General Motor's reveal of the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado came with a surprise - a diesel offering scheduled for Fall 2015. An inline 4 cylinder, 2.8L Duramax diesel is coming to the Colorado's engine lineup. The little common rail Duramax will make Chevrolet the only mid-size pickup in the U.S. with a diesel option.
General Motors unveiling of the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado has developed an interesting twist - the mid-size pickup is scheduled to receive a diesel engine option in the near future. A 2.8L, inline 4 cylinder Duramax diesel will join the engine choices for the new Colorado in Fall 2015, when the 2016 model year pickup hits dealership lots. The 2.8L Duramax is currently in GM's International portfolio, where it is offered in a number of applications in a magnitude of countries; it just hasn't reached the United States yet.
The 2.8L also has a sister engine, measuring 2.5L and based on the same basic architecture. As you're probably already aware of, GM planned to offer a diesel in their half ton Sierra and Silverado models (4.5L Duramax), but the entire project was scrapped when the U.S. economy took a turn for worse. Today, not only is the economy on the rise, but the demand for diesels is increasing as more and more drivers begin to accept the benefits of the modern diesel engine. Unless another automaker swiftly brings a diesel to market before this coming Fall, GM will be the only diesel in its class.
Currently, Toyota's Tacoma is Chevrolet's biggest competition in the mid-size pickup market. If the 2.8L Duramax sips fuel while delivering the performance that owners demand, they just may be in trouble. Details of upcoming Duramax are scarce for now, but we've put together these spec tables based on the current Global 2.8L and 2.5L Duramax diesels.
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 Chevrolet 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.
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 Chevy 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.