“Rock left, going to straddle it,” I known as out to my driving accomplice, Shad Balch, director of Chevrolet Communications. Driving about 45 mph and targeted on that rock I in some way missed one other rock on my proper. Bang!
The radio crackled with a message from truck 99. “Truck 18, you’re canine monitoring. You must most likely pull over.”
I used to be piloting truck 18, a blue 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 on a three-day drive from Las Vegas to Reno utilizing a lot of the 2023 Greatest In The Desert Vegas to Reno race course. I had heard and felt a increase from the rear finish, and noticed an alert for a low proper rear tire on the digital gauge cluster, however the truck was nonetheless soldiering on.
Crunched steel is not the biggest fear when off-roading, what’s damaged behind it’s
The 2023 Colorado ZR2 is extra sturdy, do you have to hit a boulder
I used to be confused. The rock I straddled shouldn’t have made contact with the bash plates.
I obtained out and noticed that the driving force aspect rear tire had an excessive amount of camber, the appropriate rear quarter panel was dented, the appropriate rear Goodyear was flat, and the appropriate rear wheel and tire now sat farther again within the wheelwell.
The rock had knocked the rear U-bolt off the highest plate after sheering off the centering pin
The rock had knocked the rear U-bolt off the highest plate after sheering off the centering pin
The rock had knocked the rear U-bolt off the highest plate after sheering off the centering pin
Wanting beneath, occasions turned clear. A rock had made contact with the dented however nonetheless intact aluminum driveshaft simply forward of the place it slides into the rear finish. The driveshaft spun the rock again to the appropriate, hitting the place the U-bolts maintain the axle and leaf spring collectively. It sheared the pin (bolt) that facilities the mounting bracket prime plate with the U-bolts, axle, and leaf spring. This allowed the axle to slip again about three inches on the passenger aspect, bending the entrance U-bolt whereas shoving the rear U-bolt off the highest plate. It was all nonetheless in a single piece, and the axle was high-quality.
Henry Canan, a GM tech who spends his days fixing the stuff the engineering staff breaks throughout improvement, was available, however the chase truck didn’t have a substitute pin or U-bolts.
Everybody agreed the truck might drive out with a spare tire, however the axle ought to be shoved again into place.
Time for MacGuyver-level repairs.
The rock hit the aluminum drive shaft first, denting, however not destroying it
After a couple of failed makes an attempt to get the rear axle aligned, Canan stated, “That is going to sound sketchy, however we’d be capable of do it with the truck.” Canan eliminated the driveshaft, making the ZR2 a front-wheel-drive car momentarily, and Chevrolet Efficiency Supervisor of Efficiency Integration Tim Demetrio put the truck in 4Lo, locked the entrance locker, shifted into reverse, and backed right into a rock positioned behind the appropriate rear tire. All of us watched because the axle slid ahead and again into place. Miracles by no means stop.
Canan tried to straighten the U-bolts with a steel mallet however little progress was made
Canan couldn’t straighten the U-bolts utilizing a boulder with a steel mallet, so he slid the U-bolts in backwards so that they pulled in opposition to the axle to maintain it higher centered. That was vital as a result of there was no substitute centering pin. He additionally put in a metal driveshaft obtainable by Chevrolet Efficiency.
With a spare wheel and tire, the truck was again in a single piece. We circled and drove out the way in which we got here in.
With the truck again in a single piece it drove out and down the freeway
On the freeway, Demetrio cracked over the radio, “Let me know if that factor pulls, vibrates, or doesn’t really feel proper, truck 18.”
“Amazingly, it drives…high-quality. Appears to tug a smidge to the left if something, however in any other case it’s high-quality,” I responded.
We met up with the remainder of the vehicles at a scheduled pit cease, and there I swapped into the Sand Dune Metallic backup truck.
That evening in Fallon, Nevada, the Chevy staff went to the native Napa Auto Elements retailer and acquired two U-bolts and a pin. Demetrio stated they may repair the truck with lower than $10 value of elements, however I continued within the backup truck.
After 5 days, 4 resorts, 350 miles off pavement within the desert, and about 400 to 500 extra miles on pavement, that’s the worst, and solely, factor that occurred to any of the ZR2s except for flat tires, and the truck was nonetheless driveable.
It’s clear the second-generation Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 has morphed into the automaker’s flagship off-roader. It’s not as large as Chevy’s two different ZR2s, the Silverado 1500 and Silverado HD, however that’s a bonus for off-roading, and the Colorado ZR2’s functionality units a brand new benchmark for the present and looming competitors.
2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 operating the Greatest In The Desert 2023 Vegas to Reno route
Shockingly good shocks, {hardware}, and specs
The 2023 Chevy Colorado ZR2 is greater than only a base Colorado with some off-road elements added to the combo. The Colorado’s {hardware} and specs let it brush off jumps, rocks (most of them), ruts, mud, water, silt, sand, snow, and every part else we encountered within the desert.
The brand new ZR2 rides on a model-specific body with further reinforcements for hundreds and twist and revised geometry to mount the rear shocks outboard by the wheels as a substitute of inboard like the remainder of the usual 2023 Chevrolet Colorado lineup. This modification makes the truck extra steady on- and off-road and protects the shock mounts from harm whereas off-roading, do you have to, or somebody like me, tag a rock. I don’t advocate it. Demetrio confirmed I’d’ve ripped the shock mount off the previous truck.
With a large chassis and lifted suspension the ZR2 towers over lesser Colorados
2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
The brand new ZR2 additionally rolls on a 3.0-inch wider observe and has 3.0-inch carry in comparison with the bottom Colorado. The numbers converse for themselves with 10.7 inches of floor clearance, and 9.9 inches of entrance and 11.6 inches of rear suspension journey. These adjustments contribute to a 24.6-degree breakover angle, a 38.3-degree strategy angle, and a 25.1-degree departure angle. The ZR2’s strategy and departure angles beat these of the present Toyota Tacoma TRD Professional, however Toyota’s shorter wheelbase pays dividends within the type of a barely higher breakover angle at 26.6 levels. We’ll should see the place the brand new Tacoma TRD Professional and Ranger Raptor match into the equation after they arrive. The Jeep Gladiator Mojave bests the ZR2’s strategy and departure angles, however the Jeep’s longer wheelbase hurts its breakover angle. The ZR2’s strategy, departure, and breakover angles are additionally all higher than these of the Ford F-150 Raptor, no matter whether or not it’s on 35s or 37s, and the Ram 1500 TRX.
2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2’s secret sauce is hidden within the fender wells within the type of Multimatic DSSV shocks
Among the many finest off-roading elements on the second-generation ZR2 are its Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) shocks, which debuted on the 2017 Colorado ZR2. These gold-sleeved shocks have been upgraded with the rod from the bigger Silverado 1500 ZR2 for extra damping power and a brand new tune for extra management at pace. The passive dampers have the power to manage the ZR2 whereas attacking an extended sweeper on the highway or leaping over a cattle grate off-road. I did each throughout Chevy’s drive and got here away impressed with the physique management and smoothness created by the DSSVs. My again ought to want a chiropractor after these 350 miles of off-roading, however I’m not even taking Tylenol.
Different off-road goodies embrace entrance and rear locking differentials and two entrance tow hooks. GM famous the rear Class IV hitch is the truck’s rear restoration level, and it feels low cost that it doesn’t get rear tow hooks, an issue the upcoming Colorado ZR2 Bison will repair.
Three aluminum skid plates up entrance cowl every part all the way in which again to the switch case in case the worst ought to occur. I by no means hit the bash plates as soon as, although I might have used one over the rear axle.
2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 rides on the identical tires as some Ford Broncos, however not all tires are created equally
Like the bottom Colorado, the ZR2’s entrance axle strikes ahead slightly below three inches for 2023. It rolls on 17-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Territory Mud Terrain tires versus the outgoing truck’s 31-inch rubber. These are the identical tires discovered on the Ford Bronco with the Sasquatch package deal, however the tread sample is completely different on the Chevy. Goodyear makes two variations of those tires. Confused? Me too, however the model Chevy selected is far quieter on the freeway with no loud thrum. Consumers hoping to throw 35s on their ZR2 will likely be dissatisfied. They gained’t match cleanly with out rubbing, however adjustments to the upcoming ZR2 Bison seemingly appropriate the fitment challenge.
2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 eases its manner although a water drainage tunnel beneath the freeway
The Colorado ZR2 is 4.8 inches narrower than a Silverado 1500 ZR2 and 10.2 inches narrower than a Ford F-150 Raptor. Its measurement makes it simpler to put on the path and much much less harrowing when ripping round rock-strewn surfaces. Trophy vehicles take the desert race route we ran, however I’ve zero clue how they make it by the water drainage tunnels that we went by beneath the highways.
2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 introduces Baja mode
ZR2 features Baja mode
The V-6 from the final ZR2 has been chucked apart for a 2.7-liter turbo-4 with 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. It’s essentially the most highly effective engine obtainable for the redesigned Colorado, and just like the outgoing ZR2’s non-obligatory turbodiesel-4, it has chunky low-end torque, however modes matter.
Energy comes on robust round city in Regular mode, however passing energy can underwhelm because the engine loses steam at freeway speeds. Chevy charges the ZR2 to tow as much as 6,000 kilos and haul as much as 1,151 kilos of payload.
GM makes you agree that you’ll certainly loosen the soundness management system
A number of turns of the drive mode dial to the left and the Baja mode image initiatives onto the touchscreen, but it surely’s nonetheless not enabled. GM makes you verify through the touchscreen that you just certainly need to change to the Baja mode as a result of it reduces the management of the digital nannies. Baja mode turns off traction management, and reigns again digital stability management. In three days of going sideways and airborne, I by no means felt the ESC system maintain me again in Baja mode, which additionally makes the powertrain really feel like a can of Purple Bull was injected straight into the gas line. Demetrio informed me ESC’s nonetheless there within the background to avoid wasting your butt ought to issues get too wild. Now I need to know what too wild looks like!
PSA: Allow Baja mode earlier than heading off pavement because it’s not simple to faucet that on-screen immediate while you’re bouncing round at pace. Ask me how I do know.
Along with throttle response, Baja mode cracks off fast shifts from the 8-speed automated transmission and holds gears longer. However there’s a secret unlisted function that Baja mode brings with it: the Efficiency Shift Algorithm (PSA).
“What’s that,” I requested Balch as a bit inexperienced gear icon popped up within the decrease proper nook of the 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster. “Oh, that? That signifies PSA’s been engaged,” Balch stated. PSA primarily provides a case of Jolt Cola into the gas system. To maintain the powertrain on boil, it maintains enhance always and by no means lets the engine go under about 2,500 rpm when the drive is into it. Blipping the throttle rapidly in Baja mode engages PSA, and it’ll stay engaged so long as the driving force retains their foot in it. Letting off the throttle so the transmission drops by the gears will ultimately permit the engine to drop to 1,500 rpm. 5 seconds after that, PSA shuts off.
Demetrio confirmed the PSA is built-in into {the electrical} structure of the truck and will be revised through over-the-air updates. Because it stands, the model of PSA I skilled was simply the second-best function of the truck, behind the DSSV shocks and forward of Baja mode itself. GM, if you happen to’re listening, I’d remap PSA to remain on a smidge longer. When a driver (me, as an example) lets off the throttle to cross a number of washouts they’ll most likely get proper again into the throttle on the opposite aspect.
2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
GM’s bean counters affected the ZR2
The ZR2 is without doubt one of the most spectacular factory-built off-road pickup vehicles cash should purchase. However exterior of the elements that make it carry out, it’s clear GM’s accounting division held again this truck.
Demetrio calls this trim crushed carbon, however I name it a selection
The inside options the identical glitzy 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster and 11.3-inch touchscreen as different Colorados. To maintain it within the ZR2 household, yellow-stitched accents with grey soft-touch trim bits adorn the dashboard, doorways, middle console, and seats, and ZR2 is stitched into the entrance seat headrests. Demetrio known as the trim sample on the appropriate aspect of the dashboard, within the backside of the cupholders, and within the wi-fi smartphone tray crushed carbon. It appears to be like just like digital camouflage and that was a selection. Fortunately, it’s not slathered on the seats and exterior physique trim like on the newest Toyota Tundra TRD Professional.
I can recover from a budget, laborious plastics in areas the driving force isn’t prone to contact as a result of they make it simpler to scrub the truck after an journey. I may even recover from the dearth of efficiency entrance seats, as a result of the seats within the Colorado proved snug for days on finish of laborious off-road driving. The shortage of absolutely LED taillights looks like penny pinching.
A few of the budget-consciousness additionally impacts efficiency. The shortage of path flip performance is odd (means to tug the within rear wheel for a tighter turning radius). A five-link rear suspension would additional assist experience high quality and off-road stability. The shortage of shift paddles irks me. A rocker on the gear selector can lock out higher gears when the selector is shifted into L, however there isn’t a handbook shift functionality.
When it goes into manufacturing this spring, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 will price $48,295 (together with $1,495 for vacation spot) and prime $52,000 with a couple of choices like heated and cooled leather-based seats. That’s mainly the identical value as a far much less succesful, much less refined, and archaic Toyota Tacoma TRD Professional or the slower, much less highly effective Gladiator Mojave. The extra highly effective F-150 Raptor prices $32,375 extra and the Ram 1500 TRX runs $32,490 extra, and whereas that energy is intoxicating, you’ll be able to solely go so quick off-road. These vehicles are additionally large, which suggests the Colorado ZR2 was a more sensible choice for our Vegas to Reno run.
The brand new Colorado ZR2 isn’t as quick as the large off-road pickups, but it surely’s now some of the succesful manufacturing pickup vehicles. It will possibly present a variety of smiles whereas taking a beating over three days on an off-road race course…nicely, so long as you don’t hit one large rock whereas avoiding one other one.
Chevrolet offered journey and lodging in at the very least one haunted resort for Motor Authority to carry you this primary drive report and break their truck. It nonetheless drove out.