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Perhaps Chevy's plan to increase production of Colorados a bit is taking shape and will allow Chevy to produce more specialty mid-size trucks. With sales still strong GM could bring the new ZR2 to market around the same time that Toyota's Tacoma TRD Pro begins to arrive. What do you think? Is Chevy going to market the ZR2 or just keep on teasing fans?

The first thing that some in attendance thought was "Where is the Colorado version of this truck?" The Colorado is very capable off-road, but Chevy and GMC don't market anything this extreme- yet. The Z71 Trail Boss is more than most buyers will ever need, but what does "need" have to do with these special edition off-road trucks? The 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro will come in just three colors and orange is not one of them. Buyers will choose from Cement, Barcelona Red Metallic, and Super White. The style enhancements include: Front grille with color-keyed surround, blacked out hood scoop and graphic, color-keyed power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators, color-keyed door handles, black overfenders, and a color-keyed rear bumper. Many of the standard features on the TRD Pro are already found on the TRD Off-road, like the V6 engine and the Goodyear Wrangler with Kevlar tires. Here are the big upgrades in bullet point: •16-inch TRD black alloy wheels with Goodyear Wrangler® All-Terrain Kevlar®-reinforced tires •TRD Pro aluminum front skid plate • FOX 2.5 Internal Bypass shocks tuned by TRD •TRD-tuned front springs with a 1-inch lift •TRD-tuned rear suspension with progressive-rate off-road leaf spring •4WDemand part-time 4WD with a transfer case • Automatic Limited-Slip Differential (Auto LSD) •Rigid Industries® LED fog lights •Projector-beam headlights with black bezels, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and auto on/off feature •Taillights with black bezels •TRD Pro badge on front door with diamond-pattern knurled finish •Black TRD Pro and 4x4 rear tailgate badging The interior also has its own changes which include: •Black TRD Pro leather-trimmed heated front seats with TRD Pro logo located in the headrest •4-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and 4-way adjustable front passenger seat •Entune™ Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite •TRD shift knob •TRD Pro floor mats •Leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth® hands-free phone controls •Rear parking assist sonar •Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) Every TRD Pro also gets the V6 Tow Package that includes a Class-IV towing receiver hitch, ATF cooler (automatic only), engine oil cooler, power steering cooler, 130-amp alternator, 4- and 7-pin connector with convertor, and Trailer-Sway Control (TSC) Having just tested a TRD Off-Road with the Premium and Technology Packages at $37K, expect the 2017 Toyota TRD Pro to be a $40K truck out the door.

Draw your own conclusions about the Edmunds interview. However, it may be good to keep in mind that GM has just trademarked the name "Badlands."

The first ZR2 pickup was produced in 1994 and was available as an option on the compact S-10. It added a beefed up rear axle, wider suspension track, larger BFG All-Terrrain KO tires, and four-wheel drive. Powered by a huge 4.3L V6, the ZR2 was unstoppable off-road. Unfortunately, when the S-10 was shelved in 2003, so was the ZR2. Now, in 2014, it looks like it may return. Introduced last night in Los Angles, the Colorado ZR2 concept is modified extensively from a "stock" Chevrolet Colorado. Most dramatically, the ZR2 is four-inches wider than a factory Colorado. The ZR2 also has a 2-inch lift, unique front and rear fascias, flip out tow hooks, and electronic locking front/rear differentials. Read here to see the official horsepower and torque figures for the 2.8L Duramax Engine The Colorado ZR2 is all about off-road capability and is designed in the spirit of a pre-runner. New front control arms are paired with new shocks that have reserve reservoirs mounted in the front fascia. Approach and departure have been greatly improved over the stock Colorado's 25/21 degree angles. The ZR2 has a 30.7 degree approach angle and a 22.7 degree departure angle. Main features of the Colorado ZR2 Concept Builds on Colorado Z71 as a platform Four inches wider than production Z71 Two-inch lift kit Integrated skid plates 30.7-degree approach / 22.7-degree departure Flip-out aluminum tow hooks Front winch integrated with front fascia Mono-tune coil-over shock absorbers by King Electronic front/rear locking differentials 18-inch aluminum multi-spoke bead-lock rims Custom wheel flares All new grille and headlight housings New front and rear fascia Cyprus Green Exterior Color with Henna Orange accents ZR2 logos on exterior and interior 2.8L Duramax Diesel / 181-hp & 369 lb-ft Chevrolet is giving strong signals that the ZR2 will be produced. See this quote; “Chevrolet has a heritage of the ZR2 representing the ultimate in production-based off-road capability and we’ll gauge the public’s interest in this concept as we continue to explore the possibilities for the all-new Colorado.” As any current or prior ZR2 owner will attest, the idea that the RPO code could make a come back is exciting. Look for more details about the ZR2 in the future, tell Chevrolet you want one, and cross your fingers!