2024 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison is AEV’s All-Terrain + Boulder-Devouring Desperado

Truck owners have seen their options for the “biggest and baddest” grow by leaps and bounds over the last decade, as engineering teams developed technology and aftermarket goodies that would make anyone from the 1980s quiver with excitement! The 2024 Chevy Colorado Bison is a very high-performance version of the all-new pickup that was built in collaboration with the “Mountain movers from Montana”, with production now situated in the Motor City. AEV has always been held in very high regard by us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis for taking adventure to the most extreme level on every single project they get their hands on.

The Colorado ZR2 is equipped with a 310-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, and a suspension system precisely engineered for the challenges of high-speed off-roading. One of the vital components of this sheer awesomeness is the shock absorbers developed by Multimatic, using a complex series of spool valves that govern the fluid inside the shocks. This aids in upping the potential for the input damping characteristics, which helps absorb the huge impacts a truck encounters when catching air and navigating challenging unkept trails.

The Colorado ZR2 Bison keeps the shocks, but now adds a set of Multimatic jounce dampers that prevent bottoming out during the many ruts and other abrupt changes in the terrain from below. The Colorado ZR2 Bison is now the only truck out there that comes equipped from the factory with this feature, usually reserved for an upgrade in the aftermarket category. The traction management system is upgraded with launch control that will even do its thing in the dirt and allows you to hold down the brake and gas pedal at the same time. 

This feature is so “intelligent” that it even learns the surface’s coefficient friction and then adjusts itself to offer optimal performance on the next try. You’ll also be taking on the challenges of the wild with AEV-designed ultra-tough steel bumpers, and there’s even a space for a winch in front to act as your ultimate “rescue ranger” in times of mud or submerged need. Protecting the vitals on the underside is one of the most important things to consider with a fearlessly capable off-road truck, and the ZR2 Bison boasts a set of five boron steel skid plates on top of its nearly 12 inches of ground clearance.

This shows that yet another stellar AEV build is fit for fishing and hunting trips, contractor’s work, or just kicking up dust on the weekend. It rides on a unique set of 17-inch wheels and 35-inch mud terrain tires and comes with a bed-mounted tire carrier complete with its own very accurate tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Ranger Raptor and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro are two souped-up contestants as the competitor’s tend sizing up the Colorado ZR2 Bison, but to be sure, the added juice and capability from the AEV crew renders this model a startling and champion-grade rung above the rest.

On AEV’s blog, they show us in depth the level of key design and capability cues that were adhered to while making this rig so insanely prepped for the challenges of the wild. Professional desert racer Chad Hall’s performance and strategy were examined during this build, which offers best-in-class traction on mud, gravel, loose grass, or deep snow. The new Off-Road Performance Display allows you to closely monitor your performance in real-time on the built-in displays with a very cool 3D pitch and roll element, g-force meter, and altimeter. It also makes staying connected simple, with its extra-large wireless charging pad, and available Trailering App for haul duty. 

Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition Proudly Honors NASCAR + Century of Le Mans Greatness

With three of the world’s most skilled drivers preparing to enjoy their time behind the wheel of the Garage 56 Chevy Camaro ZL1 during this week's 24 hours of Le Mans, there are 56 lucky enthusiasts who will also get to call a special model inspired by this race their very own. The production 2024 Chevy Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition will honor the legendary NASCAR Cup Camaro ZL1, which was a high-octane star of the show during the world's most popular test of driving skill and endurance this past weekend.

This project joins forces between NASCAR, Chevy, Goodyear, IMSA, and Hendrick Motorsports Just in time for all the thrilling racing action we look forward to each year over the summer here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis. The detailed plans for this release came together when NASCAR chairman and CEO Jim France realized that there was an excellent opportunity 2 show the entire world how amazing this NASCAR next-gen model is. 

Garage 56 was introduced at Le Mans 11 years ago as a single-entry class that is reserved for the most innovative vehicles out there, and it was the perfect opportunity for a NASCAR Cup series car to show its stuff during this legendary 24-hour test. Longtime Chevy partner Hendrick Motorsports was selected to head up the team, and a very esteemed driver list soon followed. Jimmy Johnson is a seven-time NASCAR Cup series champion, Jenson Button was the proud Formula One world champion in 2009, and Mike Rockenfeller boasts multiple wins at the famed Le Mans event under his belt. 

Goodyear is the official tread-toting manufacturer of these 6th generation Camaro greats, offering up their signature Eagle tires to take on the many twists, turns, and heart-pounding straightaways during the day-long spectacle. The expert design assistance came from Chevy’s motorsports competition engineering team, who has more than twenty years of trial and error from the Le Mans Corvette decision to bring to the table. These bona fide experts also helped with the all-important audible aspect of the Garage 56 Camaro, going to great lengths to produce its one-of-a-kind and raspy R07 Small Block V8 roar. 

The job of fully converting the cup Camaro ZL1 to the Garage 56 race car required extensive aerial treatment, a standout livery, and new specific functional lighting. It was important to the entire team that the Garage 56 Edition feels like an exhilarating race car while not looking too outlandishly athletic during the everyday drive. Each model will come with a NASCAR windshield header decal, white Goodyear front wheel arch decals, and unique door decals sporting the number 24. Extraordinary and breathtaking power is sourced from the 650-horsepower LT4 V-8 under the hood, and the 56 memorable models will begin production later this year at GM’s Lansing Grand River facility in Michigan. 

Le Mans is an ideal and absolutely legendary place to show off this special Garage 56 Edition, which is conquered by the car that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours of running. The race is such a monumental challenge because teams must balance the need for speed with the car's mechanical ability to function well for an entire day straight without any pitfalls. The layout of the track demands that successful contestants boast excellent aerodynamics and stability at high speeds. With careful management of stints and placement, a team of just two drivers can slog out this demanding and illustrated challenge that includes both permanent track sections and public roads. 

Another Awe-Inspiring AEV Creation: 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison Displays Enthralling Performance

A few of us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis can remember the days when a few skid plates and aftermarket bumper warranted an off-road ready truck. We must still admit that those were exciting times, as every bit of extra protection was still greatly appreciated for many thrilling adventures. Unfortunately, there were still many parts of the underside and chassis that could undergo damage. Luckily, the substantial upgrades to the Colorado ZR2 are downright amazing compared to the old days. 

AEV Expeditions is known to transform any already amazing vehicle they touch into a world-class and supremely capable warhorse, and the first glance of the 2024 Bison offers a much larger and tougher stance than the competition. The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor and the 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter will admittedly become sought-after beasts within their own rite, but here AEV’s enhancements are the true desperado’s divine intervention. 17-inch ATV Beadlock capable wheels wrapped in 35-inch Goodyear rubber, just for starters, are quite burlier than the 33-inch tires that the Raptor and Tacoma sport.

Tested for hours and ultimately proven in the wild by champion off-road racer Chad Hall, the 2024 Bison can proudly boast the task of dominating the very intense training on the Rubicon Trail. This 22-mile-long modern wonder includes rocky climbs, hard-to-conquer inclines, and steep grades along with rock ledges that can shred buggies and other rigs to bits! For starters, you’ll be hitting your next diverse terrain destination armed to the teeth with an AEV heavy-duty winch capable front bumper, as well as their trademark rear bumper and Fender flares.

Blasting off road and bravely up inclines will be simple with the standard 2.7-liter turbo high-output powertrain, and navigating the gnarliest of jutted terrain with a segment-leading ground clearance of 12.2 inches. There’s also the headstrong advantage of a 38.2-degree approach angle, 26-degree departure angle, and 26.9-degree breakover angle. The back half of each front fender is trimmed at the factory, coming with the track expanding to a total of 66.3 inches. The Bison’s suspension was carefully designed to succeed in retaining the 9.9 inches of front suspension travel, along with 11.6 inches of rear travel found on the ZR2, ultimately adding a 1/2-inch body lift for durable support.

Another very cool addition specific to the Bison are cloth and AEV branded leather with yellow stitching, yellow seat belts, and AEV-designed underbody cameras mounted near the transmission to offer useful views of the front or rear. The ZR2’s Multimatic DSSV dampers are precisely retuned for the Bison with a heavier front spring rate to accommodate the heavier bumper, and the potential for the addition of a rescue-ready winch. Jounce bumpers are available as an after-market option from Chevy, and ZR2 owners will find the mounting bracket ready and waiting on the frame. 

The new Bison still holds on to the same 8 speed automatic transmission, electronic locking differentials, two-speed transfer case, and 3 to 42 differential gear from zero to two. The one-pedal off-road driving mode allows drivers to lift off the throttle pedal to bring the truck to a halt and will be ideal for the crawl sometimes needed to conquer tough terrain. The Bison also now keeps the same 11.3-inch console screen, and a camera system with 10 available views. The Motor Trend crew was appreciative of the ZR2 Bison’s ability to provide an approach to desert-style maneuvers along with rock crawling, offering a fierce capability for daunting climbs and outright bouldering duty.