Tougher Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 aims at Raptor
Facelifted MY21 Chevrolet Colorado range topped by new-look ZR2 tough truckThe US-market Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 tough truck has been updated as part of a range-wide 2021 model year facelift that will hit US showrooms in early 2020.
Brandishing a new-look front-end design, the new Colorado ZR2 will make its public debut at the 2019 Method Race Wheels Laughlin Desert Classic in Nevada on October 10, before appearing at the world's biggest aftermarket show, SEMA, in Las Vegas.
It's understood that Holden has investigated the ZR2 kit, which could technically be adapted for Aussie-delivered Colorado dual-cab utes. But as it stands, the ZR2 kit is unlikely to be offered by Holden or HSV due to the high cost, and Holden says the US Colorado facelift is not relevant to its Thai-source ute model range in Australia.
If you exclude the Colorado SportsCat SV by HSV ($66,790), the toughest Holden ute available in Australia is the Colorado Z71 ($54,990) with the Extreme pack.
In the US, the Colorado ZR2 is the closest thing to a Ford Ranger Raptor competitor from cross-town rival General Motors. It is fitted with upgraded chassis components developed by Canadian outfit Multimatic and designed to give the ute proper desert-dueling capabilities.
Ex-Holden chassis engineer Michael Barber has worked for Multimatic since 2015 and was a key player in calibrating the hard-core suspension on the Colorado ZR2.
The extra components developed for the Colorado ZR2 by Multimatic include:
DSSVTM position-sensitive dampers
Front and rear electronic locking differentials
2.0-inch suspension lift kit
3.5-inch wider track
Off-road rocker protection
Cast iron control arms
Autotrac transfer case
Multiple skid plates
Other features of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 include 17-inch alloy wheels shod with massive 31-inch (265/65) Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tyres.
The powertrain of the updated 2021 model has not been detailed by Chevrolet, but is likely to carryover unchanged from the current ZR2 model, which comes with a 135kW/500Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel.
Driving through a six-speed automatic, the previous Colorado ZR2 dual-cab pick-up was priced at around $US41,000 in North America, which converts to around $A60,000.
"We’ve sold 520,000 Colorado pick-ups in five years through a relentless, foot-on-the-gas approach to product and feature updates," said Bob Krapes, director of marketing at Chevrolet Trucks.
"With its new-look front-end and tailgate, Colorado will now have a more aggressive appearance to match its award-winning capability."
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
