Community Question: Should Chevrolet Offer A ZR2 Silverado Or Colorado?
34
Sponsored Links
Ultimately, it would be nice to see more aggressive off-road variants of both the new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and 2015 Colorado. But we can’t always get what we want.
So if it came down to it, would we rather like to see more aggressive off-road (ZR2) variants of the Chevrolet Colorado or Chevrolet Silverado? There are pros to both. In the sake of the full-sized Silverado, it could be a direct competitor to the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. In regards to a possible Colorado ZR2, it would be lighter, smaller, and possibly more athletic than a half-ton truck offering, and could attract a different demographic, who otherwise wouldn’t go for the Raptor because it’s too big.
So which should it be, fair readers? An off-road Silverado? Or a Colorado?
- Sweepstakes Of The Month: Win a Corvette Z06 and 2024 Silverado. Details here.
Sponsored Links
My view on it is that the S-10 had the ZR2 nameplate originally, the Colorado is a continuance of the S-10’s legacy. Bring on the Colorado ZR2 with all of the off road goodness and more than the S-10 ZR2 had back in the day! The Silverado should have a unique and original name for its off road variant, something that is more in line with the Raptor. Im not one to throw out random names, but I do know it needs to be modern, catchy, and create a legacy of its own on the Silverado, like the High Country will for a luxury version.
Colorado ZR2 is more attainable than having a Silverado ZR2. Though it would be cool to see GM’s take on a full fledge Raptor fighter, I’d rather see them cash in on a Colorado variant that more people can own.
Most people that want to off-road want maneuverability that you can’t get with a big truck like the Silverado. The Colorado is the way choice.
This is a no brainer as you would offer both. It is not hard or difficult to convert either to a off road package.
This would increase profits for both and would make a turn key package for those who can not or will not convert a truck on their own.
Also both trucks need to be offered in a lowered sport suspended package. Big tires and handling package offered with any 1/2 ton engine would be great. This too would ad profits and the suspension bits could be done very easy.
It took a GMC engineer to use off the shelf parts to create the massively profitable ZQ8 back in 1997and they told a ton of them over the years and made even more money with them.
Right now Ford with the Raptor and Toyota with the TRD package is laughing all the way to the bank. As of now no one really has a good sport package and GM could also clean up there. I think the key is to make the suspension a option on any 1/2 ton truck and let the buyers choose the engines etc they want. If you make it a you buy it loaded or else you limit the number of sales in the long run.
I agree Scott. Chevy can make both, and be profitable.
It sound like a good idea but have to agree with Andrew and JustinF. The size of these might just be the thing that shoots it down for most people.
I deal in off road parts and size is not an issue here. My customers are nearly all large trucks and the only small vehicles we see in great numbers are Jeeps. To many of them the bigger the better. If it has a Diesel they want it even bigger with Duelies.
If they offer it in the full size it will sell and if they offer it in the smaller size it will still sell as other than Toyota what real choice is there for a smaller new truck?
The real killer is if you opt for the V6 in the smaller truck performance parts may be limited as there really is nothing out there for the 3.6. Guys that off road like to build and mod engines to go with the other parts.
the 4.3 will have some parts as they interchange with the V8 but they will also be limited with intakes etc. We saw the same thing with the S-10 ZR2.
Now if they offered a Eco Turbo there is easy cheap power to be made with these engines with 3 bar maps and a flash. For $400-500 you can pick up some easy HP and Torque. Note too the torque can come in full at as low as 1800 RPM and hold it to 5300 RPM.
Yeah, but how many off those full-size guys buying the off-road suspension and lift kits actually go off roading?
i think the sport truck market has dwindled, and big is in. I’m all for a ZR2 Colorado but GM would be foolish to not cash in on the “Raptor” market with the higher profit full size segment
A Colorado ZR2 with a 4.3L S/C V6 would be great! I think GM should make a Tahoe with an off-road trim, to bring back some Hummer DNA into GM. . .
I voted “Neither.” Reason is that GM has missed the “Raptor Bandwagon”. No sense in copying Ford with off-road variants. Instead, offer a simpler take on what many GM truck owners already do: modification! How many lifted trucks do you see around the country? If GM designed an attractive line of off-road performance parts for these trucks, then offered them in different scale upgrade packages (with a warranty) through GM Performance Parts network, it would be an instant hit. Although this idea would require some initial promoting, once it took it would create a solid base of customers. When the customer wants to do his own work, he can buy the parts and upgrade his truck. If he wants the package but doesn’t wish to put in the work to build it, then a dealer or certified installer can install the upgrades. Its a very simple idea and creates a cost effective competitor to Ford, while additionally creating more jobs and income for GM.
And don’t get me wrong, I like the ZR2 name. ZR2 S-10 was a good truck, so they could offer these upgrade packages with the ZR2 name and decals.
@Pete
What’s more likely to do better for GM both for profit and image: a person buying a spec’d truck ready to go right from the factory, or buying a truck and ‘making’ a ZR2 kit themselves. The typical after market guys will likely go third party parts. More money to be made in having a ZR2 sitting on a lot than showing a regular Colorado buyer a bunch of parts in a catalogue.
Should make it with the diesel. At least as an option
Would love to see it in both
@Andrew
That’s the beauty of my idea. If a dealer wants to move inventory, they can upgrade a couple of the trucks on the lot and raise the sticker with it. I understand the aftermarket is a huge business and this would cut into that, however if I could get some good looking parts for my truck that didn’t void the warranty, then that would be extremely attractive compared to aftermarket parts which make your vehicle ineligible for certain insurances, nearly all warranties, and leave you paying out of pocket for parts failures.
I think they should have both just to target the different audience
@pete
True enough. Didn’t consider the custom dealer rigs that could be put together prior to initial sale of the truck
There’s a Ford dealer I know of that takes their base F150s off the lot and puts a 2-3 inch lift on em, nice looking 18 inch wheels with LT285 BFG tires, and a simple stripe kit or wrap. They sell quickly because they look much better than stock and are cheaper than the Raptors, Platinums, and Limiteds. Good idea if you ask me.
Katakis.
Just how many are full size? More than I can count. These guys are calling all the time for replacement parts they broke over the weekend.
I am not sure where people think all these guys are off in the woods in small trucks? The only thing really small on the trails are the Jeeps that keep getting larger and the rock crawlers that people fab up.
If you want to do this right do not offer a full load Raptor package for big money. Just offer the suspension package and make all other options available. They way you can get the turn key guys that load them up and the guys who just want the good mechanical bits and then finish the truck their way.
Also GMC needs to do a Hummer like small Jeep like thing on the Colorado. They had considered this for Hummer but they still could do it under GMC. Make it small and affordable and only a GMC.
The Jeep has limitations and GMC could go beyond these limitations.
Either way GM dealers are selling aftermarket packages as they have nothing else to offer. Why let these dollars get away from cooperate. If they offer these bits in house everyone will make money.
Colorado.
As much as I would like to see people use the cars and trucks for what they are built for at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter. A sell is a sell and for this reason they need to build both
The real question is for the future, Does GM really want to promote more 1/2 ton sales?
Yes I know this sounds crazy but there is no way the present trucks are going to meet the CAFE in 2025.
Could it be that many of the special packages in the future will be more and more focused on the Colorado and it’s smaller engines to entice people over to them.
I really see Ford and GM moving the 1/2 ton focus to the Colorado and Ranger in this country at some point.
We have already seen stated the V8 will be around but very limited and will be more expensive. GM has already made the trucks lighter but the size hurts them In anymore improvement. GM has also stated the MPG is a focus of the Colorado.
I expect the full size trucks to be more 3/4 ton focused as they will be exempted to a easier CAFE regs in 2025. This loop hole will let them sell the big trucks but they will be even more expensive.
The Truck market is in for a fundamental change and they all will face it. The EPA is getting tougher on Diesels too so that option may not be as easy to work as time goes on.
The future for the 1/2 ton truck Is focused on what they can get people to accept and still meet the wants of the customer. It is going to be interesting to see what they do.
I think a good program of interesting Colorado packages could draw many people to them.
But in the end for now they need both.
@Scott
The new half tons with a 5.3 already meet CAFE 2025 standards. Its all based on footprint/size of vehicle, and where the CAFE may say 30, its actually 23mpg EPA (window sticker) mileage. Yes the market will probably start moving towards smaller trucks, but the full size trucks are where GM and Ford get most of thier money from…so no they don’t want to lose sales in that department. Small trucks aren’t as lucrative as full size trucks, but they will be more attactive to buyers as our economy continues to go nowhere. Also, be rest assured that there are still plenty of advancements to be made in making more efficient full size trucks…but the big 3 aren’t in any hurry to launch those advancements until they get thier money’s worth out of the current technology. Its all a big game really, a game of numbers.