Chevy’s mid-size truck lineup is getting a new member with the introduction of the Colorado ZR2 Bison edition. This high-performance variant was created in collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV). It’s the first collaborative effort between Chevrolet and the premium off-road aftermarket manufacturer, and it responds to demand from many of the Colorado’s clientele for off-roading capability.
“Half of Canada’s Colorado buyers are choosing Z71 or ZR2 models that provide incredible off-road capability without sacrificing on-road drivability. The Colorado ZR2 offers incredible levels of off-road capability…. With Bison, we now offer customers an even more extreme turn-key off-road truck that is ready to help you find new roads.”
- Doug Kenzie, national marketing manager for Chevrolet trucks in Canada
The Bison model features five special skid plates to protect essential undercarriage elements - engine oil pan, fuel tank, transfer case and front and rear locking differentials - while driving over rocky, jagged terrain. Designed by AEV, these skid plates are constructed of hard, durable hot-stamped Boron steel.
The truck gets further protection when meeting and rolling over obstacles from stamped steel front and rear bumpers, also designed by AEV.
Visually distinct
An exclusive, flow-through CHEVROLET-lettered grille replaces the traditional bowtie on the Bison edition’s front end. 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road tires sit beneath larger fender flares and wrap all-new, ZR2 Bison-specific 17x8-inch aluminum wheels.
This new Colorado variant also features “Bison” decals on the bed sides, an “AEV Bison” logo on the tailgate and embroidered AEV logo floor liners and front head restraints.
The Bison edition of the Colorado ZR2 features all the equipment includes on the ZR2 itself, including front and rear locking electronic differentials, Multimatic DSSV dampers, off-road rocker protection, cast-iron control arms and an Autotrac transfer case.
The Bison also mimics the ZR2 in integrating a modified rear axle, wider front and rear tracks and a higher suspension than the Colorado Z71.
The options
Buyers of the Bison can choose a 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and generating 186 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The Bison can be had in either crew-cab/short-bed or extended-cab/long-bed configuration.
The 2019 Colorado ZR2 Bison will be available as of January 2019. We should learn pricing for the model as launch date approaches.
