The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is gearing up to assault the midsize pickup off-roader segment with a variety of specialized rough-stuff equipment. Now, we’re getting a look at the upcoming ZR2’s front end thanks to a prototype model spotted on public roads conducting some real-world testing.
Although this is the first time we’ve seen the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 on public roads, we previously got a chance to see it in the metal at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, as covered in our previous Live Photo Gallery.
While the show-going model seen at SEMA was covered in new Sand Dune Metallic paint, the prototype featured here is finished in red and comes with some light camouflage on the hood. That said, this prototype model has the same front end styling as the model we saw before, with a large grille that stretches down and across most of the fascia.
The grille insert comes with an intricate three-dimensional treatment and mesh, as well as a flow-through logo bar stretched across the upper portion of the grille. Just below the righthand portion of the grille bar is a Chevrolet bowtie, although it appears to be covered up on this prototype.
We also see two hooks mounted low in the bumper, which are expected to come with a red finish on the production model. Just below the hooks is a prominent skid plate to protect vital mechanical bits underneath, matched with additional skid plate protection elsewhere under the body.
Further features include a two-inch suspension lift, flared wheel arches, Multimatic DSSV (Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve) dampers, and 17-inch wheels wrapped in knobby all-terrain tires. Standard front and rear electronic locking differentials, cast iron control arms, and an Autotrac transfer case are included as well. ZR2 badging adds the right visual indicators.
The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 goes on sale this year, with pricing expected closer to the vehicle’s launch.
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Comments
Looks aggressive. I like it.
But why show the whole front end and still plaster camouflage wrap on the hood?
Laziness? What could they be hiding on the hood?
Al Capone‘s body ?
I really like the front end a lot. Wish GM would have at least offere new Headlights.
You beat me to it! I’m tired of ancient Halogen headlights.
Bada$$.
Why on Earth would you ruin a perfectly great looking truck with a facelift such as this. Message to GM: You should spend the money you spent on that facelift on the Canyon’s facelift headlights.
Hope an interior update
For an interior update, get rid of the chair of GM. LOL.
Quickly approaching ugly and overstyled. Like an insect from a bad SciFi flick.
Nothing about motors? Most likely fall on its face in the offroad with 6cylinder and those tall tires.Going to need good tow hooks
The 6 cylinder produces 308 hp. It is amazing off-road. Not sure what you are smoking.
I don’t Smoke ANYTHING all I know is 6 cylinders is for sissies
I gave you a thumbs up, because I don’t give people a thumbs down vote.
Having said that: I don’t think calling one a sissy because a 6 is enough for them is fair.? Would you agree?
No one is calling you names bc you prefer an 8.
Live and let live!
Here’s another one👍
Beer is good on a Friday night.
And, well deserved after a week of robotic servitude 🤖
I see we have a bad asss in here. If the truck dont come with a v-8, an all ya get is the 6, ya take the 6. go burn some more rubber off the zl-1 an inhale it this time. an thanks for buying gm btw!
You never use HP for offroad. You only use torque. Nobody except AOC would ever rev an engine to 5,000 RPM in an offroad situation. GM needs to put it’s 2.7 liter turbo engine in this truck. If you want more torque, just add premium gas for the short period of time that you want a higher pulling power. Simple but effective. The turbo will take advantage of the higher octane combined with the engine computer settings
Oh that’s right there’s no torque in a V8.Have AOC get you a drink.
Also I hope a start button for 2021 ??
And still no fog lights??
I know. We need fog lights after 8 years of Obumer. Even the MSM is creating more fog everyday…….LOL
make the start button a option for you people that forget your keys after getting gas
Blow up that picture and just look at one side of the front end. Absolutely nothing lined up or looks finished. None of that (lights, chrome around the lights, grille bar, plastic “centurion “ wrap around and lower grille) looks like it goes together. Now I’m not an engineer, wait! I am an engineer but you shouldn’t need to be one to see that this design leave a lot to be desired. Don’t get me wrong I’m a GM loyalist and is love to have a new ZR2 but I’d love it more if the face was more congruent. I didn’t even mention what they did with the front plate and tow hooks way too low to be useful. Fix the face and drop the middle Duramax in it and GM would have a winner! I’d buy one for sure!!
I have an ’18 ZR2 and while there is a lot going on here, I generally like it. I also wish that fog lights were an option. This is a placebo anyway until the next gen comes soon after this release. I am not getting excited about things not lining up, I am assuming that gets taken care of in a production vehicle. As for the engine, I wish it was more powerful at low rpm’s. At highway speed, passing power, it is excellent. However it is not so great at lower rpm. I think the 2.7T will fix that. Much more torque at lower rpm. Hopefully that happens in the next gen. I feel pretty confident that this midsize truck will be much different in the next gen from this current version. As for this MCE, as long as they don’t go backward, I think whatever they do will be fine. They have sold, what, 700K Colorado’s on what was an overseas version pickup, which was lightly massaged for North America. I feel pretty confident that the next gen Colorado will be substantially better than current, which in its version is still pretty damn good.