Hot and heavy

Just months after launching the 2500HD in Australia, HSV is expanding the Chevrolet Silverado with the addition of the heavy-duty 3500HD LTZ that will sit atop the five-variant full-sized pick-up range at $147,990 plus on-road costs.

The right-hand-drive conversion process will begin at HSV’S Clayton South production facility this month, with the single-variant 3500HD likely to appeal to those looking to haul particularly heavy cargo either in the load bed or behind the 3500HD in a trailer.

While the 3500HD employs the same powertrain as the 2500HD, its upgraded rear suspension with dual rear wheels increases its payload from 875-975kg in the 2500HD to a whopping 2200kg, while maximum braked towing capacity jumps from 5890kg to 9000kg with a tray-mounted pintle hitch.

Using a traditional tow ball, towing capacity is identical to the 2500HD – 3500kg with a 50mm ball and 4500kg with a 70mm ball.

Justifying its position atop the Silverado range, the 3500HD LTZ comes with a number of luxurious features including perforated leather bucket seats with front heating, ventilation, 10-way power adjustment and memory function, heated, tilt and reachadjustable leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable pedals, remote start, 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8.0-inch Mylink audio system.

Included in the touchscreen system is a seven-speaker Bose sound system, USB ports, auxiliary jack, Bluetooth functionality, voice control and Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility.

Exterior specification includes front foglights, recovery hooks, side steps, remote locking tailgate, tinted glass, 17-inch chrome alloy wheels, and chrome trim on the grille surround, bumpers, body side mouldings, door handles and exterior mirrors.

Safety kit extends to Chevy’s Stabilitrak stability control system with proactive roll avoidance, traction control, electronic trailer sway control, hill start assist, six airbags, front and Chevrolet rear parking sensors, reversing camera, forward collision alert and lane departure warning.

Parking aids are particularly useful for the hulking pick-up that measures 6564mm long, 1975mm tall and 2438mm wide with a 4260mm wheelbase.

The 3500HD shares the same powertrain as the 2500HD, namely a 6.6litre turbo-diesel V8 outputting 332kw and a whopping 1234Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed Allison automatic transmission with an electric transfer case and heavy-duty locking rear differential.

A 136-litre fuel tank ensures fuel stops are not too frequent.

Stopping power for the 3710kg behemoth comes from four-wheel disc brakes, while the load bed sits 2483mm long with 1296mm of room between the wheelarches.

Two options are available for the 3500HD, including a spray-on bedliner, $1500, and prestige paint, $1100.

Along with the 3500HD announcement, HSV also released an alternative compliance option for the 2500HD, which raises the gross vehicle mass from 4491kg to 4600kg, increasing the payload of LTZ models from 875kg to 975kg, while the WT variant jumps from 975kg to 1085kg.

Increasing gross vehicle mass requires the 2500HD to be driven with a heavy vehicle driver’s licence.

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