Chevy Showcases Colorado ZR2 Concept Truck at SEMA

Watch out, Raptor! Colorado ZR2 AEV concept & race trucks push Chevy’s performance envelope to create the toughest ride around.

Revealed at SEMA 2017, the Chevy Colorado ZR2 AEV concept and ZR2 Race Development Truck proves just how much Chevy is pushing the performance envelope of the segment-redefining Colorado. The trucks demonstrate the capability of Colorado and its off-road performance variant, the ZR2.

“Colorado has reignited the midsize segment with class-exclusive features and performance,” says Jim Campbell, Chevy’s U.S. V.P. of Truck Strategy. “Some customers want even greater capability, and the ZR2 AEV concept and ZR2 Race Development Truck showcase the efforts we’ve made to explore how owners can get even more from their trucks.”

The Colorado ZR2 AEV concept, created in collaboration with legendary off-road manufacturer American Expedition Vehicles and featuring the available 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel engine, elevates the already capable ZR2 for even greater adventures.

“ZR2 puts an exclamation point on Chevy’s off-road engineering ability,” adds AEV founder Dave Harriton. “Our collaboration taught us that Colorado makes a great platform for building an off-road truck that can take you as far out as you want to go, safely.”

‘The work with AEV and Hall Racing acknowledges the strengths of our midsize, with both SEMA entries showcasing the versatility that’s already made Colorado a resounding success.’

The ZR2 AEV concept and the ZR2 Race Development Truck feature a Chevrolet Performance development suspension that includes:

• Front and rear jounce shocks, plunging front half-shafts, high-angle upper ball joint and increased stiffness high-angle tie rods
• Long-travel rear leaf spring suspension, anti-wrap link and rear differential cover
• Specially tuned Multimatic DSSVTM Shocks

The concept’s unique content includes:

• AEV front and rear off-road bumpers, complete underbody skid protection, expedition bed rack, high clearance fender flares and high-rise snorkel
• AEV DualSport beadlock wheels
• 35-inch BF Goodrich® KM2 Mud-Terrain tires
• Front and rear high output LED auxiliary lighting
• ARB refrigerator/freezer, Equipt aluminum storage cases, NATO-style fuel cans and James Baroud USA awning in the bed
• Recovery shackles, Hi-Lift jack, Warn 9.5xp-s winch and MAXTRAX
• ZR2 Race Development Truck

The ZR2 Race Development Truck builds on the ZR2’s desert-running capability with a long-travel version of the stock truck’s DSSV shocks. These are tuned for high-speed off-road use, adding unique parts validated by legendary off-road racer Chad Hall in the Best in the Desert racing series:

• 1.5-inch body lift
• 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tires
• Rear shock skidplates
• Rear differential skidplate
• Steel driveshaft
• Wheel spacers with extended-length wheel studs
• Off-road air intake and performance exhaust

The ZR2 Race Development Truck also shares the 3.6L V-6 and segment-exclusive eight-speed transmission with ZR2. Both trucks leverage the electronic locking front and rear differentials, Off-Road Mode and additional elements from the regular production ZR2.

“Colorado can play any way you want,” says Campbell. “The work with AEV and Hall Racing acknowledges the strengths of our midsize platform, with both SEMA entries showcasing the versatility that’s already made Colorado a resounding success.”