For the upcoming model year, General Motors recently introduced the most-capable off-roading Colorado yet, the 2024 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison. Replacing the current 2023 Colorado ZR2 Desert Boss as the range-topping variant, the Bison receives a bevy of upgrades and enhancements over the “regular” ZR2, one of which being the massive wheel and tire package. Now, here’s why the 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison gets a bed-mounted spare as standard fare.
The all-terrain Bison model will be equipped as standard with a bed-mounted spare tire, and the reasoning behind this unconventional decision is quite simple: the 35-inch wheel and tire combo doesn’t fit underneath the truck bed. Notably, this is where the spare tire is normally located for all other Colorado trims.
This is an interesting solution that General Motors came up with to ensure every Colorado model is equipped with a spare tire. In fact, The General actually lengthened the wheelbase of the third-gen midsizer to accommodate the 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels and 35-inch OD Mud/Terrain tires that the Bison is equipped with.
As a reminder, the 2024 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison ups the ante in regard to all-terrain prowess, and includes a suite of off-roading features. These includes Boron steel skid plates and rocker protectors, segment-exclusive Multimatic front and rear Jounce Control Dampers and DSSV dampers. Off-road specs include 12.2 inches of ground clearance, as well as a 38.2-degree approach angle, 26-degree departure angle, and 26.9-degree break-over angle.
In regard to powertrain, the Bison features the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine, which is in the Turbo High-Output tune and rated at 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Output is directed to the ground (or mud) through the second-gen GM eight-speed automatic transmission, as well as a two-speed transfer case and power-locking front and rear differentials.
Under the skin lies an updated variant of the GMT 31XX platform, while production for the 2024 model year will kick off at the GM Wentzville plant in Missouri in October 2023.
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Comments
Is there a date that we can order GMC 2024 Canyon AT4x AEV? My dealer cannot give me date.
GM announced last month that trucks would be at dealers late 4th quarter 2023.
How many variations of “Mike” do you really need to post under to ask questions about “GMC 2024 Canyon”?
Can’t wait for these to hit the showroom, followed by delays, shortages, and recalls.
I was curious about the spare tire mounting, thus, seeing the article in print got my attention. Thanks GM Authority for the pics showing the placement. NOT! An article about a specific topic on the truck with multiple images of said truck, but not a single photo of the topic! Seems like a miserable fail in my opinion!!!
Looking closely at photos shows the spare tire standing upright behind the rear window. WHY would someone want the spare tire blocking the driver’s rear view? DELETE the spare tire on my order please.
News flash the ZR2 and all the Colorado’s are turbo charged
My ZR2 2018 has a 3:42 final drive with 31″ tires.
The 2023 Colorado ZR2 and all the GMC Canyon’s now have the same 3:42 FD with 33″ tires.
The new Colorado ZR2 Bison with 35″ tires has the same 3:42 FD. This is a very significant gearing change which will definitely effect the power of the truck. A 4″ increase in tire dia. and no final drive change?
Every driveline and off road shop would advise against this.
AEV’s upgrade kits for the ZR2 using 35″ tires include upgrading the final drive to 4:11.
The new Bison Colorado needs an upgraded final drive to go with the 35’s. Chevy even included an upgraded 3:73 FD in the Bison HD full sized truck which has massive power.
This is an easy swap at the factory and likely very low to zero cost to GM.
Not a very intelligent move to omit this.
That’s a good looking factory truck. I agree with Mark that the diff ratio with the 35” tires is a concern. However, switching to the turbo 4 with more torque may make up for it, would need to compare the torque curves to know for sure.
This huge spare tire should be mounted to the side of the bed on the drivers side ONLY. This what happens when GM hires for cheap engineers from India who can’t even drive a car or truck.
I would not have a turbo they cause to much trouble ĝlad I bought a 2022 ZŔ
I am a retired UAW member and have not received a raise, cola, or a profit sharing check since retiring in 2006. Inflation eats up fixed income pension. General Motors, union, and media NEVER discuss this.
Hmmm, I worked in a Medical Center for 20 years. I have a fixed income pension. It’s small.
I can’t imagine that I think I deserve to get a cost of living raise. Talk about “entitlement “