Growing up on the beaches of Florida and spending my spare time surfing when I can (the Gulf coast is not ideal), I know just how incompatible some vehicles are with the surfing lifestyle. For a perfect surfing vehicle, you need space, durability, power and a place to put your dang boards.
To create the surfer’s dream truck, Chevrolet teamed up with Hurley, the surfing performance, and innovation brand. Introducing the Colorado Z71 Hurley concept. In a press release issued by Chevrolet, the call this truck the “ultimate wave wander” that acts as a mobile beach command center. After reading through the press release, I can easily say I’d do just about anything to have this bad boy on a surf trip.
“Colorado is a lifestyle enabler and the Hurley concept demonstrates the personalization possibilities for one of the most thrilling sports,” said Jessica Rogers, Colorado marketing manager, in the press release. “With Chevrolet Accessories parts, the sky — and the surf — is the limit when it comes to tailoring the Colorado to your work or recreation interests.”
Alright, so what makes this truck the perfect surf truck? First off are the water-resistant seat covers, which are a necessity after a long day out in the water. Next up is the custom surfboard rack on the roof. You might ask, “why the rack if it’s a truck?” The way I look at it is if the boards are up top, you have more room in the back, which brings up the next feature. To store your wetsuits, lunch, water jugs, boardshorts and what have you, there is a special storage system in the truck bed. What I find most important, however, is the 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing the passengers to check weather conditions and read the buoys in even the most remote locations.
“This concept is all about functionality,” said Ryan Hurley, creative director for Hurley, in the press release. “When we discussed the project with Chevrolet, we didn’t want just a truck with our logo on it. It had to offer solutions for the challenges surfers face at remote locations and that’s exactly what it delivers.”
(Related – Here it is: Mercedes-Benz Concept X-Class Truck Revealed)
To make this Colorado more capable than ever before, Chevrolet added a few perks. Allowing the driver to see what’s ahead during the early morning dawn patrols are the off-road lights. Powering the truck across those back roads is the 3.6-liter V6 engine that has 308 hp and 275 lb-ft on tap. But, of course, you need some decent sized wheels for those dirt roads and that’s why there are 17-inch Chevrolet Accessories wheels and Goodyear DuraTrac all-terrain tires.
To put it plainly, this is a truck that just about any surfer would love to have in their garage. If you’re interested in seeing it for yourself, be sure to head over to SEMA.