We have seen the Chevy Colorado ZR2 concept truck at the 2014 LA Auto Show. We have seen the alleged Chevy Colorado ZR2 test mules and prototypes testing in the wild. Now, there is a California Environmental Protection Agency – Air Resources Board (CA-ARB) certification document that clearly lists the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 4WD with a 3.6L gasoline V6 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Let the excitement continue!
Here is the last page of the certification document.
Chevrolet recently announce the new 3.6L V6 engine, which will be mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The new V6 is more powerful than the outgoing model at: 308 hp @ 6,800 rpm and 275 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm. Expect this power combination to be more efficient in the regular 2017 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. The ZR2 can also reap the benefits of more power and 8 gears, but the higher suspension, lack of chin spoiler, and added weight of the ZR2 will make efficiency suffer.
It’s refreshing to see that the truck is documented as a 2017 model year (not 2018). The certification document also lists the ZR2 under two Vehicle Classes (LDT2 and LDT3).
The production version of the ZR2 off-road truck is expected to make its official debut at the 2016 LA Auto Show. This is very exciting, as the ZR2 will go head-to-head against the newly available 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro.
Here is one of our prototype hunting videos where we find what appear to be Chevy Colorado ZR2 test mules.
