HSV readying supercharged Silverado 1500

HSV might be preparing to reinvent itself as GMSV, but it’s also preparing a supercharged version of its new Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

Sources close to the former Holden hot-shop tell carsales the blown Silverado 1500 is about to be revealed, and we expect it to deliver around 500kW of power and 850Nm of torque.

Both those numbers represent a significant upgrade from the 313kW/624Nm outputs of the naturally-aspirated 6.2-litre V8 that powers the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ the sole version available now (pictured).

Chevrolet doesn’t offer the latest Silverado 1500 with a supercharged V8 in North America, where the 6.2-litre L87 ‘EcoTec3’ is claimed to deliver class-leading performance.

Therefore HSV is likely to have developed its own supercharged engine using Walkinshaw Performance parts like those it still offers owners of 6.0- and 6.2-litre Holden Commodores and HSV models.

GM’s Gen IV 6.2 LS3 – the last naturally-aspirated V8 sold by Holden and HSV – is a different engine to the Gen V 6.2 L87 that debuted in the fourth-generation Silverado in 2019.

Matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission, it’s based around a new block and incorporates new tech like direct-injection and cylinder shut-down.

But as the latest in a long line of small-block pushrod V8s from GM, the L87 is a willing recipient of many of the performance upgrades offered over many years by HSV’s sister company for the LS3.

Take for example the W497 package – WP’s entry-level forced-induction kit for LS3 cars – which adds an Eaton Twin Vortices 2300 Series supercharger and, along with bigger injectors and a full WP exhaust, intake and ECU tune, slams down a claimed 497kW and 855Nm.

Then there’s the W547 kit, which adds a lumpier camshaft and, as the name suggests, pumps out an even healthier 547kW/880Nm.

Whatever state of tune HSV has decided to apply to the Silverado 1500, it’s likely to be offered in a single, well-specified model that won’t be cheap; given the standard LTZ is priced at $113,990 plus on-road costs, don’t expect much change from $150K.

But the blown Chevy Silverado 1500 will come with a three-year/100,000km warranty and probably a host of unique design an equipment upgrades, likely including many already available as options.

Apart from a cat-back exhaust system and towing mirrors, Walkinshaw Performance will soon offer a suspension lift kit for the Silverado 1500 – in addition to the range of genuine accessories already available from HSV.

These include wheels up to 22-inch, folding hard tonneau covers, black rear sports bar, four-inch round side steps, tubular front nudge bar and a range of black badging and storage options.

Stand by for more details.