Fans of trim packages from the ‘90s take note: Chevy is reintroducing its ZR2 package, this time for their mid-sized Colorado pickup.
Chevrolet revealed a Colorado ZR2 concept two years ago at the L.A. Auto Show and the rumour mill has been awash with recent reports of a reprise. Now, Chevy has officially announced its butch off-road variant … this time with a diesel.
Announcing the edict of “putting the customer at the center of everything we do” on stage in L.A., Executive Vice President Alan Batey praised the Chevy team and claimed an increase in their conquest sales as well as loyalty. Declaring Chevrolet to be the fastest-growing full line manufacturer in the industry, GM honchos reminded folks they are poised to sell more than 900,000 pickups in the U.S. this year.
A new ZR2 package will likely help these efforts, equipped as it is with a two-inch suspension lift, front and rear electronic differentials, knobby 31-inch Goodyear meats, and what looks to be a deliciously aggressive approach angle. Front and rear track has been widened by three-and-a-half inches. Unique spool-valve dampers are position sensitive, featuring an extra piston-mounted spool valve to deliver additional compression damping in extreme off-road situations. Previously appearing in track-focused configuration on the Camaro, the dampers are manufactured by Multimatic, the same team who supplies suspension bits to F1 teams.
The ZR2 will be offered with both gas and diesel engine choices — a unique option to the off-road faithful. The 3.6-liter gas V6 cranks out 308 horsepower and 275 pounds-feet of twist while the available Duramax diesel offers 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of stump-pulling grunt. An eight-speed automatic is standard. The ZR2 will tow up to 5,000 pounds and its payload is rated at 1,100 pounds.
There’s every reason to believe GM will do well with this trim, especially given that Chevrolet has only a 43-day supply of Colorados right now. That’s well below the industry norm of 73 days, meaning the Colorado is exceeding expectations and remaining in demand. Chevy currently offers the Colorado in a myriad of special editions, from a dipped-in-ink LT Midnight Edition to an off-roadish Z71 Trail Boss.
Those of us with memories relatively unaffected by Crystal Pepsi and Stone Temple Pilots albums will recall the ZR2 as a special off-road/suspension package offered by The General on the second-generation S-Series. It debuted in 1994 on the Chevrolet S-10 and the GMC Sonoma pickup trucks and two years later it expanded to the natty two-door Blazer. Never one to leave marketing opportunities on the table, GM also applied the trim to its diminutive Tracker.
With that in mind, care to make wagers on which will be the next Chevy model to be ZR2’d? Oddsmakers estimates: Silverado = 10:1, Tahoe = 15:1, Trax = 30:1, Equinox = 50:1, Corvette = 1,000,000,000:1
[Images: General Motors; © 2016 Mark Stevenson/The Truth About Cars]
And the Australians rejoiced
@Big Al From ‘Murica
Pretty. Mundane in Australia, these days. Must admit not common in NA
I’ll take the standard Colorado w/diesel and a much higher tow rating. When you look at the success Ford has had with the Raptor I suppose it makes sense to offer something like this. Too bad they didn’t shoehorn a V8 in this thing for the gas version. I suspect it will sell really well.
Also put an interior in the twins that is as nice as what you get in a Silverado/Sierra. Because these mid sizers are still lagging behind the bigs trucks by a noticeable margin in that department.
Is the reverse hood scoop with black decal is to appeal to the bro’s who think it looks “sick” or is there some actual functional purpose to it?
The scoop on the full size 2017 Duramax is functional. This one appears to be for aesthetics only.
Can they offer an “as much room on the inside of the Colorado as its footprint would suggest” interior package? Maybe a “stupid rising beltline” delete? Or how about a “doesnt look like a cat in heat with its arse in the air” exterior appearance package. And my favorite, the “oh hey we actually have a truck V6, lets put THAT in the midsize twins instead” option.
Yup, I’m still disappointing by these.
Agree the 4.3 would be the gas engine to have in these midsize twins. I’d have to put 3 ton behind these trucks before I say whether or not they disappoint me.
Nice to see a truck with good front end clearance. IMO most trucks these days look disproportionate with the low front but high rear bumpers.
I agree, but the good news is (for most of them) the low part is just a plastic flap you can easily remove.
I took the one off my F150 and then cut off the plastic lips that stick down and it looks like a normal truck now, and doesn’t scrape if you pull up to a curb.
“M-Puh-Guhs. I’m saying it right. It just doesn’t sound familiar.”
crtfour – it is amazing as to how much extra clearance you gain once you get rid of all of the EPA “gain 0.5 mpg” plastic.
Price?
Is it a value proposition or an overpriced package when compared to the aftermarket?
Profit.
They can’t build the Colorado/Canyon fast enough as it is.
Pure profit.
I like it but I;m a sucker for factory off road packages that actually change things. I thinks it’s the front bumper that makes me the most happy. Makes the face much less equinox looking.
For when you want a Raptor, but have a proportionately sized phallus. Gib to me.
2 inch lift, better tires, front and rear e-lockers, shock upgrades and new bumper facia.
As long as it is reliable.
Too bad Toyota doesn’t offer the “Pro” package in Canada.