Chevrolet today announced that the all-new 2023 Colorado ZR2 will be unveiled on July 28, 2022, while sharing a new teaser video of the mid-size truck.
Flashes of the head- and taillights can be seen in the short clip, revealing aggressive new design choices for the incoming Colorado. It also shows a “Safari Bar,” which a warning helpfully says could block the HD Surround Vision camera system that may help off-roaders navigate tough trails.
The truck in the video also has a roll bar in the bed that appears to have a light bar on top of it, which makes sense for such an off-roady vehicle. In the video, Chevrolet says it pushed itself to allow drivers to push themselves as well, suggesting that it expects this to be a highly capable vehicle.
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Despite that and the new boxier looks, the next-generation Colorado is expected to be more evolutionary than revolutionary. Based on the same, albeit updated, platform as the outgoing mid-size pickup, spy photos revealed a familiar set of modifications for the ZR2 trim, including Multimatic dampers, chunky tires, and extra ride height.
Just what will power the ZR2 remains unknown. Reports suggest, however, that the truck may get the 2.7-liter inline-four from the GMC Sierra, which makes 310 hp (314 PS/231 kW) and 348 lb-ft (472 Nm) of torque. That would be a decent increase over the existing ZR2 model, which makes 308 hp (310 PS/230 kW) and 275 lb-ft (373 Nm) of torque.
That may leave it lagging behind its competition. Although the specs for the U.S. market Ford Ranger Raptor have not yet been revealed (and won’t be until 2023), its EcoBoost V6 makes 392 hp (292 kW / 397 PS) and 430 ft-lb (583 Nm) of torque in Australia. In Europe, however, is makes just 284 hp (212 kW / 288 PS) and 362 lb-ft (491 Nm) of torque.
Production of the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado, meanwhile, is expected to take place at the same plant as the current model, in Wentzville, Missouri.