DETROIT — General Motors' new military defense unit may produce the most rugged and capable Chevrolet Silverado ever.
GM Defense LLC recently posted a video rendering on its website of the "Chevrolet Silverado ZH2," which appears to be a heavy-duty version of the pickup powered by a next-generation fuel cell power system and advanced lithium ion battery.
The vehicle, according to the video, has more than 400 miles of range and "race proven multimatic dynamic suspension" for traversing desert hills and snowy and rocky landscapes. The truck features a design similar to a teaser photo of GM's next-generation heavy-duty pickups, which are expected to debut next year.
A company spokeswoman declined to provide specific details on the vehicle aside from calling it a "concept" and saying the company does "not comment on future product."
The video, according to GM Defense, was first shown last month at the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting & Exposition along with a chassis of the truck.
The formation of the GM Defense unit was announced last year as a part of the automaker's global product development, which is led by Mark Reuss, executive vice president of GM's global product group.
GM is believed to be using military applications to research and develop next-generation fuel cell technologies.
If produced, the Silverado ZH2 would be at least the second military-specific pickup. The first was the fuel cell-powered Chevrolet Colorado ZH2, which the U.S. Army started testing in April 2017.
GM has at least three other fuel cell initiatives for military use, including an auxiliary power unit for aircraft applications, an unmanned undersea vehicle and a multiuse platform called the Silent Utility Rover Universal Superstructure, or SURUS.
You can reach Michael Wayland at mwayland@crain.com -- Follow Michael on Twitter: @MikeWayland