LA Motor Show: Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 revealed

CHEVROLET will launch a new top-of-the-range performance variant of its Colorado at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show.

The US-based Colorado ZR2 will have a wider track (3.5 inches), new cast-iron control arms and a lifted suspension (two inches) compared to the standard jigger.

Functional rockers (with steel-tube protectors) and front and rear diff locks improve off-road performance, while modified front and rear bumpers will offer greater off-road clearance.

The big ticket item on this build, however, is the Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) damper technology.

Motorsport fans may recognise this tech, as these high-performance dampers are used in championship-winning vehicles, including recent F1 winners.

The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/38 was the first production car to utilise the DSSV dampers, but this is the first adaptation of these dampers into an off-road vehicle.

“From our experience on Z/28, we knew the performance advantages offered by DSSV dampers,” said Mark Dickens, executive director, Performance Variants, Performance Parts and Motorsports Engineering, Chevrolet. “We also know that Multimatic’s motorsport development mentality would allow us to bring a uniquely precise and repeatable custom damper to market even more quickly than a traditional damper system.”

Dickens added: “A traditional, deflected-disc damper only offers two force-velocity curves for tuning,” Dickens said. “The ZR2 dampers offer six tuning curves for the front, four at the rear. For the driver, this translates to greater confidence and control in a wider range of driving experiences.”

The aggressive-looking ZR2 rides on 17x8-inch aluminium wheels wrapped in 31-inch Goodyear Duratrac off-road rubber.

The 2017 Colorado powertrain is carried over to the ZR2, with the US market offered the choice of gas or diesel engines.

It is capable of towing 5000lbs (2270kg) and it has a 1100lbs (500kg) payload.

“You can go rock crawling on Saturday, desert running on Sunday, and comfortably drive to work on Monday. This truck can do it all well,” said Mark Reuss, executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain.

We’ll have to wait and see if Holden Australia has the audacity to do something similar.

The Los Angeles Auto Show will run from November 18-27, 2016.