Alright, so you’re a GM truck fan. But you also love what Ford and Ram are doing with their Baja-racing-inspired half-ton trucks that we know to be the F-150 Raptor and Ram TRX. Each of which feature forced induction, 35-inch tires, and suspension systems designed to control the forces between gravity, the earth, and three metric tons of weight about to land on it. And while the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 does aim to scratch that itch, its lack of a supercharger and smaller 33-inch tires make it feel a little outclassed on paper. So, what to do? Well, Michigan-based Blacklake Research & Development may have what you’re looking for. It’s called the XT-1, and seems to have all of the hardware necessary to hunt down any dinosaur-themed truck that crosses its path. Provided you can afford one, that is.
Image via Lingenfelter Performance Engineering## Blacklake XT-1: The Details
Blacklake has taken your standard-issue Chevrolet Silverado, and upgraded it to be one of the most posh pre-runner-inspired truck we’ve ever seen. On the outside we have custom-made fenders and bedsides made from a carbon-kevlar mix. The bumpers are steel reinforced composite, featuring shackle mounts. The hood extractor is of carbonized titanium, and the cab lights are integrated into the front grille for an OEM look.
This extensive bodywork is followed by an even more extensive suspension overhaul, which is loaded with proprietary hardware from Blacklake Research & Development, featuring:
Front:
- Blacklake-JRI 3-inch Double Adjustable Bypass Coilovers
- Blacklake-Lanternmark Hydraulic Jounce Shocks
- Blacklake Billet 7075 Lower Control Arms
- Blacklake Steel Upper Control Arms
- SPC Alignment High Angle Upper Ball Joint
- 11.8-inches of front travel
Rear:
- Blacklake 5-Link Rear Suspension System
- Blacklake Horizontal Watts Link
- Blacklake 4130 Tig Welded Trailing Arm
- Blacklake-JRI 3-inch Double Adjustable Bypass Coilovers
- Blacklake-Lanternmark Hydraulic Jounce Shocks
- 17.5-inches of rear travel
Image via Lingenfelter Performance Engineering.## The Supercharged Chevrolet Silverado GM Won’t Build
The Blacklake XT-1 has a Magnuson-Lingenfelter TVS2650 Supercharger affixed to the Silverado’s stock L87 6.2L V8 engine, bringing total output to 650 horsepower. Power is delivered to the wheels via a CCI Steel Driveshaft as well as Blacklake and G-Force Performance Engineering HD Halfshafts and a 3.73 rear with an electronic locking differential. Maintaining grip both on the road and off are Black Rhino 17″ Beadlock wheels with BFG 35″ KM3 Tires wrapped around them. Additionally, Blacklake and Borla made a stainless steel exhaust system for the XT-1.
The Blacklake XT-1 also piles on the accessories, including a Warn Zeon platinum 12S wireless remote winch, AMP Research power step running boards, Blacklake and SPOD 8-channel solid-state accessory control, and Rigid fog lights. In addition, a Blacklake crafted full aluminum skid plates for the bottom of the truck, and there is a Blacklake spare tire mount placed within the vehicle’s bed.
From a hardware perspective, the Blacklake XT-1 appears to have taken the line between a pre-runner trophy truck and your everyday Silverado, and smeared it into a sfumato of both vehicles, one that seeks off-road superiority beyond the Ram TRX and F-150 Raptor. And this is where the genius of the Blacklake XT-1 appears to be, as owners aren’t penalized with a rickety, stripped down interior (as they’d get with a Ford Bronco DR), and instead features a largely stock cabin with Katzkin leather seats, embroidered stitching, metallic trim and an accessories control panel. And seeing as the XT-1 road legal, owners can leave the trailer and tow rig at home.
Of course, having all of this cake and eating it too does come at a price: $250,000 USD. But compared to the costs of building a supercharged Chevrolet Silverado pre-runner truck with 650 horsepower, plus a trailer, plus a tow rig, while adding in street legal conveniences, a quarter million doesn’t seem that bad.
Now we’re stuck thinking… if Blacklake is going to sell a $250,000 supercharged Silverado, how much could Chevrolet Performance charge if they built and sold the 650 hp Beast SEMA Show concept?
Image via Chevrolet Performance
