Chevy truck makes NZ debut

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 range for the 2023 model year has made its first appearance in New Zealand and can be seen at Fieldays until June 17.

GM Specialty Vehicles and its dealer partner Ebbett GMSV are hosting the vehicles at the annual event being held at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton.

It is the first time the model year 2023 LTZ Premium and new off-road oriented ZR2 have been available for viewing locally.

Poll Oosthuizen, dealer principal of Ebbett GMSV, says Fieldays is the ideal place to launch the latest Silverado line-up. 

He adds the vehicles are capable of towing up to 4.5 tonnes, have a large tray with a power up and down tailgate, “while the two-speed transfer case with push button controls, including 4WD low, can make getting from one side of a muddy, slippery paddock to the other a literal walk in the park”.

Features on the exterior of the models include a redesigned front-fascia and new daytime running lights.  

“The inside of the Silverado has also been fully redesigned and features a sweeping horizontal instrument panel that makes the cabin feel more spacious and gives it a premium feel,” notes Oosthuizen, pictured.

Highlights include a 13.4-inch colour touchscreen and a 12.3-inch configurable digital instrument cluster.

The LTZ Premium and the ZR2 feature the 6.2-litre EcoTech3 V8 engine, which offers 313kW of power and 624Nm of torque and is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Both models offer a suite of active and passive advanced safety technology and driver assistance features such as rear-cross traffic alert, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with traction control, and forward-collision alert with low-speed automatic emergency braking.

The Silverado LTZ Premium has a recommended retail price of $144,000 and the Silverado ZR2, pictured below, is available from $149,000.