Chevrolet Reveals its Pimped Trucks for SEMA, Including New 2015 Tahoe and Suburban

Chevrolet has blown the covers off its concept trucks and SUVs on the eve of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Besides the high-performance Silverado Cheyenne concept, the GM brand has brought five other Silverado-based custom concepts, as well as two studies based on the Tahoe SUV and one based on the Suburban.

The 2015 Chevrolet Suburban Half-Pipe Concept targets winter sports’ fans and is equipped to haul adventurers and all their ski and snowboard gear to the slopes. The SUV is equipped with Chevrolet Accessories’ roof rack and crossbars to mount skis and other equipment along with Chevrolet Accessories 22-inch wheels and center caps for a more distinctive appearance. The interior features a Blu-ray-based rear-seat entertainment system and leather-trimmed seats.

The Tahoe Black concept is an aggressive take on the full-size SUV thanks to the lowered stance, all-black profile and a custom aero-style body package. The blacked-out exterior trim, Chevrolet Accessories 22-inch wheels custom-painted dark gray, tinted headlamps and tinted windows all around also contribute to the Tahoe’s sinister look. On the inside, the Tahoe is trimmed in black leather with Carbon Flash Metallic trim accents.

There's also the Tahoe Police concept that offers a preview of how the future police version of the new Tahoe could look like. The SUV includes the Tahoe 9C1 police package’s standard equipment, including a 5.3L V-8 engine rated at 355 horsepower, a six-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch steel wheels, police-specific suspension and auxiliary battery for emergency equipment.

The Brad Paisley Signature Silverado is a signature-edition concept dedicated to country music star Brad Paisley, who collaborated with Chevrolet designers on the truck. The custom Silverado features a custom paint job, high-performance accents, a lowered stance and an amped-up sound system. Paisley’s logo is featured on the paint scheme, while performance upgrades include a hood extractor vent, tailgate aero lip and Borla exhaust system. On the inside, there’s a rear-seat entertainment system and a Kicker subwoofer.

Another Silverado dedicated to a celebrity is the Tony Stewart Silverado concept. The NASCAR driver and team owner collaborated on the design of the custom truck, which features Smoke graphics that symbolize his racing spirit, a Dark Tarnished Silver color, tinted headlights and taillights as well as several Chevrolet Accessories components. These are a tonneau cover, four-inch chrome assist steps and 22-inch wheels with a custom finish. The headrests feature Stewart’s signature.

The Silverado Volunteer Firefighter concept is not new, as it was previewed in September. The concept shows how the new Silverado can be adapted for fire departments. The Silverado Double Cab equipped with the Z71 Off-Road suspension features a series of rescue equipment and offers room for personal gear such as a turnout coat and pants, firefighter helmet, air pack and gloves. Outfitting includes tools and safety equipment needed in a support vehicle.

Also revealed in September, the Silverado Black Ops concept includes features designed to offer support in an emergency – including custom-fabricated lower body armor and a lockable, bed-mounted Truck Vault storage unit. It holds a solar power pack, a pair of gas masks, gloves, military first aid kit, folding shovel and rope, among many others.

Chevrolet’s 2013 SEMA lineup also includes the Silverado HD Dually tow vehicle, which demonstrates the hauling capability of the all-new 2015 Silverado HD. The crew cab concept is shown in Chevrolet’s SEMA Show display hitched to a custom trailer holding a COPO Camaro race car and with a new COPO racing engine and transmission in the bed.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Chevrolet's High-Performance Silverado Cheyenne Concept is the Z/28 of Trucks

Another day, another Chevrolet concept for the SEMA Show. The Silverado Cheyenne study is a performance-oriented version of the 2014 Silverado regular cab that combines a 420hp 6.2-liter V8 engine with weight-saving measures to make the truck go faster.

The custom concept features a lowered ride height, a rear stabilizer bar and Brembo carbon ceramic brakes. The bumpers, tailgate and inner cargo box are made from carbon fiber, shaving approximately 200 pounds (91 kg) from the truck’s base curb weight of 4,503 pounds (2,042 kg) – corresponding to a 5.3L-equipped Silverado regular cab with a 6’6” box.

The front bumper includes race-inspired ground effects styling, as do the side sills, while at the rear the tailgate incorporates a spoiler. Another sporty add-on is the Camaro Z/28-inspired extractor vent on the hood.

The Silverado Cheyenne is also fitted with Brembo carbon ceramic brakes sourced from the Camaro Z/28, as well as charcoal-painted 19-inch Camaro Z/28 aluminum wheels and high-performance tires.

To make it as light as possible, Chevrolet removed the trailer hitch, spare tire, interior center console and some of the sound-deadening material. The truck also features a lightweight aluminum driveshaft and composite rear leaf springs.

The concept’s 6.2-liter V8 engine is rated at 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft (623 Nm) of torque – that’s 65 hp and 77 lb-ft (104 Nm) more than the production Silverado 5.3L V8. The unit is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with hill descent control.

On the inside, the Cheyenne brings Recaro sport seats and a flat-bottom steering wheel, similar to the steering wheel from the Camaro ZL1. Chevrolet says the Cheyenne is only a concept right now, “but we are continually exploring new ways to give Silverado customers more.” I’m sure many Silverado fans wouldn’t mind if Chevrolet produced it exactly like this.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Chevrolet Taking a Host of Customized Concepts to SEMA Show

Chevrolet plans to display a little bit of everything at this year's edition of the SEMA Show held in Las Vegas from November 5 to 8, and even though in this latest release there's no mention of the facelifted Camaro and the brand new Corvette, we're pretty certain that the bow tie brand will bring several customized samples of its halo sports cars to The Strip.

While we wait for GM to tell us what exactly it has in store for the two sports models, how about we see the rest of Chevrolet's SEMA Show offerings.

Today, Chevrolet shared preliminary information and photos on a range of tuned concept models based on the all-new Impala, the Sonic, the Spark EV, the Cruze Diesel, the revised Malibu, and the Silverado pickup truck.

GM said that some of the accessories and parts featured on the SEMA Show cars are available from Chevrolet dealers, while others are being evaluated for production.

For more details on the Chevy's SEMA Show range, check out the official release below.

[From GM Press Release]

Chevrolet Performance Sonic RS concept

This performance-oriented Sonic RS concept   draws on the legacy of Chevrolet’s high-performance vehicles yet reimagined for a new generation. It features engine performance, suspension/brakes and appearance upgrades developed by Chevrolet Performance engineers and designed to be installed by Chevrolet dealers.  

• A Stage Kit, cold-air induction and a high-flow exhaust system allow the 1.4L turbo engine to produce more power for a more exciting driving experience
  
• The engine enhancements are complemented by a track-tuned suspension system and higher-performance brake upgrade kit, featuring Wilwood front calipers
  
• The suspension kit lowers the ride height for a sportier stance
  
• Chevrolet Performance 18-inch, split-five-spoke wheels complement the lowered look with aggressive style
  
• Lemon Peel Yellow exterior with blue graphics; tinted headlamps and fog lamps; blue-accented window moldings and rear hatch trim
  
• Additional exterior accessories, including color-tinted grille trim, headlamp rings and mirror caps are available from Chevrolet dealers and complement custom graphics and other accents that can be easily duplicated by creative owners
  
• Re-trimmed seats in black leather, with Lark Yellow contrast stitching.

Ricky Carmichael All-Activity Sonic concept

The All-Activity Sonic concept returns for the 2013 SEMA Show – this time, it adds something the American Motorcycle Association champion, X-Games gold medalist and NASCAR racer Ricky Carmichael can truly appreciate: An all-new performance package with parts from Chevrolet Performance. Highlights include:

• Chevrolet Performance 1.4L Turbo Stage Kit with high-flow exhaust
  
• Chevrolet Performance cold-air induction
  
• Chevrolet Performance suspension kit with lowered ride height
  
• Chevrolet Performance brake package with Wilwood front calipers
  
• Chevrolet Performance 18-inch wheel-and-tire package featuring custom gloss black with green lip

The exterior is painted satin black that is pearlized with blue, along with custom graphics. The Sonic’s body is accented with a concept rear wing spoiler, smoked lamp housings, ground effects package and a unique grille. It also wears a THULE roof rack.

Inside, FOX Racing boardshort material is used on the seat inserts, which complements dark green and black leather instrument panel trim and door trim with lime green piping. A matching, green/black-trimmed flat-bottom steering wheel continues the theme. Additional interior features include an upgraded sound system, a Chevrolet Accessories pedal kit and a custom aluminum shift knob.

Personalization Sonic concept

Equipped with several performance enhancements, this Victory Red concept represents an undeniably fun take on Sonic – with a larger emphasis on personalization. Highlights include:

• Body-color door handles with chrome stripe
  
• Chrome liftgate and mirror cap trim
  
• Chevrolet Accessory exterior graphics package
  
• Chevrolet Accessory door sill plates and all-weather floor mats
  
• Chevrolet Accessory footwell lighting package and pedal covers
  
• Kicker^® 200-Watt DSP amp with 200-Watt powered subwoofer (also available with Chevrolet MyLink).

Some exterior details will be changed during the SEMA Show, giving the car a different appearance throughout the weeklong convention. It also features:

• Borla performance exhaust
  
• Chevrolet Performance suspension kit (with lowered ride height)
  
• Chevrolet Performance brake package with Wilwood front calipers
  
• Chevrolet Performance 18-inch wheel-and-tire package.

Spark EV Tech Performance concept

A pure-electric urban mini-car designed for fun driving, easy ownership and head-turning style, the Spark EV uses no gasoline, but its GM-built motor and drive unit deliver 400 lb-ft of instant torque – more than the classic 1969 Camaro SS muscle car with a 350 V-8 – for exhilarating acceleration. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds.

The Tech Performance concept builds on Spark EV’s performance with a unique power-delivery algorithm that enhances acceleration. Stronger axles support the greater power – helping transform this electric mini car into a mini-muscle car. Additional features:

• Custom exterior color and graphics, a unique backlit Chevrolet “bowtie” emblem in the grille and performance billet aluminum wheels
  
• Chevrolet Accessory sill plates, floor mats and pedal covers
  
• Body-color trim plates and green stitching on the shifter boot and steering wheel
  
• A military-style flip-up “activation switch” on the instrument panel adds a fun, high-performance-oriented touch of style to this plug-in performer
  
• Lightweight features that enhance performance

Urban Cool Impala concept

All-new for 2014, the Impala’s aggressive good looks contributed to a 64-percent rise in retail sales in September. The Urban Cool concept builds on  the Impala LTZ with custom-painted grille accents, Chevrolet Accessories concept ground effects and Chevrolet Accessories concept 20-inch wheels painted to match the grille accents.

A lowered stance further accents the sporty style while the LTZ’s high-intensity discharge headlamps and light-emitting diode, or LED, daytime running lamps lend a more sophisticated appearance. Inside, the trim is painted high-gloss piano black and anodized low-gloss black, contrasting with Sky Cool Gray leather-trimmed seats that also feature perforated leather inserts and orange stitching.

The Urban Cool concept rocks with the Impala’s available 11-speaker Bose^® Centerpoint^® Surround Sound System, which connects to the Chevrolet MyLink system via an eight-inch-diagonal color touch screen.

Malibu LTZ concept

With a raft of technology, comfort and refinement enhancements, as well as a new front-end design, the 2014 Malibu takes on one of the industry’s most competitive segments with greater roominess, greater efficiency and greater connectivity. The Malibu LTZ SEMA concept delivers greater style, too, with performance-style ground effects and Chevrolet Accessories 19-inch wheels with a Sterling Silver finish. A Borla exhaust system lends a throatier note to the 259-hp, 2.0L turbocharged engine. A concept Stage Kit and cold-air induction system support greater performance, too, from an engine that already delivers 295 lb-ft of torque, the most in its class.

Personalization Cruze Diesel concept

A distinctive ground effects package by 3dCarbon, as well as an updated front fascia and chin spoiler give this Cruze Diesel concept a fresh, athletic aesthetic that supports its 258 lb-ft of torque (350 Nm) – and 0-60 capability of 8.6 seconds. Inside, the sound system is upgraded with Kicker Audio components and an ambient lighting package has been added. With its 2.0L clean turbo-diesel engine, the Cruze Diesel offers EPA-estimated 46 mpg on the highway – better than any non-hybrid or gasoline-powered passenger car in America. It can travel 717 miles on a single tank, or about 10 hours of highway driving.

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Road Rage Texas Grandpa Confuses Bicyclists with NYC Motorcyclists

In an incident that eerily reminded us of the recent (tragic) events in New York City between a Range Rover driver and a group of motorcyclists, a 74-year old man in a Chevrolet Silverado from Montgomery County in Texas had a scuffle with a group of cyclists on Thursday evening.

One of the cyclists named Steve Schoger, told the Montgomery County Police Reporter (MCPR) that Sherman Ralph Clark drove by the riders and with a few cuss words, told them to get off his street before he pulled in front and abruptly slowed down to around 15mph (24km/h) at the same time that the riders were peddling close to 25mph (40km/h).

According to the bikers' versions of the story, that's when Clark started to veer left running one of the cyclists to the shoulder of the road, while another rider, attempted to go around the Silverado from the right. At the point, Clark allegedly slammed on his brakes causing cyclist Rick Sauvageau to crash into the back of the truck, fracturing his wrist in the process.

The incident did not stop there as the 74-year old driver stepped out of the car, at which point, one of the biker's started to record the event on his camera. Clark was holding a bat in his hands. When asked why, he said "To protect myself". The rider with the camera then asked him "What did we do?" to which Clark responded, "You were driving all over the damn road".

After the verbal altercation, Clark left running over one of the $5,000 bikes. The riders called the police, who then arrested Clark for "criminal mischief  $1,500 to $20,000 and for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon". The report said that Clark's "aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge may go to the Grand Jury".

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