It looks like the 2021 Ram Rebel TRX has woken everyone up. The Rebel TRX has garnered so much attention that the rivals have decided to take stock on where they stand in this niche. Now, it looks like GM has already started working towards building a Rebel TRX and F-150 Raptor killer.
According to TFLtruck, GM is allegedly working on a supercharged version of the 6.2-liter V-8 mill. This could be plonked under the hood of Chevy Silverado 1500’s off-road alter ego, the Silverado ZRX. This rumor is based on an anonymous tip received by the outlet, so we’d ask you to take it with a pinch of salt.
Camaro or Corvette-like Power In the Silverado ZRX
TFLtruck says it received an anonymous tip from a source that claims to have inside knowledge of GM’s powertrain development. The claim is that GM is working on the truck and SUV version of the 6.2-liter V-8 mill. The source did mention that the mill could be for the high-performance Tahoe or the Silverado 1500 ZRX. If true, at this point it is more likely that the mill will be for the 1500 ZRX.
There is no word on the power output, but the supercharged version of the same mill in the Camaro ZL1 and the Corvette C7 ZR1 churns out anywhere between 650 and 755 horses.
It’s A Three-Way War Already
More than the Rebel TRX, the Ford F-150 Raptor is at a risk. For the longest time, the truck hasn’t had fierce competition that threatened its very existence. The present F-150 Raptor features a 3.5-liter, V-6 EcoBoost engine under the hood that makes 450 horses and 510 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The truck is built using a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body that shaves 500 pounds as compared to the previous iteration. Other than this, it even comes with off-road equipment such as FOX Racing shocks, long-travel suspension, terrain-management system, 4.10 front axle with Torsen differential, and torque-on-demand transfer case, to name a few.
Will The F-150 Raptor Feature The Super Duty’s Godzilla Engine?
If you compare the engine specs, the F-150 Raptor is no match to the larger displaced, supercharged mills from Ram and GM. However, Ford has a strong mill in its arsenal as well that could trump its rivals in theory.
Currently, the 7.3-liter V-8 gasoline engine is present in the Super Duty trucks and develops 430 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. However, Whipple has developed a 3.0-liter, Gen V, twin-screw supercharger head unit for this big mill and this Stage 2 supercharger kit will help produce 700 ponies and 750 pound-feet of torque! Neither Ford nor Whipple has mentioned about its application, but who’s to say the F-150 Raptor won’t benefit from it?
Final Thoughts
GM already has a tried-and-tested 6.2-liter V-8 mill that it uses in multiple products in various iterations. A supercharged version of the same could be an absolute beast. The Rebel TRX’s production is starting later this year, and if Chevy is building this mill to counter that attack from Ram, then we should be hearing more about this soon. But, at this moment, this is just a rumor with no supporting evidence to back it. Nevertheless, it has gotten us excited and we hope it is true.
What are your thoughts on this rumor? Share them with us in the comments section below.