Chevrolet announced a new Z71 Trail Boss Edition for the 2016 Colorado, a truck we had the chance to drive while getting our first impression of the new 2.8-liter Duramax diesel engine. For the 2015 SEMA Show, Chevrolet wanted to up the ante with its Z71 Trail Boss 3.0 concept, which takes the performance of the Trail Boss to the next level with Chevy accessories and performance parts.
“The Colorado Z71 Trail Boss Edition is made for tackling the tough terrain required to get away from it all and this concept version does it with rugged style,” said Sandor Piszar, director of Chevrolet Truck Marketing.
The production 2016 Colorado Z71 Trail Boss is offered in extended and crew cab configurations, with a choice of a long or short cargo bed and available 4WD – as well as the all-new 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel, which takes the maximum trailering rating up to 7,700 pounds.
The Trail Boss 3.0 concept is based on the Crew Cab 4WD model and that gets a performance boost thanks to a new Chevy performance exhaust and performance air intake under the hood.
The rally stripe on the hood, illuminated front bowtie emblem in the grille, body-color door handles and mirror caps, and rocker bars, all combine to give the Trail Boss 3.0 a unique and customized look. A concept ambient lighting system is found in the interior, while rubberized floor liners, a brushed metal interior trim kit and stainless steel sill plates are some of the new accessories available in the Chevy’s parts portfolio.
“At its core, the Trail Boss offers owners the gear-carrying ability and versatility they need to venture off-road, with segment-leading efficiency and capability,” said Piszar. “The Trail Boss 3.0 concept builds on that to show the choices from Chevrolet to help customers personalize their truck.”
Although it isn’t exactly highlighted in the press material (maybe because it’s not part currently offered by Chevy), the Colorado Z71 Trail Boss 3.0’s coolest feature might be the additional two inches of lift that get the truck up off the ground enough to make it a more confident trail truck.
Here is a list of parts found on the standard Trail Boss, and also featured on the 3.0 concept:
– Cargo bed-mounted sport bar with LED trail lighting
– Black fender flares
– Black bowtie emblems, front and rear
– 17-inch black-painted aluminum wheels matched with Goodyear DuraTrac 265/65R17 all-terrain tires
– G80 automatic locking rear differential
– 4WD transfer case shield
– Front recovery hooks
– Black, three-inch round rocker steps
– Spray-in bedliner
– Projector beam headlamps
– Front fog lamps
– All-weather floor mats with the Z71 logo.
Chevrolet is making a strong push to offer performance parts to its customers to improve performance or customize their vehicle’s look, which is a great move by the company overall. But we sure hope they quit teasing us with concept vehicles that offer the improved ground clearance and upgraded suspension that we at Off-Road.com hope to eventually see made available.
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