LOS ANGELES – Chevrolet today unveiled the all-new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, which will redefine the midsize truck and offer real truck capability and versatility to customers who don’t require a full-size truck.

The new Colorado is built with the DNA of a true Chevy truck, expected to deliver class-leading power, payload and trailering ratings. Colorado goes on sale in fall 2014 as a 2015 model.

“Our strategy is simple: meet the needs of the broadest possible customer base, and let them choose precisely the right truck to meet their needs,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors executive vice president and president of GM North America. “The all-new Colorado benefits from the solid foundation established by the Silverado, and it reinvents the midsize truck while reinvigorating the segment at the same time.”

The new Colorado was developed for the North American truck customer, with distinctive design, comfort and connectivity features, including segment firsts such as available forward collision alert and lane departure warning.

Chevrolet expects Colorado to be the most powerful truck in the segment, allowing owners to haul and tow more. A 2.5L I-4 is standard, and a 3.6L V-6 is available. Each engine is tuned, tested and validated for truck use, and each features direct injection and variable valve timing to make the most of power and efficiency. Each is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission.

When properly equipped, the Colorado is expected to offer class leading payload capacity and trailering capacity of more than 6,700 pounds (3,039 kg). That is more than enough capability to throw a weekend’s worth of camping gear in the bed and tow a boat to a favorite lake.

Colorado will also offer the segment’s only diesel engine in its second year – a proven Duramax 2.8L I-4 turbodiesel already offered in global markets. The diesel engine will expand Colorado’s powertrain lineup to cover the broadest range of needs.

“We designed the Colorado to be the most versatile and most capable in its segment, bar none,” said Jeff Luke, executive engineer, GM Trucks. “Not everyone needs full-size capability, but they still deserve the strength and true-truck attributes that come in larger models. The Colorado delivers capability with confidence – and a fun-to-drive spirit that complements active lifestyles.”

Designed with a zeal for adventure

The Colorado’s North American design is unique, with a confident stance and a sporty demeanor. Taller bedsides, for example, are exclusive to North America and match the aggressive, raked belt line of the cab, creating a distinctive proportion that reinforces the truck’s athleticism while better securing items stored in the bed.

The 2015 Colorado’s configurations are an extended cab model with a 6-foot bed, a crew cab with a 5-foot bed and a crew cab with a 6-foot bed. With the tailgate down, the 6-foot bed allows hauling of 8-foot-long items.

“The new Colorado’s design brings a youthful breath of fresh air to the midsize truck segment and puts a progressive spin on Chevrolet’s true-truck styling,” said Ken Parkinson, executive director of Chevrolet Design. “It’s like the younger, more eager brother of the Silverado – a Chevy truck through and through, with great zeal and a spirit of adventure.”

WT, LT and Z71 trims are available, all in 2WD or 4WD. The off-road-inspired Z71 is the brawniest of the bunch. It also features a gunmetal grille surround – a change from the chrome standard on the other models – projector headlamps and unique 17-inch aluminum wheels.

The Colorado features triple-sealed doors inlaid in the body sides, like the 2014 Silverado, for improved aerodynamic performance and a quieter interior.

To help keep overall mass down and improve the front-to-rear weight balance, the Colorado features a segment-first aluminum hood. It also features the segment’s only active aero grille shutters, which close at certain highway speeds to enhance aerodynamics.

And because it’s a true Chevy truck, the Colorado leaves nothing on the table when it comes to innovative solutions for hauling and accessing cargo:

• Standard CornerStep rear bumper design pioneered on the 2014 Silverado
• Available EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgate that uses an internal torsion bar to make raising the tailgate easier with one hand, and a damper for more-controlled lowering
• Standard two-tier loading that allows a platform to effectively split the bed into upper and lower sections, making it easier to haul, store and conceal items such as tools
• Thirteen standard tie-down locations throughout the bed for use with available, movable cargo tie-down rings
• Standard bed rail and tailgate protectors
• Available factory-installed spray-in bed liner.

An interior for work, recreation and everyday comfort

Blending cues from Silverado with a style all its own, the interior of the 2015 Colorado is designed to be comfortable, is cleverly equipped and well connected. A bold, upright instrument panel with large instruments and a central driver information center is similar to Silverado, while featuring a center console with a floor-mounted shifter similar to those found in midsize cars and crossovers.

Colorado cabin designers paid exceptional attention to detail and premium appointments, including a sculpted headliner that enhances headroom, halo lighting on key controls for easier view and an open area at the front of the center console for easier phone charging. The Z71 model features exclusive color and trim details, including embossed seatbacks and contrast stitching.

“We took the best attributes of full-size trucks and midsize cars to develop a passenger space that delivers a balance of unmatched functionality and comfort,” said Parkinson. “It’s designed to be as useful as possible, with storage compartments and clever features throughout, for owners who will use the Colorado as their daily driver and for weekend getaways.”

Interior details include:

• Sculpted door panels that make it easier to enter/exit the vehicle
• Upper-instrument panel storage bin (when not equipped with the uplevel audio system) and large glove box
• Standard center console with room to store a tablet
• Rear under-seat storage.

Dual-firmness foam helps Colorado’s seats wear for long-haul comfort with high-wear, stain-resistant cloth seating trim. Leather-appointed seating is available.

Connectivity, control and safety technologies enhance Colorado’s driving experience

The new Colorado’s technologies are aimed at complementing owners’ lifestyles with connectivity and other features that support their daily and recreational lives – and help keep them safe, including:

• Eight-inch diagonal color touch screen (LT, Z71) and multiple USB drives
• A 3.4-inch diagonal driver information screen in the instrument cluster
• Available next-generation OnStar and MyLink enhancements with gesture recognition and natural language voice recognition
• Available navigation

Standard and available features designed to keep the Colorado’s occupants safe before, during and after a crash include:

• Six standard air bags, including head side curtain air bags designed to help keep occupants from being ejected in a crash
• Large rearview mirrors and standard rear-vision camera system for greater visibility
• Available segment-first application of forward collision alert
• Available segment-first application of lane departure warning
• Standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation, trailer sway control, hill start assist and hill descent control (Z71).

Chevy truck DNA supports leading capabilities

The Colorado delivers the capability expected of a Chevy truck – including segment-leading payload and trailering. Like the Silverado, the Colorado has a fully boxed perimeter frame, which provides the strength to support its capabilities, as well as a confident, smooth and quiet ride.

A coil-over-type front suspension features aluminum knuckles that are low in mass and high in strength, contributing to a more responsive, immediate feel to driver inputs, as well as efficiency. Colorado also features the segment’s first application of electric power steering, which enhances efficiency by avoiding the energy used by what conventionally is an engine-driven feature.

The Colorado has a short turning radius of about 41 feet (12.5 meters), enabling easier turning in tight areas such as city streets or backing a trailer into a camping spot.

Four-wheel disc brakes, with four-piston front calipers, are standard and feature Duralife™ brake rotors – also pioneered on the 2014 Silverado. They offer up to double the service life, which can save money on maintenance.

Another Chevy truck feature offered on the Colorado is the G80 automatic locking rear differential. Introduced by Chevy more than 40 years ago, it gives drivers a traction advantage when needed. It is standard on Z71 and available on WT and LT.

Truck-tuned powertrains designed for work, efficiency

The 2.5L and 3.6L engines offered in the Colorado are based on proven designs found in other Chevrolet vehicles, but tuned uniquely for truck duty – including more torque at lower rpm – for a more confident feeling of power when the Colorado is loaded or pulling a trailer.

The 2.5L four is estimated at 193 horsepower (146 kW) and 184 lb-ft of torque (253 Nm), with approximately 90 percent of the peak torque available from 2,000 rpm to 6,200 rpm. The 3.6L engine is estimated at 302 horsepower (224 kW) and 270 lb-ft of torque (366 Nm). SAE certification of the power ratings is pending.

Aluminum blocks and forged-steel crankshafts, along with dual-overhead camshafts with variable valve timing, direct injection and jet-spray piston cooling are features shared on both engines. A number of extended-life components can help reduce maintenance intervals and reduce the cost of ownership.

All models are matched with a six-speed automatic that complements the truck-tuned engines with features that make hauling and trailering easier and more comfortable, including auto grade braking and a tow/haul mode.

Chevrolet will continue to work on and develop the Colorado until the start of production in 2014. The content of this release is based on current GM testing and is subject to change.

2015 CHEVROLET COLORADO PRICING

Includes extended cab, 200-horsepower 2.5L engine, 6-speed manual transmission

DETROIT – Suggested retail prices for the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado extended-cab pickup will start at $20,995, including an $895 dealer freight charge, Chevrolet announced today.

Standard features will include a 200-horsepower 2.5L four-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection and continuously variable valve timing for strong midrange torque; a 6-speed manual transmission; power windows with express up for the driver; a rear-vision camera with dynamic guide lines; and a locking tailgate.

“Colorado is an all-new midsize pickup that offers truck customers great versatility and great value,” said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. “It will also have strong appeal for people who know they want a truck, but want one that is easier to maneuver in traffic and easier to park at work or at home.”

Available options will include a 305-horsepower 3.6L V-6, also with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing; a 6-speed automatic transmission; 4G LTE with a built-in WiFi hotspot; Forward Collision Alert and Land Departure Warning; and the GearOn^™ accessory system, a comprehensive solution for organizing and carrying bikes, paddle boards and other equipment.

Colorado customers can chose from two cab configurations, extended-cab and crew-cab. Crew-cab Colorados will offer a choice of 5- or 6-foot boxes; extended-cab models come with the 6-foot box.

Other Colorado models also will offer great value. For example, the Colorado LT crew cab with 2WD and the 5-foot box has a starting price, including dealer freight, of $27,985. The Colorado Z71 crew cab 4×4 with the 5-foot box starts at $34,990.

Colorado will be available in Chevrolet dealerships nationwide in the fall of 2014. Detailed pricing and EPA fuel economy estimates will be available closer to launch.

EPA estimated 26 mpg highway for V-6 2wd models

DETROIT – The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon will offer segment-leading fuel economy for V-6 midsize pickups, based on EPA fuel economy estimates released today.

For V-6 pickups with automatic transmissions, which make up the majority of midsize truck sales, Colorado and Canyon offer highway fuel economy 3 to 5 mpg better than competitors.

“Colorado offers some of the best EPA fuel economy estimates of any pickup in a fun-to-drive, easy-to-own package,” said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. “Colorado proves you don’t have to buy a lot of expensive technology to save money at the pump.”

“The all-new 2015 GMC Canyon adds segment-leading fuel economy to its winning resume,” said Kenn Bakowski, Canyon marketing manager. “Innovations such as available active grille shutters combine with an aerodynamic design in a smaller, more maneuverable package to set a new standard for fuel economy in midsize trucks.”

Colorado and Canyon fuel economy

Engine	Transmission	Drive	EPA Fuel Economy Estimates
			City	Combined	Highway
305-hp 3.6L V-6 with direct fuel injection and continuously variable valve timing	6-speed automatic	2wd	18	21	26
		4×4	17	20	24

For the 2016 model year, Colorado and Canyon will add a 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel to the engine lineup. Technical details and EPA fuel economy estimates will be available closer to launch.

Colorado and Canyon will be available in dealerships nationwide in the fall of 2014. EPA fuel economy estimates for four-cylinder Colorado and Canyon will be finalized in the near future.

With the introduction of Colorado and Canyon, Chevrolet and GMC will offer customers more pickup choices than any other brand, including midsize, full-size light duty and heavy-duty pickups.

 

2015 CHEVROLET COLORADO DOES MORE

Segment-leading horsepower, trailering delivered with class-leading efficiency

DETROIT – The numbers speak for themselves. The all-new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado midsize truck delivers the most horsepower and best highway efficiency of any midsize truck as well as the highest available trailering rating and higher payload ratings than the competition. That means Colorado owners can haul and tow more while using less fuel than Toyota Tacoma or the Nissan Frontier.

“The all-new Chevy Colorado answers the call for customers who have big lifestyle interests or work needs, but want to exercise them in a smaller, more efficient way,” said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. “From the first spark plug to the trailer hitch, the Colorado was designed to enable truck capabilities without the sacrifices to which midsize truck customers had become accustomed.”

Colorado features a standard 2.5L I-4 engine. It is SAE-certified at 200 horsepower (149 kW) and 191 lb-ft of torque (259 Nm), and delivers an EPA-estimated 27 mpg on the highway (2WD automatic).

A 3.6L V-6 certified at 305 horsepower (227 kW) and 269 lb-ft of torque (365 Nm) is available with an EPA-estimated 26 mpg on the highway (2WD).

Compared to its midsize competitors, Colorado’s 2.5L engine generates 31 percent more horsepower and 11 percent more torque than Nissan Frontier’s I-4 (152 hp/171 lb-ft). It delivers that power advantage with 17 percent greater highway efficiency than the Nissan’s 23 mpg (2WD automatic models compared).

Colorado’s 2.5L also makes 25 percent more horsepower and 6 percent more torque than Toyota Tacoma’s I-4 (159 hp/180 lb-ft) – with 12.5 percent greater highway efficiency than Toyota’s 24 mpg (2WD automatic models compared).

When it comes to Colorado’s 3.6L V-6, it produces 16 percent more horsepower than the Frontier’s V-6 (262 hp/281 lb-ft), while delivering 18 percent greater efficiency than its EPA-estimated 22 mpg highway. It also produces 29 percent more horsepower than Tacoma’s V-6 (236 hp/266 lb-ft) and nearly 24 percent greater highway efficiency (21 mpg).

The Colorado V-6’s 305 horses and 269 lb-ft of torque exceed the 3.5L V-6 offered in the larger, full-size 2015 Ford F-150. It’s rated at 283 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque.

The Colorado’s available class-leading horsepower allows effortless performance on the highway, even when hauling or trailering. Its torque advantage – the engine’s pulling power – contributes to a more confident feeling of power on demand at lower speeds and when starting off with a trailer.

Colorado’s maximum payload ratings for four-cylinder- and V-6-equipped models – 1,460 pounds and 1,590 pounds, respectively – are greater than Frontier (971/1,524 pounds) and Tacoma (1,440/1,500 pounds).

With the available 3.6L V-6 engine and available trailering package, Colorado offers a maximum trailering rating of 7,000 pounds, which tops the max 6,500-pound ratings for the Frontier and Tacoma,  per SAE J2807 recommended practices.

Colorado’s segment-highest trailering rating tops the 6,800-pound rating for the full-size Toyota Tundra equipped with the 4.6L V-8.

“Colorado combines greater capability and efficiency than any midsize competitive truck, and delivers maneuverability and garagability to make it the smart choice for customers,” said Johnson.

Capabilities Compared: 2015 Chevrolet Colorado vs. Midsize Competitors

	Horsepower	Torque (lb-ft)	EPA Hwy (2WD)	Max Payload	Max Trailering*
Chevrolet Colorado	200 – 4-cyl. 305 – V-6	191 – 4-cyl. 269 – V-6	27 – 4-cyl. 26 – V-6	1,460 lbs. – 4-cyl. 1,590 lbs. – V-6	3,500 lbs. – 4-cyl. 7,000 lbs. – V-6
Nissan Frontier	152 – 4-cyl. 262 – V-6	171 – 4-cyl. 281 – V-6	23 – 4-cyl. 22 – V-6	971 lbs. – 4-cyl. 1,524 lbs. – V-6	3,500 lbs. – 4-cyl. 6,500 lbs. – V-6
Toyota Tacoma	159 – 4-cyl. 236 – V-6	180 – 4-cyl. 266 – V-6	24 – 4-cyl. 21 – V-6	1,440 lbs. – 4-cyl. 1,500 lbs. – V-6	3,500 lbs. – 4-cyl. 6,500 lbs. – V-6

*with available towing package