Most of us should remember the high-riding Chevrolet S-10 ZR2 pickup. It was the most aggressive off-road mid-sized truck Chevrolet offered, but wasn’t an idea taken to the lengths it deserved to go, like today’s Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.
Fear, not, however, because a more aggressive off-road version of the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado pickup is being considered, according to GM Executive Full and Mid-Sized Truck Chief Engineer Jeff Luke. In fact, dealers are already clamoring for one. Yes a trail-ready Colorado should be smaller — and therefore lighter — than the Ford Raptor, but that could perhaps be a good thing, as any off-road will tell you how important lightness is for the trails, rocks, dunes, or otherwise. Let us see what happens.
Comments
They need to do something quick. Chevy needs an off-road truck to compete with the Ford F150 Raptor
You know the 4.3 would probably be a great engine choice for a ZR-2. Plenty of power and torque, and still retaining excellent fuel economy (especially compared to the Raptor).
How bout the New 5.3’s, they Pack both Serious Power and Crazy Torque but will still provide Very good Gas mileage just like it’s Big Brother but in a Way Lighter Frame……That should Eat the Raptor’s Lunch??!! 🙂 🙂
The 5.3L sounds great! I’m afraid the 4.3L wouldn’t have enough extra power than the 3.6L to call it a “performance” variant. Now, if GM supercharged the 4.3L so it had 400HP and 420LB-FT, it would be great because you get the smaller displacement and a supercharger adds to the “sporty” nature of a performance truck. I like the idea of having a S/C 4.3L very much! It’s an ECOTEC3, so you know it has awesome efficiency. Besides VVT, SIDI and AFM, GM should add iVVL to it to further increase mpg’s. .
While this is a step in the right direction, I feel like it won’t be considered a raptor competitor. IMO two trucks are better than one. The Colorado can be for people who want something small, light, quick and still gets good fuel economy. The silverado would be for those who obviously want something bigger. If we’re gonna get a Colorado zr2 we should also get a silverado variant.
what about to have Silverado variant and the Colorado variant together?
I like the idea, but I don’t think they need to call it a zr2. The RAPTOR name sounds vicious and like its about to eat you, but zr2 is letters and a number. The name needs to sound ever more vicious. Secondly they need to do it with the Colorado and Silverado. With those two things I would be happy.
I hope GM does make this and not just tease, like they always do.
It’s always nice to have a bad ass version of a model, but when the river meets the road, pragmatic usually wins the day. The calls for a mean offroader, but the middle of the pot of porridge is always the wisest choice.
In this case, I think the 3.2 diesel will be the wisest choice for a number of reasons. Jack it up as high as reasonable, for ground clearance, add some outrageous tires, and no matter what it is called… It will be plenty of bad ass.
Bringing back the 4.3L engine with a supercharger sounds like a great idea. I also think that a zr2 sound be just for the Colorado’s. I do agree that Chevy needs to bring out a more aggressive off road package for the Silverado but the zr2 should be left for the little guy. And when we talk about competing with the raptor let’s just think this… Did ford put a diesel engine in there truck. Umm no.
I currently have a 2003 GMC sonoma Highrider (ZR2) and i currently love my truck more than anything i have ever driven. Additionally my truck is substantially…modified. I pulled the 4.3 out and currently running an 06′ 5.3 H.O dynoing at 340 HP, running 22MPG highway… WITH A 3.73 GEAR!!! If they make a ZR2 with an LS based motor (most likely a 4.8 or 5.3) they have my money, NOT saying that i wouldnt buy the truck if it didnt have an LS based motor. Though i would end up pulling the motor depending on REAL RWHP and torque.
The largest selling point for me is a light agile truck that i can use both to commute to work and still be a weekend warrior offroad.