The Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison Threatens to Make Off-Roading Easy

It is a quirk of human recreation. You take up some activity to challenge yourself, and once you like it, you start buying stuff to make it less challenging. A lighter bike for cycling. A bigger, lighter tent and/or sleeping bag for backpacking. If you are a gamer, you may purchase more powerful graphic cards or a trick controller. Applying this sequence of events to off-roading, the logical outcome is the Colorado ZR2 Bison Edition. Twin Falls Chevrolet explains why.

The Colorado ZR2 Bison Edition begins with the quite capable ZR2 before adding serious off-road hardware courtesy of renowned aftermarket supplier American Expedition Vehicles (AEV). This combination suddenly greatly expands your off-road skillset.

A Solid Base

The Colorado ZR2 gives you extensive mastery over the unpaved, with tidy dimensions that make it more agile on a highly technical trail than a full-size truck. Giving the truck its go is the TurboMax 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4, which is the most potent version of this engine that powers the entire Colorado model line. It has 310 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 430 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm. The 4×4 system is equipped with both rear and front power-locking differentials. 

A major ZR2 highlight is its Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) Multimatic suspension damper system. Multimatic supplies a version of these dampers for products by Ferrari, Aston Martin, and AMG. They replace a damper’s traditional piston and shims with dual spool valves, which are known for their adept fluid control in hydraulic systems. Their performance is widely regarded as just this side of magic in the way they absorb off-road task abuse and yet provide a surprisingly accommodating ride on the highway.

How AEV Makes it a Bison

Likely, the first thing you notice about the Bison are the massive 35-inch mud/terrain tires on 17-inch beadlock-capable AEV wheels. The body-to-tire ratio resembles the Hot Wheels cars you had as a kid. The already lofty ZR2 goes up another story for a best-in-class 12.2-inch ground clearance. AEV also adds a winch-ready, heavy-duty front bumper that raises the approach angle to 38.2 inches. It is matched by a heavy-duty rear bumper that assists with a 26-degree departure angle, while the lofty ride height provides a 29.6 breakover departure angle. AEV then provides Boron steel skid plates, and rocker protectors provide best-in-class when those angles still aren’t quite enough.

Making it Easier

Now that you have a very tough and off-road capable truck, the technology is what aims to make you an off-road hero. A convenient knob controls the 4WD system, and in addition to settings for 2WD, 4WD High, and 4WD Low, there is an Auto setting that lets the Bison figure it out for you. Instead of depending on your passenger to spot you when encountering hazardous obstacles that threaten to break something or get you stuck, you can use the underbody camera system to give you a clear view of what is around your front and rear tires, helping you see the rocks or logs you either want to aim your tires for or away from. 

The ZR2 Bison also assists you with its drive modes for specific surfaces and driving conditions such as Off-Road, Terrain, and Baja. The modes adjust the response and behavior of the throttle, transmission, and 4×4 system based on whether you are crawling, at risk of getting stuck, or flying and catching air over the dunes.

What it Will Cost You

The ZR2 has a starting MSRP of $46,800, and the AEV Bison Edition Package adds $11,700 for a total of $60,450. If that seems like a lot for a mid-size truck, consider that this will be one of the best factory street-legal off-road vehicles on the planet. In fact, you will probably still want to add a winch, tow ropes, maybe a lighting package, or some additional items to lock down cargo in the bed. All of which will likely encourage you to take on ever greater challenges.

While the ZR2 regularly appears in the Twin Falls Chevrolet inventory, the Bison Edition will likely have to be ordered or at least searched for by one of our sales professionals. So it’s not an impulse buy, but it will be worth it. Just imagine where a Colorado ZR2 Bison Edition can take you.