13 inches of front and rear wheel travel. The ZR2 race truck also features locking differentials and underbody skid plates to protect the vital components. Even more intriguing, Chevy says the race-ready ZR2 has a tri-motor electric powertrain that churns out 1100 horsepower. That's substantially more than the road-going Silverado EV RST, which maxes out at 754 ponies with its dual-motor setup. The race truck's powertrain is likely adapted from the tri-motor configuration found in the most potent version of the Hummer EV pickup, which shares its bones with the Silverado EV. Chevy claims the ZR2's powertrain produces 11,500 pound-feet of torque—matching the claimed output for the tri-motor Hummer—but we believe this is measured at the wheels in a similar way to the misleading number GM touted in its 2020 Super Bowl ad. Measuring torque in a more traditional way would likely result in an output of around 1000 to 1100 pound-feet of torque, still a mightily impressive figure. The Silverado EV ZR2 will race alongside the gas-powered Silverado ZR2 and Colorado ZR2 race trucks, with the trio being entered by Chad Hall Racing. The Silverado EV ZR2 will run as the only entry in the Open Production EV class. Chevy engineers will work closely with the race team, and Chevy says the learnings will be applied to production vehicles and performance accessories. The Silverado EV ZR2 also emerges as Chevrolet readies the 2026 Silverado EV Trail Boss for its launch this summer. Chevy first showed a Trail Boss version of the Silverado EV way back in 2022, but Silverado EV production took longer to ramp up than expected, and the Trail Boss seems to have fallen by the wayside as the brand worked to get other Silverado EV variants on the road. Now, Chevy is ready to introduce the off-road trim, which will receive a factory-installed lift, 18-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch all-terrain tires, red tow hooks, and a dedicated Terrain mode. The Trail Boss appears here in a red-orange hue, showing off its redesigned front bumper and model-specific wheels. Chevy says more details on the Silverado EV Trail Boss will arrive soon. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
