After posting about 10 things we like about the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Concept, we felt it only right to voice our opinions on what the concept is missing from making it a truly complete package. Luckily, the ZR2 is merely a concept for now, and there’s time to get the suggestions in before an ultimate decision is made.
The Finished Aluminum Wheels
Those multi-spoke rims on the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Concept look fantastic on the showroom floor, but we can’t help to think what would happen to them in the woods, and what it would cost to repair them. Perhaps an offset wheel style might prolong the finish, keeping most of the wheel surfacing away from contact.
Lack Of Rear-Mounted Winch
Sometimes drivers get their vehicles stuck in ways that they need to be pulled from the rear. We may have missed it, but we didn’t notice any rear-mounted winch to compliment the one integrated into the front fascia. If not, there should be.
Interior Could Be More Weatherproof
Those all-weather floormats are good, but that leather probably won’t last very long if a production Colorado ZR2 is used as intended. Chevrolet should explore waterproof and stain-resistant seat surfaces for a vehicle like this. Throw in drain plugs while you’re at it.
Perhaps Not Enough Lights?
Maybe we’re just used to it, but a set of Hellas on a roof rack or amber marker lights would add a nice finishing detail. Perhaps Chevrolet Accessories can handle this.
There Should Be A Brushguard
From an aesthetics point of view, the thinned-out front fascia of the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Concept looks pretty naked, and seems ready for a brushguard. From a practicality standpoint, the brushguard could shield the ZR2’s face from any unnecessary scrapes from an oak tree. This also could be addressed in the accessories department if need be.
Approach/Departure Cameras
Something that all off-roaders can appreciate is the ability to see what’s in front of them, even if its beyond their line of sight. The Ford F-150 Raptor utilizes cameras to help a driver better figure out how to clear rocks, logs and more. If Chevrolet is gonna go and build the ZR2, they need to take a page from Ford’s book. And from there, they could add to it thanks to the new Performance Data Recording system, which would allow owners to save their trail runs and share them on social media. Hypothetically.
General Lack Of Driving Configurations
The driver can lock the differentials while on the trails with the push of a button, and monitor approach and departure angles via an IP display screen, but where is the ride height adjustment? Or how can they switch between Sand and Mud modes? Oh that’s right, they can’t, because it doesn’t exist in the 2015 Colorado ZR2 Concept. The Jeep guys might be chuckling a bit, Chevy. Take note that this hardware is needed to be taken seriously when/if the Colorado ZR2 gets the green light.
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Comments
May I add a few:
– Lack of corner bumper steps.
– Does it have a locking diff?
– Lack of 6.2, 5.3 and/or 4.3 (in N/A, TT or S/C form).
– Include ability to put spare tire under bed (if possible) to be able to use bed fully, if needed.
– Gusset key points of chassis for more strength.
– Integrate a roll-cage that’d be hidden inside the cab edges, for better passenger protection and to
help strengthen chassis, I think this would hike up the price a bit, maybe offer it as an option?
– Lack of bed storage boxes on top rails like the Avalanche, on the inside like the Tacoma and/or outside bottom corner like the Titan.
– Lack of “Flow-Tie”
Yes it’s got both front and rear locking differential.
The spare tire is in the bed for clearance and weight distribution.
Corner bummer steps are gone for better departure angles.
@ Tx
Ok thanks for clarifying the locking diff question.
About the spare tire, I understand why GM put it there, my point was that it’d be good to have the Option of putting the spare elsewhere, maybe under the bed (if it fits), on the tailgate, side mounted on bed, or even on the roof lol, in case the owner would want to use the whole space of the bed.
As for the corner bumper step, I can see how it can still be cut out on that little corner, if it’s too small GM can also make a swing down step from that little corner that you can swing down with your hand, or to keep it simple they can move it a little more forward and to the side, like on the Nissan Xterra, all without losing any of the departure angle.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way buddy.
Speaking of WILL, another thing I dislike about this concept is that, based on awesome GM concepts from the past, I suspect it’s not going to go into production.
For one I’m pretty sure I’ve seen pics of the dash and it’s got switches for the lockers.
And it doesn’t need a brush guard nore a built in winch in the rear. It’s not exactly meant to be a rock crawler in tight trees for you to run in to. You hunted to hard for things to dislike.
And as far as lights go, you can purchase some rigid industries led lights and use the factory switch they have provided you for just that reason. And also it’s not a jeep and it’s not meant to be a jeep. The leather will hold up just fine for off road use. It has in other things just fine. Especially when it’s taken care of. Leather is a pretty resistant material. And even more so when coated like automotive leather is. This truck won’t be going with out doors. It won’t need drains. If we are to come up with things the truck could benefit to help GM we need to come up with legit ideas that fit the purpose of this truck. I don’t consider yours useful for this application.
It is exactly meant for being a rock crawler, actually. Not a dune runner.
A versatile trail vehicle yes. A little Moab, or desert running. Not a rock crawler.
Desert running… that’s not what the Chevrolet guys are saying. Rocks, Moab, a little mud and water. Water which could get into the cabin if the driver gets a little too brave, which is why we suggested drain plugs.
@ Manoli
No Desert Running? I guess Chevy fooled me with the animation where, it looks like, the ZR2 is hauling butt down dirt trails.
If that’s true then GM should tune it to also do some high speed off-road. This truck looks awesome though, it looks sleek and seems somewhat aerodynamic.
My thought also.
They specifically chose the 2.8L Duramax for the ZR2 Concept to give the idea of slow crawls where the low-end torque in low gears can be most effectively utilized. That’s not to say that one can’t take it on the sand… it’s just not the focus.
And also I can’t remember the site but it was another automotive news site that had tons of pics. And in those pics were the instrument panel showing the menu of driving modes sport, snow, etc.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2014/11/chevrolet-colorado-zr2-concept-photo-gallery-28-photos.html
Thanks. We’ve adjusted the posting accordingly.
It is siimply a show vehicle and would some changes before it goes into production.
Also you have to be realistic on other complaints. Thing like roll cages won’t go production just due to liabilities. This is why we do not see 5 point harnesses in seats with the proper holes.
@ scott
How do you explain the roll cages in the Jeep Wranglers then, are they just for show?
What would a manufacturer be liable for, if they were to integrate a roll-cage in a vehicle intended for off-roading? Wouldn’t it make that vehicle safer?
Enlighten me, maybe I’m missing something.
Simple they have no roofs and the liability is worse if you have nothing at all.
To put one in a truck with a solid structure would take up room and add more liability for something that did not need to be covered. Also you are adding weight.
While it may make the vehicle safer in your eyes and mine if the cage fails during a redneck hey watch this moment it is on the manf. Now if he crushes himself in the cab with no cage they can say it was never intended for off road roll overs out side normal driving. A cage can be taken by a lawyer as the MFG intent the truck can be raced and rolled. MFG while they do not care if people do this on their own do not wan the liability if they endorse it.
Case in point the new ATS V has holes in the seat to accept a 5 point harness. So why is it not an option as it is a much safer belt system. Liability plain and simple. They do not want people to take the car and race it unless they modify it themselves and they at that point accept the responsibility for any belt failures or racing crashes.
I am not a lawyer but I do understand liability in the performance market since I work in the performance market.
The liability issues is why you do not get Shelby Mustangs or a Camaro Z/28 with a roll cage and racing harnesses. Trust me the engineers would love a 4 point cage as it would stiffen the chassis even more.
As for the Jeep the soft roof has no support and when the CJ5 was sold with no bars Jeep was getting sued for every roll over. Even the lift off hard top is no structurally sound for a roll over so the bar is needed. If they added a structural roof it would make the jeep lose is original feel. So in this case the bar is better than nothing. They also do a lot of testing and extra work to make sure it will not fail.
Now if you already have a solid cab that will absorb nearly any kid of crash the truck is required to meet adding a bar would only add liability and weight.
I know it sounds stupid and it is. But welcome to the world that needs Tort Reform. As an engineer from Ford once told me “we do not fool proof cars as we have to Idiot proof them!”
To be honest I am shocked GM and most other MFG are getting away with the trick tires today. They often have so little tread they are a hand full in the rain. I expect at some point someone will get killed and the MFG will stop with this tire as an option.
I fully understand where you are coming from as you are using common sense. But in this case common sense gets over ruled by lawyers. I see it and deal with this stuff often at work. Even if you fight to win these cases you lose as it cost you more than you pay out. It is legal blackmail.
Even back years ago I remember in the 80’s some trucks had bars in the bed but they often would be marked on the truck that they were for show only. They were good bar but the MFG did not want to claim them as an official safety device.
I hope now you see where I am coming from. These things just are not as easy as they appear. Build a car these days is hell when It comes to the liability end. The one thing that olds back more safety often is the legal issues. I find it a very sad paradox.
Great info, I hadn’t realized how much the fear of liability affected project planning! And so great coming from a person who works in the industry!
Note too the gussets you would like to add. They are great to make a stiff chassis. But the issue there is the frame is made to absorb a crash and is designed with kinks to collapse in a crash. These gussets can make all the crash test invalid and would take thousands and thousands of dollars to recertify the truck. Simple fix but expensive due to regulations.
This is why we have an aftermarket with a lot of things like roll bars, Gussets and lift kits. Once you own it you own the liability on any modification.
Now that is where I make my money.
Not to mention the assembly line. It’s designed also to go down the line with the regular Colorado and canyons. What makes this truck is the fact that everything they have done can be bolted on. No Retooling or anything. It’s kept simple and streamlined for easy production.
@ Scott
Hmm good points, manufacturers have to cover themselves. It’d be nice to see a manufacturer go that extra mile and make a really solid off-roader, that has things like that integrated cage, gussets, with all the safety certifications and STILL have that clean OEM look, but I see what you’re saying, at this point with all these regulations, it IS possible to build, but a vehicle like that would require a lot of extra testing and it’d most likely be pretty expensive and the way GM is, I doubt they’ll even build this thing.
Also as I read your post a 1974 K5 came to mind,
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/members/v84x4-44419-albums3214-43700.jpg
You got it! They could do it but it would be expensive and would anyone pay the price.
I think the Raptor is an example of how far a MFG can go and build a off road truck and balanced the liabilities and cost out as best they could. They build a very good truck but the price is still in an area most would still pay. But yet why you get neat things like remote shocks etc. there is no cage or harnesses. It would sound like a not brainer but in the way the real world works common sense is not all that common due to regulations and lawyers.
I have always pondered jus what we would see if liabilities were less just what all they would offer.
This is more of a desert off-road truck. Kind of pre runner inspired. How do I know? Simple look at the suspension. That is not a rock crawling suspension.
Because there isn’t three feet of suspension travel?
What he’s implying is that the shocks are of desert style. Rock crawlers don’t always use larger external resiviour shocks. Like I said before, I’m pretty sure this truck is a versatile trail rig. Like shown in the video they have. Not necessarily slow rock crawling. Even though it can do some crawling. Like the raptor is geared toward desert running but also has the capability to do slow crawling on trails. But not a rock crawler.
In other words… duality. Agreed on that. Perhaps the diesel is for low-speed rock crawling and the shocks are for dunes? We both said it can be used for both, but we disagree on focus. I think the ZR2 would be a fine dune runner, but the Chevy guys weren’t making any comparisons to the Raptor and wanted to talk more about trails and rocks. Plus, maybe the shocks were subject to packaging constraints.
When I say desert I’m not trying to imply dunes. Actually dunes would be my last thought. Don’t think this thing is geared toward dune running at all. When I say desert running think Baja 1000, Mint 400, Vegas to Reno. Desert racing. And in desert racing there’s no dunes involved. There’s everything from slow tight rocky sections to faster sandy sections and everything in between but no dunes. It’s alot like what’s in that video they made.
Agree with the suggestion for roof marker lights. Off-road or not. They look good on heavy duty Silverado’s. Sets them off, IMO. Perhaps Colorado/Canyon equipped Duramax versions? They can place them, just forward of the power moon roof. :~))
Needs a manual with the v6 option and 4×4 option.(First and foremost, a V8 option is a pipe dream)
Rims are showy, production should be 17″ rims w/BFG AT KO’s
Fullsize spare under the bed. Have the truck bed spare as a GM accessory
You’re really complaining about the lack of “modes,” i.e., Snow/Sand/Rocks/Mud?! That’s just one more electronic gizmo to go wrong and leave you stuck.
I’m fine with the concept. Although I’d love to see a manual-shift transfer case, I do understand the difficulty in implementing that at the factory.
Methinks thou dost protest too much!
I, for one, don’t want Chevy to add all the features you think they should. It raises the cost of production, it cuts out the aftermarket industry, and it turns what should be a light affordable vehicle into a complicated, bloated one.
Install your own winches and roll bars and lights and junk if you think you need them. I don’t, and I guarantee I travel further offroad than you do.
I see it two ways. I make money off the bolt on crap so I like it not being there. But on the other hand GM makes more money with the more options offered. A company not offering a high option vehicle like this is leaving money on the table.
It would be nice to be able to order things less as a package and more ala’ cart. This way you can buy just what you want and pay a price you can afford.
All you guys i would not worry to much of all your dislike . According to GM the ZR2 is NOT going in to production. Found the information at TFLTtruck.com
Went to a chevy dealership today and found out I COULD NOT get Tan Leather seats and interior on the beautiful loaded dark green COLORADO I wanted so bad. WHY NOT?