Chevrolet sits in the stands as rivals Ford and Ram hit the high-performance off-roader segment. The neutral approach to horsepower warfare creates a golden opportunity for aftermarket tuners, and Specialty Vehicle Engineer (SVE) seized it by creating a Silverado that can lock horns with Ram’s 1500 TRX.
Believed to bear the historic Yenko name, the truck will get a 6.2-liter V8 that is supercharged to 800 horsepower, a 380 horsepower increase over the output of the naturally aspirated eight. Ported cylinder heads, forged aluminum pistons, a turned steel crankshaft, improved injectors and a host of software tweaks helped SVE reach the 800 horsepower mark. It’s the same engine that powers the road-facing variant of SVE’s Yenko Silverado, but the similarities between the two trucks end there. One of them is for the job; the other is for the dunes.
Rather than lowering the suspension, SVE raised it by four inches before adding Fox shocks and a larger rear anti-roll bar. Nitto off-road tires wrapped around 20-inch wheels further enhance the Silverado’s off-road prowess, while Brembo six-piston calipers gripping 16.1-inch ventilated rotors bring the behemoth to a stop. Another way to look at it is that the discs are almost the same size as the steel wheels of the base Silverado (17 inch).
Each build starts out as a Custom model, one of the more affordable variants of the 2021 Silverado. SVE adds a series of decals, a redesigned grille, retractable running boards, a bonnet insert with louvers and a tailgate insert made of composite material. Buyers can also order a roll bar and additional lighting, among other things.
Enthusiasts looking to put Chevrolet’s indirect answer to the Ford F-150 Raptor and Hellcat-powered Ram 1500 TRX in their driveway (or, if appropriate, in their garage) can purchase the Yenko Silverado Off-Road direct from an authorized Chevrolet dealer. Better yet, the engine, supercharger and transmission are covered by a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty. But act quickly: only 50 units will be available for the 2021 model year. Pricing starts at $ 84,995, a figure excluding the donor truck, which will cost $ 45,155 before the destination once configured as SVE needs it. All told, the Yenko badge off-roader starts at around $ 130,000.