The Chevy Colorado ZR2 packs off-road credentials already, but now, American Expedition Vehicles has unveiled an accessory line that’ll make the ZR2 even more capable.
AEV showed off its Colorado ZR2 concept truck at SEMA last year, a machine that garnered some seriously positive response from the Chevy faithful. Encouraged by the positive noises, AEV will now officially move forward with launching a series of production aftermarket products in conjunction with Chevrolet. The parts and pieces will premier for the first time at this week’s Overland Expo West in Flagstaff.
READ MORE: Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison Spied Testing Upgraded Off-Road Gear
Two items will be immediately available: a snorkel kit and a gnarly set of Crestone DualSport wheels. Both parts can be applied to any variant of the current-generation Colorado – that means non-ZR2 Colorado owners can play with these new toys, too. The Snorkel Kit is compatible with both the 2.8L Duramax turbodiesel and 3.6L V-6 gas engines.
“While designing and testing prototype parts for the SEMA concept vehicle, we were blown away by the capabilities of the stock Colorado and ZR2,” comments AEV Founder/President Dave Harriton. “There really is a lot of truck to work with here, and our team is thrilled at the opportunity to collaborate with Chevrolet.” This mashup marks the first time in AEV’s twenty-one-year history that it will be working with Chevrolet.
Taking inspiration from heavy-duty industrial and military applications around the world, the AEV Colorado Snorkel Kit was designed to improve engine performance by drawing in the cleanest, coolest air charge possible. AEV says they tested its snorkel kits extensively, both in the laboratory and in tough real-world conditions. It installs directly into the factory airbox and offers an available Pre-Filter to further trap the tough stuff.
The inventor of DualSport rims deserves a prize, as they mix the best of both the off- and on-road worlds. AEV’s take on the wheel is made from heat-treated cast aluminum and allows users to customize their wheel in three configurations: with either a fully functional Beadlock Ring for running very low tire pressure off-road, a Protection Ring designed for street use as well as wheel protection off-road, or no ring for a simple look.
Both the Beadlock and Protection Rings are said to be interchangeable, giving drivers the flexibility to run a Protection Ring on the street or upgrade to a functional Beadlock Ring for off-road use once they decide to hit the trailhead.
Off-Road.com discovered a trademark filing by Chevrolet for the name” ZR2 Bison,” an off-road version of the truck we predict will be offered by Chevy that can further be upfitted by AEV. We’ll have to wait and see if that truck comes to fruition, or if these upgrades are the extent of the tie-up.
READ MORE: Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison Headed for Production With a Focus on Overlanding
Two AEV-equipped Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 trucks featuring the Snorkel Kit and Crestone DualSport rims will be on display at the AEV exhibit booth during Overland in Flagstaff. Made in America, the AEV Snorkel Kit is available now, while the Crestone DualSport Wheel will be available in July. Have fun, bowtie fans.