General Motors (GM) has unveiled its next-generation Chevrolet Silverado pickup, which will come with more powerful new ‘Gen VI’ V8 engines and the “most off-road capable” ZR2 variant yet.
Expected to arrive in Australia in the second half of next year, the new Silverado 1500 will also bring a substantially updated platform, and fresh exterior and interior designs.
The Silverado is GM’s best-selling model globally, but remains a clear number two behind the Ford F-Series in the US. In Australia, it ranked behind the Ram 1500 in 2025, but ahead of the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra.
GM is yet to disclose power or torque outputs, but claims the new V8s make the 2027 Silverado the most powerful yet. That means they will produce more than the 313kW/624Nm output of the 6.2-litre petrol V8 that currently powers the Silverado 1500 lineup sold here.
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The existing lineup consists of the LTZ and ZR2 model grades, priced at $134,990 and $146,490 before on-road costs respectively.
GM announced 5.7-litre and 6.6-litre versions of the new V8, which will replace the previous ‘L84’ 5.3-litre (not sold here) and ‘L87’ 6.2-litre engines.
They are closely related to the new 6.7-litre LS6 V8 recently confirmed for the C9 Corvette Stingray from 2027.
General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV), which distributes Chevrolet vehicles in Australia, has not said if or when the new Silverado will arrive in local showrooms, nor has it confirmed the larger engine for the Corvette.
The Silverado 1500 remains the only V8-powered full-size pickup officially available in Australia, with Ford and Toyota offering only V6 petrol engines and Ram Trucks Australia having dropped the Hemi V8 from its local range in favour of a new ‘Hurricane’ inline petrol six.
In addition to its new V8s, the Silverado 1500 will also be offered in the US with a carryover 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel.
There is no word on a hybrid variant or a replacement for the battery-electric Silverado introduced in 2023 but not sold here, with GM reportedly delaying its next generation of electric pickups.
Updates to the even larger Silverado HD are expected to be announced separately, with nothing officially confirmed yet by GM.
Seven Silverado 1500 model grades have been announced for 2027.
The current Australian lineup includes the luxury-focused LTZ, which previously sat below the High Country trim not sold here, but it will not continue as part of the new lineup.
This may see GMSV introduce the 2027 High Country in Australia and New Zealand instead, although nothing has been confirmed.
The other model grade offered here, the ZR2, continues as the off-road flagship for 2027.
Styling updates include redesigned LED headlights and tail-lights, chunkier wheel-arch extensions, and a larger black appliqué on the tailgate, with grille and trim changes helping to distinguish the model grades.
This includes a dedicated off-road bonnet for the ZR2, featuring an enhanced power dome.
The ZR2 also comes with 35-inch mud-terrain tyres, a 2.0-inch suspension lift, Multimatic DSSV dampers with jounce dampers, as well as electronically locking front and rear differentials.
A ZR2 Bison Edition, developed with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), adds its own front and rear bumpers, 18-inch bead-lock wheels, and added underbody protection for the transfer case, rear differential and petrol tank.
The ZR2’s lift kit will also be offered on Trail Boss and Custom Trail Boss grades, but not on the Work Truck, Custom, Silverado (formerly LT) and High Country variants.
High Country vehicles ride on 22-inch machine-faced alloy wheels and feature “more polished details”, including a unique Tritan Satin grille and trim-specific lighting signatures.
There are noticeable changes in the cabin, where a new 16.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard across the range, up from 13.4 inches, alongside a 12.2-inch digital instrument cluster.
The new ZR2 also gains an 11.5-inch passenger touchscreen, driver’s head-up display and digital rear-view mirror, which GM says provides “over 60 degrees of digital displays”.
A new Multi-Flex centre console features dual wireless phone chargers and a configurable layout offering various storage options.
The ZR2’s console includes forged carbon-fibre trim, also used on the doors, along with Torch Red seatbelt accents.
The High Country cabin includes a panoramic sunroof extending to the second row, the choice of light and dark interior themes, as well as details such as tan-edged seatbelts and optional suede trim.
Further details of the 2027 Silverado 1500 are expected to be announced closer to the start of production in the US later this year.
The large pickup segment has grown 7.2 per cent in Australia over the first five months of 2026.
The F-150 currently leads after its first significant update , with only 104 sales separating the Ram 1500 and Silverado 1500 year-to-date.