Reintroducing the Chevrolet Colorado

After almost three years, the midsize pickup truck, the Colorado, is making a comeback in Chevrolet’s 2015 lineup. This model has been completely redesigned. Along with GMC’s Canyon, the Colorado will be the only American midsize truck (Ford discontinued the Ranger and Chrysler, the Dakota). The only competitors now are the Toyota Tacoma and the Nissan Frontier. A similar competitor is Honda’s ridgeline but it borders more on car than truck. These trucks are geared toward both sides of the popular market: work and play. Supposedly, the Colorado will simply be a smaller version of Chevy’s full-size trucks, such as the Silverado, delivering both class-leading horsepower and gas mileage, while maintaining the high trailer capability (up to 6700 pounds!!) and payload. While it has a smaller design than the Silverado, it is considered to be the younger, more versatile brother of the Silverado.  It emerged in the most recent Los Angeles auto show (2013) and it is expected to be up for sale next fall in three styles: the extended-cab, the crew-cab short bed and the crew-cab long bed. Also offered as choices are the V4, V6 and diesel engines. The diesel’s 2.8-liter inline four-cylinder Duramax turbo is expected to be the most popular among consumers, considering the efficiency rating with respect to environmental concerns as well as oil production problems. This engine is also available in other global markets and has done very well. To help with aerodynamic performance, the truck will have triple-sealed doors inlaid in the body sides. To make it lighter, resulting in better fuel economy, the Colorado will have an aluminum hood and aero grill shutters, that automatically close at higher speeds. The interior of the crew-cab style boasts a considerable amount of passenger room, with the ability to seat up to five people, in addition to the storage spaces spread throughout (large glove compartment, rear under-seat storage, large center console). With this new and improved pickup, the goal of GM is to meet the needs of as many customers as possible. A smaller version will be available for the markets outside of North America that will uphold the same standards as the regular one.