SEMA is always a hot breeding ground for seriously gnarly 4×4 concepts, so it comes as no surprise that Chevy went big this year with its Beast desert racer.

1

The concept car started out life as a basic Silverado short-bed chassis, before Chevy engineers cut even more off it and added structure using 4130 chromoly tubing top to bottom.

1

For power, the Beast uses the 484kW supercharged LT4 V8 from the previous generation Corvette Z06, mated to a 10-speed 10L90 automatic transmission that sends the power through a two-speed transfer case.

1

Despite being a racer, the concept car is actually a four-seater. That’s about where the practicality ends for space though, as the boot is filled entirely with two rear wheels.

1

Speaking of which, the Beast uses appropriately massive 37×13.5-inch AMP Terrain Attach M/T tyres wrapped around 20×10-inch beadlock wheels.

1

Suspension consists of a five-link setup in the rear – with fully adjustable racing strut units with remote reservoirs, combined with big Brembo brakes that boast six pistons, up front.

4

The combination of V8 power, massive 37-inch tyres, exo-skeleton exterior and being purpose-built for desert racing really does point to this being Chevrolet’s direct reply to Ford’s recently unveiled Bronco DR.

1

Like the Beast, the Bronco DR also uses V8 power pinched from a sports car (the Coyote V8 from the Mustang GT) with a 10-speed automatic, tubular roll cage, 37-inch off road tyres and race-built suspension.

1

However, the biggest difference between the two is that the Bronco is no concept – but rather a prototype that Ford has full intention of building.

1

Ford plans on entering its own Bronco DR into the Dakar Rally next year, and while the latter won’t be legal for street use, a limited number of customers will be able to purchase one from the US firm by late next year – with prices starting at US$200,000 (AU$270,306).

MORE All Chevrolet stories