A Closer Look at The 2023 Chevy Colorado ZR2
Chevrolet announced the pending release of its new Off-Road version of the Colorado Pickup in a ZR2 Trim. It created waves of excitement and wonder as we patiently waited for the spycams to do their good work and go out and capture videos of the mysterious new offering. Chevrolet has released a few teasers to whet the appetite, but they’ve been stingy about sharing full-blown details that let us know what to expect. We consulted the usual sources who’ve done a stellar job of sleuthing to dig up as much information as possible about the strictly veiled new Colorado, and here is what we know so far.
The 2023 Chevy Colorado ZR2 is a redesign
CNet confirms that Chevy has redesigned the new version of the new Colorado and it’s slated to become the next generation for canyon crawlers. The video they posted to social media places it in the desert and we can only see a few of the new features, but it’s enough for educated guesses to fill in the finer details. We know that the model’s release date is scheduled for July 28, 2022, but it’s hard to wait because of the hype that pulls us in. The new variant in its ZR2 trim comes with the claim of enhanced off-road capability with loads of accessories from the factory.
Redesign claim
Chevy promises to deliver a redesigned pickup that features an upgraded interior, improvements in the chassis components, and updates to the powertrains. While we’re screaming for more details about those elements we can satisfy our curiosity with the observable features. The modern aesthetic for the interior comes in the form of a Safari Bar brush guard on the front bumper. It’s a new addition that was not available on the outgoing model of the Colorado. It also gets a new square grille with horizontal headlights and a few design enhancements to the front end. The 2023 ZR2 has plastic fender flares with black stripes on the front to add intense sportiness to the overall look. They work well with black wheels and chunky tires. Moving to the back, we see a sculpted tailgate with Chevrolet across the back in a script, and new taillights that borrow their aesthetics from the recent Silverado format. An LED light bar sits on the ample-size roll bar. Motor Trend confirms that the Colorado ZR2 is a sporty truck made for off-roading and loaded with new cosmetics and hopefully cool features that are not visually observable from the brief clips released. Chevrolet changed the edges of the grille to drop the inward slant and give them a vertical design with narrowed headlights that give it a beefier overall look in modern and contemporary styling. While there isn’t enough detail shown in the clips, we can see that the overall exterior aesthetic is new and upgraded over the outgoing version of Colorado. Some similarities noted include the same look for the shape of the cab, side mirror placements, and the shapes of the windows. We can accept that in the update as it cements the DNA elements that make it a Colorado.
A peek at the interior
We don’t know much about the interior but a few keen eyes observed that it appears that the Colorado ZR2 will have major updates. It’s assumed that the squared appearance of the exterior won’t be the only update. We fully expect to see changes to the interior. The few glances offered show flashes of a new look for the steering wheel and dash. It’s not much, but we’ll take what information we can get. Sometimes it’s nice to be surprised. In the meantime, we can allow our imaginations to roam.
What can we expect for performance?
Again, it’s purely conjecture, but assumptions venture that the 2023 Colorado will come with a 2.7-liter Inline-4 engine as its standard. It cranks 310 horsepower with 420 lb-ft of torque. Upgrades, which will likely be the choice of a V-6 3.6-liter and a diesel version featuring the Duramax 2.8-liter engine, but it’s unconfirmed by the automaker. Motor Biscuit is betting that the standard engine will be a 3.6-liter V6 that generates 300 horsepower with 295 lb-ft of torque. They may also install the Silverado’s2.7-liter turbo-four that puts out 310 horsepower with 348 lb0ft of torque with a six-speed automatic transmission going the way of the dodo in favor of a 10-speed automatic transmission. They’re going out on a limb here, but that’s part of the fun of making guesstimates to see if you’re right. They’re hoping for an upgrade in performance for the ZR2 and venture that it will outdo the current acceleration of zero to sixty in 6.1 seconds. They’re also hoping for an upgrade in towing from 7,700 pounds and an increased payload exceeding the current 1,560 pounds in the bed. It’s ample as it is, but it’s another item on the wishlist.
Is electrification in the future?
It’s been reported that the updated version of the platform will offer improvements in off-road handling and durability. It’s also noted that the new design will be suitable for full electrification. At this point, we have no idea about the specifications. Motor Biscuit experts also venture that the new ZR2 will offer exceptional rock crawling with its new Baja Mode. They also expect more assists for hill climbing and descent. We’ll see an upgrade in the suspension and a new look with a sleek design and an updated grille shape.
Pricing and availability
The release date for the 2023 Colorado ZR2 is July 28, 2022. It won’t be long before all of the questions get answered. An estimate of the base price is set at around $44,000, figuring inflation above the current base price of $42,600, but again, it’s a guesstimate. The cost will depend on the technologies, assists, and other new enhancements. We’ll have to wait and see.
