SILVERADO
SS – THE CORVETTE OF TRUCKS
Source: GM Press Release
LAS
VEGAS—High-performance vehicles such as the Chevrolet Corvette are revered
for their awesome power and precision handling. Pickup trucks such as
Silverado, on the other hand, are admired for their ability to carry both
passengers and cargo efficiently and dependably on any road surface or
off-road. Combining the best aspects of both vehicles, Chevrolet introduces
the Silverado SS – The Corvette of Trucks – at this year’s SEMA show,
the latest iteration of the original SS show truck.
"The first
SS Silverado created an awareness and understanding of the performance
limits of a pickup—this SS takes it to the next level," said John C. Farris
Jr., Chevy Silverado assistant brand manager-marketing.
This four-passenger,
four-door pickup is powered by a 6.6-liter, overhead valve (OHV) aluminum
LS1 V8 engine that produces 480 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 475 lb-ft of
torque at 4800 rpm. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a short-throw,
six-speed, rear-mounted manual transmission – the same transmission found
in Corvette models. Helping to hit that unique Corvette exhaust note are
ceramic-coated, stainless steel, tubular, four-into-one headers with 1
¾-inch primaries and 3-inch collectors. Dual 3-inch exhaust system, dual
3-inch inlet and dual 3-inch outlet muffler and aluminum exhaust tips
complete the exhaust system.
Any performance
vehicle must also reward the driver with precise "ride on rails" handling,
and Silverado SS is no exception. It features four-wheel independent short-
and long-arm (SLA) suspension and adjustable front and rear air ride suspension
that allows the driver to vary the ride height to best suit the situation
– lower for highway cruising or higher for greater clearance. Power rack-and-pinion
steering ensures precise steering and four-wheel disc brakes featuring
14-inch rotors, six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers
in the rear provide sure, safe stops. Antilock brakes are also standard
on this vehicle.
Inside,
Silverado SS rewards driver and passengers with a number of features that
even make Corvette owners envious, beginning with the ability to share
SS performance and handling attributes with more passengers. Four bucket
seats with carbon fiber inserts create a comfortable and luxurious environment.
A blue electroluminescent instrument cluster lends a "floating" appearance
to the speedometer, tachometer, engine temperature and oil pressure gauges.
A new in-dash information screen, meanwhile, provides suspension and performance
information. Four-point, cam-lock safety harnesses enhance passenger safety
and a Corvette steering wheel with a custom logo reinforces the SS’s connection
to the American icon.
Seen from
the exterior, it’s clearly evident that the redder-than-red SS is no ordinary
Silverado; its performance cues are evident from any angle. Up front,
SS features a molded front fascia with integrated brake-cooling ducts,
a new front grille with integrated Chevy Bow Tie and projector beam headlamp
assemblies. The domed hood is made of a carbon fiber material and the
cowl has been raised 2.5 inches, creating a flowing appearance. The composite
front fenders with integrated wheel flares accentuate the performance
element of this vehicle and house the nickel-plated wheels (20" front,
22" rear) and custom Goodyear tires. Integrated rocker panels on the lower
bodyside further accent the Silverado SS’s "ready to pounce" appearance.
Also unique
to the Silverado SS is the integration of the cab and pickup box. Gone
is the normal space between those two body parts. The smooth molded one-piece
appearance is refined, dramatic, and an instant classic.
Silverado
SS Specifications
Configuration: Four-passenger, quad-door, ½-ton pickup truck
Front engine, rear wheel drive
133.0 in wheelbase
62.2 in front track, 62.0 in rear track
5000 lbs total weight - 2600 lbs front weight (52.0%) / 2400 lbs
rear weight (48.0%)
Drivetrain:
6.6l ohv aluminum LS1 V8 engine
Peak torque: 475 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
Peakpower: 480 hp @ 6000 rpm
Six-speed manual rear-mounted transmission
C5 rear axle assembly with limited slip differential
2 pc driveshaft with aluminum torque tube
Cast aluminum truck oil pan with custom oil pick-up and windage
tray
Chassis:
Four-wheel independent SLA suspension
Adjustable front and rear air ride suspension
Power rack and pinion steering
Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS
Body
/ interior:
Integral cab/box, all steel construction
Composite hood, front fascia, and rear fascia
Poppy red paint (Nippon)
2000 Silverado graphite, black, and carbon fiber leather interior
Cylinder
heads and valvetrain: Flow-enhanced CNC-ported aluminum LS1 cylinder heads
4.036" bore x .057" compressed-height cylinder head gaskets
OEM2.02" intake and 1.57" exhaust valves
Competition cams, roller follower camshaft with specific profile
0.532" max lift intake with 273 advertised duration
0.535" max lift exhaust with 277 advertised duration
1.7:1 roller rockers and roller cam followers
Competition cams, 7.325" push rods
Competition cams, 941 valve springs with .030" shims and titanium
retainers
Modified corvette C5-R rocker covers
Induction
system: Fabricated dual 4" inlet ducting
Dual 12"conical air filters
(K&N)
2000 Silverado 6.0l throttle body
New composite intake manifold with revised tuning
Exhaust
system: Fabricated, ceramic coated, stainless steel, tubular, four into
one headers with 1¾" primaries and 3" collectors(Wheel to Wheel)
Fabricated stainless steel dual 3" exhaust system
Rear
axle: 2000 C5 assembly
Limited-slip differential
3.42:1 ring & pinion ratio
Frame: Rear section shortened by 16.5" with a 10.5" reduction
in wheelbase
Redesigned and fabricated rear section for independent rear suspension
2000 C5 aluminum rear suspension cradle
Show
wheels/tires: Nickel-plated custom aluminum 20" x 9 ½" front
wheels and 22" x 11" rear wheels
P255/40R20 and P305/35R22 custom cut F1-GS tires(Goodyear)
Driving
wheels/tires: Billet 20" x 10" front wheels and 20" x 11"
rear wheels
P285/30ZR20 and P295/40ZR20 SP Sport 9000 tires(Dunlop)
Front
suspension: 2000 Silverado front suspension
2 ½" dropped front steering knuckles(Bell-Tech)
Shockwave shock absorbers with integrated air springs for air adjustable
ride height, 7" max lowered(Air-Ride Technologies)
Stabilizer bar, 36.5mm solid urethane bushings(Hotchkis
Racing)
Front wheel hubs modified for 5 x 4 ¾" bolt circle
Rear
suspension: 2000 C5 geometry
2000 C5 aluminum lower control arms and knuckles
Fabricated 4130 tubular steel upper control arms
Shockwave shock absorbers with integrated air springs for adjustable
ride height, 10" max lowered (Air-Ride Technologies)
Stabilizer bar, 26mm hollow urethane bushings (Hotchkis racing)
Brakes: Front disc : 14" x 1.25" rotor (Baer Racing),
six-piston fixed caliper (Alcon)
Rear disc : 14" x 1.25" rotor (Baer Racing), four-piston
fixed caliper (Alcon)
Interior
summary: 2000 C5 steering wheel with custom logo
Blue electroluminescent instrument cluster
New, in-dash information screen providing suspension and performance
information
Base pattern leather-covered bucket front seats with carbon fiber
inserts
Leather-covered bucket rear seats with carbon fiber inserts
Four-point cam-lock safety harnesses
Transmission tunnel raised 4" to locate shifter closer to driver
Fabricated short throw shifter (Wheel to Wheel)
New shifter trim bezel
New molded black carpeting front and rear
Exterior
summary Box shortened 8 inches at front and 4.5 inches at rear and
integrated into the back of the cab
C-pillar pie cut and extended back one inch at bottom
Fabricated outside lower rear window closeout and metal finishing
Carbon fiber skinned domed hood with cowl area raised 2.5"
Projector beam headlamp assemblies
L.E.D.. parking lamp assemblies
New, front grille with integral bow tie
Composite molded front fenders with integrated wheel flares
Composite body color front fascia with brake ducting
Integrated rocker panels and new surface on lower body side
New body color rear view mirrors
Cadillac DeVille rear door handles (no lock cylinders)
Composite rear wheel flare extensions
Composite tilt-up tonneau cover with C5 hood hinges and latches
L.E.D. tail lamp assemblies
Reversed and shaved tailgate handle
Composite rear fascia with integral exhaust and license plate cut
outs
LAS
VEGAS—High-performance vehicles such as the Chevrolet Corvette are revered
for their awesome power and precision handling. Pickup trucks such as
Silverado, on the other hand, are admired for their ability to carry both
passengers and cargo efficiently and dependably on any road surface or
off-road. Combining the best aspects of both vehicles, Chevrolet introduces
the Silverado SS – The Corvette of Trucks – at this year’s SEMA show,
the latest iteration of the original SS show truck.
