Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 takes aim at the Ford Ranger Raptor

Here in the Philippines, the Chevrolet Colorado is one of the well-known pickup truck nameplates fit for those who have an active lifestyle and exciting off-road adventures, while still wearing its innate nature as a workhorse. However, for some owners, pickup trucks are more than just cargo haulers and treat them as muscular models that should be dressed up and be flaunted.

Well, if you’re like the latter, see how the American brand made the Colorado ZR2 even more versatile as Chevrolet announced a set of 15 new factory race components. These new parts were developed by Chevrolet Performance engineering team, in cooperation with Multimatic and Hall Racing.

Just a brief background, the Colorado ZR2 equipped with these gears was driven by the renowned off-road driver Chad Hall in 2017 and 2018 to develop and validate them in desert racing conditions, and even finished every mile of every race in the “Best in the Desert” series. This awesome midsize pickup truck was also used to pre-run the demanding Baja 1000 race. Sounds familiar? The Ford Ranger Raptor says so, too.

Unlike the standard Colorado and the High Country Storm, the ZR2 comes with a widened front and rear tracks and a suspension lifted by two inches. Tackling on rocky roads won’t be a problem as the functional rock sliders will do its job for better performance.

The ZR2 is also equipped with front and rear electronic locking differentials, as well as the first off-road application of Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) damper technology – available with both gasoline or diesel engines, with the local-spec 181-hp, 500 Nm torque 2.8L Duramax power plant available to boot.

Also, one of the main highlights is the Multimatic Front Long Travel DSSV Shocks for an improved 15% improvement in overall front suspension travel, while the Multimatic long travel rear shocks can escalate rear suspension travel by about 10%.

To level up high-speed off-roading abilities, this badass ZR2 acquired an additional one-inch suspension lift and 1.5-inch body lift on top of the pickup’s factory ride height. Apart from that, upgraded systems such as leaf spring mount and anti-wrap link system, front and rear jounce shocks, cross-car beam, steel drive shafts, half shafts and tie rods are now added to the slew of features that the Chevrolet has put in the body of the Colorado ZR2.

Unfortunately, the Colorado ZR2 is not available in the country just yet. But with the introduction of the Ford Ranger Raptor this year and it’s subsequent popularity, it’s not a far-fetched idea if Chevrolet Philippines would bring the off-road racer here. Let’s just hope it does because it’s going to be a solid pickup truck matchup.