The Chevrolet Beast looks like it came out of ‘Halo’

Don't you just love it when video-game cars somehow come to life? PHOTO FROM CHEVROLET

At the 2021 SEMA Show, extreme off-roaders seem to be in vogue not only with the modding community, but also with most manufacturers. There are a couple of them, but we’re really digging Chevrolet’s take on the theme.

Meet the Beast, which is a concept vehicle that looks like its designers have played a little too much Halo (which isn’t a bad thing).

The Beast's short overhangs allow it to claw its way up any obstacle. PHOTOS FROM CHEVROLET

The Warthog-looking body features a distinctly Chevrolet-looking front end (which opens like a clamshell), complete with all the off-roading protection and lighting you’ll need. Meanwhile, you can get into the open cabin via four tubular-frame doors, and you’re greeted by four Recaro performance seats, and two seven-inch LCD screens to monitor your vehicle’s info. The rear houses a pair of spare tires and is designed with almost no overhang to increase its departure angle.

The front end would look better with gun pods or rocket launchers. PHOTOS FROM CHEVROLET

The Beast uses a modified chassis taken from the short-bed Silverado, integrating a chromoly tubular frame into the chassis for extra rigidity and added cabin protection. With the widened track, these upgrades allow the Beast to have stable handling when driving at high speeds off-road. This is needed to tame the 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 V8 with 650hp.

Mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with a two-speed transfer case, power is sent to all four 37-inch AMP Terrain Attack M/T tires mounted on 20-inch beadlock wheels. A Chevrolet Performance Big Brake Upgrade System should allow the Beast to safely come to a halt.

There’s a conceptual long-travel suspension system that includes a five-link setup at the rear, fully adjustable racing struts, and remote reservoirs that allow for 30.48cm of articulation at the front, 39.37cm at the rear, and an impressive 34.29cm of ground clearance. Combined with the bodywork, it allows the Beast to have an approach angle of 45⁰, a departure angle of 46.5⁰, and a break-over angle of 35⁰.

There is no shortage in performance with the supercharged LT4. PHOTO FROM CHEVROLET

While the Beast may be a concept, we’re secretly hoping that defense contractors will eventually take a hint from it to make a real-life M12 Warthog, complete with the crazy weaponry needed to take on an enemy alien race. Or maybe just let regular people buy this thing.