GM Authority Spots 2023 Chevy Colorado Desert Boss in the Wild With “Borrowed Bison Goods”

We all enjoy being able to quickly check our phones or tablets to find out just about anything about a new or upcoming vehicle, and all of us here at the Mid Missouri Powerhouse get especially excited when we find spy shots for those vehicles! In a very interesting new development, GM Authority spy photographers snapped a Chevy Colorado ZR2 Desert Boss prototype being tested with, surprisingly, the beadlock wheels from the upcoming 2024 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison.

The shots you can see here clearly show that the wheels of the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Desert Boss match the ones that had originally been teased in the photos of the ZR2 Bison prototype just before its official debut. It is a bit hard to discern exactly why the ZR2 Desert Boss prototype was sporting the beadlocks and it may be that GM is taking the time to thoroughly test the wheel and tire combo before it places them on the online configurator and beyond. 

One slight difference between the two sets of shots is that the Bison was wearing Goodyear Duratrac tires, while the spied prototype was hitting the pavement with Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT rubber. It could also be quite possible that the beadlock wheels may be a sweet add-on accessory option for the Standard ZR2, or even as a juicy component of the 2024 Chevy Colorado ZR2. The Desert Boss Special Edition package is an all-out banger for off-road enthusiasts, as its goodies leave you extremely well-prepped for any stream or boulder-strewn outing.

The package also steps things up a notch with an off-road front bumper complete with a safari bar, and a 40-inch roof off road light bar for illuminating summer Baja nights. Extras such as the tailgate and front Fender Decal Package step things up from entry-level ordinary, and the underbody camera alerts you to the many pitfalls (no, NOT like the 1980s video game!) that may spring up during the task. Ultimately, the 2024 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison is expected to be an indirect replacement for the 2023 Colorado ZR2 Desert Boss. 

The Bison sweeps confidently out of the gate with upgrades such as 3-inch LT315/70R17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, long-travel Multimatic DSSV dampers, amazing hydraulic bump stops, and two inches of ground clearance above and beyond the standard ZR2. Engine duties are handled by the same powertrain (undoubtedly a good thing), with the 2.7-liter Inline-4 L3B Turbo High-Output gasoline engine cranking out 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. The all-new Colorado will also quench the thirst that buyers have for the usefulness of the drive mode, with this model offering both the diverse Terrain and Baja settings to fine-tune your performance.

Unlike bed mounts on previous models, this one bolted the spare to an upright at the back of the cab, which frees up more space for cargo. We firmly believe that “to adventure is the human condition”, and one constant principle over the cycle of humanity is the need to roam. It has been so incredibly exciting to watch these rock-crawling machines find and keep their way within the current market, as everyone getting out of the city for the weekend have come in droves for the truck. We will keep you posted right here on the blog about any more sightings and updates regarding the Colorado, and all the other vehicles here at the Powerhouse that are primed for the alluring adventure and fun of the summer!

Truck Review: 2023 Chevy Colorado Z71 Vs. Colorado Trail Boss

We were eager for the 2023 Chevy Colorado’s arrival here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse last July, which featured a revised exterior, an overhauled interior, a new powertrain, and a model line with numerous other updates. Drivers who love to spend their recreational hours traversing through off-road trails with supreme confidence were even more thrilled to see the Chevy Colorado Trail Boss, which was previously offered as a feature-rich upgrade for the LT and Z71 trim levels, but now exists as a trim on its own.

GM Authority executive editor Alex Luft was featured in a cool new video last week that drew an in-depth comparison of the two vehicles’ most notable exterior differences and began his journey at the front fascia. This is where both the Colorado and the Trail Boss have the most differences. The Chevy Colorado Z71 has a piano black grill surround and body-colored lower fascia section, and the Colorado Trail Boss shows off a matte black finish on the grille surround and lower fascia. 

Both pickups also incorporate different lighting setups, with the new Colorado Z71 equipped with LED headlights and an LED accent strip. The Trail Boss bears the different halogen incandescent lights and maintains its off-road-ready stance without the fog lights. Of note to the expert explorer is that the Trail Boss boasts a 2-inch suspension lift and features considerably wider fenders and running gear. The turbocharged 2.7-Liter inline 4 L3B gas engine pairs perfectly with the GM 31XX-2 platform.

When the Car and Driver crew put the Trail Boss to the test, they loved the way that its suspension absorbed rough terrain without passing any noise or vibration into the cabin. Another much-appreciated highlight was the limited-slip rear differential. The true shining star is the linear brakes, which incorporate an efficient electronic booster instead of a vacuum unit. 

As the Autoblog review team was inching towards a cliff with their Trail Boss, they used the new underbody camera for a low front view in addition to the normal front view ahead. Interior technology is state-of-the-art thanks to Google, and with all this tech, the Trail Boss is “trying to steal lunch money from the Tacoma.” Chevy powertrain engineer Kevin Luchansky told the Jalopnik team that the 2.7-liter 4-cylinder now had an excellent reputation for durability and that it blends the best traits of the outgoing V6 and turbo diesel smartly together. 

One significant design element that stands out on the Z71 is its red stitching throughout, along with leather-appointed seats, which give it a more upscale feel. The tires on the Trail Boss are a set that became one of our instant favorites, with standard 32-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT numbers that will clear a path quickly!