The locally-converted Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 will receive some significant equipment upgrades when Australian remanufacturing of the upgraded 2024 model begins early next year.
And both the MY24 ZR2 and LTZ versions of the full-size Silverado 1500 pick-up will come with a performance exhaust in Australia.
The off-road focussed Silverado ZR2 will add adaptive cruise control, a Bose premium sound system, 15-inch head-up display, a rear camera mirror and power adjustment for the steering column.
Some of these omission were noted during our ZR2 versus RAM TRX comparo earlier this year.
Director of local Chevrolet distributor GMSV (General Motors Specialty Vehicles) Greg Rowe announced the changes including the exhaust today.
“The MY24 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 will now be standard with an active performance exhaust system providing customers the flexibility of a ‘standard’ exhaust experience – or dialling up the limiter to hear that traditional V8 rumble,” said ,” he said.
First examples of the MY24 Silverados are expected to arrive in local dealerships by the end of the first quarter (March) of 2024. Price rises are probable over the LTZ’s current $128,000 and the ZR2’s $133,000 (plus on-road costs).
Confirmation of the Silverado upgrades came at the same time that GMSV announced Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray production timing for Australia and the 2025 arrival of the Yukon full-size SUV, which will be converted alongside the closely-related Silverado by the Walkinshaw Group in Melbourne.
It also marked three years since GMSV launched its first Silverado 1500 and the remanufacture of the 8000th example converted by Walkinshaw.
The November 15 ‘world-first’ announcement by GM Australia and New Zealand we reported yesterday is separate to today’s GMSV news. Right-hand drive Cadillac production – including the Lyriq electric SUV for Australia – is still expected to be confirmed next week.
Meanwhile, GMSV today also confirmed production of the locally-converted Silverado HD heavy-duty pick-up will start at Walkinshaw’s Dandenong facility this month, with first vehicles due in showrooms in December.