2015 Colorado. Any plans for a review?

[Clutch]

There is that rumor that Dodge is going to release that Fiat based car truck.

Heard that too

Having personally seen the Mexican Chevrolet catruck, I would vote a hardy no thanks. It really is like a Cobalt with a bed. If that turns you on, check out the Smyth conversion for the MKIV Jetta.

Oh Hell no...my Tacoma is barely adequate...having a hard time deciding to get another one or step up to a Tundra. Was considering a Suby Forester to compliment the Taco, the better half said get another truck, they are more useful.

I really would think an electric assist hybrid would have put the city mileage up there. That would have been a market revolution, or segment whatever, like they claimed it to be. Alas, too much.

Yep agree with ya there.


Anyways...I do like the looks of the Colorado, specs are pretty awesome for a mid-size. Seems like a decent platform even if they missed a couple things.

The ZR2 might have me looking a little harder at it. Gas mileage be damned!

 

[Littlehouse]

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/chevrolet-announces-colorado-zr2-road-concept-2014-la-auto-show/

Oh man. I am so in.....

 

[Larry]

Crap, it’s only a concept at this time. I was hoping it was a production ready truck. I like it, less the diesel engine. Give me a gas please.

LOS ANGELES – Chevrolet today introduced the Colorado ZR2 concept – a vision of how Chevrolet could take the all-new midsize truck’s off-road capability to the next level. It also showcases the new 2.8L Duramax diesel engine that will arrive in the Colorado lineup later next year.

The aggressively styled concept builds on the capabilities of the production Colorado Z71 and advances the legacy of Chevrolet’s previous ZR2 production models.

“From the bold stance to the trail-ready special equipment, the Colorado ZR2 is all about the fun of driving where the pavement ends – and doing it in characteristic Chevy style,” said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. “Chevrolet has a heritage of the ZR2 representing the ultimate in production-based off-road capability and we’ll gauge the public’s interest in this concept as we continue to explore the possibilities for the all-new Colorado.”

The Colorado ZR2’s imposing stance is four inches wider than a production Colorado Z71, with features including new front and rear fascias designed to increase approach and departure angles when driving off road. Ground clearance and rough terrain are handled with a two-inch lift and integral skid plates, while the wider track helps enhance stability in potentially unstable situations.

The Colorado ZR2’s greater approach and departure angles – 30.7 and 22.7 degrees, respectively, versus the Z71’s 25/21 degrees – are enabled by all-new off-road fascias that drastically reduce front and rear overhang. They also feature integrated, flip-out aluminum tow hooks and the front fascia incorporates a built-in winch.

“The design of the ZR2 concept is all about functionality,” said Johnson. “It is inspired by the needs for traversing rock-strewn trails, as well as the aesthetics of competition-style vehicles such as pre-runners – with all elements contributing to safe, sustainable off-road driving.”

Mono-tube coil-over shock absorbers by King™ are designed for greater suspension travel and feature remote-mounted fluid reservoirs that add to the Colorado ZR2 concept’s capability. The reservoirs for the front shocks are accessible and mounted in the wraparound portion of the front fascia, while the capability of the shocks is matched with all-new front control arms.

Off-road traction is enhanced with electronic-locking front and rear differentials, which distribute torque to 275/65R18 off-road tires mounted on custom 18-inch aluminum multi-spoke, bead-lock-style wheels. The center section of the wheel design has a raw aluminum appearance with black accents, while the bolt-on bead lock cover is orange-anodized aluminum.

Custom wheel flares cover the larger off-road tires and increased track width, enhancing the truck’s purposeful stance. They’re complemented by custom rocker guards.

A matching spare wheel/tire assembly, with a quick-release handle, is mounted in the bed. The bed also features the protective spray-in bed liner available with production Colorado models, GearOn™ accessories and a 48-inch Hi-Lift jack – all necessities for the trail.

Additional exterior elements include an all-new grille and headlamp housings with blacked-out accents. The power dome-style hood is unique and echoes the design cues of Chevrolet’s Duramax-powered Silverado heavy-duty trucks.

The Colorado ZR2 wears a concept Cyprus Green exterior color, with Henna Orange accents and custom ZR2 identification on the rear fenders, tailgate and grille.

Inside, the concept off-roader features the same blend of capability and comfort found in the production Colorado Z71, with ZR2 logos embroidered on the front-seat headrests and embossed in the custom Chevrolet Accessories-based floor liners. The ZR2 logo is featured on the instrument cluster display, as well as a custom inclinometer that shows degree of incline from front to back, and side to side.

Additional electronic accessories have been added to the center stack to make the Colorado ZR2 a true off-road warrior. Incorporated into the piano key bank is AUX toggle and four additional toggles: two for winch in and winch out operation; and two for the electronic front- and rear-locking differentials.

The Jet Black leather-trimmed interior features orange stitching that complements the exterior’s orange accents.

All-new 2.8L Duramax diesel

The Colorado ZR2 concept’s new 2.8L Duramax diesel packs the power – an estimated 181 horsepower at 3,400 rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm – to tackle the toughest trails.

The 2.8L Duramax diesel is part of a new, global family of turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines designed to deliver more-efficient capability. It features a variable-geometry turbocharger for optimal power and efficiency across the rpm band and a balance shaft for greater smoothness.

“This new Duramax diesel engine will take efficient capability to an entirely new plateau for the midsize truck segment,” said Johnson. “Its broad torque band makes it very powerful at low rpm, while the turbocharged performance provides a confident feeling of immediate and smooth power on demand – attributes customers will appreciate when trailering.”

The engine is backed by a six-speed automatic transmission.

 

[Littlehouse]

Agree Larry. Close enough if they make the diesel though

 

[Clutch]

Dang that is pretty cool looking. Like what they did with the front clip.

 

[Ryanmb21]

That looks really good, I'd probably be in for one.

 

[Clutch]

Crap, it’s only a concept at this time. I was hoping it was a production ready truck. I like it, less the diesel engine. Give me a gas please.

Any shots of the interior?

 

[Larry]

Any shots of the interior?

Nothing floating around of the interior yet.

 

[calicamper]

Im a two time Subaru owner. And interested in the new midsized market developing. My trucks? 90s 4runner, 93 cherry Land Cruiser, 07 Sequoia. I grew up with full size rigs. I dont see my self ever owning a full size or wanting one. Primary reason being size. American consumers still view size vs price being a related thing. I dont shop this way. I shop by quality of engineering, and what meets my needs. The Colorado #s are ideal for my interests especially the diesel. Again price vs the features I value, range capability, modern car safety passenger space etc. Full sized trucks have seen basically no modern engineering, other than basic simple low cost slap on stuff. This is why full size trucks are hugely profitable, little engineering cost big price tags.

The Colorado appears to have lots of modern engineering effort put into it. If I were to buy a Fullsize today I would just find a 10+yr old used truck. I would save piles of money and have pretty much the same truck minus bolt on crap as a new truck.

The reason I would dump our Sequoia for a modern 4dr midsized would be, mileage/range, safety, locking diff, and FWC camper flatbed style or standard camper. Plus having ability to tow a light trailer for toys.

Today we haule two adults two kids + our 4x6 jumping jack style 900lb camp trailer with our Subaru. Works great 21-26mpg pending speeds and climbs etc.
FWC camper on a Colorado would give us heated camper space, and greater off road ability. The Diesel version would return similar or better mileage giving us a great range per tank which is really nice to have in remote locations.

 

[calicamper]

What did GM do wrong? #1 delay the diesel release a yr after launching the new modern midsized rig. #2 This is a massive one the stupid car shifter on the center console. Wasted space and completely wrong for a truck. Put the shifter on the column, put a locking center storage bin that fits an Ipad in the center arm rest area.
#3 DO NOT BRAG ABOUT OFFERING TECHNOLOGY I have had in my pocket for years!!!! Cell phone tethered to laptop when needed!! GM offer a center stack screen that links with and mirrors devices via bluetooth. Hey my WAZE app appears on the center screen cool, hey my off road trail app shows on my center screen! WoW!! I can link my GOPRO to the center screen and see the video I'm capturing. Now that would be ground breaking game changing tech to brag about!

I like what the Colorado is going to do to the market. Its forcing the auto makers to update the midsized rigs that are decade or more out dated today.

 

[jpat30]

^^^ Love it ^^^ Make mine a CC LB ZR2 w/ gas and dare I say 6 spd stick. They offer that I would be down there tomorrow trading in my Jeep Grand.

 

[k9lestat]

Ok ive always said that unless i suddenly became wealthy id never buy a brand new vehicle. That being said this truck could change my mind.

Sent from my QMV7A using Tapatalk

 

[calicamper]

Last three trucks I have bought were old used soccer mom rigs. It has made zero sense to buy new till now. The modern design car level safety standars being used and soon the diesel. I'm not into the diesel for the typical fuel vs $ savings but into it for the type of power and range it gives me.

 

[Clutch]

What did GM do wrong? #1 delay the diesel release a yr after launching the new modern midsized rig.

Agree with you there, they should of hit the floor running...seems silly not to have the diesel available like right now.

Last three trucks I have bought were old used soccer mom rigs. It has made zero sense to buy new till now. The modern design car level safety standars being used and soon the diesel. I'm not into the diesel for the typical fuel vs $ savings but into it for the type of power and range it gives me.

I dunno...there are always bugs the first year or two with a new platform. Some times it is best to wait a year. Of course we aren't getting any younger...

 

[calicamper]

Agree with you there, they should of hit the floor running...seems silly not to have the diesel available like right now.



I dunno...there are always bugs the first year or two with a new platform. Some times it is best to wait a year. Of course we aren't getting any younger...

With GM products bugs tend to be features that last decades, they get around it by keeping parts costs down ;-).. Last time I passed through NV recently I spent 3.5hrs under the Suburban we were in dropping a fuel tank at the Elko NV Napa parts store to replace a fuel pump that stopped running while doing 75mph down 80 with a trailer behind us. Coasted nearly 2/3rds of a mile. Lol Napa keeps 5-6 GM pumps on the shelf because they sell 5-6 a week. Back in the 90's the gm dealer I worked nights at replac3d fuel pumps like they were pez dispensers in a 10yr olds pocket. Nice to see GM still using the same crap fuel pump design.