Los Angeles 2014: Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Packs Diesel Power
Published: November 20th, 2014
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The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is officially a concept car, but the 2.8L Duramax diesel I4 is coming to showrooms within a year.
Putting out 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, the diesel will be a first for the mid-size pickup segment. The ZR2 is four inches wider, and features front and rear skid plates, King coil-over shocks and locking rear differentials. For now, customers will have to make do with a less extreme Z71 package.
More by Derek Kreindler
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How are you supposed to haul stuff with that silly spare tire in the back? Even a poseur truck should be able to haul the occasional load of actual cargo. This one? Not so much. I'm eagerly awaiting the regular Diesel-powered Colorado. I miss my Ranger, and thought that the Diesel engine out of my Jetta would have been a great fit for it -- so I'd love to see what GM has done with the actually-useful versions of this truck.
It seems many people here use the manufacturers mpg's when quoting figures. The reality is that a gas engine under normal driving conditions will consume a lot more fuel than what is show by the manufacturer, more so than a diesel. I have owned both in off road vehicles and this has proven to be the case, every time. Diesels tend to not change significantly. This is illustrated just by looking at any site with people who tow using small light comercial vehicles and SUVs. Take the current EcoBoost F-150 towing a 6 to 7 thousand pound caravan. I've read many stories where people are returning 9mpg. An equivalent diesel will give you around 14 to 15 miles per gallon to achieve the same work. This fits in well with say the Pentastar Ram 1500. I've read articles where regularly people have an average FE of under 18mpg's. The diesel Ram would never reach that kind of figure unless it's towing a significant load. Diesel is the best engine for a pickup and particularly an off road vehicle. Off road 0-60 times are of little use unless you are racing. Even if the 3 litre VM diesel that's in the Ram 1500 was fitted to a Powerwagoon the Powerwagon would still reach speed much faster than is safe in most any off road situation. 420ftlb of torque at 2 to 3 thousand rpm out of the VM or a Hemi is the same amount of power. V8 gasoline torque is no different to diesel torque. The same as a midsizer 1 500lb payload is the same as a full size 1/2 ton 1 500lb payload. A 369ftlb diesel in this pickup will make it exceptionally attractive. This is something new in the US. People will love the torque and ease of using the torque and especially the FE. It will be much cheaper on fuel than the V6 Colorado.