2015 Colorado Z71 Trail Boss
Around the Industry
CHEVROLET LAUNCH COLORADO Z71 TRAIL BOSS – NO SIGN OF ZR2
When we got our grubby hands all over Chevrolet’s Colorado ZR2 concept at the Detroit Auto Show, we loved the off-road attitude GM was portraying at that time. Since then, we have been impatiently waiting for to hear when the ZR2 will get the green light. We drove the Z71 Colorado both down in California and here at home, and to say we were hoping for something a little more aggressive is an understatement.
We just recently got word that Chevrolet is introducing a new off-road version of the Colorado, unfortunately there is no sign of the ZR2 badge. GM is pitching the 2015 Colorado Z71 Trail Boss edition, claiming it “combines the capability of Chevrolet’s Z71 off-road suspension package with more aggressive tires and additional appearance enhancements.” Those additional features include Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac 265/65R17 all-terrain tires, 17-inch dark argent metallic painted cast-aluminum wheels, GearOn moveable cargo tie-down rings, load bar and cargo divider, with black fender flares and front and rear black Chevy bowtie logos.
After drooling over the King remote reservoir suspension, high clearance bumpers and winch accessories, we were subsequently deflated to realize that the Trail Boss is nothing more than Z71 with a few accessories and slightly more aggressive tires. GM would neither confirm nor deny that this is the replacement for the ZR2, or simply a taste of greater things to come. We certainly hope this isn’t what GM thinks a trail truck should be.
Nomad by Ariel
ARIEL TO BUILD BUGGY VERSION OF THE ATOM
Our own Managing Editor, Budd Stanley, was lucky enough to have his way in an Ariel Atom track day car a couple years ago, and he still can’t shut up about how much fun he had. Well, we think he might be in for something a little more along our line of thinking now, as Ariel has announced that they want to turn the low-slung Atom into a dune cresting all-terrain vehicle.
The Mr. Hyde to the Atom is called the Nomad; the mad men of Ariel in Somerset, England, have started with the iconic body and drivetrain of the Atom (tubeframe body with a 235 hp 2.4L Honda 4-cylinder), and added some distinctly off-road bits to it. These come in the form of full rollover cage designed to hold a full-size spare over the rear engine compartment and windscreen packed into a tidy little 670 kg package. Finely tuned off-road suspension is represented by Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs, giving the Nomad 300 mm of ground clearance (that's more than a Wrangler Rubicon by the way) and 255 mm of travel. Large(r) 235/75 15 Yokohama Geolander mud-terrain tires finish it off nicely giving it the off-road cred we hope the vehicle can live up to. Customers can also outfit their Nomad with auxiliary lighting, a winch… Oh look, Budd is starting to vibrate…
Jeep Interior
F-150, CANYON AND RENEGADE AMONG WARD’S 10 BEST INTERIORS
It wasn’t so long ago that a trucks interior was a matter of basics. If it didn’t help you get the job done, it had no place in the cab of a truck. Oh how times, and the pickup truck for that matter, have changed. Trucks are rapidly replacing the family car and are suitably outfitted as such. Selling trucks today is just as much about how comfort, and how much tech you can shove into the cab, as it is about towing and fuel efficiency numbers.
Ford, Jeep and GMC can hold their heads high as the F-150 King Ranch, Jeep Renegade and Canyon were bestowed with Ward’s Auto “10 Best Interiors” awards. Wards appreciated Fords efforts by commenting, “The King Ranch… redefines light-duty trucks for customers who want it all: brute strength and a cabin that is stylishly rugged, comfortable and as spacious as the prairie it’s designed to traverse.” Likewise for the GMC Canyon, Ward’s was impressed, “...its extensive feature content, contrast stitching and thoughtful layout erase the dark memories of old-school compact work trucks, and make the Canyon more like a well-equipped SUV, but with a bed in back.”
Rounding out the 4WD field was one of our favourites, the little Jeep Renegade. Ward’s were taken by the sheer amount of round headlight and seven-slate grille Easter Eggs Jeep coated the interior with. Along with a great design, Ward’s appreciated the vibrant contrasting colour schemes and accents to put the Renegade in the top 10.