Chevrolet continues to expand the Colorado ZR2 midsize truck’s performance envelope with the introduction of 15 factory race components developed and validated over 10,000 miles of off-road racing.
The parts were developed by Chevrolet Performance engineering in collaboration with Multimatic and Hall Racing. Renowned off-road driver Chad Hall competed in a Colorado ZR2 equipped with these components throughout 2017 and 2018 to develop and validate them in desert racing conditions. During that time, the team completed every mile of every race in the “Best in the Desert” series. Hall Racing also used the Colorado ZR2 to pre-run the grueling Baja 1000 race.
“Off-road racing is a brutal test of a vehicle, and especially its suspension components,” said Mark Dickens, executive director of Chevrolet Performance Variants, Parts and Accessories and Motorsports. “Over two years, Chad mercilessly pushed these ZR2 parts to the limit for the ultimate in development and validation.
“After seeing the success of the Colorado ZR2, customers have been hounding Chad for help building their own ‘Hall Racing ZR2,’” Dickens continued. “For the first time, you can buy the same Chevy Performance Parts that raced and won in the desert. All you need to add is the required safety equipment to build a pre-runner for scouting the Baja 1000 or a full-blown race truck capable of competing in the race itself.”
The production Colorado ZR2 is effectively a segment of one, combining the nimbleness and maneuverability of a midsize pickup with a host of new off-road features and the most off-road technology of any vehicle in its segment.
Compared to a standard Colorado, the ZR2 features front and rear tracks that have been widened by 3.5 inches and a suspension lifted by 2 inches. Functional rock sliders provide better performance over rocks and obstacles, and the front and rear bumpers have been modified for better off-road clearance.
Class-exclusive features include standard front and rear electronic locking differentials, an available diesel engine and the first off-road application of Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) damper technology.
While the stock ZR2 comes factory-equipped with “segment of one” capability for both low- and high-speed off-roading, these factory race parts focus on desert running while preserving low-speed off-road performance.
Some of their many benefits include an additional 1-inch suspension lift and a 1.5-inch Body Lift on top of the ZR2’s factory ride height and up to 15 percent more suspension travel for extreme high-speed off-roading.
A set of Multimatic DSSV dampers engineered beyond the already formidable bandwidth of ZR2’s stock DSSVs enable the latter. Available Multimatic Front Long Travel DSSV Shocks provide customers with as much as a 15 percent increase in overall front suspension travel, while the Multimatic long travel rear shocks can increase rear suspension travel by as much as 10 percent.
Other components include front and rear jounce shocks to absorb large suspension inputs, using the same technology found on Trophy Trucks, and reinforced components including steel drive shafts, half shafts and tie rods.
“These parts can be purchased individually to suit each customer’s needs, or as a complete package,” said Dickens. “This gives customers the flexibility to build their truck up over time, purchase only the parts they need for their particular interest, or buy the complete set to build their own ‘Hall Racing’ ZR2.”
The parts* go on sale between now and early 2019 and will be available to Colorado ZR2 customers a la carte or as a complete package. For more information, visit: www.chevrolet.com/performance/colorado/off-road
