GM, Army Build Badass Combat Beast

Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 Will Go Through Military Testing Beginning in May

Just when you think you’ve seen it all when it comes to cool concept vehicles, Automobile uncovers the most awesome military vehicle ever at the Detroit Auto Show: the Colorado ZH2.

General Motors and the U.S. Army are collaborating on the ZH2, an innovative hydrogen-powered stealth truck that sounds like it’s straight out of a James Bond movie. The fuel-cell off-roader will likely be used on the battlefields of the future.

The Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center is finalizing the engineering phase on the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 FCV. This May, the Army will begin testing the ZH2 in training missions to see how effective fuel-cell vehicles could be in the theater of war.

The Colorado ZH2 is an imposing vehicle: It’s six-and-a-half feet tall and more than seven feet wide, weighs three tons, and has 37-inch tires. Its suspension is modified to help it crawl over the toughest terrain, and the truck’s energy source may give it several additional advantages on the battlefield. A near-silent engine makes it ideal for stealth operations. Its heat signature is more than 10 times lower than an internal combustion engine, which means thermal scanners will have a harder time picking it up. The fuel cell system also produces two gallons of water per hour as a byproduct, which could be a valuable resource in remote locations. Plus, in what seems like something out of a Transformers movie, the Colorado ZH2’s fuel cell can be removed and used as a generator. Cool, eh?

The Army will put the Colorado ZH2 through a year of rigorous testing before it considers deploying the vehicle for combat.

This isn’t the only project GM and the military have in the works. The U.S. Navy is currently testing a fuel cell-powered Unmanned Undersea Vehicle for possible future deployment. Chevy Submarine? James Bond, you’ve got your work cut out for you.