GM Defense Reveals Diesel-Electric Stealth Tactical Truck
General Motors doesn’t sell any hybrid trucks to the public right now, but the military gets all the cool stuff.
GM Defense has unveiled a “Next Gen” tactical truck that is making its debut at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., this week.
The pickup is based on the high performance production Silverado HD ZR2, but gets some significant updates.
Along with “add-on armor capable” body work that features a split front windshield, extreme off-road bumpers with equipment attachment points and bed side rails the truck runs on a unique powertrain.
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Instead of the V8 gas and diesel engines offered on the Silverado HD ZR2, the Next Gen truck gets a hybrid setup that combines GMs turbocharged 2.8-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with electric motors at each axle.
A GM Defense spokeswoman confirmed to American Cara And Racing that it is a series hybrid design, which means the truck is propelled by its electric motors and the diesel engine only works as a generator when the battery charge is depleted or needs to be preserved. This allows it to operate in a fully electric mode for stealthy operations over short distances and also provide plenty of onboard and exportable power for electronic equipment. It’s rated to run on military JP8 fuel.
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The truck can also be equipped with a 360-degree camera, four-point or five-point safety harnesses and comes standard with roll-over protection, stability control and anti-lock brakes. The Silverado HD ZR2’s headline feature is its suspension system, which uses Multimatic DSSV spool valve dampers that were developed for high-speed off-roading and are also featured on GM Defense’s smaller Coloradoi ZR2-based Infantry Squad Vehicle.
GM Defense will offer it in two-seat, four-seat an six-seat layouts and said that it can be fitted with fully autonomous driving systems as they are developed.
“Our Next Gen vehicle is a game-changing mobility solution that delivers tactically significant capabilities by integrating GM’s proven commercial technologies,” GM Defense president Steve duMont said in a news release.“This rugged and highly capable diesel-powered vehicle offers tactical advantages, such as Silent Operations, exportable power, and increased range with extended mission duration. Our warfighters deserve the latest technology that industry can offer in order to gain and maintain competitive advantage over our adversaries. Our Next Gen mobility solution can be customized and fielded now.”
Projected pricing was not announced, but the factory Silverado HD ZR2 starts at $72,595.
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