Move over Ford Ranger Raptor, there’s a new hardcore, off-road-ready truck in town that cribs its name from the animal kingdom. The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison is the latest addition to the Colorado lineup, and it takes everything we love about the regular ZR2 and turns things up a notch. Armed with refreshed bodywork and beefier components courtesy of American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), the Colorado ZR2 Bison is an off-road enthusiast’s dream truck.
Concept Looks, Production Ready
If the Colorado ZR2 Bison looks like a concept, that's because it is – or, was. Last year at SEMA, Chevy and AEV showed off a prototype of the ZR2 Bison with upgrades like retuned Multimatic DSSV suspension dampers, new skid plates, fender flares, and huge 35-inch BF Goodrich KM2 tires riding on AEV's own DualSport beadlock wheels.
But don't think just because the Bison is heading to production that it loses all of those rugged cues. A handful of the same elements from the concept carry over, including two additional skid plates – bringing the total up to five – unique 17-inch beadlock wheels, nearly-as-large 31-inch off-road tires, and a special AEV body kit that separates the Bison visually from the regular ZR2.
Grillin'
The standard ZR2 doesn't stray far from the base Colorado in terms of front fascia styling. The black mesh grille and Bowtie logo carry over almost completely unchanged. But in an effort to differentiate the Bison from its less-rugged counterparts, AEV and Chevy equipped this pickup with a new front grille. Complete with a flow-through “Chevrolet” lettered grille – think “Flowtie” – a sliver lower diffuser, and fog lights, the ZR2 Bison shouldn't have a hard time standing out.
Flares, Wheels, And Tires, Oh My
Similar to its ZR2 sibling, the Bison uses 17-inch aluminum wheels, wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road tires. The truck’s off-road prowess is further justified with expanded front and rear track widths, totaling 3.5 inches over the standard Colorado. Completing the package are beefier fender flares that increase the Bison’s more aggressive, unique look.
More Skidplates
The Colorado ZR2 Bison relies on five AEV-designed, Boron steel skid plates to protect key mechanical components such as the front and rear differentials, oil pan, fuel tank, and transfer case. Compare that to the standard ZR2, which has just three skid plates.
Performance To Match
Like the Colorado ZR2, the ZR2 Bison comes standard with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that pumps out 308-horsepower (230 kilowatts) and 275 pound-feet (373 Newton-meters) of torque. Those seeking additional grunt can opt for a diesel-drinking turbocharged 2.8-liter inline-four with 186-hp (135-kW) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. Buyers can also choose between crew- or extended-cab body styles, as well as short and long beds. An AEV-developed snorkel intake is available as an accessory option for buyers looking to traverse dusty dunes or mud-heavy trails.
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