2019 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison is designed for survivors

People who think Chevrolet & # 39; s off road Colorado ZR2 the midsize pickup is just not going far enough to finally be satisfied in January, as this 2019 Bison that has just been announced promises to be even more extreme.

Designed in conjunction with the US market of high-end aftermarket racing cars, the Bison (an American buffalo silhouette is part of the AEV logo) promises to be an even more performing ZR2, geared to long journeys by land.

Think of the overlanding as the off-road equivalent of this far-off pastime, van life. Just you, your friends and your vehicle, off the grid for days or even weeks at a time. We saw a ZR2 concept overland at the 2017 SEMA show, equipped with an onboard air compressor, a water tank and a rack for mounting all your equipment. Although the buffalo is not so far, it still seems like a great starting point for off-grid adventures.

Most importantly, bison skid plates are reinforced. Five hot-stamped boron steel plates cover the oil pan, fuel tank, transfer case and front and rear differentials. As I discovered last year while at the same time competing in the Rebel Rally, the protection plates on the ZR2 are not as rugged as some tracks require. Hope this new protection will prevent all necessary parties from any disastrous impact.

The bumpers also enhance the upgraded Bison stamped steel, to better protect against the inevitable obstacles. Fog lights and rear recovery points are standard and there is room for a winch.

The snorkel with fresh air that we see here is not the norm on the Bison. Done more for cleaning the air than deep sea exploration, the snorkel filters the dirt, so the V6 or Optional 2.8-liter Duramax diesel engine can breathe fresh air when brewing in dust and sand. The snorkel is only available via AEV and is suitable for all Colorado trucks.

The Bison also has some cosmetic adjustments. By inspiring some new Ford and Ram trucks, the Bowtie Front badge has disappeared, replaced by the C-H-E-V-R-O-L-E-T lettering on a model-specific grille. Many Bison and AEV logos are also present.

Chevy kept the same 31-inch Goodyear Duratrac tires as the standard ZR1, although the 17×8-inch wheels are Bison-specific.

the ZR2 was a Roadshow favorite, thanks to its standard and sophisticated front and rear locking differentials Multimedia DSSV suspension, who keep the truck on the sidewalk without sacrificing off-road performance. Add to that a 2-inch lift and 3.5-inch wider rails at the front and rear, and the ZR2 is a healthy competition for Toyota's popular Tacoma TRD models.

General Motors declined Roadshow's request to set prices, but a standard 2018 ZR2 starts at $ 43,495, and the Bison will only go up from there. Since the components of the AEV are not affordable, a ZR2 close to $ 50,000 does not seem to be excluded.