Under the ZR2’s hood is GM’s first U.S. installment of its 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel four-cylinder, a global engine that will migrate to the Colorado for the 2016 model year. With urea injection, this big-bore four churns out 181 horsepower at 3400 rpm and a swelling 369 lb-ft of torque at 2000 rpm, a 23 lb-ft bump from overseas models. A balance shaft and a variable-geometry turbo may deliver some TDI-level refinement, but don’t expect GM’s smooth eight-speed automatic to jump on board. The Colorado lives for just six.

At the moment, the ZR2 is officially a concept, yet there’s every indication this trim will, in some form, make it to the production line. We look forward to pressing its buttons knowing this time around, they’ll probably last.