The next-generation Silverado 1500, which is expected to go into production in the last quarter of this year, is now in the final stages of development, and prototypes have now ditched the bulky vinyl camouflage in favor of a more revealing body-hugging wrap. We already brought you spy photos of the 2027 Silverado High Country in body-hugging camouflage in February, followed by the 2027 Silverado LT or RST. Now, we have another prototype to show you, which we believe is the 2027 Silverado Z71.
Once on a hauling trailer, this tester looked identical to the aforementioned LT or RST models, right down to the camouflage-painted 20-inch wheels, with one major exception: this one was equipped with Goodyear Wrangler Trail Runner AT tires. For comparison, the LT/RST tester – which is carried right at the front of the trailer – uses General Grabber HTS rubber.
The same Goodyear Wrangler used today on many Silverado half-ton vehicles equipped with the Z71 Off-Road package, including the LT, RST, and LTZ. Therefore, it can be assumed that the prototype with Wrangler tires is the 2027 Silverado Z71.
Potential 2027 Silverado Z71 with Goodyear Wrangler Trail Runner AT
2027 Silverado LT or RST with General Grabber HTS
As a reminder, the Z71 package is available on most Silverado 1500 trims on the current generation truck, and includes the following features:
- Z71 Off-Road Suspension
- Hill Descent Control
- Skid plate
- Heavy duty air filter
- AT or MT tires, depending on trim
As for the prototype in question, it is equipped with a set of headlights (which are placeholders) complemented by a grille with a prominent top bar followed by three horizontal slats with an X pattern between them.
The front fascia on this 2027 Silverado Z71 prototype features fog lights and a visible air dam, meaning this isn’t a Trail Boss or the more off-road capable ZR2. The center-mounted sensor is clearly visible at the lower end of the centerline, as is a set of horizontally oriented front tow hooks, finished in black (though you may need to enlarge the image). Note that this particular tester had some of the camouflage peeled from its lower fascia, revealing some of the ins and outs.
Moving to the side, we see rounded wheel arches and a set of fixed running boards that extend in length, aiding ingress and egress, both into the cab and into the bed from the side of the truck.
Note the updated rearview mirrors, which now have a new shape and mount, along with new, edgier DLOs on the rear doors, and a new cab-mounted spoiler, which likely blends into the truck’s antenna.
At the back, we see a new sliding rear window. It’s likely that these changes, when compared to the current truck, are designed to be more leak-proof than the current Silverado truck.
Most of the 2027 Silverado Z71 prototype’s taillights are camouflaged, but we already know that their shape will be very similar to the units seen on the Silverado EV. Between those taillights is a standard tailgate, although we wish the Multi-Flex tailgate remained an option.
The rear fascia features a set of dual exhaust tips, which are replacements on this 2027 Silverado Z71 tester. We fully expect a series of quad tips to be present and taken into account in this area.
It’s worth noting that this 2027 Silverado Z71 prototype closely resembles the line art graphics that appeared in a design patent at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) back in December.
USPTO design patent
As GM Authority first reported in 2024, the 2027 Chevy Silverado 1500 will launch this year with a new exterior and interior, plus improvements in technology, comfort and usability. The LTZ trim level will not return, as it will most likely be replaced by the Premier. Two new engines, replacing the 5.7L and 6.6L as part of GM’s Gen 6 Small Block architecture, will debut, while the baby Duramax turbo-diesel engine will remain, and the TurboMax will receive increased power and torque.
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