Meet the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Desert Boss Edition

Chevrolet's booth at the 2022 North American International Auto Show in Detroit includes the race-inspired 2023 Colorado ZR2 Desert Boss Edition, which will be offered as a bundle when the truck goes on sale early next year.

Pickups with an off-road focus are big business, so it's no surprise that the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado offers no less than three different options.

While the new Trail Boss variant will undoubtedly attract attention, the pinnacle of the lineup remains the ZR2. We've already written about the truck, but we're using this article to dig a little deeper and talk about the new special edition ZR2 Desert Boss.

 

Since there's no better place to start than style, let's take a look at the new pickup. It immediately stands out thanks to a distinctive bezel and unique grille with ZR2 badge, as well as a Flow Tie badge with red accents.

Further down, there's a high clearance front bumper that helps maximize the truck's approach angle. If things get a little too close for comfort, drivers will be grateful for the aluminum skid plates, rock sliders and red retrieval hooks.

These aren't the only changes, as the truck comes equipped with protruding fenders to accommodate the wider track of approximately 3 inches (76 mm). The model's stance is further enhanced by 17-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch mud tires. Rounding out the highlights is a rear bumper that maximizes clearance and a 5ft 2" bed with spray lining.

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Moving into the cabin are Artemis-exclusive heated front seats with Strike color accents. We can also see camouflage finishes and ZR2 badges, as well as an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and 11.3-inch infotainment system.

All details will be released closer to launch, but the truck will also be equipped with an eight-way electric driver's seat, a two-zone climate control system and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

On the performance front, the truck was outfitted with a 3-inch (76 mm) lift, Multimatic DSSV shocks, special cast-iron control arms, and unique outboard mounted shock absorbers.

That's just the tip of the iceberg, as the model also features all-wheel drive, electronic locking front and rear differentials, and a modified rear axle with a 3.42 ratio.

Thanks to these and other upgrades, the 2023 Colorado ZR2 promises to be an off-road beast with 10.7 inches (272 mm) of ground clearance, plus approach, departure and breakout angles of 38.3, 25.1 and 24.6 degrees. The good news doesn't stop there, as the model features a high-powered 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder that produces 310 hp (231 kW / 314 PS) and 430 lb-ft (582 Nm) of torque.

To celebrate the ZR2's desert racing legacy, Chevrolet is offering a special edition ZR2 Desert Boss. It features a host of racing-inspired touches, including a chunky front bumper with a safari bar.

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It is accompanied by a roof-mounted light bar, a sport bar with sail panels, and 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels shod in 33-inch tires.

Other highlights include an underbody camera, Desert Boss decals and black badges. There's no word on how much the Desert Boss will cost, but Chevrolet noted that "it won't go unnoticed."