Under the tagline “Detroit Will Never Be the Same” a new company called BlackLake Research and Development launched this, the XT1 Prerunner. It’s basically the Ram TRX of Chevy trucks, featuring a nicely integrated widebody, 37-inch tires, custom suspension and a supercharged V8 motor.
The concept of offering an OE-level supercharger package on an upgraded vehicle is not really new. We see it all the time with things like the Shelby Super Snake. But it can be tricky to offer that extra power reliably with no software glitches, plus there’s a financial problem: the $250,000 MSRP.
These are the hurdles faced by the BlackLake XT1 going into its performance test, organized by the guys at TFL. Because, if you just look at the output, a standard ZR2 doesn’t stand a chance. Using an unlocked ECU and Magnusen supercharger, his small-block V8 puts out 650 horsepower. So think of it as the ZR1 compared to a regular Camaro.
Its rival is a 2022 Silverado with the newly launched ZR2 package. This is designed for extreme off-road use, not drag racing, and as such GM’s 6.2-liter produces the average 420 hp and 460 pound-feet of torque, sent out through a 10-speed automatic.
During the first drag race, the custom Silverado loses from a dig but wins overall due to its superior power output. It sets a time of 15.85 seconds over the quarter-mile at 93 mph. And during the second run, they timed it to 60 mph: 7.6 seconds.
You have to remember that this test is done in Colorado, at altitude, so the vehicles aren’t making as much power. But we can’t help but point out how a much cheaper and less powerful F-150 Raptor can do the 1/4-mile in about 14 seconds.
Of course, criticizing this $250,000 truck for its quarter-mile time would be completely missing the point. The XT1 is designed to be a premium truck and performance off-roader at the same time. It’s got a carbon fiber body kit that adds 8 inches and multiple upgrades underneath, like completely new front and rear suspension, Black Rhino Beadlocks wrapped in BFG KM3s (37-inch), and a Warn ZEON Platinum 12-S winch. And at the end of the day, it’s about as cool as a Silverado can be.
