Community Question: Should Chevrolet Offer A ZR2 Silverado Or Colorado?
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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?
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Yes it is true the 5.3 based on a specific foot print fits but the reality is the truck as a whole still have to gain more as not all of them are 5.3 or the size of a Standard cab truck.
They are going to look for every loop hole there is and try some other things. The Minivan was born due to CAFE. The present rise of the CUV was born of the rise in CAFE and automakers looking for a alternative to the larger SUV. Also higher gas prices kill SUV and large truck sales for short periods of time till fuel prices drop.
I a world of few V8 cars including Cadillac the time for a 1/2 ton full size truck with a V8 may be coming to a close. Expect a push for even higher MPG ratings as People like Hillary Clinton and others have already been pushing for them already.
The big three will keep the larger V8 trucks alive as long as they can but the time is coming where they will have to look for other options. You can only deactivate so many cylinders.
Also I see the Colorado as a game changer. Yes everyone said there is no market for the smaller trucks but what choices did anyone have. We had a crappy Colorado from GM an outdated Ranger and a Toyota who was never strong with loyal big three truck buyers. The Dakota was also junk. This time it will be a better truck and if they can make the price lower than the discounted larger trucks they may just have something. But if gas prices remain stable and they discount the full size trucks it will hurt the Colorado.
I want the smaller truck I just hope they get the pricing right.
I purchased new a 2007 Sierra NNBS SLT 4X4 and love the truck with exceptions. It is difficult to drive and park in congested metro areas. My wife has a CR-V. Fun around town but when it comes to taking trips, its the Sierra that wins. I need the 4X4 to get back and forth to work in the winter. After seeing the 2015 Colorado and the graphic representation of what the ZR2 package would look like, I am ready to save my money for one. It would be a great compromise in town and will probably ride good on the highway as it has a fairly long wheelbase. It has the looks I like and occasionally taking it off road would be great as the stock Sierra sits too low and you tear off the lower air dam. (yes I did put a 2″lift on the front) Perhaps when they get ready they will offer the 4.3 instead of the 3.6 for the sake of aftermarket accessories.
Manoli, I drive a 95 S10 ZR2 Ext Cab and am saving to buy the new Colorado (4WD, Crew Cab, Short Box) when it hits the market with the 2.8 Turbo Diesel. I like the idea of a ZR2 version for the new truck and hope GM strongly considers this option. Question, is there anyway to understand what 6 Speed Auto will be bolted to the 2.8 Duramax Diesel?? The reason for asking this questions is that as far as I can make out on the GM Powertrain website, neither the 6L45 or 6L50 that get bolted to the 2.5 I-4 and 3.6 V6 can handle the 2.8 Diesels output as it stands right now.
They probably have some new transmissions coming that will fit to the Dmax by then.
Manoli,
From what I can estimate using gear ratio data gathered from the 2014 Holden Colorado brochure and looking at the GM Powertrain website, I would say that GM is probably using an uprated 6L50 under another designation. However, I thought you guys might know since you have access to GM Engineers etc….
I know this is not a high priority with a lot of people but I do hope that it gets americanized just a little from the Holden and they offer a sun roof. That was one of the selling points when I was originally looking at trucks. If there was one available in a Taco I would be driving it today. Instead for about the same money I am driving a Sierra!
Really GM,LIFT YOUR TRUCKS UP A LITTLE TO GIVE IT SOME GROUND CLEARANCE SO WE DONT HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY OURSELFS,WHY DO YOU THINK FORD TRUCKS ARE THE TOP SELLERS FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS?
The 2500 is considerably higher than the 1500. . .
That being said, I think it would be a real money maker for GM if they offer this “ZR2” package on the 1500 Silverado/Sierra, Colorado/Canyon and maybe even the Tahoe/Yukon for people who want to go offroad and in the mud!
EvanR, I tend to agree with you and would love to see such a product but the bean counters and nay-sayers would have it otherwise. And thus not likely to happen any time soon.
I would like to see a zr2 also but the problem is that people will always want more, so GM built trucks with a 3″ 4″ 6″ lift then people would just bitch that it’s still not high enough!
I think build a solid 4×4 that would break if you beat on it then let the buyer choose how tall or high he wants his truck! And if your not interested in spending a few bucks to make your truck just as high as you want it then you don’t deserve to have one!
You know if GM would even design their trucks so that they could accept a larger wheel and tire.
On the NNBS’s you cannot even one up the tire size without worrying about rub. Not like the old days. If GM really thinks these are work trucks then they could realize that the ground clearance in the front is totally unacceptable. Even if you remove the front air dam there is a note to tell you that it could significantly affect cooling if it is removed for long.
I remember my 1975 K5 Jimmy accepted much larger tires without a lift or rub and had great ground clearance from the start!
Getting off track here blogs here but I just read that MT gave Dodge Ram the MTTOTY award for the second straight year. All because they put a diesel in their 1/2 ton truck. Come on GM, offer the diesel from the start in the Colorado. And why the premium cost? They were saying in the article that the RAM diesel was significanly higher in cost. Is there really that much of a cost burden to put a 6 cylinder diesel in a truck verses a Gas powered V8? If it is volume related, then just offer the truck with a base diesel. The car mags would probably make you a hero!
See the same thing here with a local GMC dealer. 4″ lift with 33 or 35″ Mud terrains. Way cheaper than the raptor and gives the look that these guys are after. My neighbour has a Raptor and like most of their owners, the biggest obstacle this thing crosses is a speed bump. Really I’d rather GM offer a sport model like the Tremor or Rumble Bee since a sport suspension and more aggressive tuning and output would be something you can access on a regular day. Off road packages might be useful once in a blue moon. That and who wants to take a 50K plus truck off road to beat on.