Title: The 2024 Chevy Silverado HD ZR2 Bison: A Heavy-Duty Truck Redefining Off-Roading
Introduction
Large trucks have always been a favorite among Americans, which is reflected in their consistent popularity and sales. However, the demand for bigger and better trucks remains, leading to the creation of vehicles like the new 2024 Chevy Silverado HD ZR2 Bison. The concept of a heavy-duty off-road truck is not new, but it is undoubtedly unique and highly specific. As the competition intensifies, Chevy aims to surpass rival trucks like the Ram 2500 Electric and Ford F-250 Super Duty Tremor with its special suspension system, intelligent off-road technology, and assistance from American Expedition Vehicles (AEV). The Bison takes the ZR2 to another level by enhancing its performance, durability, and adding additional steel armor. In short, it promises a thrilling experience while delivering comfort and reliability that customers desire.
Specifications of the 2024 Chevy Silverado HD ZR2 Bison
– Base price: $72,595 (as tested: $97,155)
– Powertrain: 6.6-liter gasoline or turbocharged diesel V8 engine, 10-speed automatic transmission, selectable four-wheel drive
– Horsepower: 470 @ 2800 rpm (diesel), 401 @ 5200 (gasoline)
– Torque: 975 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm (diesel), 464 lb-ft @ 4000 (gasoline)
– Seating capacity: 5
– Empty weight: 8,495 lbs
– Maximum payload: 2,811 lbs
– Maximum towing capacity: 18,500 lbs
– Off-road angles: Approach – 29.8° | Breakover – 22.6° | Departure – 25.7°
– Ground clearance: 11.8 inches
The Basics
The Chevy Silverado HD ZR2 Bison stands out for several reasons, two of which are related to its suspension. Unlike its competitors, the Silverado HD uses independent front suspension (IFS) instead of a solid front axle. While this is a point of contention among truck enthusiasts who argue about durability, the IFS provides significant advantages, including better on-road behavior, improved off-road capability, and maintaining robustness.
The ZR2’s trump card, however, lies in its Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) shocks. These shocks play a crucial role in defining the ZR2’s unique driving experience and greatly differentiating it from other heavy-duty trucks. The DSSV technology has been used in various Chevy Camaro models, the second-generation Ford GT, and more recently, the Ferrari SF90 Assetto Fiorano and the Ferrari Purosangue. This marks the first-ever collaboration between a heavy-duty truck and a Ferrari.
The DSSV shocks utilize valve spools instead of traditional rubber seals and flexible valve shims to control oil flow. This design not only offers more precise damper tuning but also ensures consistent performance regardless of heat or wear. Traditional shocks can change drastically due to heat and wear, whereas the DSSV shocks remain consistent, allowing the Silverado HD ZR2 to tow heavy loads, tackle challenging off-road trails, and provide a comfortable ride without the need for adaptive dampers.
The HD ZR2 comes equipped with the DSSV shocks as standard, along with a choice of either a 6.6-liter gasoline or diesel engine, and most of the regular options available for the Silverado HD. The Bison package adds significant advantages from AEV, including different wheels, front and rear bumpers, underbody protection with AEV skid plates, a Multi-Flex tailgate, and some interior branding. Although it does not revolutionize the well-equipped standard ZR2, the Bison package, priced at $9,135, offers enhanced performance and features.
Driving Experience
On a sunny day at Johnson Valley’s legendary OHV park, the HD ZR2 Bison felt right at home. From the journey to the park, traversing a dry lake bed, to tackling technical rocky descents with ABS and side steps, the 8,495-pound giant rarely felt out of its element. Not only was it competent, but it was also one of the few trucks that provided an exhilarating driving experience.
Perhaps the 975 lb-ft of torque had something to do with it, but there was a playful side to the ZR2 Bison diesel that I could indulge in. On the road, you wouldn’t suspect it. It is quiet, smooth, and easy to drive. There is a distant hum of the tires, but it is low-volume and easily ignored. It simply does not drive like a heavy-duty truck, and its true intentions are only betrayed by the old-school hydraulically assisted steering and brakes. Even the typical harsh ride associated with vehicles equipped with stiff springs was absent, thanks to the DSSV shocks.
Put the HD ZR2 on some off-road terrain, and you’ll discover its playfulness. It boogies. On Johnson Valley’s dry lake bed, the shocks absorbed small, rapid bumps with ease. The truck did not feel overwhelmed by any of it, as evidenced by its ability to slide effortlessly at high speeds. The colossal diesel powertrain quickly kicked in, lighting up the rear wheels of two-wheel-drive vehicles and creating a cloud of dust large enough to trigger localized climate change. However, it is essential not to get carried away as this is not a stunt truck. It can do a lot and smooth out difficult trails, but it is not designed for the most extreme acrobatics. Given its mass, things can go wrong very quickly. It was fortunate that the next stage involved a rocky downhill trail.
Here, the HD ZR2 was as impressive as it was concerning. The underbody protection worked overtime with large rocks on the trail, some of which could not be avoided due to the HD’s width. Some trucks in our convoy lost their electric steps, although I certainly gave them a few good hits. Meanwhile, the hill descent control system was being pushed to its limits on the extreme terrain. It was surprising that the massive truck could tackle the trail, but it was clearly beyond the scope of any sane owner’s use case. Despite some scrapes on the side steps, the trucks completed the route several times throughout the day. The Silverado HD ZR2 excels on less rocky and more fluid trails, where its capabilities are best showcased. It can handle technical trails, but not those that involve genuine rock crawling. The rear electronic locking differential is a true lock, but the lack of a front differential lock and the excessively loaded hill descent control system make things quite challenging. Other inevitable issues, such as visibility over the hood and the weight of the truck, somewhat limit decision-making…
