The most exclusive truck you can buy from Chevy is the 2019 Colorado ZR2 Bison. Well, you can’t buy it, but you could if you were one of the first 2,000 to order one. That happened very quickly as it sold out in less than two months. If you would still like to snag one of these rugged off-roaders you might be in luck.

Most Capable Off-Road Midsize Truck

American Expedition Vehicles transforms your garden-variety Colorado into a ZR2 Bison. The Bison is really the most capable off-road midsize truck that Chevy has ever offered, all thanks to AEV. AEV Marketing Manager Matt Feldermann recently told Muscle Cars and Trucks, “Capacity will increase for 2020. They are going to increase production. We are not sure what the exact number is but maybe 2,500.”

These ZR2 Bisons carry a lot of extra features upfitted through AEV starting with boron steel armor plating skid plates underneath and locking front and rear differentials. They also incorporate superior dynamic spool valve dampers made by Multimatic. They provide 8.6-inches of travel up front and 10-inches of rear end travel.

For 2020 AEV is rumored to be adding more features to the ZR2 Bison like modified fenders to allow clearance for 35-inch tires.

How Many Bisons Will Be Built?

The ZR2 Bison was announced later in 2018, so production didn’t begin until half-way into regular Colorado production. That meant the timeline was cut short. Now, with a full year of production time ahead AEV is in a better position to create more. But how many more is the key.

The ZR2 Bison’s appeal is partially attributed to its rarity.  “You want the vehicle to be hard enough to get, but not so hard that the people are going to have to pay markups for it. They’re not at every dealership but if you looked a little bit you could find one,” Feldermann said.

AEV Actually Doesn’t Build Bison

While you might think that AEV produces the ZR2 Bison like a traditional upfitter, it doesn’t. AEV manufactures the components and assembles them to the point they ship them to the assembly plant. There they are integrated into the regular Colorado line and assembled there. “We don’t build any of them. It’s all about the efficiency so they tell us exactly how they want it,” says Feldermann.

The added cost for the Bison package is over $6,000 compared to a standard ZR2, for a total of $50,000. Yes, it’s a bit pricey. But for as able an off-road vehicle as the Bison is that you can buy right off of the showroom floor is compelling. Compelling enough to sell out quickly.

Besides the already mentioned Bison features it also comes with unique rear bumpers, with added steel protection up front, fog lights, and a winch provision. The AEV snorkel is available as an aftermarket part through dealers. 

Aggressive flares frame 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, wrapped with all-new exclusive 17-inch-by-8-inch aluminum wheels. All of the standard ZR2 options come standard, and it can be ordered in both the single-cab and four-door models. 

Once Chevy releases the exact information for the 2020 ZR2 Bison Motor biscuit will post that for you.