Numerous 2020 Chevy Cheyenne rumors have been circulating in recent times, which indicates something is actually cooking in GM’s kitchen. At this point, everything is just a big rumor and it looks like there are three possibilities for this nameplate in North America. The first option is to see something similar to the 2013 Silverado Cheyenne concept. The second one is to see the similar naming policy as in Mexico. Finally, there is a chance that this nameplate will be used for some hi-grade version.
First of all, let’s take a brief history of the Cheyenne nameplate.
2020 Chevy Cheyenne – Brief History
The first time we heard Cheyenne’s name was way back in the early 70s. The Silverado’s predecessor, Chevy C/K. The name was reserved for a special trim level, characterized by a unique list of standard equipment and a couple of exclusive styling details. That state remains pretty much until the early 2000s.
After that, we saw a concept version of the Cheyenne pickup truck with a pretty futuristic design. However, it remained in the form of a concept and has never entered serial production. Meanwhile, GM started to use this nameplate in Mexico. In this market, all models except for the base work truck model are called Cheyenne instead of Silverado. This state remained unchanged up to this date. Meanwhile, we saw a 2013 concept, called Silverado Cheyenne Concept, which was a performance version of the previous generation, which has never entered serial production either.
2020 Chevy Cheyenne Rumors
According to the 2020 Chevy Cheyenne rumors, there are three possibilities for the familiar nameplate. The first one is to see something similar to the most recent concept.
This would mean a hi-performance truck under this nameplate. Some reports even suggest the 2020 Chevy Cheyenne SS Truck name, though the fact is that GM doesn’t use this badge anymore.
In any case, this would be a hi-performance version of the popular truck. On- or off-road? It is hard to say at this point, though a street racer version seems more likely in our eyes. In any case, we count on a new engine. That probably won’t be the same 420-hp 6.2-liter V8 unit that powers standard Silverado models. That would probably be a supercharged version of the engine, similar to the one that powers Chevy Camaro, which delivers around 650 horsepower.
Besides plenty of power, we would see a lot of mechanical upgrades, as well as a full load of distinctive styling details and other features.
Could we see the same naming policy as in Mexico?
This is the second option for 2020 Chevy Cheyenne. As you may know, this nameplate is present in Mexico for quite a long time. In this market, only the most basic work truck version is called Silverado, while the higher trims are called Cheyenne. Moreover, this naming policy is used for both light and heavy-duty models.
Some reports were suggesting this dual naming policy for the next-generation Silverado. The new model has arrived last year and kept the naming policy unchanged, so we can now definitely say that this won’t happen.
Hi-Grade 2020 Chevy Cheyenne? Why Not
Finally, the third option, which seems most likely in our opinion, is to see 2020 Chevy Cheyenne back as the trim level. If this happens, the new name would probably be used for some of the hi-grade trim levels. The current model comes in several trims in the offer and the range-topping model is called High Country and comes with a full load of standard equipment. The list of standard equipment includes things like an 8-inch driver information display, a Bose premium stereo, navigation, front and rear parking sensors, front bucket seats, heated second-row seats, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a power-sliding rear window, ventilated front seats.
Given the list of standard equipment, the new Cheyenne would have to stand out in some other way, probably with a couple of distinctive styling details and exclusive interior details. Therefore, don’t be surprised by the 2020 Chevy Cheyenne price, which could be pretty high.
Most powerful engines only!
One of the interesting things about the new version of the truck is that no matter which of these options is going to happen, the most powerful engine option would be reserved for it. It will probably be a well-known 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Eventually, it could be a supercharged version with 650 horsepower, but that doesn’t sound very likely at this point.
2020 Chevy Cheyenne Release Date
No matter which of these three options happens, the 2020 Chevy Cheyenne release date shouldn’t be a surprise. The new version will come with the rest of the Silverado versions. Considering that this is going to be the second production year of the new generations, this means sometime late in the year.
Source: GM Authority