A Deeper Look into the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison
The 2019 Colorado ZR2 Bison enters the midsize truck arena as Chevrolet's performance variant, resulting from its maiden collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), a high-end off-road aftermarket manufacturer. The Bison represents another feather in Chevrolet’s cap as they continue to assert their dominance in the midsize truck market, with a market share of over 25% in less than four years.
Key Features and Innovations
True to its off-road focus, the Bison model has been fortified to withstand the harshest of terrains. The inclusion of five skid plates, designed by AEV, provides maximum protection for the engine oil pan, fuel tank, transfer case, and front and rear locking differentials. These skid plates, constructed of hot-stamped Boron steel, are specifically designed to withstand rocky, jagged terrains. In addition to this, AEV-designed stamped steel front and rear bumpers augment the truck's resilience against obstacles. The front bumper houses provisions for a winch and standard fog lights, with recovery points neatly integrated into the rear bumper.
Distinctive Design Elements
The Bison distinguishes itself from the pack with some unique design features. It showcases a distinctive “CHEVROLET” lettered grille, replacing the traditional bowtie emblem. A set of 31-inch (approx. 78.74 cm) Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road tires sits under larger fender flares, encompassing the all-new, Bison-specific 17 x 8-inch aluminum wheels. This new Colorado model is also adorned with “Bison” decals on the bed sides, an “AEV Bison” logo on the tailgate, and embroidered AEV logo floor liners and front head restraints.
Performance and Specifications
While the Bison maintains the full equipment list of the Colorado ZR2, it includes class-exclusive front and rear locking electronic differentials, and ground-breaking Multimatic DSSVTM dampers, for off-road performance. Furthermore, the Bison employs a modified rear axle with a 3.42 ratio, widened front and rear tracks by 3.5 inches (approx. 8.89 cm), and a factory suspension lifted by 2 inches (approx. 5.08 cm) over a Colorado Z71.
As for the powertrain, buyers have an option to equip the Bison with a 2.8L Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, producing 186 horsepower and 369 lb-ft (approx. 500.5 Nm) of torque. Additionally, there is a choice between crew- or extended cab configurations, including short and long beds.
Accessories and Availability
For those seeking extra customization, a third-party accessory snorkel for the ZR2 Bison is available for purchase from AEV. This addition is particularly beneficial for air filtration during dusty trail drives and is compatible with all Colorado pickup models. The 2019 Colorado ZR2 Bison, customized for extreme off-road use and supported by a comprehensive factory limited warranty, went on sale in January 2019.
-Ed
2019 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison
