Photo: Walkingshaw Performance
The only reason the Chevrolet Silverado isn't having the time of its life is that it happens to share the market with a certain Ford F-150, the pickup truck that managed to outsell every other vehicle out there for the past few years.
Other than that, the Silverado 1500 has never been in a better situation. The truck arguably looks its best yet with an aggressive front end that makes the most of the layered headlight trend but also manages to look original and modern. Most of all, though, it is aggressive, particularly compared to Ford's design.
The GM product also trumps the country's bestseller when it comes to power, albeit at the cost of a much larger engine block. The Silverado 1500 can be had with a 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft (623 Nm) of torque, whereas its Ford counterpart only gets a 5.0-liter unit with 395 hp and 400 lb-ft (542 Nm).
Well, "best-in-class V8 horsepower and torque", as GM puts it, might still not be enough for some, which is where tuning companies come in. One of them, called Walkinshaw Performance, has just released a clip on its Instagram page teasing an engine upgrade for Chevy's truck, though sadly that's pretty much the whole extent of information available at this time.
However, the very distinct whine we can hear in the clip tells us a supercharger is involved, which means we can expect a significant power boost compared to the stock 420 hp. In fact, there's been talk of a supercharged Silverado for quite a while down in Australia, where Walkinshaw Performance has been working together with Holden under the HSV - Holden Special Vehicles - name.
Reports claim a power output of 500 kW (680 hp) and an unspecified amount of torque, which would complement nicely Walkinshaw's already existing packages for the American truck. The company offers two packages consisting of relatively minor upgrades, from different wheels (18" or 20") and tires to better brakes (something that would go well with the extra power), 2" suspension lift kits, or a sports exhaust system.
Walkinshaw remains quiet about the release date of its new product - or the nature of it, for that matter - so we'll just have to play the waiting game. However, if the power figures are confirmed, they would make the Silverado 1500 the most powerful truck on Australian roads and one of the most powerful in the world as well.
The GM product also trumps the country's bestseller when it comes to power, albeit at the cost of a much larger engine block. The Silverado 1500 can be had with a 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft (623 Nm) of torque, whereas its Ford counterpart only gets a 5.0-liter unit with 395 hp and 400 lb-ft (542 Nm).
Well, "best-in-class V8 horsepower and torque", as GM puts it, might still not be enough for some, which is where tuning companies come in. One of them, called Walkinshaw Performance, has just released a clip on its Instagram page teasing an engine upgrade for Chevy's truck, though sadly that's pretty much the whole extent of information available at this time.
However, the very distinct whine we can hear in the clip tells us a supercharger is involved, which means we can expect a significant power boost compared to the stock 420 hp. In fact, there's been talk of a supercharged Silverado for quite a while down in Australia, where Walkinshaw Performance has been working together with Holden under the HSV - Holden Special Vehicles - name.
Reports claim a power output of 500 kW (680 hp) and an unspecified amount of torque, which would complement nicely Walkinshaw's already existing packages for the American truck. The company offers two packages consisting of relatively minor upgrades, from different wheels (18" or 20") and tires to better brakes (something that would go well with the extra power), 2" suspension lift kits, or a sports exhaust system.
Walkinshaw remains quiet about the release date of its new product - or the nature of it, for that matter - so we'll just have to play the waiting game. However, if the power figures are confirmed, they would make the Silverado 1500 the most powerful truck on Australian roads and one of the most powerful in the world as well.
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