The 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison is taking off-road performance to an extreme. Let’s take a first look at Chevrolet’s all-new off-road crushing performance machine.
The all-new Colorado ZR2 Bison is here – and updated on the all-new Colorado platform. Outfitted with a slew of AEV and Multimatic hardware, the ZR2 Bison is potentially the most capable off-road vehicle that General Motors has ever designed. Here’s what makes it special and not just a more expensive Colorado ZR2.
2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison – What You Need To Know
- Built on the Colorado ZR2 Platform
- 310-horsepower 2.7L Turbo I-4 Engine
- Multimatic Front/Rear Jounce Control Dampers
- Multimatic DSSV Dampers from the ZR2
- AEV Front Winch Capable Bumper
- AEV Rear Bumper
- AEV Fender Flares
- AEV 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels
- 35-inch Mud-Terrain Tires
- Locking Front/Rear Differentials
- Spare Tire Carrier / Spray In Bedliners
- 38.2-degree approach angle
- 26-degree departure angle
- 26.9-degree breakover angle
- 12.2-inches of ground clearance
- Developed and tested with Chad Hall Racing
The 2023 Colorado ZR2 has already seen an entirely new chassis and design. The Colorado ZR2 Bison builds on that platform with many of the old tricks the previous generation Bison used and a few new ones that no other midsize truck has ever used before.
The biggest trick up the ZR2’s sleeve is trick Multimatic DSSV dampers that smooth the road, enhance off-road performance, and respond to variable trail conditions almost perfectly. The Colorado ZR2 Bison goes a step further, using Multimatic Jounce Control Dampers to further control off-road bounce and deflections. That’s something no-other production truck has offered so far and sets the ZR2 Bison apart. Jounce bumpers are made for big hits when the suspension is fully compressed. While we’re not sure exactly what Multimatic’s jounce bumpers are capable of- no doubt it will increase the capability of the ZR2 Bison on high-speed, big jump and hard-hitting situations.
The standard engine for the ZR2 Bison remains unchanged from the standard ZR2. The Bison will have a 2.7L Turbocharged Four-Cylinder engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2.7L Turbo-I4 continues to put out 310 horsepower.
The ZR2 Bison also comes with AEV-specific bumpers front and back. The front bumper is winch capable – appealing to the most hardcore off-road enthusiasts.
Huge 35-inch mud-terrain tires, fitted on 17-inch bead-lock capable wheels also come standard. Special AEV fender flares wrap that huge rubber.
The ZR2 Bison also has an upgraded underbody protection system. That means boron steel skid plates and rocker protection come standard.
A “race inspired” spare tire rack for the bed also comes standard because getting a flat out on the trail is pretty much the biggest bummer of them all but almost guaranteed to happen. The ZR2 Bison is prepared for that eventuality.
Inside, the ZR2 Bison has a unique AEV-logo embroidered head-rest, alongside the Colorado’s 11.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-In. That includes Apple Carplay and Android Auto Capability.
The 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison also comes with “Chevy Safety Assist”, which includes automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, a following distance indicator, forward collision alert, and automatic high-beam control. Adaptive Cruise Control is an option.
EPA Fuel economy is not yet available, and the Colorado ZR2 Bison goes on sale later this year.
2024 CHEVROLET COLORADO ZR2 & ZR2 BISON SPECIFICATIONS
EPA-EST. MPG
| Not yet available |
FUEL TANK CAPACITY (approx.)
| 21 gallons / 79 liters |
ENGINE
| Type: | 2.7L I-4 Turbo High-Output DOHC VVT DI with Active Fuel Management and Stop/Start |
| Bore & Stroke (in. / mm): | 3.63 x 4.01 / 92.25 x 102 |
| Block Material: | Cast aluminum |
| Cylinder Head Material: | Cast aluminum |
| Valvetrain: | Dual-overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, tripower valvetrain with continuously variable valve timing, variable valve lift and Active Fuel Management |
| Fuel Delivery: | Direct high-pressure fuel injection with Active Fuel Management |
| Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): | 310 / 231 @ 5600 |
| Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm @ rpm): | 430 / 569 @ 3000 (GM est.) |
TRANSMISSION & AXLE
| Type: | Hydra-Matic 8L90 eight-speed automatic |
| Gear Ratios (:1) | |
| First: | 4.56 |
| Second: | 2.97 |
| Third: | 2.08 |
| Fourth: | 1.69 |
| Fifth: | 1.27 |
| Sixth: | 1.00 |
| Seventh: | 0.85 |
| Eighth: | 0.65 |
| Reverse: | 4.56 |
| Final Drive Ratio: | 3.42 |
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
| Front Suspension: | Independent coil-over-shock with Multimatic DSSV dampers; Multimatic Jounce Control Dampers on Bison |
| Rear Suspension: | Solid axle with semi-elliptic two-stage multi-leaf springs and Multimatic DSSV dampers; Multimatic Jounce Control Dampers on Bison |
| Rear axle: | Power-locking front and rear differentials |
| Steering Type: | Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Brake Type: | Power-assisted four-wheel discs with Duralife™ long-life brake rotors; standard ABS; hill descent control |
| Wheel Size: | 17 x 8-in. aluminum (ZR2)
17 x 8.5-in. aluminum (ZR2 Bison) |
| Tire Size: | LT285/70R17 MT – 33-in. OD (ZR2)
LT315/70R17 MT – 35-in. OD (ZR2 Bison) |
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
| Wheelbase (in. / mm): | 131 / 3338 |
| Overall Length (in. / mm): | 212.7 / 5402 – ZR2
214.1 / 5437 – ZR2 Bison |
| Overall Width (in. / mm): | 84.4 / 2144 (with mirrors)
80.2 / 1938 (without mirrors) |
| Overall Height (in. / mm): | 81.8 / 2078 |
| Track (in. / mm): | 66.3 / 1684 (front)
66.3 / 1684 (rear) |
| Ground Clearance (in. / mm): | 10.7 / 272 – ZR2
12.2 / 311 – ZR2 Bison |
| Approach Angle (deg.): | 38.6 – ZR2
38.2 – ZR2 Bison |
| Departure Angle (deg.): | 25.2 – ZR2
26 – ZR2 Bison |
| Breakover Angle (deg.): | 24.8 – ZR2
26.9 – ZR2 Bison |
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
| Headroom (in. / mm): | 40.3 / 1024 (front)
38.3 / 973 (rear) |
| Legroom (in. / mm): | 45.2 / 1148 (front)
34.7 / 881 (rear) |
| Shoulder Room (in. / mm): | 57.4 / 1458 (front)
56.3 / 1430 (rear) |
| Hip Room (in. / mm): | 54.7 / 1389 (front)
53.1 / 1349 (rear) |
CURB WEIGHT, CAPACITIES & TRAILERING
| Curb Weight (lb. / kg): | 4940 / 2241 – ZR2
5265 / 2388 – ZR2 Bison |
| GVWR (lb. / kg)1: | 6250 / 2835 – ZR2
6350 / 2880 – ZR2 Bison |
| Max Payload (lb. / kg)2: | 1280 / 581 – ZR2
1050 – ZR2 Bison |
| Max Trailering (lb. / kg)3: | 6000 / 2722 – ZR2
5500– ZR2 Bison |
