Spied: Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Extended-Cab Prototype
By Bruce W. Smith
Chevrolet's Colorado ZR2 Concept shown at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show continues to ramp up testing. GM engineers were recently caught putting a lightly camouflaged extended cab through its paces. This continued development testing with an extended-cab version of the Prerunner-style Colorado prototype, along with continued testing of the crew-cab ZR2 we reported on earlier this year, is a strong indication that a midsize off-road competitor to Toyota's Tacoma TRD Sport and TRD Pro might soon be added to the existing Colorado lineup.
Our spy shooters' images of the extended-cab Colorado off-road package give a clearer picture of what we might expect to see at GM dealerships in the near future. Here's what they sent:
"The front bumper covers only a fraction of the front tires, clearly suggesting that a version of the Colorado ZR2 Concept's Prerunner-inspired front end is in play on this prototype. It also appears that the outer corners of the front bumper camouflage are designed to be easily removable - enabling quick access to the truck's maximum approach angle whenever it's needed for testing.
"The camouflage also could be hiding the uniquely placed King off-road racing shocks, which were an attention-grabbing element of the ZR2 Concept. What is missing is the concept's bed-mounted spare tire, which is clearly seen mounted in the normal position under the bed of the prototype. That detail was never expected to see production, and it hasn't.
"In addition to the trail-friendly front-end design, the production ZR2 gets the concept's bulging hood scoop, which can be seen lurking under the camo on the hood.
"The prototype showcases the concept's extra trim tacked onto the wheel arches, making for a ZR2 production truck likely matching the show truck's extra 4 inches in width.
"The ZR2 concept sat 2 inches higher than a standard Colorado, and this prototype looks like it, too, is riding high for optimum, real-world off-roading.
"The prototype showcases a version of the concept's special rocker protectors, which help protect the side sills during serious off-roading."
We'll provide more details and be on the lookout for more prototypes as they become available. Stay tuned.
KGP Photography images
Comments
Cool. Would be even better to see them go all out raptor style with some serious power and suspension upgrades and some serious styling changes. I wouldn't buy one but would be fun to see, just like I wouldn't buy a raptor but I sure enjoy seeing and reading about them. The trd pro just isn't a very exciting package.
In some respects this would be more practical than a Raptor for my part of the world because it is more narrow. I like the ground clearance.
@Lou_BC
Agree, the narrower width would make it more Off Road friendly
This should be pretty cool I think. This one doesn't appear to have the Duramax (judging by the tailpipe), so hopefully it has the 4.3 Ecotec3 (if it doesn't have a V8) for good low-end torque.
So they're gonna leave the spare where its at??
Colorado's are pure garbage. All Chevy trucks for that matter.
I will be getting a midsize soon and it will either be a GMC Canyon or Toyota Tacoma. No Chevy garbage for me. They have terrible engines.
@Gerald
I hate to break the news to you dude, but Chevy and GMC have been using corporate GM engines for several decades.
Give the Chevy a try! I've had great service from the Chevy pickups I've owned. s
Not to be outdone Ford engineers were recently caught putting a lightly camouflaged extended cab through its paces.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIMLoLxmTDw
Not to be outdone Ford engineers were recently caught putting a lightly camouflaged extended cab through its paces.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIMLoLxmTDw
Not to be outdone Ford engineers were recently caught putting a lightly camouflaged extended cab through its paces.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIMLoLxmTDw
Not to be outdone Ford engineers were recently caught putting a lightly camouflaged extended cab through its paces.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIMLoLxmTDw
Not to be outdone Ford engineers were recently caught putting a lightly camouflaged extended cab through its paces.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIMLoLxmTDw
Hopefully we see a new engine under the hood, hood bulge to actually make room for a taller 4.3L???
Ford orgullosa de ser mexicana - stop being a wanker & acting like a kid; there was no need to post your rubbish 5 times wasting space....
another dumb ford truck driver.http://www.gloucestertimes.com/news/local_news/truck-dangles-over-niles-beach-seawall/article_3c9ae172-8154-539b-a70f-a0b3eb056106.html
blaaa, blaaaa, blaaaa...wasting space....
Posted by: Lionel | May 19, 2016 8:08:45 PM
Speaking about wasting space, Lionel just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand. Besides everyone is entitled to my opinion.
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/ford-recalls-model-year-2016-fusions-051816.html
Hopefully we see a new engine under the hood, hood bulge to actually make room for a taller 4.3L???
Posted by: Andrew | May 19, 2016 8:03:01 PM
The 3.6L is taller than both the 4.3L and 5.3L
In the time that's elapsed since GM started wondering about the ZR2, Kia has probably developed an all new clean-sheet design to kick butt with.
For GM to drag their butts 2 bleeping years in development for a 10-percenter is nuts.
The width of the Raptor is what makes it ride and handle so well. Generally speaking a narrow vehicle will not ride well.
Perhaps GM is considering the LF3 Twin Turbo V6 used in the Cadillac CTS for the ZR-2 Colorado. With 420 BHP and 430Lb/Ft of Torque mated to an Eight Speed transmission, that would be an awesome package.
Also, perhaps a Bi-Turbo version of the 2.8 Turbo Diesel would be another good option??
YAWN !!!! The upcoming Ram Fiat Toro will tear this Chevy POS up.LMBO !!!!!!
Put the 6.2 in their. Hell Dodge had a 5.9 360 in the Dakota.
Put the 6.2 in their. Hell Dodge had a 5.9 360 in the Dakota.
Posted by: HEMI V8 | May 20, 2016 2:09:15 AM
Miss my friends dad's 318 5 speed manual dodge Dakota. That thing still could do a burn out a little burn out with 2,000 lbs in the bed lol
Was a 1995 what a beast tho lol
Put the 6.2 in their. Hell Dodge had a 5.9 360 in the Dakota.
Posted by: HEMI V8 | May 20, 2016 2:09:15 AM
Yea that 5.9L in the Dakota was a complete dog. The 6.2L in this would be a complete beast. Even the TT V6 someone mentioned above. A kick back to the killer cyclone and typhoon GM made.
Why is it so hard for GM to build a vehicle that you can see out of?
The Camaro is like being in a submarine. Now this truck has a stance that looks like it would destroy any vision out the back window, and that back window is small!
Good grief.
Plus, everybody here knows that they'll start this truck at $40K and go up from there rapidly. A diesel model will put you into Ram Rebel price range rather easily.
The Zr2 S10 was the last off road package of any substance GM made. Hopefully this new Zr2 will be more than tires, sticker and pepboys add ons.
This is what the pretend truck market craves. Riding high, looking, good, able to go off road (even if most never do), burning up the money. Ahh to be young and stupid again or old enough to have enough money not to care. Either way the old and young will bite on it.
Holy rake, lol first mod for everyone will be a front lift to fix that hideous rake. On a work truck this rake would be perfect, on an off-road vehicle? Just proves GM doesn't know what it's doing in the realm of off-road. I bet GM just put a 1" or 1.5" block under the standard leaf springs to lift the rear, versus doing a proper leaf spring setup.
Sadly judging by the first picture, I bet the front CVs can't take much more lift or they'll have bad CV angles. So you may be stuck with the stink-bug look.
Lastly, the spare tire will hit the ground before you get to the departure angle of the rear bumper. The tire really needs to be higher up and tucked away. And you can forget about fitting a larger tire under the bed if you go a size up, any lower and it'll just drag on the ground.
jack, I'm sure any serious off-roaders will mount the spare in the bed. But if they did that factory, most people will complain. But it's a relatively easy fix, and I'd bet they would offer a bed mount like the show truck, through the dealers.
I REALLY want a new ZR2, but I hope that it looks better than this when it's released. I'd love a 6 spd, but I know that'll never happen. I am hoping they offer a hi-po engine for this. My last ZR2 was a bit of a dog on the highway, even though it was fine for anything I was willing to try off-road. I doubt they'll offer the 4.3, because god forbid someone might have to redesign an engine mount, or cannibalize any sales from a 4.3 Silverado, which nobody would cross-shop with this. They MIGHT put a turbo in it, though I'd rather see a supercharger for better low-end.
I would buy an old one with a 5 spd, if they had ever made a crew cab. I can't fit car seats in those little jumpers in the ext. cabs!
While I applaud GM for trying to compete against the Tacoma, they will miss their mark!
First those square wheel wells mean you cannot do much to get larger tires on! Case in point on my 2016 Tacoma access-cab came with 245/75 on 16x7. I simply sold all 5 tires back to the dealer and installed proper 265/75 BFG A/T KO2's without touching anything on the truck!
Rear shock mounts? C'mon, tuck them away or closer to the frame, geesh!
Spare tire sits too low also.
And what is with that rear end being so high up? It looks awkward and dangerous on wet pavement.
Approach angle does not look like above 30 degrees like a Tacoma! And have to say it but my Access-cab Tacoma looks way more better than this one.
@zr2s10 unless you do overland and you need the bed space, then I guess you can leave the spare at home. I think it's sad that the spare tire seems like an afterthought on these trucks, it looks like GM built the truck and at the end was like "where to mount the spare" as the space under the bed would be better suited for a car sized spare.
Don't see a lot of people using a GM midsized for overlanding, seems to be popular with Toyota and Jeep vehicles.
Looks good I like it
Need to put some wheel flares on it. I had 33 inch tires on TRD wheels on my Taco and they did not stick out side the fenders....
Ahh to be young and stupid again....
Posted by: Clint | May 20, 2016 7:02:08 AM
Clint, don't be so hard on yourself, at least you've managed to retain one of those attributes. just kiddin ya!
It must have killed the designers to not incorporate an air dam that you can barely slide a dime under, or one of those hideous 1990's roll/light bars that they continually add to the Silverado models, but they couldn't help themselves and left the rake in that GM is so famous for.
they should definitely leave the camouflage on it to hide this ugly hooptie. Those square wheel wells look hidious. Lmao
Those square wheel wells look hidious. Lmao
Posted by: Natethegreat | May 20, 2016 10:32:08 AM
We've moved on from the classic FORD story, this story is about the Colorado ZR2.
I was told recently that the 4.3L V6 is too WIDE for the engine bay,not too tall.As much as I wanted the new Colorado,without the 4.3,it's a no deal for me.I have no use for an expensive diesel either.
What is the deal with the spare hanging so low on these trucks? Every other truck has it tucked in for more ground clearance and a better look. I've never looked under one of these trucks in person before, but seems almost hard to believe this could not be done better/cleaner?
ooxxii hey man I hate to break it to you, but the last time I looked the Tacoma's do not have round wheel wells, but sort of square ones! Plus they still have drum brakes, and even the new engine is course compared to the GM 3.6, plus down on power and tq at a higher rpm! I went and drove a couple of them though when I went to buy and they are nice trucks but impossible to get comfortable in. the dealers have no deals, and would not even give me but 3/4 that's 5K less than what the Chevy dealers gave me for my Silverado in trade on a new Colorado I was able to find at the only local dealer in the Boston area to have any discounts on the Colorado. I was able to get 5k off an ext cab Z-71, V-6 Tow package, 8' Chevy MyLink system with the 4G LTE/OnStar Wi-Fi system with Bose Speakers. I paid 11k LESS for the Colorado that I would have had to pay for a Tacoma, without the equipment I got in the Colorado. While the Tacoma is a fine truck, it is mostly a toy, yes it has more ground clearance, but at the expense of interior comfort with the floor being so high and the seat so low. The Colorado tows more, hauls more weight has vastly better steering/handling on the road. Before you say anything about unproven engines or any such nonsense, just remember the engines have been used for years in Cadillac's, and many other GM products with very good service and reputations.
The main reason that I wouldn't buy this truck is because it doesn't offer the 4.3l engine. That was a choice for over 20 years in GM small pickups, and it is only recently that GM has turned their back on customers.
4.3 too wide?
@toxicsluldge
double check your source, dude. The 3.6 currently found in the GM twins is WIDER than the 4.3
The DOHC 3.6 has very large cylinder heads compared to the 2 valve 4.3
Both are very good engines. Either one would be a good choice for the majority of truck buyers who want V8-style power in a compact truck
While I applaud GM for trying to compete against the Tacoma, they will miss their mark!
First those square wheel wells mean you cannot do much to get larger tires on!
BLAH BLAH BLAH.. Tacoma crap BLAH BLAH...
Posted by: ooxxii | May 20, 2016 9:10:25 AM
--------------------------
No one cares about you or the crappy Tacoma. All you can come up with against the Colorado is wheel wells? Last I checked you still have drums in the rear... Don't that just suck to have the same brakes from the 90's!
Cant spell TuRD without TRD.
I don't care for the hunched back look.
@Papa Jim - I've read in other places that it was a 'packaging issue' that kept them from using the 4.3 which I agree is hard to believe. If the old Colorado could fit a small-block V8 then I don't see why this one can't fit a small-block based V6. I don't know exact dimensions but I have a hard time believing that the 4.3 isn't smaller than the 3.6.
the 4.3 would make the truck.
That truck looks like a cuv that's not a truck almost look the equinox.Why this guy ford orgullosa De ser Mexicana always have to talk bad about ford it makes me think he want one.
He goes out of topping.
@ Blang: I was told by my local chevy dealer that the 4.3 is too wide to fit into the Colorado.Than I found out today on another forum that the 4.3 is actually,narrower,and not as tall as the 3.6 cammer.Bottom line,it's for the mpg's,which is marginally better for the lfx.I really wanted a colorado,would fit my needs to a T,but for the engine.I have no need,nor do I want an expensive diesel,and I wouldn't touch an lfx in a truck,regardless of size.
@Papa Jim - I've read in other places that it was a 'packaging issue' that kept them from using the 4.3 which I agree is hard to believe. If the old Colorado could fit a small-block V8 then I don't see why this one can't fit a small-block based V6. I don't know exact dimensions but I have a hard time believing that the 4.3 isn't smaller than the 3.6.
Posted by: BigWang | May 20, 2016 9:53:26 PM
Thus is my speculation but the 4.3L may be wider. The 4.3L is a 90 degree block over the 3.6 that is 60. Even with DOHC heads the 4.3 may be wider. EmissionS and or FE targets may be part of the decision to go with the 3.6L
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