2019 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison unveiled

CHEVROLET has added the performance-honed ZR2 Bison to its midsize truck stables, following an extensive collaboration with aftermarket manufacturer American Expedition Vehicles (AEV).

First seen at the 2017 SEMA Show on the AEV stand, the ZR2 Bison ups the ante with a selection of skid pans, front and rear bumpers, a redesigned front grille, 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road tyres, enlarged fender flares, and Bison-specific 17 x 8.0-inch aluminium wheels.

The skid pans (five in total), which cover the engine oil pan, fuel tank, transfer case and front and rear locking diffs, are made using Boron steel.

The front bumper is winch-compatible and caters for fog lights, while the rear bumper features recovery points.

“We’ve been following Colorado since its introduction, and the ZR2 really captured our attention,” said Dave Harriton, founder and president of AEV. “As this is the first Chevrolet vehicle we’ve given the AEV treatment to, we wanted to do something special with the industry’s first use of hot-stamped Boron steel. We also expect that Colorado drivers will love the added ruggedness of our front and rear bumpers on ZR2 Bison.”

The Colorado ZR2, on which the Bison is based, features front and rear locking diffs, Multimatic DSSV dampers, cast-iron control arms, and an Autotrac transfer case. It also features a modified rear axle with a 3.42 ratio, widened tracks (front and rear) and a two-inch suspension lift over a Z71.

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“More and more enthusiasts are discovering that Colorado is ideal for off-roading, especially overland travel,” said Sandor Piszar, director of Marketing, Chevrolet Truck.

“The Colorado Z71 offers a full suite of off-road equipment, the maneuverability of a midsize truck and the driving range of a class-exclusive diesel engine. The Colorado ZR2 offers even greater off-road capability with class-exclusive front and rear locking differentials and Multimatic DSSV dampers. And now, Bison offers customers an even more extreme turnkey off-road truck ready to tackle your next adventure.”

The ZR2 Bison will go on sale in January 2019 in the USA, backed by a full factory limited warranty. We're hunting for local news, so stay tuned.