Chevy Colorado ZR2 Revealed With Diesel Power, "Ultimate" Off-Road Capability

Chevrolet is showcasing a concept version of its Colorado mid-size pickup truck meant to demonstrate its potential as an off-road vehicle.

Long before GM first revealed its Colorado and Canyon mid-size pickups, it said the Chevrolet-branded version would be aimed at lifestyle owners on the west coast. With the ZR2 concept, the brand is showing one iteration of what that might be.

“From the bold stance to the trail-ready special equipment, the Colorado ZR2 is all about the fun of driving where the pavement ends – and doing it in characteristic Chevy style,” said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. “Chevrolet has a heritage of the ZR2 representing the ultimate in production-based off-road capability and we’ll gauge the public’s interest in this concept as we continue to explore the possibilities for the all-new Colorado.”

2014 L.A. Auto Show Preview

The ZR2 concept is four inches wider than the Colorado Z71 that Chevrolet already offers as a more durable off-road variant to the base model. It wears new front and rear fascias that offer more extreme approach and departure angles along with an extra two inches of ground clearance and skid plates.

Chevrolet added King coil-over shocks and new front control arms for greater suspension travel to further enhance the truck’s ability to tackle dicey terrain. On top of that, it also gets electronic locking front and rear differentials.

In addition to beefier off-road components, the truck also gets more aggressive styling cues including a new grille and headlight housings along with a power-dome style hood that hides the 2.8-liter Duramax diesel engine Chevrolet will offer in the truck later this year. The engine makes an “estimated” 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The front end also has a winch that can be operated via toggle switches in the cabin.

Chevrolet hasn’t expressed plans to offer a ZR2 version of the Colorado yet, but it wouldn’t be the first time GM sold a pickup truck with that sort of badge. The company sold a ZR2 version of the S-10 pickup and the Blazer.