Hold your hats folks. This “Concept Truck” will blow your cap right off your head and you can see it in person at this year’s 2021 SEMA Show.
Unveiled a day before the 2021 SEMA Show was set to kick-off, the Chevy Beast is a one-of-a-kind concept truck that showcases the extreme side of off-roading. It features a bevvy of production parts taken from the Chevrolet Performance Parts bin, including a 650-horsepower Supercharged 6.2L V8 engine.
The Beast is based on a short bed Silverado chassis that has been modified for off-road racing duty and includes a tubular safety cage system. A unique long travel suspension system with a five-link rear suspension was also adapted for the vehicle. Chevy says the independent rear suspension is a “concept” but we know better. This is probably a hint of what’s coming down the line for the Silverado someday soon. The Beast has a widened 91-inch track for more stability, too.
The Beast is powered by a Chevrolet Performance LT4 6.2L Supercharged crate engine producing 650-horsepower. That engine is mated to a 10L90 10-speed automatic transmission and routes that power through a two-speed transfer case.
Getting all of that power to the ground are 37-inch tall off-road tires mounted to 20-inch wheels equipped with a bead lock system. For good measure, Chevy has also thrown in its Brembo Big Brake upgrade kit.
Inside are four Recaro performance seats and a pair of 7-inch LCD screens that communicate vehicle data, including pitch and roll angles, to the driver.
“The Chevy Beast concept takes the popularity of high-performance off-road trucks to the next level,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance and Motorsports. “It’s a vision for a new dimension of Chevrolet Performance capability from a brand that’s been pioneering performance and supporting customer personalization for more than 50 years.”
“The Chevy Beast” Concept Truck – SEMA 2021 – Specifications
| Wheelbase | 126.87 inches |
| Overall length | 204 inches |
| Track | 91 inches (front and rear) |
| Maximum suspension travel | 12 inches (front) 15.5 inches (rear) |
| Ground clearance | 13.5 inches |
| Approach angle | 45 degrees |
| Departure angle | 46.5 degrees |
| Breakover angle | 35 degrees |
| Engine | LT4 6.2L V-8 supercharged (650 HP) |
| Transmission | 10L90 10-speed automatic |
| Driveline | 4WD (with 2-speed transfer case) |
| Front suspension | Concept upper and lower control arms and fully adjustable racing strut assemblies with remote reservoirs |
| Rear suspension | Concept 5-link with Panhard bar and fully adjustable racing shocks with remote reservoirs |
| Brakes | Four-wheel discs, with Chevrolet Performance Brembo® front brakes equipped with six-piston calipers |
| Wheels | 20 x 10-inch Raceline RTM260M Avenger True beadlock |
| Tires | 37 x 13.5-inch AMP Terrain Attack M/T |
Zane Merva is the Executive Editor of GM-Trucks.com and the President of the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA). A veteran automotive journalist with over 26 years of experience, Zane is a designated ‘Car Talk’ Expert and has been a contributor to The Boston Globe. He possesses a unique evaluative perspective, having road-tested more than 2,000 vehicles across every major manufacturer. While he is a recognized authority on General Motors truck platforms—including the Silverado, Sierra, and Colorado—his expertise is grounded in decades of deep competitive analysis that few in the industry can match. His commentary has been featured by major OEMs and media outlets, including Hyundai and PR Newswire