Chevrolet Unveils Aggressively-Styled Colorado ZR2 Pickup Concept in LA

Powered by the new 2.8L Duramax diesel engine, the aggressively-styled Colorado ZR2 Concept is Chevy's Vision for Midsize Pickups.

Chevrolet today introduced the Colorado ZR2 concept – a vision of how Chevrolet could take their all-new midsize truck’s off-road capability to the next level. It also showcases the new 2.8L Duramax diesel engine that will arrive in the Colorado lineup later next year. The aggressively styled concept builds on the capabilities of the production Colorado Z71, like this 2016 Z71 model we reviewed here, and advances the legacy of Chevrolet’s previous ZR2 production models.

Following the 2014 LA Auto Show, Chevy rolled another version with the Colorado ZR2 Off-Road AEV Concept powered by an available 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel engine. And it 2019, ramped up this small truck with the 2019 Colorado ZR2 Bison Tray Bed Concept.

A small Chevy pickup with serious off-road chops

The Colorado ZR2’s imposing stance is four inches wider than a production Colorado Z71, with features including new front and rear fascias designed to increase approach and departure angles when driving off road. Ground clearance and rough terrain are handled with a two-inch lift and integral skid plates, while the wider track helps enhance stability in potentially unstable situations.

The Colorado ZR2’s greater approach and departure angles – 30.7 and 22.7 degrees, respectively, versus the Z71’s 25/21 degrees – are enabled by all-new off-road fascias that drastically reduce front and rear overhang. They also feature integrated, flip-out aluminum tow hooks and the front fascia incorporates a built-in winch.

Colorado interior and exterior accessories built for adventure

Exterior elements include an all-new grille and headlamp housings with blacked-out accents. The power dome-style hood is unique and echoes the design cues of Chevrolet’s Duramax-powered Silverado heavy-duty trucks.

Inside the ZR2, the concept off-roader features the same blend of capability and comfort found in the production Colorado Z71, with ZR2 logos embroidered on the front-seat headrests and embossed in the custom Chevrolet Accessories-based floor liners.

The ZR2 logo is featured on the instrument cluster display, as well as a custom inclinometer that shows degree of incline from front to back, and side to side. The Jet Black leather-trimmed interior features orange stitching that complements the exterior’s orange accents.

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