This 2026 GM Defense ISV-U Heads to Barrett-Jackson to Benefit Charity

You might think of General Motors as simply the mother brand behind the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, but it’s also a defense contractor for the U.S. Many times, those light-duty pickup platforms serve as great starting points from which to build fast and capable vehicles for our military. But it’s rare that a civilian gets the chance to buy one of them before they are put through their service stint and come out well-used and abused. However, one lucky participant in the 2026 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction will get the chance to own an Infantry Squad Vehicle-Utility (ISV-U) as well as to support the Medal of Honor Foundation.

The ISV-U isn’t any ordinary military vehicle. It’s based directly off the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 but fitted with a Duramax 2.8-liter turbodiesel I-4 engine with a six-speed transmission. Power is sent to a GM AutoTrac two-speed transfer case with a 2.62:1 low-range gear. It also uses the ZR2’s Dana M190 front and M220 rear axles with electronic lockers for maximum traction. The suspension also carries over with the ZR2 Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool (DSSV) Dampers and Jounce Shocks.

But that’s about all it shares with the civilian Colorado ZR2. The ISV’s body is simplified and designed for maximum tire clearance and to allow for the installation of the Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) cage that also doubles as the support system to allow the ISV to be carried under a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. It’s also tough enough to get air-dropped by other aircraft like the C-130 Hercules transport plane or simply loaded inside a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. GM also designed the ISV to be a versatile vehicle that can carry up to nine soldiers and be repurposed for a variety of missions where speed and off-road capability are must-haves.

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The version going up for auction with Barrett-Jackson is the utility-bodied ISV-5 five-seater (two up front, three in the rear jump seats) that features a 5.5-foot cargo box capable of carrying up to 3,200 pounds of payload. The difference between this and your standard Colorado truck bed is its capability to install modular equipment packages with multiple mounting provisions, easily accessible connectors, anchors, and tie-down locations. It also comes fitted with 17-inch two-piece steel wheels fitted with a set of 315/70 17-inch BFGoodrich KM3 tires with run-flat inserts.

To separate this ISV-U from the version the U.S. military uses, the Medal of Honor Foundation and GM Defense created a custom livery to adorn this army green example. It not only celebrates America’s 250th anniversary but also acknowledges the U.S. Army units that actively use the ISV and ISV-U. Unfortunately, this one-of-a-kind vehicle will end up being used as an off-highway vehicle (OHV) as it’s not certified for use on public roads or highways and comes with the warning that it’s not street legal.

The winning bidder of this ISV-U will not only get a unique piece of military history but will own it knowing that 100 percent of the hammer price will be sent directly to the Medal of Honor Foundation. It’s set to go up for auction at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach in Palm Beach, Florida, on April 18 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.