Multimatic, the Canadian company that will manufacture the 2017 Ford GT, is also known for something called DSSV dampers. The Mercedes-AMG GT has those, as does the fifth-generation Camaro Z/28 and as did the single-seaters that brought Red Bull Racing four F1 World Championship titles. In an apparently weird twist of fate, DSSV dampers made their way into a pickup.
The 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 here isn’t a one-off or a limited-run model. It is a full-fledged production model, sitting right at the top of the Colorado lineup. Marking the first off-road application for Multimatic's DSSV dampers, this type of technology has a certain advantage. In comparison to the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor’s off-road-oriented Fox Racing shocks, DSSV dampers transform the Chevy Colorado ZR2 in a sort of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
That’s because spool valve damper technology can adapt to on- and off-road situations faster than the human eye can blink. “You can go rock crawling on Saturday, desert running on Sunday, and comfortably drive to work on Monday. This truck can do it all, and do it all well,” explains Mark Reuss, the executive VP of Global Product Development, Purchasing, and Supply Chain.
Hailed as the most versatile mid-size truck money can buy, the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 isn’t a hell-bent for leather monster like the Ford F-150 Raptor in terms of get-up-and-go. Heck, customers that fancy diesel power can get a 2.8-liter Duramax engine, with 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque on tap. For those who would rather good old jungle juice, a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission fits the bill. The more exciting engine is rated at 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft.
Don’t think that the Colorado ZR2 is all show and no go, though. Beyond the off-road badassery, including those DSSV dampers and electronic-locking differentials, the Colorado ZR2 can tow up to 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms). What’s more, it can also carry a 1,100-pound (498.5-kilogram) payload.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News