For 2022, Chevrolet’s Silverado 1500 pickup truck got a state-of-the-art off-road trim in the ZR2, and now, for 2023, it’s getting the Bison treatment from the mad overlanding scientists at American Expedition Vehicles — just like its Colorado ZR2 Bison sibling (or at least the last-gen Colorado; we’ll have to wait and see if the redesigned Colorado ZR2 also gets a Bison version). But that isn’t the only enhancement coming to the 2023 Silverado 1500 lineup, as the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel powertrain is also getting upgraded.
Related: 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2: Towing With an Off-Roader
Roaming With the Bison
While the ZR2 was already a formidable off-roader, AEV will make it even more capable and tougher to help it live up to the Bison moniker. It gets AEV stamped-steel front and rear bumpers that are 3 millimeters thick, as well as five boron-steel underbody skid plates to protect the truck’s front and rear differentials, fuel tank and transfer case. It also gets extra rocker panel protection and 18-inch AEV wheels wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT rubber.
The result is improvements to the ZR2’s approach and departure angles, going to 32.5 and 23.4 degrees from 31.8 and 23.3 degrees, respectively. Ground clearance remains an impressive 11.2 inches, and the ZR2 Bison also retains the ZR2’s 6.2-liter V-8 engine — and its 420 horsepower and 460 pounds-feet of torque — and 10-speed automatic transmission. Additional carryover from the ZR2 includes the high-tech Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve dampers, ZR2-specific springs and all the other goodies from the ZR2.
Chevrolet says production of the ZR2 Bison should begin in early 2023, with a starting price of $78,490 (including destination). While there’s no pricing yet available for the 2023 Silverado 1500 ZR2, the 2022 ZR2 is priced at $70,095.
