2017, 2018 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Buzz Grows

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
9-26-2016

Back in February we reported that Chevy's Colorado ZR2 was reportedly in testing. The ZR2 would be a competitor to the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and Off-Road trims capable of serious off-roading. This week Pickuptrucks.com has spy images. They don't show much, though, and the publication states "With the exception of the taller ride height, things don't look much different than a stock Colorado."

Test mules come in all forms and attempt to validate different parts of prototype vehicles. Perhaps the ZR2 will be coming soon, but aside from the spy images, which may or may not be the ZR2, it is hard to predict. With GM selling out every midsized pickup it makes right now, there is certainly no hurry from a bean-counter's point of view to bring out another specialty variant.

 

Pickuptrucks speculates the ZR2 may come with a diesel engine. Not a huge leap of thinking given the image GM released of the hood at the top of our page. Would a diesel engine make any sense at all in a truck like this, or would the fastest engine available be better? What's your guess?

 

Image note: Images courtesy of GM Media.

[newdude]

Autoblog posted some spy shots last week of a ZR2 tester. It had the Multimatic DSSV Spool dampers on it. Same brand and dampers that the Z/28 had on it 2014-2015.

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2016/09/21/chevy-colorado-zr2-shocks-camaro-z28/

 

Looks like they are going after the Raptor with it perhaps.

[Full Lock]

^^^ agree^^^

[BIGDOGx]

Autoblog posted some spy shots last week of a ZR2 tester. It had the Multimatic DSSV Spool dampers on it. Same brand and dampers that the Z/28 had on it 2014-2015.

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2016/09/21/chevy-colorado-zr2-shocks-camaro-z28/

 

Looks like they are going after the Raptor with it perhaps.

Well it's going to take a hell of a lot more then bolt on shocks if it wants to compete at that level. Added power will be a necessity and it will take forced induction if they continue using the v-6. I have no doubt in my mind the babymax will not be offered, way to cool for gm to use with the name plate not being Camaro or Corvette. Of course the v-8 is what anyone wanting to buy this truck will want so GM will no doubt not offer that either, yes i have 0 hope in GM building this truck the correct way!

[DanMan_S]

Well it's going to take a hell of a lot more then bolt on shocks if it wants to compete at that level. Added power will be a necessity and it will take forced induction if they continue using the v-6. I have no doubt in my mind the babymax will not be offered, way to cool for gm to use with the name plate not being Camaro or Corvette. Of course the v-8 is what anyone wanting to buy this truck will want so GM will no doubt not offer that either, yes i have 0 hope in GM building this truck the correct way!

 

 

If GM were to offer the 5.3L and the 8 speed, I'd jump to this over a full size in a heartbeat.

[Willyone]

^^^ Yep me too, that would be toooo cool ^^^

 

Couple months ago I was looking at both the Silverado and the Colorado when shopping. I actually wanted the V6 Colorado because I retired, and no longer needed a full size truck but in the end, with the discounts and such, the Z71LT with 5.3 was actually cheaper than the mini Z. Mo' truck for less $$, so I bought the Silverado.