2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2: First Look At

Hey my good friends, Sam Haymart with Test Driven TV. If you like the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, you are going to love the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2. For 2022, they finally did it, ZR2 in the big truck. All the things that made the Colorado ZR2 really cool and more. So we're going to have our first look inside now. With the freshening up of the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado comes a new off-road model sliding in above the trail boss and giving the Ram Rebel and even to some degree the Ford Raptor something to compete with. Enter the 2022 Silverado ZR2. Bringing the ZR2 ultra off-road moniker over from the Colorado to the new 2022 Silverado also brings many of the same good things the smaller ZR2 has been known for, a truck load of chassis, powertrain and suspension upgrades that really mean business. These start with front and rear electronic locking differentials to go along with its standard 6.2 liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound feet of torque. Mated to a 10 speed automatic transmission, the ZR2 also gets an enhanced suite of off-road software toys including terrain mode that allows one pedal rock crawling among other things. The hardware is really where it's at though. Like the Colorado ZR2, the Silverado gets the exotic Multimatic DSSV dampers. The huge 40mm spool valve dampers feature three separate spool valves to control damping and three connected chambers for fluid flow. Having driven the ZR2 Colorado many many times I can tell you that these dampers are really worth the hype. In addition to these, a raised suspension has special springs front and rear that along with its 33 inch Goodyear Wrangler LT 275-70R18 off-road tires give the ZR2 increased front and rear suspension travel and better working angles all around. With a 31.8 degree approach, a 23.4 degree breakover and a 23.3 degree departure. Contributing to those are a unique steel front bumper with removable end caps and a dual exhaust finish out that places the tips out of harm's way. As expected, there's also a collection of robust skid plates front to rear. Though it's all buffed up for off-roading, the ZR2 didn't suffer too much in the capability department, still offering a payload of 1,440 pounds and a tow rating of 8,900 pounds. While not quite as loud and in your face as the Rebel or the Raptor, the ZR2 does have some visual cues that set it apart from other Silverados. It gets its own design of 18 inch alloy wheels with painted black pockets, a raised black hood design element that spells power with its 6.2 liter emblem and a special grille design with integrated LED lighting that's quite a bit more rugged looking I'd say. The cabin too gets its share of upgrades, including a jet black and graystone leather treatment with lots of ZR2 logos, accent stitching and a full-length console with the new electronic toggle shifter that comes with other Highline 2022 Silverados. In that way, there's an all-new interior for 2022 with a completely redesigned dash that allows more of the big digital display action that Ram and Ford have been flaunting. Instead of going to a huge portrait style screen though, Chevrolet brings a 13.4 inch diagonal infotainment touchscreen and a configurable 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster. Full specs haven't yet been released nor has pricing, both of which we expect will be told closer to its arrival date on the lots in spring of 2022. All right man, I tell you, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in test driving this thing. I mean, I've test driven Ford's trucks, I've test driven Ram's trucks. I really can't wait to see how Chevrolet's ZR2 is going to compete with those things and those dampers I really think are going to make the deal. They work great on the Colorado. I just love them. Can you tell? I think they're really cool. So until we get that test drive, I invite you to see our latest test drive or video right there or better yet, click right there and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we'll keep you informed of everything we do.