2015 Colorado

[aardvarcus]

Chevy announced their new 2015 Colorado will be available in the USA with a 2.8L Duramax Diesel starting in 2015 (I4 and V6 avalible in 2014). They have some photos on their website, so I threw one of the pictures up against AST2 to see how it did. It isn’t perfectly a side shot, but pretty close. The crew cab long box seems to "fit" the template pretty good. The crew cab short box or extended cab long box will be 1' shorter. There seem to be quite a few aero features, I noticed the low air dam in the front, less body seams, etcetera.

I am considering this truck as a future purchase, to replace my 1991 truck. I have two years to decide for sure.

[JRMichler]

I sure hope they cleaned up underneath. My truck is nothing but parachutes down there, unlike the Silverado which is smoother.

[aardvarcus]

Well, I found a more head on photo; the roof doesn’t have as much pitch as the slightly angled picture makes it look to have. The crew cab short bed still partially fits the template though.

I also noticed some web sites are calling out that it has active grill shutters.

[kir_kenix]

I think its a nice looking truck. I'll probably trade in my '12 Canyon on a diesel when it comes out. We like our current truck, but there are a few things we aren't so crazy about: towing capacity and MPG. Hopefully the new 2.8 d-max will solve both of those problems at the same time.

Could probably get rid of the 1ton too, depending on what the tow capacity of diesel proves to be. Never use the full capacity of that monster anyway.

[Gealii]

I need to know the towing capacity, was considering a 6.6 duramax but i can wait for this

[Gealii]

2015 Chevrolet Colorado brings modern amenities, diesel power to midsize pickup set [w/videos] - Autoblog

[aardvarcus]

Originally Posted by Gealii

I need to know the towing capacity, was considering a 6.6 duramax but i can wait for this

I know you saw this, since you posted the link, but the article states, "With the V6, the Colorado should be able to tow some 6,700 pounds." If I had to guess, the 2.8L Duramax will be pretty close to that in 2wd extended cab form. The engine will have more torque, but also more weight. Of course adding the crew cab and 4x4 will probably drop that down more too.

In the real world of extra weight in the truck from tools, cargo, and passengers and considering imperfectly balanced loads in trailers, drivers cutting in front of you or slamming on the brakes, in my personal opinion I wouldn't plan on towing a trailer that weighed over 5,000 with this sort of truck on a regular basis, and that is assuming trailer brakes and a good break controller. You don’t want to get into a “tail wagging the dog” situation.

If you were seriously considering a one ton truck, I kind of doubt the Colorado will meet your towing expectations. If/when I do get to purchase this truck, I will be keeping my one ton for those occasional heavy towing or heavy hauling situations.

[kir_kenix]

6,500-7,000 lbs would do just about everything I would ever need to do. I would opt for the 4x4, so hopefully the 2.8dmax out performs the v6 gasser. This truck definitely looks like a winner, provided of course it performs.

We can hope that it comes with a 6 speed manual...but my gut feeling is that GM will only offer an automatic.

[gone-ot]

How do you streamline a brick...a BIG heavy brick?

[aardvarcus]

JRMichler's Colorado (second post) is a pretty good example of how to streamline a truck. Also I hardly consider that truck a brick, yes it will be heavy especially with the diesel, but if you look at the details it is fairly aero.