This ZR2 is GM's idea of what a dedicated off-road variant of their mid-sized pickup truck could look like. They say they might even build it, if you pray hard enough.

The ZR2 is four inches wider than the standard Chevy Colorado with front-and-rear bumpers trimmed to improve approach and departure angles; up to 30.7º and 22.7º respectively.

Electronically locking front and rear differentials, 275/65R18 off-road tires, and King remote-reservoir shock absorbers hooked up to more robust control arms round out the rest of the running gear.

Fender flares, A winch, Hi-Lift jack, and GM's GearOn cargo mounts complete the package. That color's called Cyprus Green.

This truck is powered by the 2.8L Duramax diesel with 181 horsepower at 3,400 rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque at just 2,000 rpm, hooked up to six-speed automatic. The engine's in line to be available on the Colorado and in 2016.

The 2015 GMC Canyon looks like a miniaturized version of the full-sized Sierra, but the driving…

I dare say, it's a handsome little truck; mean enough to make me smile and subtle enough that I wouldn't be embarrassed to bring it home to mama. They've pretty much made all the changes the Colorado needed to be a legitimate weekend-warrior off-road rig, now let's see if they have the balls to build the thing!

Colorado marketing manager Tony Johnson says; "It is inspired by the needs for traversing rock-strewn trails, as well as the aesthetics of competition-style vehicles such as pre-runners – with all elements contributing to safe, sustainable off-road driving... we'll gauge the public's interest in this concept as we continue to explore the possibilities for the all-new Colorado."

Here's a video of it rocking and rolling in some kind of cartoon off-road world:

And here's the rest of the photo gallery:

Image via Chevrolet