Los Angeles 2013: Chevrolet Colorado Revealed With Diesel Power

TTAC Staff
by TTAC Staff

The stagnant mid-size truck segment is about to get shaken up in a big way, as Chevrolet unveils the new Colorado mid-sizer at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Available in extended or crew cab versions with either a 5 or 6-foot bed, the Colorado will be available with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine (193 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque) or a 3.6L V6 engine (302 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque) backed by a 6-speed automatic. Later on, a 2.8L diesel 4-cylinder will be available. Final power figures aren’t available, but in Thai-spec, the engine puts out 200 horsepower and 368 lb-ft. All engines are backed by a 6-speed automatic.

The Colorado is expected to exceed the small truck segment’s leading tow rating of 6700 lbs, and a Z71 off-road package will also be available.




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  • Dts187 Dts187 on Nov 21, 2013

    Let me get this out of the way: I like the look and idea of this truck. I just don't know that it will work. I don't think GM can keep the price low enough. Sure the Chevy guys might buy one in lieu of a Silverado if they want to save a little bit money or have a smaller truck. But, for anyone outside of that, Ram or Ford will sell you a more capable and powerful full size for the same price or only a couple thousand more. The sheer volume of full size sales allows the margins to be lower. Unless the diesel gets incredible fuel economy and can be had at a relatively lower cost, I expect this truck to fade away from the market after two or three refreshes. The one saving grace could be fleet sales. Most every Colorado or Canyon I see (I live in truck country in the mountains of WV so I see more trucks than any other vehicle) are white fleet specials. Usually auto parts delivery or a light-duty truck for one of the Oil&Gas companies. The new Colorado could be a very low cost option for light work rather than stepping up to a full size for these businesses. I hope I'm wrong. I really do. I would love for my next truck to be a diesel midsize that gets nearly 30mpg on the highway for under $28k. But I just don't see it. For now I'll somehow have to manage in my brand new Ram 1500 4x4 with only 395 horsepower that I got for under $28k out the door.

    • Vulpine Vulpine on Nov 21, 2013

      I think that's where you're wrong, dts; I fully expect even Ford and Ram people who have been wanting something smaller will take to this--assuming that neither of them announces their own smaller truck between now and the release-to-showroom date of this Colorado. The point is that for some people, money alone isn't the issue; size is. That, and the impression that it is American Made instead of an obvious foreign import (even when that 'foreigner' is more American-made than the American brand). If Ford or Ram don't introduce a smaller truck, only those who are total fans of the brand will ignore the Colorado. As an example, I'm pretty much agnostic when it comes to which brand of truck I'll buy, though I happen to like the looks of the Ram the best. However, the smallest Ram is much bigger than I want and until this Chevy hits the roads, the Toyota Tacoma comes closest to what i really want in a truck; though even there I'm not dead-set on owning one. I'm willing to wait--a short time anyway. The F-150 I'm currently driving will be a legal Antique in less than a year, at which point as long as I keep it in decent physical and mechanical condition the market value can't get worse (though it may not get any better, either). I'll then have something to trade in that will at least take some of the pain of the high price of a smaller pickup away with it.

  • Mnm4ever Mnm4ever on Nov 21, 2013

    I like having a truck but what stops me is the crappy around town mileage. I have been whining for years about why the domestics don't offer a small diesel, so if the city MPG is in the 20s, I will put my money where my mouth is and buy one. For now I borrow my dad's full size Chevy when I need a truck. He works his truck hard and his Chevy runs as good as new, 137k of hard miles hasn't ruined it yet. But it really is too dang big, I can deal with it but I do not need the size. I want a truck that can make Home Depot runs and I will use it as a daily driver so I want a crew cab, but the hardest part is I want to be able to tow a car on occasion. If this truck can handle it then it will be perfect. I see a few comparisons to the full sized WT, the problem there is I insist on a crew cab which ups the price considerably. I also like the looks of this truck. Mine will get the full urban cowboy treatment too: lift kit, big black wheels, flares. bedliner'd trim, etc. Yeah I am that guy LOL

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