Chevrolet Colorado fans, it’s looking very promising that we may actually see a production version of the ZR2. Photographers have captured the ZR2 testing yet again at the GM Proving Grounds, but this time the truck in question is in the Extended Cab body style.

It was nearly two months ago we first saw the ZR2 testing in the snow. At that time, photographers caught the truck in Crew Cab form, but now these new images show it being tested in the Extended Cab trim option, suggesting that GM is looking at offering the truck in more than one option. Why test the truck in two trims if it won't make it to production? Hmmmm... our interest in piqued, to say the least.

We’ve been intrigued by the Colorado ZR2 ever since we first laid eyes on the truck at the 2014 LA Auto Show. When we tested the GMC Canyon (based on the same platform as the Colorado) last month in our Mid-Size Truck Shootout we had a lot of great things to say about the truck overall, but our biggest gripe was the off-road performance of the truck. A ZR2 option for the Colorado and or Canyon platform would erase many of the off-road performance concerns with improved ground clearance and suspension travel. If the truck is fitted with the same King Shocks on the concept truck unveiled in LA, then it's say to say the ZR2 would also offer significantly improved performance in the rough stuff as well.

For 2016, Chevrolet and GMC have made a new 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine available for the Colorado and Canyon, and after spending a great deal of time in the Canyon during our recent shootout we came away very pleased with the low-end torque and power delivery of the engine for off-road use. We can’t confirm if these test trucks are powered by this engine - which GM hails produces 181 horsepower and a segment-leading 369 lb-ft of torque - but the first ZR2 concept unveiled in LA did feature the engine, so it’s quite possible the ZR2 would feature that power plant as an option.

Based on what we know about the Colorado ZR2 concept unveiled in LA, these test trucks share very similar traits. The concept truck’s elevated profile was due to a two-inch lift and remote-reservoir King Shocks, and while we can’t see what shocks these test trucks are sporting they clearly have the a very similar profile. King also was quick to develop a Performance Series Kit for the Colorado so it has already done the testing and tuning on the truck platform.

The test truck also appears to be sporting a pre-runner front bumper for additional approach angle, ground clearance and space to add larger, more aggressive tires. The bulging hood scoop design on the concept also appears to be hiding under the camouflage and rock sliders are visible on the test truck to offer protection to the truck’s side rocker panels. The biggest different is there’s not bed-mounted spare tire on either truck, which maybe have simply been to make dramatic appearance on the concept and will be mounted beneath the bed like current production models.

Until we have anything official, it’s all still speculation about when, or if, we’ll ever see a production version of the ZR2. But seeing yet another prototype test trucks tells us that Chevrolet is seriously considering it.

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