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!

2023 Chevy Colorado’s Boulder-Bashing ZR2 Version set for Official Debut July 28

As the Fourth of July weekend has finally made its way to our busy and action-packed calendars here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse, many of our loyal customers will have trucks on the mind as they attend family picnics and enjoy fireworks displays with their favorite friends. The ability to tow, haul, and overcome the numerous obstacles that test of trucks limit when it lurches off-road are just a few of the awesome traits that draw buyers to this fantastic line of powerful and capable Chevy trucks.

A brand-new teaser video shown on Car and Driver recently depicted the updated 2023 version of Chevy midsize pickup truck the Colorado ruthlessly commanding desert terrain just ahead of its official debut later this month. We anticipate the new truck they have a brand-new body and fully upgraded interior, with the underpinnings remaining mostly the same as last year's model. It is possible in the video to see that the Colorado’s front end appears to have a few changes and does not have the same chunky all-terrain tires and light bar behind the cab as the ZR2.

The incoming model is likely to have massive suspension upgrades including different shocks and a greater ride height for the demands of necessary off-road clearance. The current Colorado offers the 3 fierce and always-ready engine choices of a 2.5-liter inline-four, a 3.6-liter V6, or a turbodiesel 2.8-liter inline-four. We are guessing that the inline-four may be discontinued, and that the Silverado’s turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four may be added as an option. To remain as trusty and all-around versatile as possible, both four-wheel-drive and all-will drive will remain options. 

Due to its very handy size, the Colorado was the perfect fit for an off-road enthusiast featured in a podcast about Moab and other wilderness gems this past year: it had the capability to fit through very narrow terrain and crawl numerous challenging rocks in the Colorado River. It also fared incredibly well as it conquered the many challenges of Canyonlands National Park, and the many bumps and abrupt ruts of the cedar Mesa trail. The window shapes, side mirror placement cab shape, and wheel wells also don’t appear too much different, and this will perform just amazing with its 17-inch beadlock capable wheels. 

Out back, the next-generation Colorado ZR2 looks a bit like a scaled-down Silverado, especially the appearance of the taillights. There's an awesome Chevrolet stamp on the tailgate and is outlined in black, and unique fender flares that are snug and visually appealing. When the going gets appropriately rocky, you’re going to want the maneuverability and full-on aggro additive that the ZR2 version offers: Here in this territory, we have a great number of fire roads, ideal camping lakes, other fishing spots, and tough days on the job that will be that much easier with the cast-iron strength and robust reliability of this incoming Chevy outdoor lover’s dream come true! 

2019 Colorado ZR2 Bison's Off-Road Domination Proclaimed by Portland Tribune

The midsized pickup truck segment is one that offers a lot of competition: The quality of add-ons such as skid plates are of dire importance, as they are shielding such sensitive areas of the truck. As you are preparing to dash across boulders and plow through streams, you need to select an off-road model that has above average capability, and truly possesses the protection level to make it a trail contender. Here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse we steer many customers in the direction of the Colorado ZR2 Bison and were proud to see a great review of it this past week in the Portland Tribune.

The basic Colorado is designed for both work and being a daily driver, and comes with a 4-cylinder, 3.6-liter V6 rated at 308 horsepower or 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel with 369 lb-ft of torque. These are all paired to an automatic transmission, with choice of rear-wheel or four-wheel-drive. Within the 4X4 system is an automatic mode that simulates all-wheel-drive, ideal for getting through the powder and slush that winter brings. It was two years ago that the ZR2 was offered for the first time, brandishing a strengthened suspension with upgraded control arms, steering gear, and hubs.

It's a full two inches taller than the standard Colorado 4 X 4, with front and rear locking differentials for when the road ahead presents difficult passing potential. There are also Multimatic shock absorbers on all four wheels, using variable valving that offers up the toughness required for serious off-road navigation and still giving a smooth asphalt ride. For the 2019 model, the Bison package was added, and capabilities drastically altered. There are now five new skidplates underneath, heavy steel front and rear bumpers with a winch and recovery points, and wheels designed for off-road punishment.

There's even an optional snorkel air intake if the agenda leads to incredibly deep water, and we assure you, it's real and functional! All of these features including waterproof floor liners helped elevate the Bison above its competition to declare the Off-Road Truck of the Year award from Popular Mechanics. Once inside, the Bison bears a heavy dose of similarity to the ZR2. There are the necessary controls for the locking differentials, but the rest of the interior has not strayed much from the standard Chevy feel. In writer Jeff Zurschmeide's opinion here, the Bison is the ultimate off-road truck, leading the pack by leaps and bounds with its ability, go-anywhere prowess, and potential!

Sneak Peek at Army-Grade Colorado ZR2 Midsize Military Supply Contender

The landscape near and dear to us right here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse can bring us to think of the duties a truck would have when faced with tasks such as Frank Castle From the Marvel Series “The Punisher” encounters daily. When it comes to the troops we firmly support, a truck needs to boast features that aid in the task of moving troops around on the ground safely, with a successful mission in mind. Chevy has now landed a $1 million contract to build two very cool midsize trucks for the U.S. Army, and you can see photos here that depict the ZR2-based Infantry Squad Vehicle that is being considered.

The trucks scrap the traditional pickup profile for an open-top nine-passenger troop-toting configuration, with three rows of seating in addition to two side-facing seats in the rear. Four-point harnesses are also added along to the military-grade mix, and there are no doors at all, just a roll cage with attachments for various gear. The truck will also strap itself usefully right under a UH-60 helicopter for a quick lift, which is commonly needed in areas that see frequent combat.

The vehicle shares 70 percent of its parts with the 4x4 Colorado ZR2, including the suspension that features track-grade Multimatic DSSV shocks. Special attention during the design phase allows for very high-speed running and jumping, both of which could mean the difference between life and death during combat. The customer-grade ZR2 is available with a gasoline V6, but these test trucks are putting to use the optional 2.8-liter 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine, rated at 186 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. GM Defense President Davit Albritton said over the past week that “this particular ISV entry is a fully-integrated platform that leverages decades of engineering, manufacturing, and quality expertise at scale to provide the most cost-efficient, reliable and effective answer possible to meet and exceed the Army's demanding requirements”.

Testing of the trucks will begin during November at the Army's Aberdeen Center in Maryland, where they will be competing against various submissions for a contract to be awarded during spring. The winner of this contract will be slated to build 651 vehicles through 2024, providing ample supply in high numbers for the men and women out there on the front lines making sacrifices for our nation. The off-road stance is absolutely what is needed to provide the best in-vehicle assistance for those who best know that freedom doesn't come without a price, and are out there offering up their talents every day to keep our country safe. We'll keep you posted right here on the blog as news develops, and keep our fingers crossed regarding this chance to supply our best and brightest during the call of duty.

2021 Chevy Colorado To see Updates With Aggressive Look, Dune-Ready Style

Right here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse during fall, many of our long-time customers are telling us that they are eager to not just navigate through their daily commute, but explore the abundant off-road options and precarious trails that our state has to offer. The Chevy Colorado is a solid option for anyone in the market looking at a midsize truck, and details regarding the 2021 version have been lighting up the newswires and web. The changes for 2021 are focused on appearance, and mechanical specs are expected to remain the same.

The new look is aimed at sealing the gap a bit between the Colorado and full-size trucks and help it stand out with a bit more stance and stature. Z71, WT, and LT trims will now see an updated front fascia with a new layout, logos, and skid plate. The first two will see the addition of a Chevy bowtie badge finished in gold, while the off-road Z71 will sport a black bowtie. All Colorados will see the addition of a new tailgate that has embossed Chevrolet lettering, as appearing currently on the Silverado 1500 and 2500 HD.

The Colorado ZR2 is top-of-the-level and always finely-tuned for trails, and it sees a few revisions to keep it tough and competitive. There is still a trim-specific fascia that keeps the front tires a bit more exposed for approach angles you'd most likely encounter in the wild. The grille is wider and more open as well, now featuring cut out Chevy lettering that easily allows for more airflow. Lifted suspension, much wider track, and huge knobby tires are the main components that allow for such stellar performance off-road, and skid plates, as well as red tow hooks, help round out the purpose perfectly.

Also brand new to the ZR2 and Z71 is the “Sand Dune Metallic” beige exterior paint, which will look better under each new layer of dust it collects while traversing dunes! The ZR2 is not scheduled to debut until the SEMA show in November, but there is already a competition-ready version built to fend its way during the 2019 Laughlin Desert Classic, a challenging off-road race held on the challenging sands of southern Nevada. We had a full-on midsize pickup truck renaissance on our hands when we launched the current-generation Colorado for the 2015 model year, and one of the main reasons why it will see an upgrade for the 2021 model year is to provide a bit more differentiation between trim levels.

We are fully aware that the full-size truck still slays and is always going to be an offering that many tried and true customers will gravitate towards.  We encourage you to check out an option a little more midsize and off-road-ready this fall, and see just how exciting it is to plow through dirt, climb boulders, and race through rapids in a desolate location that has long been calling your name!

2019 Colorado ZR2 Desert Racer Conversion Kit: Priming For Off-Road Domination

Many die-hard truck fans and customers here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse, as well as a majority of our staff members, would agree on a few various qualities about the Chevy Colorado ZR2. For starters, it is most definitely one of the coolest trucks you can buy for off-roading adventure hauls, but the DSSV suspension also makes it a great choice for daily driving. When the Bison was released, many Powerhouse customers were righteously thrilled, as the adventure-focused experts at AEV set their sights on the ZR2 to make it a tried-and-true boss of all things trail related. Anyone who is a true truck expert knows that customization and part add-on are key when building your dream machine, and the fun really begins during this selection process.

If you are looking to transform the ZR2 into more of a desert-racing contender, the good news is that Chevy now totally has you covered. Plans were just announced to offer a line of 15 factory race components that were originally developed for Chad Hall's race truck. During the past two years, Hall's was the truck that completed every single race in the “Best of the Desert” series, and pre-ran during the Baja 1000. That means that these parts have been tested through more than 10,000 miles of extreme off-road racing, and since the success of the ZR2, customers have been clogging email in mass numbers asking Chad for his personal touch and help while building their own ZR2.

It's wildly exciting to us that you can buy the same Chevy Performance Parts that snagged the all-important jaunt to victory in the desert, and after you add required safety equipment, you can build a pre-runner for Baja 1000 scouting, or a full-blown race truck with massive capability. The first integral part in the process is the 1.5-inch body lift, allowing for clearance of the many various elements that make their presence immediately known as soon as you make the choice to veer off the “road frequently traveled.” This group offering also consists of long-travel shocks, long-travel leaf springs, as well as an anti-wrap link system.

The ZR2 Front Jounce Shock System was designed specifically for newer ZR2 models, and consists of a nitrogen-charged hydraulic secondary suspension bump shock, intended for off-road use. It works overtime to greatly enhance gross vehicle motion control, increase suspension bump capacity, and provide extra muscle in the battle against bottoming out during extreme off-road conditions.

The Chevy Performance ZR2 Cross Car Beam System helps during the job of counteracting the loads from the ZR2 Rear Jounce Shock System by creating a strong structural beam across the frame. The Performance ZR2 Anti-Wrap Link System helps prevent axle wrap under acceleration, braking, and improves suspension control during extreme off-road conditions. To check out the complete list of parts that can complete the task of making your ZR2 ready for mass regions of challenges and heart-pounding adventure, go Here, and begin to plan your New Year's off-road excursion of mayhem! 

2019 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison Unveiled During Lone Star State Fair

All of our truck-obsessed customers here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse are going to love the intensity of the next level that the Colorado ZR2 will now be taken to! Overland travel and off-roading are going to be not only a snap, but wildly fun and heart-pumping activities from behind the wheel. GM has now partnered with American Expedition Vehicles to create the Bison, which is literally the stuff dreams are made of as far as anyone who has a penchant for quickly jumping off-road knows. The base ZR2 will receive customized steel bumpers front and rear, and the front bumper is standing by and ready to feature a winch.

The rear bumper has tube sections and additional tie-down points, and up front there is a new grille that spells out “Chevrolet.” The side ZR2 rock rails still remain, as do the always-able and trusty 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires. You can also choose to snag up the AEV snorkel, that ties together the whole truck with somewhat of a rugged look. The Bison is available with either a 3.6-Liter V6 gas engine with an 8-speed, or a 2.8-Liter Duramax turbo-diesel with a 6-speed. The axles, DSSV Multimatic spool-valve shocks, and suspension that drivers are currently familiar with will remain the same, all available and constantly working together to assure that the roughest of roads traveled will not feel that way while poised in the driver's seat.

During the 2018 State Fair of Texas, an up close and personal look of the newly-equipped ZR2 Bison was offered to attendees. Positioned slightly to the side on a set that emulated raging rivers and crawl-able rocks, the Cherry Red model was striking and sinister. While watching the video feature, all of us here reflected that the steel bumpers were one of the coolest features, and the snorkel actually looks awesome! Here you really get a good view of how the five steel skid-plates provide the ultimate in protection: the underside of a truck can tend to see the most outright abuse when headed off-road.

You can also clearly see how the rock sliders on the bottom are capable of doing a great job protecting the body, and are as durable as anything in existence. The rear bumpers are also derived straight from the higher end of anything under the sun to protect a truck, and at a glance, you see how much impact it could withstand. The model is slated to go on sale during January of 2019, and once you order right here at the Powerhouse, the extra goodies are factory installed with care.

The good people of Texas will no doubt appreciate a truck that can dig its heels in and tackle so much wild expanse, as will anyone right here in Missouri or nationwide. The work that AEV has completed in the past is truly monumental: they provide overhauls that allow vehicles to truly go where they never have before. We know that many of you in our area will be excited about this Colorado release: being ultra-equipped for wandering in the wild is the name of the game when it comes to this brash and brave beast!