RST, Z71 Trail Runner Models On Deck to Add Off-Road Lineup Flex

As those looking to purchase new trucks come down to meet us here at O'rielly Chevy and ask about various features, many of them want to know just how we are faring with our steadfast rival in the form of the Toyota Tacoma! In order to assure that the Colorado truck line retains competitive and spry, there are two new special editions on deck for 2019. The RST and Trail Runner models both feature flow-through Chevy lettering on the grille, very similar in design to the Colorado ZR2 Bison. The Trail Runner is based on the Colorado with the Z71 off-road package, and incorporates the same underbody protection from the ZR2.

You get to be the off-road ready recipient of Goodyear Duratrac all-terrain tires wrapped around 17-inch wheels, an automatic locking differential for the rear axle and functional rocker protection are included as standard equipment now. The RST does not feature a small-block V8 as is the case with the Tahoe RST and comes with a choice of three apt-and-able power sources: the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque, 3.6-liter High Feature V6, and a 2.8-liter Duramax 4-cylinder turbo diesel.

Branching off heftily and adding to the LT trim level the Colorado RST adds monochromatic detailing that adds a stately compliment to the black beltlines, as well as body-side moldings. There is a black bowtie on the back, and 20-inch wheels are the largest ever offered, as the low gloss black makes them unique from other options on the market. The Colorado is the revolutionary and amazingly powerful truck that helped re-ignite the mid-size truck segment as a whole, which saw a 27 percent increase during the two years leading up to 2017, when customers began to culminate a new vision for what they expected out of their truck, and also inspired competitors to massively step up their research and design game.

The writers at the esteemed Jalopnik blog loved the new grille on the RST, and all of us here at O'rielly loved the overhaul that AEV has done with on the ZR2: they made it so incredibly off-road ready, that it would make any rugged-and-ready contender's head spin. The trademark trick Multimatic DSSV dampers that offered a large dose of off-road prowess were one of the elements that won so many over on the Colorado family in the first place. When it comes to the world of off-roading and 4 x 4's, there sometimes is never such a thing as “enough” and these two new additions to the lineup assure that the next time you veer off the beaten path, you're going to be lean, mean, and ready to tackle the tremendous hurdles of the Tucson-area wild!

Colorado ZR2 Bison Created With Aid From AEV for the Ultimate in Off-Road Adventure

Details regarding a very detailed pre-emptive strike against the competing Ford Raptor have been circulating around the office and on the lot here at O'rielly Chevy, where more off-road equipment has been added to the bad and burly ZR2. Based on the AEV concept seen during last year's SEMA show, the new ZR2 Bison features very awesome and able custom gear from American Expedition Vehicles. First setting apart the new Bison from ordinary ZR2s is a winch mounting plate underneath with “Chevrolet” spelled out across its width, as well as an AEV steel bumper with fog lights.

There are now larger fender flares positioned over very cool customer 17-inch black wheels, and 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires, an AEV steel rear bumper with integrated tow hooks, and Bison decals on the bed. For the most proper and fitting in rock climbing  equipment, Chevy traded the ZR2's aluminum skid plates for a total of five new steel units that cover both differentials, the transfer case, engine oil pan, and the fuel tank. New logos of a charging bison and the AEV name now appear on the tailgate and headrests.

For the most part, the Bison has similar traits to the standard ZR2's equipment, sporting the usual Multimatic remote-control reservoir dampers, cast-iron control arms, front and rear electronic locking diffs, a two-inch lift, and a 3.5-inch-wider front and rear track then is found on the lower-model Colorado Z71. Engine selections are the turbo-diesel 2.8-liter inline-four with a six-speed automatic transmission, or the 3.6-liter gasoline V-6 with the 8-speed automatic, in crew-cab or extended cab body types. This is the truck that the folks at Jalopnik called “A plated pickup to power through anything”, and raved about the strength of the newly installed protective plating.

The skilled folks at AEV are the ones who turned the Jeep Wrangler into the fully-fledged off-road ready AEV Brute, and are currently tinkering with Dodge Ram pickups as well. Since the main ingredient is the skid plates, it's hard not to notice that they are constructed of very hard, durable hot-stamped Boron steel. This makes an enormous difference for anyone who Is going to be taking their truck off road: oil pans and differentials can be some of the first items to crack, and this armor for the underbelly is wildly sensible. Crawling rocks and racing through the desert at dusk are popular forms of recreation right here in the Tucson area, and you will be more than excited to embark on your own adventure with the trusty and battle-ready 2019 ZR2 Bison!