11-15-2016, 07:35 PM | #1 | |
General Motors Aficionado
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GM Reveals 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
New Colorado ZR2 a “Segment of One” Among Off-Road Pickups
New performance variant of the Chevrolet Colorado excels in tight two-tracks, technical rock-crawling, fast desert running and on pavement General Motors November 15, 2016 LOS ANGELES — Just as introduction of the Chevrolet Colorado reset the bar for mid-size trucks, the new Colorado ZR2 is poised to reset expectations for off-road trucks. Chevy’s new performance halo for the Colorado lineup will feature more off-road technology than any other mid-size pickup when it goes on sale. The ZR2 is effectively a segment of one, combining the nimbleness and maneuverability of a mid-size pickup with a host of new off-road features and the most off-road technology of any vehicle in its segment. Compared to a standard Colorado, the ZR2 features a much wider track and a lifted suspension. Functional rockers have been added for better performance over rocks and obstacles, and the front and rear bumpers have been modified for better off-road clearance. Class-exclusive features include front and rear electronic locking differentials, available diesel engine, and the first off-road application of Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSVTM) damper technology. As a result, the Colorado ZR2 delivers exceptional performance in a variety of scenarios – from technical rock crawling to tight two-track trails to high-speed desert running to daily driving. “Our engineers have been incredibly successful developing Corvette and Camaro performance variants with broad performance envelopes,” said Mark Reuss, executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. “The ZR2 applies that same philosophy to off-road performance. You can go rock crawling on Saturday, desert running on Sunday, and comfortably drive to work on Monday. This truck can do it all, and do it all well.” First off-road application of Multimatic DSSV dampers To achieve this unprecedented balance of on- and off-road performance, the Chevy engineering team turned to a surprising partner in creating the ZR2’s dampers, which are the heart of any off-road truck. Multimatic Inc., based in Markham, Ontario, is a renowned maker of high-performance Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) dampers as used in championship-winning motorsport vehicles, including recent Formula One winners. The first volume production vehicle to use DSSV dampers was the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. The 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 will be the first application of Multimatic DSSV damper technology to 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.” Compared to deflected-disk valving common on most dampers, the ZR2 employs spool valves that offer increased precision and manufacturing repeatability along with enhanced ride and handling performance both on- and off-road. The Colorado ZR2’s DSSV dampers are position-sensitive. Their aluminum bodies each house two spool valves providing both compression and rebound damping optimized for everyday driving. During extreme off-road use, a third, piston-mounted spool valve delivers additional, uniquely tuned, compression damping. The front dampers also employ a separate rebound valve, which comes into play when the suspension approaches full extension. “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.” Design meets mud, sand and rock Visually, the production version of the Colorado ZR2 closely resembles the concept shown at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. Consumer response to that concept was so overwhelming, the team knew they needed to carry as much of the original design into production as possible. “For both the concept and the production versions of ZR2, the exterior design was shaped by the desire to improve capability driving over mud, sand and rock,” said Rich Scheer, director of design for Chevrolet Truck. “The wider, more aggressive stance, modified front and rear bumpers, and even the bed-mounted, spare-tire carrier all improve performance driving over rough terrain.” Compared to a Colorado Z71, the ZR2 has a more aggressive side profile, with the suspension lifted two inches for greater ground clearance. The steel-tube, functional rocker protectors will be standard equipment on the ZR2, and are strong enough to protect the body side while dragging the truck against a rock face. The ZR2 also features 17 x 8 inch aluminum wheels, in a pattern exclusive to the ZR2, wrapped in 31-inch Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires for exceptional traction. The front and rear track has been widened by three-and-a-half inches, with new cast-iron control arms for greater durability in off-road situations. As a result, the ZR2 offers greater wheel travel and stability while traversing steep grades. The front bumper of the ZR2 has tapered ends, to increase the tire clearance when approaching obstacles. The bumper also integrates a thick, aluminum skid plate protecting the radiator and engine oil pan, while the transfer case is protected by an additional shield. Above the bumper, the ZR2 features a more aggressive grille and hood – with black insert – to complement the other exterior changes. A bed-mounted spare tire carrier, seen on reveal vehicles at the Los Angeles Auto Show, will be available as an accessory. “The bed-mounted spare tire adds a rugged look to ZR2, and serves a functional purpose. By relocating the spare to the bed, ZR2’s departure is improved and prevents any damage to the spare when you’re crawling over obstacles,” said Scheer. Class-exclusive electronic lockers, available diesel engine The ZR2 also features the most sophisticated four-wheel drive system in the segment. With class-exclusive, electronic-locking differentials front and rear and Chevrolet’s AutoTrac transfer case, the ZR2 offers nine drive configurations:
The ZR2 shares its powertrains with the 2017 Colorado, and it will be the only extreme production off-road truck to offer the choice of gas or diesel engines. The all-new 3.6L V-6, mated to a class-exclusive Hydra-Matic 8L45 8-speed automatic transmission, yields 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, while the class-exclusive Duramax diesel engine produces 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque and will provide excellent range to overland drivers. Even with all of the off-roading upgrades over the base truck, the ZR2 can still tow up to 5,000 lbs. – enough to pull a camper, trailer dirt bikes, jet skis, snow mobiles and other toys – or carry 1,100 lbs. of payload. As such, the Colorado ZR2 offers a distinct position in the market: Compared to other midsize trucks, the Colorado offers an unrivaled suite of powertrain technologies; compared to full-size off-road trucks, the ZR2 is about a foot narrower and 500 pounds lighter, enabling greater agility over obstacles and better trail access. “It’s amazing what a difference a foot of width makes off road,” said Dickens. “The smaller size of the Colorado is a huge enabler for taking the ZR2 more places, and getting it through tighter spots than you could access with a full-size truck.” New, off-road development track at GM’s Yuma Proving Ground For the development of the Colorado ZR2, Chevrolet developed new off-road test areas at General Motors’ Yuma, Arizona Proving Ground. The Yuma Proving Ground is located on 2,400 acres of land in southeastern Arizona. Opened in 2009, Yuma features a range of tracks, laboratories and courses. The new off-road facility features a multitude of off-road simulations, including high-speed desert sand trails; low-speed, loose river rock crossings; and steep, technical hill climbs and descents. Yuma Proving Ground’s new off-road course allowed the team to test multiple iterations of components on the ZR2 is a single day. These components were then tested a real-world facilities like Moab, Johnson Valley, and Rubicon to ensure the ZR2 is trail-ready right from the factory. Photography
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2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2020 Chevrolet Colorado W/T Extended Cab (State-issued) Last edited by FenwickHockey65; 11-15-2016 at 07:53 PM. |
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11-15-2016, 07:58 PM | #2 |
Remember the Charleston 9
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Love it. Looks like they've got a real winner here. Glad they stuck to the concept. Hope it sells in droves.
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BRING BACK THE B4C POLICE CAMARO!
2002 V-6 5 speed rally red (current camaro) Also driven:1992 Z-28 305 auto Red w/ black stripes (anniversary), 2001 V-6 auto light pewter metallic,1991 RS V-6 auto Black |
11-15-2016, 08:17 PM | #3 |
Drives: 2013 ZL1 M6, '99 Tahoe 2Dr Sport Join Date: Mar 2013
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Damn you GM, you're cutting into my 6th Gen ZL1 fund. I was kinds of Meh, then I watched the video.. now I am like.. how much?
<---- Purchaser of three ZR2's ('97. '00. my current '02) |
11-15-2016, 08:40 PM | #4 |
1st Civ. Div.
Drives: Camaroless for now...RIP "Big SexZ" Join Date: Dec 2007
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Good Golly Mighty!!!!!!
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Swift....Silent....Deadly
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11-15-2016, 08:48 PM | #5 |
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i need dis.....
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11-16-2016, 02:09 AM | #6 |
HTCC Member
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OH MY WORD !
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11-16-2016, 05:41 AM | #7 |
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im wondering what the price is going to be.
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11-16-2016, 05:50 AM | #8 |
Drives: '17 Corvette Grand Sport M7 Join Date: May 2012
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Oh geez...it looks like GM has outdone themselves. Price? Price?
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MY RIDE: 2017 CORVETTE GRAND SPORT--TRIPLE BLACK, 7 SPEED MANUAL, VARARAM TCR-7 INTAKE, BORLA CATLESS X-PIPE, CARBON FIBER STAGE 2 AERO, MGW SHORT-THROW SHIFTER
**SOLD**2011 TRIPLE BLACK SS CONVERTIBLE--6 SPEED MANUAL, MANY MODS, 455 RWHP/435 RWTQ DAD'S RIDE: 2012 ZL1 #1866--BLACK, 6 SPEED MANUAL, EXPOSED CF HOOD, POLISHED WHEELS, SUNROOF, ROTO-FAB INTAKE "Silly Americans, taking from the rich and giving to the poor only works in fairy tales. Success is earned here!". |
11-16-2016, 06:26 AM | #9 |
Drives: 2017 Camaro 2.0T RS Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Ontario
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This is the truck i wanted... Bought a 2016 Z71 diesel; might have to trade up
For conversation, my Colorado (fully loaded) was pocket change less than $60k Cdn. out the door... I would assume that would put this truck in the $70k+ range all in... |
11-16-2016, 08:40 AM | #10 |
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Needs to be TRD-Pro pricing or less. Not Raptor territory.
Maybe the "Bison" version will get the V8 I want. Nonetheless, nice job GM.
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2012 2SS 45th AE LS3 M6 Borla ATAK Catback Kooks Stepped LT Headers CAI Intake Hexvents VMAX CNC Ported Throttle Body RX Catch Can Hurst Short Throw Shifter Pfadt ZL-Spec Stage 3 Suspension Forgestar F14 Tuned by Frost |
11-16-2016, 08:42 AM | #11 |
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Very cool but like others said, whats it gonna cost
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11-16-2016, 08:44 AM | #12 | |
Drives: '17 Corvette Grand Sport M7 Join Date: May 2012
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Quote:
FYI: I just went to Toyota's website and decked out a Tacoma TRD-Off Road quad-cab with Tow Package, Step Bars, Hard Tonneau, Upgraded Stereo, etc.. It stickered for $38,875.00.
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MY RIDE: 2017 CORVETTE GRAND SPORT--TRIPLE BLACK, 7 SPEED MANUAL, VARARAM TCR-7 INTAKE, BORLA CATLESS X-PIPE, CARBON FIBER STAGE 2 AERO, MGW SHORT-THROW SHIFTER
**SOLD**2011 TRIPLE BLACK SS CONVERTIBLE--6 SPEED MANUAL, MANY MODS, 455 RWHP/435 RWTQ DAD'S RIDE: 2012 ZL1 #1866--BLACK, 6 SPEED MANUAL, EXPOSED CF HOOD, POLISHED WHEELS, SUNROOF, ROTO-FAB INTAKE "Silly Americans, taking from the rich and giving to the poor only works in fairy tales. Success is earned here!". Last edited by DRKS1D3; 11-16-2016 at 08:54 AM. |
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11-16-2016, 08:49 AM | #13 |
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For reference, TRD-Pro starts at about 42. Raptor is around 50 I believe. Not much room there.
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2012 2SS 45th AE LS3 M6 Borla ATAK Catback Kooks Stepped LT Headers CAI Intake Hexvents VMAX CNC Ported Throttle Body RX Catch Can Hurst Short Throw Shifter Pfadt ZL-Spec Stage 3 Suspension Forgestar F14 Tuned by Frost |
11-16-2016, 09:08 AM | #14 |
マスタング = 遅い
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Any idea of cost?
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