GM Green-Lights Chevy Colorado ZR2 "A Segment of One"

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
11-16-2016

Chevy has given the all-new Colorado ZR2 off-road performance truck the green-light. The new truck brings many segment firsts, and Chevy is calling it "A Segment of One." Toyota's TRD Pro has been in this segment of one along with the Nissan Frontier Pro-4X for quite some time, so it will be a fun matchup to see which it crowned the favorite in comparison testing that is sure to follow the truck's media release. Without a doubt, the ZR2 is one of the GM truck line's most anticipated new products in many years.

Before we hit the specifications we thought it would be helpful to point out succinctly what the ZR2 brings to this segment. First, it will be available with a diesel engine, which makes it unique in this market. Second, the ZR2 has a new locking differential technology not used by Toyota or Nissan, and third, the new ZR2 will employ dampers unlike what most competitors have used in the past. Tie all this together with the most hp in its gasoline V6, and GM's new 8-speed auto, and the truck is bringing a lot of updates and upgrades to the mid-size off-road performance niche. Of course, the ZR2 has a wider track than the mainstream Colorado and of course, it has a lifted suspension. Those are givens.

 

Colorado ZR2 Drivetrain

The Duramax diesel will be an option for the ZR2. It will be interesting to see how many opt for the low-end torque versus the 3.6-liter gasoline V6 with 308 hp. Unless we are mistaken, the ZR2 will not have an available manual transmission. The Tacoma TRD Pro is available with either an auto or a six-speed manual. The Nissan Frontier Pro 4X still uses an old 5-speed auto design.

Chevy boasts that the ZR2 will have "The most sophisticated four-wheel drive system in the segment." That is an interesting design choice since simple has its merits in off-road pickups. Chevy goes on to say that the ZR2 will have "... class-exclusive, electronic-locking differentials front and rear." Combined with Chevrolet’s AutoTrac transfer case, Chevy says the ZR2 offers nine drive configurations:

-2WD
-2WD, locked rear differential
-Auto 4WD
-Auto 4WD, locked rear differential
-4WD Hi, locked transfer case
-4WD Hi, locked transfer case and locked rear differential
-4WD Lo, locked transfer case
-4WD Lo, locked transfer case and locked rear differential
-4WD Lo, locked transfer case, locked front and rear differentials

 

There was no mention of a crawl-control mode. However, Chevy does say "Extensive work was done to integrate the electronic lockers and allow them to seamlessly interact with the traction control, stability control, and hill-descent control. In addition, a new “Off-Road Mode” button, in combination with the traction control switch, allows the anti-lock brakes, traction control, and stability control calibrations to be tailored to different driving conditions. Off-road Mode also alters the throttle progression and shifts calibrations to give the driver better control and responsiveness."

ZR2 Suspension

The biggest news for the ZR2's suspension is an all-new damper technology for this truck. Chevy turned to Multimatic Inc., based in Markham, Ontario, a manufacturer of high-performance Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) dampers for help in making the ZR2 as capable as possible. Chevy had good luck working with DSSV technology in the development of the 2014 Camaro Z/28 and says this is the first use of the dampers for off-road pickups. “Our engineers have been incredibly successful developing Corvette and Camaro performance variants with broad performance envelopes,” said Mark Reuss, executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. “The ZR2 applies that same philosophy to off-road performance. You can go rock crawling on Saturday, desert running on Sunday, and comfortably drive to work on Monday. This truck can do it all, and do it all well.”

Chevy says that the DSSV Dampers enhanced ride and handling performance off-road and also on-road. The company says that "The dampers are position-sensitive. Their aluminum bodies each house two spool valves providing both compression and rebound damping optimized for everyday driving. During extreme off-road use, a third, piston-mounted spool valve delivers additional, uniquely tuned, compression damping. The front dampers also employ a separate rebound valve, which comes into play when the suspension approaches full extension." The front and rear track of the ZR2 have been widened by 3.5-inches. Unique, cast-iron control arms add durability for off-road situations. The ZR2 is lifted a full two inches.

ZR2 - Up-Armored Parts

Chevy has added functional steel-tube rockers for scraping and dragging over obstacles while rock-crawling. The transfer case has its own shielding and the radiator and engine oil pan have a thick aluminum skip-plate. To increase tire clearance approaching obstacles, Chevy has tapered the ends of the front bumper. To keep the spare out of harm's way, and to add extra rear-end clearance, Chevy will offer an optional bed-mounted spare tire. The ZR2 will have is own 17 x 8 inch aluminum wheels wearing 31-inch Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires.

Chevy should be commended for keeping the ZR2 production vehicle close to the promise of its concept shown in 2014 at the LA Auto show. Whether the truck can go as well as it shows will be proven soon. Chevy has not yet released pricing or availability, but we will bring that to our readers as soon as the information is made available.

[kstruckcountry]

Available with a diesel or V8? It sounds like they listened.

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[Gorehamj]

kstruckcountry, thanks for you comment. I mistakenly typed V8 instead of V6. I have fixed that typo. The diesel is correct, though!

[kstruckcountry]

kstruckcountry, thanks for you comment. I mistakenly typed V8 instead of V6. I have fixed that typo. The diesel is correct, though!

Gotcha. Even the gas V6 will be a huge power increase from the last ZR2. I like the spool valve controlled shocks, but I'm hoping they offer a delete option for them, since many people who buy these aren't going to want to pay extra for those before replacing them with Kings or Fox.

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[Bvonscott]

Well I'll give my two cents.

The good:

Good engine options, finally a front e-locker with the rear, cast control arm upgrade is decent, tube rockers is good, bed mounted spare kit is cool.

 

The bad:

1. I don't like the suspension choice. King shocks ALSO handle street driving much better than factory. And what is the effective travel of these new dampers? King would have been a much better choice.

2. The tire choice is crap. CMON. Duratrac? Any off roader will laugh at that. BFG, Toyo, or Nitto would have been a much better choice.

3. The rims do not look "off road". Good thing they can be changed along with the crap tires.

4. If they were going for a looks contest, the Raptor is still much better looking. I do not like the design of the front end or "off road" bumper. It just looks super cheesy. There is so many good designs out there GM could have at least tried to come up with something more competitive.

5. This design did not go far enough. It does not seem as well designed as the Raptor, and I do not like the Raptor, especially the new V6 one. Bleh.

[Mr Manana]

As long as GM designs these "off road trucks" in Detroit, they'll never live up to their potential.

 

Hint: The Baja 1000 starts today, the 16th in Ensenada, BCN. Hey GM, do you have anybody down there looking at how real off road trucks are built?

[Scotty-B]

Is that extended cab version available rather than the crew or full cab?

[Likarok]

If this is the normal GM introduction of a new model we should see it two years from now in Canada!

[Bvonscott]

Ya if you look at the concept and then come back and look at what they did here, you will see how badly they translated it into production. It looks so cheesy compared to the concept. Disappointing.

[Bvonscott]

Ya if you look at the concept and then come back and look at what they did here, you will see how badly they translated it into production. It looks so cheesy compared to the concept. Disappointing.

[Nargg]

*jealous* I'd love to have those differential locking switches in my full size Chevy!

[Daryl Z71]

Nice truck. Even though it offers a lot more than what the ZR2 S10's did, I still think they didn't go far enough with it.

[newdude]

So they just about translated the concept from two years ago, and yet there's an awful lot of hate...Tough crowd eh?

Is that extended cab version available rather than the crew or full cab?

 

Both appear to be available and many of the prototype shots support that.

[Scotty-B]

Both appear to be available and many of the prototype shots support that.

 

I hope so. The green machine looks like the 2014 pics. I hope it is a body option that includes the diesel. Otherwise, I like the indicated package.

[Full Lock]

So they just about translated the concept from two years ago, and yet there's an awful lot of hate...Tough crowd eh?

 

 

Both appear to be available and many of the prototype shots support that.

Right for a factory truck, I think they did great. It was built to compete with Toyota and Nissan not the raptor. I think with handle the Tacoma and Frontier no problem. GM has a deal with Goodyear so duratracs make sense. Best choice... no but better than the SR-A's.

Seems like some want a Baja 1000 truck strait from the dealer haha. Come on now.

I take pride in the saying "built not bought" with my truck, which is what some of these Baja boys should start endearing.