The 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is badass truck. Sweet and simple. How could it get better? Well, besides putting a more potent engine under the hood from the factory, we think Hall Racing has the right idea.
On August 19, 2017, the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 will make its race debut at the “Best in the Desert” series with Hall Racing campaigning the truck. Hall Racing has modified the Colorado ZR2 further from its factory specifications to tackle the 550-mile long race and given it a proper racing livery as well.
The 2017 Colorado ZR2 will compete in the 7300 class, which represents stock production mid-sized pick-ups and SUVs. Hall Racing hasn’t gone and tinkered with the powertrain, but it has added body-mandated safety items such as a roll cage, a 44-gallon racing fuel tank and racing seats with safety harnesses. Additionally, a modified version of the Colorado ZR2’s Multimatic DSSV dampers is present well.
Chevrolet and Hall Racing have worked together to devise some of the modifications and the brand seems to have intentions of providing them as aftermarket accessories in the near future.
“The components being tested on this truck are ultimately intended to take the already-exceptional off-road capability of the Colorado to the next level,” said Russ O’Blenes, director, Performance Variants, Parts and Motorsports for General Motors. “Racing them allows us to quickly understand their performance attributes and reliability in the extreme environment of off-road racing.”
Best in the Desert kicks off this Saturday with the “Vegas to Reno” race route at 9:30 a.m. sharp.
Comments
So Chevy installed a more powerful motor from the factory? Sweet! (details please). The truck looks good, I’ll be looking forward to watching it in competition.
I’m just sitting here thinking of a long rod 4.3L with no emissions to hinder it’s performance! ….or an LT!
Just found this,
GM claims the race truck, to be driven by Chad Hall, will run the Colorado ZR2’s regular 3.6-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic
To assert the legitimacy of its off-roadiness, the Chevy Colorado ZR2 is going to take on the grueling 550-mile Vegas To Reno desert race this weekend with its stock engine transmission. And license plates; this competition truck is totally street-legal, according to GM.
Now, where’s the DVR remote?
This is a stock production class and it will run the factory drivetrain.
They will learn and develope more parts doing this.
As an owner of a 2017 version of this drivetrain it should do well.
Yes, new class, not even in the rulebook, think it was the 3700 class I read?
Correction class 7300
Wow.. one has to suspect that there are some who may be buying the Colorado ZR2 instead of a Camaro (as sales reached 9,631 units for June 2017) and even more if Chevy dropped a 455 horspower 6.2L V8 into the Colorado.
6.2L, that’s what I’ve been saying, like forever!
Not going to happen.
Look for a full size V8 ZR2 package in the new gen full size truck that is coming.
No one I’d going to pay over $50 k for a mode size truck and that is why they worked so hard to keep the price down.
The twins sell well to about $44k with discounts and then it tapers off fast.
Mine was $45k but with discounts $39k. I love my truck but would not pay more for it.
Scott = buzz kill
If I had a dime for every time myself or someone else expressed their wishes for something that will probably never, but could happen (why not stuff a small block in limited number of ZR2’s, and even Extreme’s).
I would be so rich, I could buy one of those Colorado’s priced over $44k, that’s pretty much near the top anyway right? unless you start adding in packages like the Gearon and sport bars! (the small block is amortized to be cheaper to make then the baby-D is by the way).
As far as a full size ZR2, we should all hope (wish) it happens (7 liter). Until then as I’ve said before, until they stop making this truck or the small block, it could still happen. You don’t think they monitor these forums?
Sure anything is possible. Pigs can fly too with enough thrust too.
Sorry but the realities of the market like development cost, fuel/cafe regulations and limits to what customers will pay prevent many things like this from ever happening.
You may see more power but it will be with6 cylinders or less.
I am not trying to crush your dreams but just giving a reality check here.
In a day and age were the Raptor only has a V6 should be a very large warning sign of things to come.
Pigs, dreams, 6 cylinders and a Reality check! Now, I’ve got it!
Kind of like how nothing from the Cadillac DPI-V.R. will ever make it to the Mid-Engine C8 or the road huh?
Development costs to put an off the shelf motor in a vehicle already being produced? economics of scale covered. When you’ve done it before with the Extreme, not a big deal.
Stronger springs, brakes and shocks? The LT1 is 65lb. lighter then the baby-D! sounds pretty close to me. Bigger radiator? not a big deal. Stronger transmission? ooh… I think GM can figure that one out. I’m sure I’m leaving out a few little thing’s but I’ll stop there.
EPA? well maybe, just maybe, with GM’s equity investment in Tula Technology, Dynamic Skip Fire will give them the CAFE space to do some fun stuff with all of there vehicles. Here’s wishing! Again Scott!
As far as what Ford does with it’s V6’s? You can have it. The Ecotruth is the EPA numbers are coming up short every where and unless you lease, good luck with that down the road, I’ll take a 6.2L!
By the way Scott, how’s that 2 valve, push rod 6.2L V8 doing in that Cadillac DPI-V.R.? (rhetorical)
Fast just because it bolts in does not lower cost. Regulations or marketing plans. Sorry it is not 1964 anymore.
Also in today’s market maybe just maybe do not cut it anymore.
If you speak of the Extreme S10 it was just a 4.3 boat anchor that could be had in the entire line.
Here is the problem GM needs more mpg and going bigger is not going to cut it. Also they are looking to sell these vehicles like the ZR2 in numbers closer to 10k in volume and that is why there were so little changed in the drive line.
As to bolting a V8 in entails a new fuel system so more crash and roll over test for it. The engine changes the crumple factor so more crash rest for it. If you have to change the floor pan or fire wall for the new engine or tranny more crash testing.
Then there is more EPA testing for mpg and emissions
This can add a tens of millions in cost that you will not make back in 10k units.
Then you have the GM focus of the mid size being a V6 and 4 cylinder model. It is marketed being more efficient than the full size. It also is trying to sell people on smaller engine for when they come to the full size in greater numbers.
As for DSF it is coming. It is not a maybe just when. Funny I just got a new story on that in the latest SAE Magazine. They even related how it was being tied to 48 Volt hybrid vehicles.
Note too the V8 Colorado was not much for sales. GM tried it and is sold so well they did not Cary it to the next gen.
Anyways there is even more cost in production line changes and more that need to be accounted for.
I was lucky to have Scott Settlmire from GM explain this to me a while back. If you are not familiar with him but he doesn’t years managing the Camaro program and helped bring it back. He has a lot of experience in these things.
He even explained how little was spent bringing the GTO here and how low cost it was but it was still millions.
Hey I agree with you to put a v8 in here would be cool but the reality is it has a lot of real world factor against it in today’s market. 20 years ago GM may have done it but today the cost are so high and too often the return is way too low. GM already went bankrupt doing lots of special cars that got good press but did not make them money. SSR anyone?
Today it is not enough to make a little money, today it is about maximum returns as it is very hard to make money in today’s market. You will soon see with the market slow down that cutting cost and max returns will save the companies embracing that and kill those that did not.
I love the Cadillac and wear my team hat with pride. But very little carried over to production. It is all marketing and that is all. You will in time see the engine replaced with a Cadillac Specific DOHC V8. What we have today is just the prelude to establish the car and team for a move to Lemans later for global marketing.
I have noted on their forum some have come from the Camaro and many from Toyota.
But GM only expects sales to be around 10 % of total production for 2018 of the Z Colorado. They will build more should demand be there.
Even on the standard Colorado they have had Camaro owners cross over.
Many also have come from the CUV segment. The people tired of having a CUV and a utility trailer to do what they need. Only a few came from the full size.
I went to the HHR SS on the last gen Colorado, zcanyon but came back. On the forum there are several from the HHR form there so I was not the only one.
The draw of this truck has been interesting.
The Camaro owners mostly state price and utility as to why they changed and the never complain about power.
Fastyle, I get the same from Mr Scott, So don’t feel bad ! I am not that extreme , by say to add a V8 ,I just said to add a little more power and Torque , by adding a Turbo to the 3.6 V6 in the future !!
You also have difficulty grasping the realities of the market.
I could humor you but that is it going to change the reality.
Look to the full size to get a ZR2 package that will provide the V8 you desire.
As for this truck you may more power but no V8 or TT unless GM has a higher volume erosion to retain the cost like Ford has.
I am not trying to be argumentative just realistic.
I would love to see what you like too but have to keep it real.
Post a few links to your “full size ZR2” news Scott, if you have any.
Otherwise keep your reality grasping as if you are an auto exec focused elsewhere, please.
No one likes someone who think they need to respond and correct (as if) every ones posts!
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2017/08/spy-shots-may-show-a-potential-chevrolet-silverado-zr2/
It is on this web site posted right after I mentioned it.
Any more questions on reality?
Do a little searching arround these things are out there for you to find too. I hold no key to the executive wash room I just look around and have been lucky to learn from friends and family in the industry.
I used to dream too.
Here was the original story with photos and links to the standard mules testing.
No one is sure if it is a full bore Raptor competitor or another rock crawler. I wager a V8 Raptor fighter to give it a different edge over the Colorado ZR2 where it is more challenging a Jeep Or TRD Taco.
Jhttp://www.tfltruck.com/2017/08/2020-chevy-silverado-zr2-prototype-gm-ford-raptor-fighter-spied/
We should be well covered either way. Also look for Chevy to take the full size Z to a cheaper than a Raptor price and use the same brand of Shocks as the Colorado ZR.
Lookie here!
http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/cpwire/media/cGF0aDoyMDE1IENvbG9yYWRvLzIwMTYwNjAxXzE3NTQwMV96cHNmZmRmMmF1eC5qcGc=/?ref=
Yea, I saw the article, Great source!
Read the end of the article, the engineering and testing could have been done from the beginning. The only one’s who know for sure are the decision makers none of which are here.
http://www.motortrend.com/news/2015-chevrolet-colorado-aims-rocky-mountain-high-the-kiinote/