General Motors’ military effort seems to be kicking
into high gear as GM Defense has revealed some renderings and a CGI video of
the Chevrolet Silverado ZH2. ike the smaller Colorado ZH2, the Silverado ZH2 is a hydrogen-powered
military vehicle which has been designed for use in extreme conditions.
GM Defense didn’t divulge lots of info, but a
promotional video does reveal some preliminary specifications. The full-size
pickup truck has a heavy duty frame and a multimatic dynamic suspension which
is similar to the one used on the Colorado ZR2.
Power is provided by a next-generation fuel cell
which is fed by three 700 bar hydrogen fuel tanks. It generates electricity for
the truck’s lithium-ion battery pack and electric powertrain and promises to
give the truck a range in excess of 643 km.
While the company didn’t say much else about the
Silverado ZH2, GM Defense’s website says they intend to offer light tactical
vehicles “derived from GM’s light and heavy-duty manufacturing experience.” The
company went on to say these models are designed to be multi-purpose scout
vehicles which can be used by special forces.
It’s natural to assume the truck is based on the
2019 Silverado, but it appears the pickup has more in common with the 2020
Silverado HD. As the company’s timeline noted, the Silverado ZH2 rides on the
“first heavy duty truck architecture capable of supporting the next generation
of vehicle requirements for higher payload, flexible configuration, longer
range, and faster re-fueling times with more compact and capable propulsion
system.” There’s no word on when we’ll actually see the Silverado ZH2 in the
flesh, but Chevrolet has already confirmed the next-generation Silverado HD
will be unveiled in 2019.
