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[Photos] Chevrolet Unveils Colorado ZR2 AEV Concept and ZR2 Race Development Truck

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Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Race Development Truck builds on the ZR2’s desert-running capability. Tuned for high-speed off-road use equipped with unique parts validated by Chevy Performance Engineering.

Chevrolet unveiled a pair of powerful concepts earlier this month at the 2017 SEMA Show: its Colorado ZR2 AEV concept and Colorado ZR2 Race Development Truck.

“Colorado has reignited the midsize segment with class-exclusive features and performance,” said Jim Campbell, US vice president, Truck Strategy, Performance Vehicles, and Motorsports. “Some customers want even greater capability, and the ZR2 AEV concept and ZR2 Race Development Truck showcase the efforts we’ve made to explore how owners can get even more from their trucks.”


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The Colorado ZR2 AEV concept was put together with the help of American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), the well-known purveyor of all things off-road. It’s decked out with AEV equipment including front and rear off-road-ready bumpers, high clearance fender flares, and underbody skid protection, as well as AEV DualSport beadlock wheels wrapped in 35-inch BF Goodrich KM2 Mud-Terrain tires.

“ZR2 puts an exclamation point on Chevy’s off-road engineering ability,” said AEV founder Dave Harriton. “Our collaboration taught us that Colorado makes a great platform for building an off-road truck that can take you as far out as you want to go, safely.”

The ZR2 Race Development Truck gets parts approved by both Chevrolet Performance Engineering and off-road racer Chad Hall. This includes 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tires, rear shock skidplates, rear differential skidplate, steel driveshaft, and a 1.5-inch body lift.

“Colorado can play any way you want,” added Campbell. “The work with AEV and Hall Racing acknowledges the strengths of our midsize platform, with both SEMA entries showcasing the versatility that’s already made Colorado a resounding success.”

Both the ZR2 AEV concept and ZR2 Race Development Truck are equipped with a Chevrolet Performance-developed suspension, which includes specially-tuned Multimatic DSSV shocks, front and rear jounce shocks, and a long-travel rear leaf spring suspension. The former is equipped with the ZR2’s available 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel, and the latter is equipped with the standard 3.6-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic transmission.


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Gallery: Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 AEV Concept

Colorado ZR2 AEV SEMA concept, created in collaboration with legendary off-road manufacturer American Expedition Vehicles features the 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel engine and elevates the ZR2 for even greater adventures.

Gallery: Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Race Development Truck