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2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 here in March

The high-tech Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck will arrive in Australia next month, as Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) prepares to take on the strong-selling Ram 1500.


HSV today confirmed the Silverado, which is converted to right-hand drive alongside the Chevrolet Camaro muscle car in Clayton, has been certified for Australia and New Zealand.

Only one model will be offered at launch: the 1500 LTZ Premium Edition. Although the LTZ is a mid-spec model in the USA, it promises to be one of the best-equipped utes in Australia.

 

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Along with autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, the Silverado will pack a powered sunroof, leather, heated and ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats, rear air vents, and a 15-inch colour head-up display – the last of which no other dual-cab ute or large American pickup offers locally.

Power comes from a 6.2-litre petrol V8 engine making 313kW and 624Nm, put to all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission.

That's up 22kW and 68Nm on the Ram 1500, although both utes have a claimed 4500kg braked-towing capacity with the right tow package attached.

 

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HSV will offer the 'Advanced Trailering Package' with a reversing camera view dedicated to hitching up a trailer, an integrated trailer brake controller, and 'trailer theft alert'.

A range of local add-ons will also be offered: a HSV-tuned suspension, performance air box, and a unique exhaust are listed among "a complete range of performance upgrades".

Pricing for the Silverado hasn't been confirmed, but CarAdvice understands it could start at close to $100,000 before on-road costs. That would put it on par with the strong-selling Ram 1500 V8 Laramie, the top-spec offering.

 

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The locally-converted Chevrolet Silverado will arrive on the back of heavy demand for the Ram 1500.

Ram sold 2800 examples last year, and has moved to around-the-clock production to meet demand. HSV's parent company, Walkinshaw, is also responsible for converting the Ram 1500 to right-hand drive.

HSV will sell the Silverado 1500 through its existing network of 65 dealers. However Holden's closure could see those showrooms rebranded to General Motors Specialty Vehicles and used to sell the Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, and Silverado.

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