After all, GM has jumped on the silly pickup truck games, at least a little. Finally, joining trail followers, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 AEV Bison equips the 1500 platform with a solid list of new off-road goodies, just minus the party. strength of other children.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 introduced earlier this year as a premium off-road vehicle for the group, reconfigures GM’s work-oriented volume pickups with a higher ride height and lock-ready differentials. However, the ZR2 Bison goes a step further and the effects are impressive.
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Enjoy local, national and current news.
Create an account or log in to continue your experience.
Don’t have an account? Create Account
The bison makes a distinctive impression in the technique, with a tall stature and strangely narrow for its species. Eschewing the low-creatine flared stance of its Ford Raptor and its outgoing Ram TRX peers, the Bison features sophisticated trim, but is presented in a different way. Like a typical ready-to-work pickup truck, as wide as its (admittedly imposing) basic sibling. Ground clearance is another matter, of course, as the popular ZR2 is about 3. 8 inches taller than the Work Truck version, and the ZR2 Bison stretches out a bit further. another 1. 5 inches for a total ground clearance of 11. 2 inches (28. 5 centimeters). Measured against other half-ton trail models, this translates to one centimeter less than the TRX and about two inches less than the Raptor R’s 13. 1-inch figure. The obstacle angles of 38. 6 degrees on technique, 25. 2 degrees on departure and 24. 8 degrees on incline are all higher for the two Baja fighters, with this technique angle even being 8. 4 degrees steeper than the TRX.
That whole area also leaves plenty of room to poke your head underneath and read about one of AEV’s strengths: its underbody armor. Upgraded skid plates are fitted to the differentials, swap body and fuel tank, giving the Bison a distinctly sleek rear end for coverage against unforeseen obstacles. GM claims that those hot-pressed boron metal plates are 3. 5 times more powerful than the equivalent high-strength, cold-stamped metal. Having seen the rear several times in our follow-up test, no deformation was observed.
Outside of this hidden armor are threshold sliders, continuously, as the Lord intended. These are paired with 1/8″ AEV metal bumpers at the front and rear, each serrated through a pair of heavy-duty recovery points. The holes in those lovely bras may not be compatible with all the hooks published in your friends’ Gazette, but they will accept a comfortable shackle.
Topping all of this is the ZR2’s deployment of Markam, Ontario’s own 40-mm, tri-chamber Multimatic DSSV shocks. One of the most enjoyable technologies in modern motoring, Multimatic’s highly controllable ‘Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve’ systems have been applied to tech showcases such as the new Ford GT and Aston One-77, and more recently on the Chevy Camaro Z/28. Applied to the off-road ZR-2s, DSSV affords soft, easy-riding spring rates with a more precise, deliberate feeling and greater temperature-stable assurance in hard service than its bouncy peers. Hydraulic rear jounce stoppers round out the package.
Also at the rear is a sleek antique forged rear axle suitable for 3. 23. Off-road relief comes from the electronically switched two-speed gearbox tuned to 2. 69; they’re not the 4 extremes Jeep is used to, but they’re properly balanced for the maximum. realistic expectations of this type of platform.
Like the motion case, the front and rear differential locks are also electronically controlled. It’s hypothetically convenient, but less hypothetically assuming they don’t need to have interaction when you turn, by pressing a button and the bulk message “Differential lock not available”. ” It doesn’t give it much motive power. Called when I needed them most, the lockers let me down in a scenario that wouldn’t have required a shovel (mine, not included in this earthly cosplay). I wasn’t the happiest camper at the time.
Beyond that, though, the bison doesn’t scream much. Even the wheels are unobtrusive, as the supplied Wrangler ATs measure just 33 inches. It’s hard to see the 35s articulating comfortably in those arches, however, all that loose area leaves them a little empty. , even a little ridiculous. At least plenty of room to appreciate those deceptive surprise buffers.
So, without even the sticker packs or appliqués of your playmates for visual drama, this specific unit is supplied with a spare ground cosplay. Putting aside the concept that such a small seven-liter snowmobile can bring an overlander back from somewhere farther away than in a parking lot in Cabelas, the Bison wears his outfit well, and in this unexpected calm.
The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison is powered by the same old naturally aspirated 6. 2-liter V8, providing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Electric routes are made with GM’s sleek and stable 10-speed automatic transmission, a preferable and safer option. truck gearbox than the frustrating games delivered in the existing Ford F-150s.
Despite its bulk, and especially despite this unit’s rear-mounted roof rack and tent configuration, this powertrain delivers unexpected acceleration, even at highway speeds. You can read more about the Silverado-Sierra Series’ on-road handling in our review beyond the highway-oriented Denali, but even as an off-road-equipped option with fancier all-terrain tires, the truck drives without a noticeable hum. of the tires or, more unexpectedly, the same old wind noise expected from such a prominent roof rack. Note, however, that Comsumer Reports has given the Silverado a projected reliability score of 1/5, based on knowledge of the truck over the past two years.
Buyers looking to get things done in a pickup truck with the ZR2 note that the softer spring adjustment of those off-road models particularly limits their towing capabilities. The “standard” 2024 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 is designed to tow 6,000 pounds, while the Bison upgrade reduces that to 5,500 pounds. For perspective, the base Toyota Tacoma is designed to pull 6,500 pounds.
Fuel consumption reported by NRCan is estimated at 16. 8 L/100 km in the city, 14. 1 on the highway and 15. 6 combined. Dynamic cylinder deactivation helps economy on the road, but drivers looking to haul the ZR2 to accelerate at the speed of traffic will see the “V8” icon in the cluster to the fullest.
starting at a starting MSRP of $88,899 shipping.
Upgrading to the heftier AEV Bison adds a coffee shy of $10,000.
Note that while 2023 models came standard with the 6.2L gasoline V8, this is an upgrade for Canadian 2024 Silverado ZR2s.
The overall MSRP for the 2023 unit shown is $103,208.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison is the closest half-ton to the Ram TRX and Ford F-150 Raptor, though the smaller quarter-ton of the Colorado ZR2 is more directly suited to your dune-jumping pace. Cross-shopping is tricky here, even though neither of the two domestic competitors directly suits Chevrolet’s slower feature set. However, optionally up to Bison, the gap is narrowing.
The 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor starts at $108,795 after delivery. Whether it’s taken in the popular EcoBoost V6 or the supercharged Raptor R V8, the Raptor’s unprecedented strength will cost an additional $10,000 to $20,000. On-road models start at $78,275, but don’t fit the AEV’s armor or suspension.
The outgoing 2024 Ram TRX sells at a different median price, at a particularly high price of $121,765. The 2024 Ram 1500 Rebel is closer in price and features to the ZR2, which starts at $73,315 but lacks the ZR2’s impressive hardware.
✔ Excellent Multimatic DSSV ✔ Surprise Shocks Extended ✔ Bottom Coverage Mature Option for High-End Off-Roaders
✘ Size limits forward visibility ✘ Electronic lockers do not respond when needed ✘ 33-inch wheels seem small for your height
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their perspectives on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour to be moderated before appearing on the site. We ask that your comments are applicable and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you are following or if a user you follow comments. Check out our network rules for more data and top points on how to adjust your email settings.
365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4
© 2024 National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.
This uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads) and allows us to analyze our traffic. Learn more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.