Chevrolet is not taking the launch of the Ford Ranger Raptor sitting down. Unveiled in the US (for now), Chevrolet is giving its Colorado pick-up truck its own dose of added performance with the Colorado ZR2 Bison.

Done in collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), a premium off-road aftermarket manufacturer, the Colorado ZR2 Bison picks up where the “regular” ZR2 left off. It features 5 skid plates covering the engine oil pan, fuel tank, transfer case, and front and rear locking differentials. Designed by AEV, these skid plates are constructed of hard, durable hot-stamped Boron steel.

AEV-designed stamped steel front and rear bumpers further shield the truck from obstacles. The front bumper contains winch provisions and standard fog lights, with recovery points integrated into the rear bumper.



Aesthetically, the Colorado takes on a similar approach to the Ford, spelling out “CHEVROLET” in a special flow-through design. At each corner are 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road tires, ZR2 Bison specific 17 x 8-inch alloy wheels, and of course, the Colorado ZR2’s trick front/rear locking differentials and Multimatic DSSVTM dampers.

This new Colorado variant also features “Bison” decals on the bed sides, an “AEV Bison” logo on the tailgate and embroidered AEV logo floor liners and front head restraints.

The Colorado ZR2 Bison comes with a choice of two engines: a 308-horsepower, 373 Nm of torque 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine mated to an 8-speed automatic or a 186-horsepower, 500 Nm of torque 2.8-liter Duramax diesel engine with a 6-speed automatic.

Limited to the US only for now, the Colorado ZR2 Bison goes on sale by January 2019 and comes with a full factory warranty.