Chevrolet truck fans have had to look upon the Ford F-150 Raptor and despair. GM may be beating Ford in overall truck sales, but the company has no answer for the Blue Oval’s Trophy Truck-esque pickup. PaxPower’s Silverado Jackal is the closest thing until the Chevrolet Silverado ZRX officially debuts. Although, if recent spy shots obtained by Motor1 and GM Authority are anything to go by, that day is drawing near.

Chevrolet Silverado ZRX Details Until Now

Unlike the F-150 Raptor, which skews more towards the desert racing scene, the Silverado ZRX will supposedly focus more on rock-crawling and trail-driving. It will almost certainly feature Multimatic DSSV dampers, as well as rear and front electronic locking differentials. Improved approach and departure angles will also likely be introduced. As such, GM may be targeting trucks like the Jeep Gladiator or Ram Rebel TRX, rather than the Raptor.

Speaking of the Rebel TRX, Chevrolet did not officially specify which engines it would put in the Silverado ZRX. GM’s most powerful 6.2-liter V8 makes 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, which puts it at a disadvantage compared to the Raptor’s 450-hp, 510 lb-ft twin-turbo V6. Not to mention the Rebel TRX’s supercharged Hellcat engine, which could develop anywhere from 575-707 hp.

However, Chevrolet could also offer its 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder. If it did, that would make the Silverado ZRX one of the few diesel off-road full-size pickups on sale in North America. Ford’s only diesel Raptor is the mid-size Ranger Raptor, which isn’t sold here. The Jeep Gladiator may get a diesel soon, but it’s also mid-size. The closest full-size competitor is the Ram Rebel, which now offers a diesel option. However, the Rebel is more like the Silverado Trail Boss: a mildly more off-road-capable trim.

Chevrolet Silverado ZRX Spy Photo Analysis

The most obvious change in this ZRX mule is at the front bumper. It’s significantly shorter than stock, and there’s a skid plate attached instead of the lower fascia. Shortening the bumper allows GM to increase the approach angle, while the skid plate protects important components. In addition, there appears to be a tow bar attached as well, complete with red tow hooks.

The Silverado photographed appears to ride higher than stock. Based on the badging on the tailgate and sides, it looks to be an LT Trail Boss. But, Motor1 states that this particular Silverado appears to ride on the Rancho dampers from the Z71 Off-road package. Most likely, Chevrolet modified a Silverado Z71 for development purposes and added the badging as a disguise.

As of this writing, GM has not commented on the photographs. GM Authority, reporting on their own photos, claims the development driver sped away from the photographers significantly faster than previous ones. The site mused that this truck may be very early development, and GM did not want anyone to see it.