Solvang, California – The tarantula- and snake-infested mountainous region of central California is the perfect place to hit the trails in Chevy’s new Colorado Z71 Trail Boss Edition – a midsize truck with a full-size attitude, with performance to match, now offered with a new 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel under the hood.
The fastest-selling truck in the segment, the Colorado pickup hit the market hard since its reintroduction as a 2015 model year; first, with the versatile GearOn accessory system earlier this season, and now, the second Colorado special edition: the aggressively styled and performance-oriented Z71 Trail Boss.
Trail Boss Package: Suspension, Tires, and Off-Road Hardware
- Engine options: 3.6L V6 / 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel
- Power: 181 hp (diesel) / 369 lb-ft torque
- Suspension: Z71 off-road package
- Tires: Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac 265/65R17
- Drivetrain: 2WD or 4WD
- Configurations: Extended or Crew Cab
- Special Edition adds: wheels, flares, bowties, GearOn accessories
Chevy introduced the Z71 Trail Boss at the Cleveland Auto Show back in March 2015. This special edition combines the capability of Chevrolet’s Z71 off-road truck suspension package with more aggressive tires and additional appearance enhancements. It’s offered in extended and crew cab configurations, with a choice of a long or short cargo bed and available 4WD.
For optimal adventure, the Trail Boss finds an enhanced off-road truck suspension package, Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac 265/65R17 all-terrain tires and 17-inch dark argent metallic painted cast-aluminum wheels. Plus, the GearOn moveable cargo tie-down rings, load bar and cargo divider with black fender flares, and the front and rear black (not gold) Chevy bowtie logos for a little more stealth.
Features & Equipment: What Comes Standard on the Trail Boss
As with any special edition, this off-road Z71 flavour gets all-weather floor mats with Z71 logo, front fog lamps, projector beam headlamps, a spray-on bed liner, front recovery hooks, and a G80 automatic locking rear differential.
Duramax Diesel Option: Clean Power and Serious Torque
The bigger news for the Z71 Colorado right now is the all-new 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel power plant which GM claims is there cleanest diesel truck engine ever produced. Producing 181-hp at 3,400 rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm, the diesel Colorado’s broad torque band makes it very powerful at low rpm, while the turbocharged performance provides a better feeling of immediate and smooth horsepower on demand.
The new Colorado diesel goes on sales this fall, offered in LT and Z71 Crew Cab models, with 2WD or 4WD, and priced $3,730 US more than a comparably equipped 3.6L V-6 model.
Photo Gallery: 2016 Chevy Colorado Trail Boss in Solvang, CA
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