Whereas I’ll not have been born and raised in Texas, dwelling right here for nearly a decade has instilled in me a deep and timeless love of huge, beefy pickup vans. This week, I’ve one of many largest and beefiest off-roading vans available on the market: the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Bison. I’m taking it out on some overlanding trails close to Fredericksburg, Texas — and I need to know what you need to know.
You possibly can take a look at the complete, spectacular listing of specs on Chevy’s web site, however the machine has been inbuilt collaboration with American Expedition Autos, and the entire objective is to ensure you’re hitting the path in probably the most succesful truck yow will discover. A few of the key off-roading, Bison-specific specs embody:
- Stamped metal bumpers which have been angled to enhance method and departure angles
- Winch-capable entrance bumper
- 5 press-hardened metal underbody skid plates that defend the entrance and rear differentials, switch case, and gasoline tank
- Metal rocker panel safety
- 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires
- Unique badging
My check mannequin is outfitted with the 6.2-liter V8 that makes 420 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to a 1o-speed transmission, and I’ll additionally have the ability to benefit from the ZR2’s Terrain Mode, which mainly simply activates one-pedal driving to creep over rocks with ease.
Since I’m a solo driver, I’ve opted for an overlanding journey moderately than any hardcore off-roading. I’m assured in my skill to creep over some obstacles alone, however I wouldn’t dream of pushing myself past my skillset with out a skilled close by. (And sure, I’ll even be driving this dangerous boy on nation roads, metropolis streets, and a number of highways; everyone knows that’s the place most pickups spend their time, anyway.)
I’m additionally excited to check this machine from the “I’m a short-ass human who can’t even attain 75 p.c of her home’s space for storing” perspective. Any time I’ve a truck delivered, I typically stand by the entrance finish to see how I stack up, and my eyes are nearly stage with the Chevy badge. I haven’t had an opportunity to drive it but, however I’m wanting ahead to rappelling into the entrance seat like an excessive terrain rock climber.