Ruggedness Runs in the Family: Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison Thrives at the Pavement’s Edge

So many future-shaping and amazing events have taken place over the last few years here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse, where numerous intense changes have left their mark on the auto industry! Off-roading is now so popular that these capable and gritty trucks are selling faster than automakers can build them, and they now come in so many exciting shapes and sizes. The ZR2 package was originally offered in 1994, when “Friends” was popular on TV and the grunge/alternative sound was huge in the music scene!

The innovative and capable ZR2 namesake is now returning to the third-generation Colorado and has its rebellious and thrill-seeking eyes on the Ford Ranger Raptor and incoming Toyota TRD Pro. Starting with the expert and back-country knowledgeable AEV Outfitter’s expertise, the Colorado ZR2 is amazing at outperforming the competition courtesy of class-leading ground clearance and class-exclusive 35-inch tires. 

Multimatic dynamic spool valve DSSV dampers offer highly repeatable and consistent characteristics that also bring amazingly enhanced tunability to the table. The Carbuzz.com auto review experts spent a crevice and ravine-conquering week with the ZR2 Bison this spring and first off remarked at just how amazed they were with its ability to dominate many challenging types of terrain. Their tester was painted in a bee-keeping & boisterous Nitro Yellow, with its presence being smartly announced with its 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels. 

These are snugly wrapped in 35-inch Goodyear Territory Mud-Terrain Tires, which you’ll only spot elsewhere on tough-terrain titans such as the Jeep Gladiator. Boron skid plates and rocker protectors, AEV bumpers, wider fender flares, and Chevy’s “Flowtie” badge are a few of the other unique and obstacle-inclined additions to the mix. There’s also a full-size spare tire mounted in the bed, prepped and fully ready for any unexpected punctures not aligned with your plan! The tall proportions enjoyed with the Bison’s secure build provide some of the best clearances for off-roading in the entire segment.

There’s now an extra 1.5 healthy and much-needed inches of ground clearance from the standard ZR2, along with a 38.2-degree approach angle and 26.9-degree breakover. These steep-incline-ready stats healthily beat out the Gladiator Rubicon and Mojave minus their own AEV suspension and tires. The ZR2 comes very well-equipped in its standard form, with a few optional extras that add a luxury touch to the rock-conquering excitement. You can add perforated leather as part of a ZR2 Convenience Package III, which automatically adds the Safety Package by default. 

This offers the watchful high-tech eyes of a rear armrest, driver seat memory, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless charger along with blind-zone steering assist and rear cross-traffic braking. The on-board technology is top-notch offering an 11.3-inch touchscreen as standard across the range, which is powered by Google. This is the base of operations for the HD Surround Vision camera system, which features a built-in camera underneath the truck. There’s even a sweet built-in washer to eliminate any mud you may pick up on the lens while conquering the nearest outdoor playground. 

The 61.7-inch bed is comparable to other trucks in the mid-size segment, with its summer-ready towing capacity rated at 6,000 lbs. Th
e payload for the ZR2 trim is 1,423 lbs, and the engine arrives at the plateau with a unique and throaty growl that is very impressive for a 4-cylinder. As this crew had unfortunately misjudged a narrow trail covered with mud from the previous night’s rain, the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison confidently trudged forward with ease!

ACTIV-ate Your Adventure: Exploring 5 Must-Know Features of the Chevy Equinox

A “summer news flash” here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse offers up more than just the coming warm weather events poised around the corner: when the rainy season is over and the pavement is begging for attention, vehicles of all types are waiting their turn on the test-drive agenda! While crossover SUVs have commanded quite a large share of the market, there are many options to choose from, and the writers on staff at The Car Guide wanted to focus on a few great reasons why the new 2025 Equinox is so awesome and well-equipped. 

It’s Boxier and More Rugged:

The 2025 Equinox’s design draws a good deal of inspiration from the 3-row 2024 Chevy Traverse. It has a boxy look that is not too future-forward and a rugged stance that aligns with other popular current models. The fenders and wheel arches are squared off as well and add a visually muscular effect that wraps up the aesthetic with a formal and commanding sense. The 20-inch alloy wheels on the RS trim are now the largest ever found on an Equinox!

The Brand-New ACTIV Trim:

The Equinox is now available in the LT, RS, and ACTIV trim levels. Chevy has discontinued the entry-level LS trim and considerably raised the bar for features and performance on the current trim levels. The ACTIV trim starts things off with a unique front fascia, very cool all-terrain tires, and an available white roof rounding off a two-tone finish. 17-inch machined-faced aluminum wheels do an excellent job of rounding off the look, while the cabin features an upscale Black and Maple Sugar interior theme. The “first impression” interior aesthetic is also bumped up a very healthy notch thanks to premium Evotex leatherette and suede microfiber seating.

The Solo Lean-And-Mean Powertrain Option:

The 2025 Equinox is powered by the turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. The old 6-speed transmission is now replaced with CVT on front-wheel drive models which boosts EPA fuel ratings, and an 8-speed automatic on all-wheel drive models. These are also equipped with Normal, Snow, and All-Terrain drive modes to confidently tackle any inclement terrain that comes your way. 

Going Heavy on the Super-Cool Screen Space: 

Today’s driver has made a case for craving more screen space inside, when the cars of tomorrow were depicted in 1980s sci-fi films, “the larger the better” was the rule of thumb then as well. The 2025 Chevy Equinox has an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.3-inch touchscreen that is more than 30% larger than before. Wireless charging has become a Powerhouse favorite over the past few years, and the Equinox offers it along with a native infotainment center which now includes Google Built-in. 

A Full and Zealous Arsenal of Safety Features: 

The safety features of today make every single model stand out from cars from just five years ago. Standard Chevy Safety Assist loads you up with the protective and watchful eyes of Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Intellibeam headlights. Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking is an amazing addition that has saved so many lives in the blink of an eye, and the Equinox also boasts Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Zone Steering Alert.

Turbocharged Temptation: The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Turbo V8 Model Thrills Enthusiasts as Showroom Debut Nears!

The Corvette has always enjoyed one of the most loyal fan bases in the business here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse! The bloggers on staff at The Drive.AU were daydreaming about the coming of the 2025 Chevy Corvette ZR1 last week and reported that there is now an early-build model waiting patiently in the ranks to eventually pounce on asphalt nationwide. The co-founder of the Mid Engined Corvette Forum claims that the very first of an early-build final run of prototypes was built this year!

Public tours of the factory where these amazing ‘Vettes are assembled in Bowling Green were halted for an entire week, with the prototype in question using an ‘EX VIN”, standing for “experimental VIN.” North American dealers were allowed to preview the ZR1 during a very stealth secret meeting, where the 5.5-liter V8 was simultaneously introduced. Spy shots have been circulating of the ZR1 testing with a recently spruced-up aero package. This renders the “future star to be born” prepped and ready for action with unique alloy front wheels and a different front bonnet. 

When fans hear that the next Corvette in the making is going to be the most powerful yet, this coming “Zora” variant stops even the most knowledgeable diehard dead in their tracks with extreme anticipation! The ZR1’s legendary V8 will be combined with revolutionary hybrid-electric components from the blisteringly fast (yet silent!) Corvette E-Ray. The Corvette’s previous C7 version existed as a brash and hard-lined widebody track special, offering 745 horsepower mustered up from the legendary LT5 V8. 

Spy shots from the Evo.co.UK auto blog clearly showed an extra air intake added to the mix. This has been added to the rear quarter panel to double down on cooling duty that the uprated powertrain increases demand for. One of the spotted prototypes was seen cruising with an optional spoon-shaped rear wing fitted snugly on, with the incoming 2025 Chevy Corvette ZR1 still expected to weigh less than its snug arch-rival in the form of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The Edmunds.com auto review crew was eager to praise the 2024 Corvette in general for its “bonkers fast capability, beautiful handling, and incredible management of tasks such as daily errands.”

The current Corvette E-Ray even comes standard with Brembo-carbon ceramic brakes, and a battery that can power the car in EV-only Stealth mode at 45 mph. In a unique class full of very high-spirited performance cars the Corvette stands out, with their test model hitting the 60-mph mark in just 3.4 seconds. You have a car whose very thrilling limits can be explored by those even with just a moderate amount of driving skill! An
optional nose-lift system uses GPS to remember steeper-than-average driveways and the Performance Traction Management software smooths out the impact of bumpy sections on demand.

21.8 mpg on a mixed driving evaluation route is not bad when you consider the exhilarating driving styles that the Corvette is known for. The current model C8’s 2LT trim offers what many perceive as the best value, featuring extras such as heated and ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging, navigation, upgraded Bose audio system, and blind spot warning with rear traffic warning. The U.S. News & World Report auto review pros claimed that the 2024 Corvette line was amazing due to its “searing acceleration, athletic handling, and excellent cargo space for the size.”

GM's Diesel Domination: Exploring America’s Last Light-Duty Diesel With The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2

While there has been plenty of buzz here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse surrounding electrification, the intense popularity of factory off-road pickups has become a force to be reckoned with! Every major brand now boasts its own version, with the Motor Trend staff noticing just how awesome and ideal for challenging terrain the Silverado 1500 ZR2 is. They are eagerly prepared to spend the next year with it, seeing if it is truly outfitted to hang with the big guns of the off-roading realm.

The Silverado ZR2 comes with a preparatory 2-inch lift and Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve dampers. Mulimatic’s amazing and expertly-trained motorsports division has a notable history of designing, constructing, and campaigning race models for stiff competition worldwide. The shocks are a very sweet pair of upsized 1.57-inch versions of the units found on the outgoing ZR2 model. We stand proudly behind our unique trait of being the only manufacturer to include front and rear locking differentials on a factory-grade half-ton.

33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires are precisely locked and loaded for trail action of the gnarliest grade, and the 18-inch aluminum wheels with Oxide Gold accents are just begging to be dipped to strut their stuff in muddy or sandy conditions. There’s a beefy skid plate package to protect the vitals on the underside, along with a new high-tuck performance exhaust. Seeing add-ons such as this without an aftermarket badge is amazing: a wicked-cool high-clearance steel performance bumper makes for a 31.9-degree approach angle, also flaunting removable end caps that aid with the approach angle.

Off-road drive modes have been very game changing in today’s industry, and this ZR2’s one-pedal-drive terrain setting smashes the task of tackling inclines that could render an average sedan worthless within seconds! There’s a ZR2-specific grille fit with very nice integrated lighting and red-painted tow hooks to round off the exterior look. The Motor Trend crew reached in just a bit deeper into the arsenal of available extras to construct their ideal tester, which included the rearview camera mirror and power-adjustable steering column from the Technology package. 

The 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six engine was the burly benefactor of a 10.1 percent horsepower bump this year, with this team also easily meeting the EPA-rated expectations of 20/22/21 mpg combined. The crew is planning to brave daily commutes in LA, along with taking on a few off-road challenges that will clearly gauge the Silverado ZR2’s aptitude. The Edmunds.com review crew was thrilled with the Silverado’s best voice recognition in the business, and the very responsive infotainment system. A Black-Out package will also become available for the HD Custom trim, and the Silverado HD Midnight Edition gets a brand-new set of 20-inch wheels. 

Buyers will have a choice of Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab body styles, plus three varieties of bed length. When the Hagerty car buffs reported back about getting their hands on the current-model ZR2, they claimed that the suspension “eats up just about anything you can throw at it on the trail without compromising its highway manners.” This inline-6 emits a very telltale growl right at first idle, and every bit of its unique personality never lets you forget you’re driving a diesel. Everything included here along for the ride in the ZR2 feels consistently special, and will always remain unique for its superior performance and daily-drive practically.