After teasing us for over two years, Chevrolet finally graced us with a production version of the Colorado ZR2 at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show. And, thankfully, the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 isn’t some watered down appearance package. It means business, and it’s going to be more than capable. Think reborn Hummer.
But, we had a thought. What if GMC was granted its own variant of the Colorado ZR2? Enter the GMC Canyon ATX. We chose the ATX name in the spirit of the All Terrain HD concept from years past, and since GMC has rallied around the “All Terrain” and “All Terrain X” names as of recent.
Our digital artist extraordinaire at RM Design cooked up a rugged, off-road GMC Canyon ATX with plenty of inspiration from the production Colorado ZR2, but we wanted to ensure the “Professional Grade” and “Precision” motifs were kept intact.
Therefore, our Canyon ATX is slightly less in-your-face than the Colorado ZR2, but still sports the off-road goods when the going gets rough. We’ve added a factory light bar, roof rack and kept the paneling for higher ground clearance a silvery hue to fall in line with GMC’s most recent design.
Inside, we imagine the interior takes a few Denali cues to offset the Canyon ATX from its Colorado ZR2 cousin, but the mission is the same: conquer the unbeaten path and look good doing it.
GMC likely won’t receive a ZR2 variant, but that doesn’t mean we can’t imagine one. Would you take a GMC Canyon ATX over a Colorado ZR2? Talk to us down below if you feel so compelled.
Comments
I love it!! I’m in the market for something other than a Jeep to tow behind my motorhome and in ZR2 trim the Colorado/Canyon are looking good. There aren’t a lot of options in the way of off road capable 4 wheel flat tow vehicles.
It’s the greatest ever, I own Tacoma, however GMC CANYON ATX, has me sold!
GMC MUST BUILD!!!
Build it please
Make the Factory Light bars available on the ZR2!
Looks pretty sweet
I have the 2016 GMC Canyon SLT. I love my truck! Really wanted the All Terrian but only had it in black. Hubby didn’t want me to buy the black…now he wishes that I did buy the All Terrian. Looking forward to seeing the GMC Canyon ATX.
I like the Colorado ZR2. To me the GMC Canyon is just as attractive. Name recognition I believe goes to the Chevy. Phil
Build it! More the merrier!
I like it better than the colorado zr2. I have the diesel colorado now and have 27k miles on it already and planning on trading for zr2 as soon as I can order. If I knew they would build this truck I’d wait. I like it better. Either way love the roof rack and lights. A must when I get one
I would be interested in a GMC variant of the ZR2. Mainly for the improved interior option. The outside hardware of the ZR2 are more than capable, but the interior seems like you can see where Chevy cut corners. If they could get the “Precision Grade” interior with the ZR2 hardware, I would certainly buy one.
Amen. ZR2 hardware with GMC precision interior and GMC outside looks…Top combo!
I traded a 2016 ZR1Chevy Colorado for a 2016 GMC Canyon Duramax diesel.I wish the canyon had the off-road capability as the ZR1. Was looking forward to trading for a ZR2 with a Diesel engine. I hope GM will build this truck I will purchase it instead of a Colorado, if it has the option for a Diesel engine.The professional grade has a nicer interior and the few more options.
When I heard of the Colorado ZR2, first thing I did was google to see if GMC was building one. I would definitely buy a GMC ZR2, but could never buy the Colorado. I just can’t get use to the front end of the Chevy. Just looks too….blah…for lack of a descriptive word. The GMC on the other hand looks like a tough truck. The Colorado also has the outdated soft look wheel flares, where as the Canyon has the newer hard edge styling.
Build a Canyon ZR2! The Colorado is just plain fugly.
It should be called GMC CANYON HIGHRIDER in my opinion . Like it was when it started in 1994.
I had a black 1995 GMC Sonoma HIGHRIDER, 5 spd.
I ditto everything Don said…..but please build (again) a GMC version of the ZR-2…with that name. I miss my old 2003 GMC ZR-2.
OH MY GOD!!!!!!! I Just came across the Chevy zr2 last night as I was surfing the web because I’m thinking of getting a midsize my self. I told my self I will Google to find out if GMC will make its own version in the morning.!!!! Sweet baby Jesus is all I can say. I will not buy anything and pray that GMC does release it’s own version of the ZR2. I remember reading on GM Authority about 9 months ago about the GMC Canyon Denali and how it was going to look like. They hit it right on the money!!. so I’m pretty sure this rendering will be pretty darn close to what it will look like.!!!! Great article.
I’m in the market for a ZR2 but just can’t get over that crossover/sedan front end. I praise GM for making such an off-road competent truck but they really should have done it with the Canyon, such a way better looking truck. I’d buy with no regrets if that was the case.
I checked out the Chevy ZR-2…I like it better than the GMC ATX. The light bar is silly and why would we need a roof rack? That will cause road noise to the max. I owned a GMC ZR-2 back in the day (2003) and absolutely loved the truck….I miss it greatly. I may be temped to switch to the Chevy and haven’t owned one in decades…always been a GMC fan, but if you won’t make the ZR-2 (I like the ‘In your Face” look), I may have to hold my nose and revert back to a Chevy. Please make a GMC ZR-2 so I don’t have to do this!!
Ernie Martzen
I just test drove a Chevy midsize with the 4 cylinder turbo diesel. Very impressive performance. The crew cab needs a little more room in the back seat. Aside from that, I passionately want a zr2 with some genuine off road capability along with the abilty to tow my ultralight travel trailer. 5000 lbs is cutting it close though. I am a big time fan of GMC, so please offer the truck in GMC trim.
Make it imediantly, like it.
Ford has been taking the profits from Raptor to the bank for several years now. Why does it take GM so long to build something similar? The GM version makes all the sense in the world. Smaller, more agile and great for the back country trails. Being a GMC guy, I naturally hope for a GMC version of the ZR2.
Well I think I am going to order my zr2 first of June they said. Love my colorado diesel and wanted the gmc back when I got the colorado little over yr ago but my dealer couldn’t get one at time and had none accepted on an order. I now have 38k on my diesel and it is great. I want the gmc but only in zr2. They are taking orders in June on 18 model zr2 diesels. Also was told in 18 model it goes from 181 up to 220 and from 385 torque to 425. That will be great!!
what is the expected shipment date on canyon zr2..colorado already released
Fingers crossed
Its about time GMC and Chevy stepped up. The concepts of the GMC ATX looks really good, I would prefer it over the Chevy ZR2, although I also like the chevy. Both of these trucks are making me wanna get back into a truck again as I’m getting ready to start shopping for a new car in the next few months. I hope to hear GMC will get it right and offer the ATX model in the near future or they won’t get my business.
I have the 2017 Canyon Denali with the V6, and would trade it in a flash for the Canyon ATX with the Duramax!!!!