Inspired by his hit song “Born Free,” musician Kid Rock collaborated with Chevrolet to design a customized 2016 Silverado 3500HD “dually” that celebrates freedom and honors American workers.
The truck was introduced today at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where it joined other personalized Chevy truck concepts designed to showcase the depth and breadth of the brand’s pickup truck lineup.
Michigan-born Kid Rock visited the Silverado HD assembly plant in Flint, Mich., to meet with the members of UAW Local 598, who built the truck, before driving it to Chevrolet’s design studio to share his ideas for its customization.
“The Flint plant – and everyone on the line – is the backbone of America,” said Kid Rock. “I wanted the design for the truck to be bold, but with features and elements that wouldn’t be out of reach for working-class guys.”
As a result, his Silverado features several enhancements, including a custom chrome grille with the Born Free logo and an enlarged Chevy Bowtie emblem, chrome exhaust stacks and patriotic graphics that flow across the body sides.
A unique execution of the patriotic motif was an idea he expressed at the start of the project.
“With Kid Rock’s input, we came up with a chrome-like silver-metallic design that conveys an industrial, made-in-Detroit aesthetic that totally complements the other bold elements of the truck,” said Todd Parker, design director, Chevrolet Accessories.
Additional exterior features include black metallic-flecked paint, 22-inch custom chrome wheels, tinted windows, chrome assist steps and a spray-in bedliner.
The interior further reflects Kid Rock’s expressive style, with unique Sky Cool Gray leather-appointed seats featuring metallic-appearing inserts patterned after acid-wash jeans. It also includes black carpeted floor liners and a blacked-out instrument panel with silver trim, Made in Detroit-logo sill plates and glovebox emblem, and a custom Kicker® sound system.
Rounding out Kid Rock’s ride to freedom and fun is a pair of Gibbs Sports Quadskis, which convert from all-terrain vehicles to personal watercrafts. They are secured on a trailer hitched to the Silverado 3500HD, which is powered by the proven Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel engine and Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission.
With the 4WD dually configuration, it offers a class-leading maximum conventional trailering rating of 20,000 pounds (9,072 kg) and 22,600 pounds (10,251 kg) with a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch. Features such as integrated cruise control, powertrain grade braking and diesel exhaust braking enhance control and confidence when trailering.
New for the 2016 Silverado HD is Digital Steering Assist power steering on select double cab and crew cab models. It helps make hauling and trailering easier with electronic controls that enhance road holding and stability on the highway – particularly on crowned roads – regardless of whether the truck is loaded. It also offers greater responsiveness and an improved steering feel.
“Visiting the Silverado factory was one of the coolest and most meaningful things I’ve done,” said Kid Rock. “This truck is all about celebrating the people who build it and the freedom it enables.”
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Kid Rock Concept
Source: Chevrolet
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