FOR RELEASE: October 25, 2000 CONTACT: Chevrolet Communications PHONE: 1-800-CHEVY MI or 313-667-9317
FOX RACING SILVERADO CONCEPT - MADE FOR MOTOCROSS
LAS VEGAS - Earlier this year, Chevrolet stepped up its commitment to motorcycling when it asked members of Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki Supercross team and Fox Racing to help design a truck that would put even more style and function into the Silverado pickup truck. The result is the Fox Racing Silverado Concept, introduced at this year's SEMA show. "Motocross and Supercross are at the core of extreme sports and the crossover interest between roadracing, mountain biking and BMX is incredibly strong," said John C. Farris Jr., Silverado assistant brand manager-marketing.
"We wanted to create a concept truck that reflects the functional needs and style preferences of these enthusiasts," added Clay Dean, director of the Chevy Truck Brand Character Studio. The Fox Racing Silverado taps into the design expertise of Morgan Hill, Calif.-based Fox Racing. "Fox Racing's strong brand image and rich, Motocross-based heritage really helped us elevate the co-branding concept to a new level of relevance and practicality for dirt bike, motorcycle, ATV and mountain bike enthusiasts," Farris said.
Defined by both its functionality and its "cool factor," the new Silverado concept validates Chevy Trucks' comprehension of how enthusiasts of these pastimes really use their trucks. Perhaps the features with the most apparent benefits to motorcycle riders are the two integrated pullout ramps that facilitate loading and unloading up to two motorcycles or an ATV. The ramps are conveniently located under a false bed floor, so they remain out of sight when not in use. To better accommodate the two motorcycles within the short-box truck, Fox Racing Silverado features a custom tailgate that is specifically designed for this use. This unique design allows two full-size dirt bikes to fit in the bed with the gate closed. The Fox Silverado also features a unique access door on the passenger side, so riders can access items at the front of the bed easily.
When adjustments on the bikes or ATVs are necessary, the Fox Silverado provides tool storage in the right-hand and left-hand box side walls. An Auragen generator kicks out 5000 watts to power electric tools or other equipment.
Getting to that favorite riding area or racetrack is a kick in the Fox Silverado. It's powered by a 6.0-liter VORTEC V8 engine with a Whipple supercharger that produces 429 horsepower and 530 lb-ft of torque. Power is transferred to all four wheels via a HD four-speed automatic transmission. Gibson stainless steel exhaust headers, a custom-bent three-inch stainless dual exhaust system by Quality Muffler, custom-made four-inch exhaust tips and Flowmaster mufflers accentuate the performance.
The Fox Silverado also features 35-inch diameter BF Goodrich tires mounted on 17"x 8" Mickey Thompson classic alloy wheels. Silverado's excellent brakes are also tricked out with drilled, four-wheel disc brake rotors with polished calipers, and Trailmaster off-road shocks smooth out the ride when the vehicle is off-pavement.
Inside, the truck is designed to transport four passengers in complete comfort. The four-door crew cab Fox Silverado is equipped with four bucket seats. Since Motocross always involves dirt, the floor and seat materials of this vehicle can be easily cleaned with a garden hose. The graphite-colored, high-tech material is also included on the door panels. Assisting the driver to his or her destination is an in-dash mounted Delphi GPS unit, and in the event that additional assistance is required, the OnStar controls are integrated into the rear-view mirror. Additionally, two center consoles (front and rear) provide plenty of storage, while dual sunroofs create an open-air riding experience for all passengers.
Outside, the custom front fascia, grille and grille bar accentuate the Fox Silverado's rugged off-road capability, as do the front tow hooks and integrated driving lamps. The electrochromic rear-view Gentex mirrors automatically dim when a vehicle approaches from the rear. This creates less eye strain for the driver during nighttime driving situations. The Gentext mirrors also feature integrated turn-signal indicators, alerting other drivers of lane changes or turns. Argentanium paint with dark argentanium trim and Fox logos complete the exterior appearance. Last February, Farris invited the entire Chevy Trucks Kawasaki Team to Detroit to participate in a brainstorming session with the Chevy Truck Design folks. "We spent the better of a day with the team, getting ideas and input on what it would take to design the ultimate motorcycle truck," said Dean. Kawasaki's Ricky Carmichael, a four-time National Motocross Champion and a Fox Racing-sponsored rider had some great insights into what would work good and look good on the truck.
"Pickup trucks play such a big role in the lives of motorcycle and ATV enthusiasts," Farris said, "and the deeper Chevy got involved with the sport, and the more we understood how key our trucks were to the enjoyment of the activity, we knew we could make it even better."