We already knew the upcoming Chevy Silverado EV would be based on the GMC Hummer EV platform. So, it makes sense we’ll see some of the features and functions from the Hummer trickle over to the Silverado EV.
Chevrolet revealed one such feature this week: four-wheel steer. Dubbed “Crabwalk” in the Hummer, we don’t have a special catchy name for it in the Chevy truck, but it’ll have the same functionality.
This feature will enable the vehicle to steer all four wheels, which in turn tighter turning circles at low speeds as well as better trailering dynamics. When Hummer debuted this feature, it showed the vehicle driving diagonally around some off-road vehicles. Yet Chevrolet’s teaser shows the Silverado EV making tight corners in a parking garage.
That alone might speak to the intended customer of both vehicles: adventure-ready versus urban worker.
Other than the four-wheel steer, the only other new information we glean from this brief tease is in addition to the available four-wheel-steer feature, the Silverado will also have available 24-inch wheels. Currently, 17-inch wheels are standard on the base Silverado with 22s being available on the top-tier trims.
So, if the Silverado EV is getting four-wheel steer, are there other features we might expect to carry over? While it’s unlikely we’ll see those 1,000-horsepower numbers transfer over, I think we’ll see variations of the “Extract Mode” air suspension, 800-volt fast charging capability, Super Cruise and the adaptive ride control.
We also expect Chevrolet to fall in line with the current trend of drawing out teasers over months, Toyota Tundra style. So be prepared for an intermittent drip of tidbits.
We still don’t know much about this vehicle other than it’s coming. I’m sure the whole semiconductor shortage is putting a damper on reveal plans, but with the Hummer EV on the distant horizon and the Ford F-150 Lightning on the nearer horizon, Chevrolet has to step up to the plate soon.
Chevrolet might also be playing the wait-and-see game, watching Ford’s features and launch to see if they can build upon what will be offered by the F-150 Lighting. Because one upmanship. So, all we can do is, well, wait and see.
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