Final testing of the all-new Colorado Chevrolet diesel-powered midsize pickup is wrapping up as production nears for markets including the Middle East, South America, Africa, and Asia. No, we didn’t forget to mention any markets for the new Colorado. While General Motors still hasn’t officially confirmed whether we’ll get a version of the new Colorado to replace the aging Colorado/Canyon twins currently on dealer lots, it’s an open secret that an all-new, U.S.-spec Colorado is in the offing as well.
What GM representative Tom Wilkinson would say is this: “we are looking at a midsize truck for the U.S. market.” Once the company finishes launching the new Colorado around the globe, we’ll likely get more information on when we’ll get our model, which is likely to be much different than the truck you see here, and probably won’t be fitted with a diesel – at least initially.
Since Thailand will be the first market to get the crew and extended cab Colorado trucks, the GM testing team lived in the country to gain a better understanding of exactly how the Chevy pickups will be used.
“We know customers of this type of vehicle want a workhorse and a daily-use vehicle all in one, so our product has to deliver. We have benchmarked the toughest, most flexible vehicles around the world,” said Chevrolet Colorado Chief Engineer Roberto Rempel. “When you combine that approach with our detailed consideration of global expectations, we are confident the new Colorado will be a winner.”
At this point it’s unclear how much reengineering the global Colorado would require in order to make it to American roads. For now, the new Colorado is powered by 2.5- and 2.8-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engines. Is a diesel-powered midsize truck for the U.S. indeed a possibility? Wilkinson would only say that GM can work with a “global powertrain portfolio.” In other words, stay tuned.
If a diesel-powered Chevrolet Colorado truck were offered at a slight price premium compared to the current model, would you consider purchasing one? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
Source: GM
