Silverado Cheyenne concept turns truck into Camaro Z/28-inspired beast

GM may be pushing its 2014 Camaro Z/28 as the performance monster, but the company has decided there's no reason the Silverado truck shouldn't get a similar jolt, at least in concept form. The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado Cheyenne concept takes the regular cab puts it on a serious diet, switching out several of the regular parts for carbon fiber alternatives, in addition to swapping in a 6.2-liter V8 good for 420HP and 460 lb-ft of torque.

In fact, around 200 pounds in weight has been cut from the stock version with the 5.3-liter engine, though the Silverado is still a weighty model at over 4,000 pounds. The bumpers, tailgate, and inner cargo box get carbon fiber alternatives, while GM has cut the trailer hitch, spare wheel, interior center console, and even some of the sound insulation to help reduce heft.

Meanwhile, borrowed from the Camaro Z/28 are the Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, as well as its 19-inch aluminum wheels which are finished in charcoal. The driveshaft goes aluminum, also to save weight, while the rear suspension uses composite leaf springs.

Inside there's a flat-bottom wheel, Recaro sports seats, and front and rear park assist with a rear camera. The 6.2L EcoTec3 engine – which sadly won't be available as an option on the regular Silverado – gets a Borla exhaust system but keeps the production model's six-speed auto gearbox, electric power steering, and hill-start assist.

Unfortunately despite the curb appeal, GM has no plans to actually put the Cheyenne concept into production. Instead it will be shown off at the SEMA 2014 show this week, as an example of what GM can do by trimming fat from its production models to turn them into more focused performance machines.

"It is only a concept right now," Chris Perry, VP of marketing at Chevrolet, said of the new truck, "but we are continually exploring new ways to give Silverado customers more."

The 2014 Silverado hit showrooms this fall, priced from $24,585. It's available in single and double cab versions, with short, standard, or long boxes.