2016 Chevy Colorado Duramax

Chevy has released official details on its upcoming 2016 Chevy Colorado Duramax, a four-cylinder diesel engine pickup truck that will give the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel a serious run for its money.

Stop by a Lexington KY used car dealership and check out this year’s inventory of Chevy Colorado pickup trucks and see if the 2016 Colorado Duramax is worth waiting for. While you’re at it, don’t miss your chance to test drive this year’s incredible Chevy Colorado.

We’ve got both the upcoming and current Colorado specs here for your review before you visit the showroom…

Introducing the 2016 Chevy Colorado Duramax

The reason the GMC-built Duramax is kicking up dust and demanding attention is because it will be the only other compression-ignition engine available in the U.S. from a non-heavy duty pickup truck, other than the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. Equipping the 2016 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, the Duramax engine is built in Thailand, and is a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel inline-four engine, able to generate 181 horsepower at 3,400 rpm with 369 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,000 rpm.

The only truck models eligible for this engine upgrade are the crew-cab trucks, specifically the Colorado’s LT and Z71 trim levels. Once outfitted, the engine can then be paired with either two or four-wheel drive capabilities.

Fitted with the Duramax engine, the Colorado will also offer a Z82 trailering package which includes a hitch receiver, diesel-specific trailer-brake controller, and seven-pin connector. Where the gasoline four-cylinder has a 4.10:1 locking rear differential, the Z82 package comes standard with a locking 3.42:1 rear differential, complemented by a driver-changeable exhaust brake.

Priced to start at $33,520, the Colorado Duramax in the LT trim comes with a required safety package, including lane-departure warnings and forward-collision alerts, in addition to the convenience package, equipping the truck with fog lamps, remote start, sliding rear-windows with defroster, and damped tailgate.

Premium options enhance the Duramax powertrain with the inclusion of a balance shaft to smooth operation, ceramic glowplugs, and cooled exhaust-gas recirculation.

Able to run on up to twenty-percent biodiesel, the Colorado Duramax features a new centrifugal pendulum vibration damper with springs and dampers connected to the six-speed automatic transmission’s torque converter.
The result? No shaking from the engine.

Though official fuel efficiency ratings haven’t been announced yet, industry experts expect to see an EPA-estimated return of thirty plus highway miles per gallon. While the gasoline-powered V6 engine is able to tow 7,000 pounds, the Duramax 4x2is bests that by 700 pounds, and the 4×4 can do 7,600 pounds.

We know that the payload numbers will increase; however, exact numbers won’t be released until the GM announces the truck’s curb weight. However, it’s fair to assume an increase of approximately 200 pounds.

Those familiar with or already driving this year’s Chevy Colorado won’t notice much difference, separate from the engine. However, Chevy did turn up the technology, offer optional Apple CarPlay, which displays the features and functions of an iPhone on the GMC-exclusive MyLink infotainment system.

With the increasing push for hands-free driving, the 2016 Chevy Colorado will also offer Apple Siri Eyes Free, a system that integrates the voice controls on the iPhone with the truck’s infotainment system, which includes text-message support.

In the LT and Z71 trim levels, expect to see an updated multi-color LCD featured on the instrument panel.
There is no need to wait for the 2016 release of the Chevy Colorado, particularly if a diesel engine isn’t a concern. This year’s crop of Colorado pickup trucks is a competitive crew.

The 2015 Chevy Colorado Makes the Grade

Sporting a complete makeover for the 2015 model year, the Chevy Colorado offers lots to choose from with respect to body style and trim levels and was named Truck of the Year by Motor Trend.

Two engine options come in the form of the base level 2.5-liter inline four cylinder, producing 200 horsepower with 191 lb.-ft. of torque. Operated by a six-speed manual transmission, this engine is ranked at EPA-Estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg combined, or 19 city and 26 highway miles. Paired to the six-speed automatic, fuel estimates remain 22 mpg combined on the two-wheel drive, with a dip to 21 mpg combined from the four-wheel drive. Maximum towing for the four-cylinder Chevy Colorado comes in at 3,500 pounds.

Or, the 3.6-liter V6 engine is able to generate 306 horsepower with 269 lb.-ft. of torque, with the standard six-speed automatic transmission. Similar to the four-cylinder, the V6 returns EPA estimates of 21 mpg combined from the two-wheel drive or 20 mpg combined in the four-wheel drive.

Nearly doubling the towing power of the base four-cylinder engine, the V6 helps the Colorado tow up to 7,000 pounds. With four-wheel drive, the Colorado crew cab short bed made the zero to sixty mph sprint in 7.5 seconds.

The Chevy Colorado is serious about safety and earned the marks to prove it. Rated “Good,” the highest possible score from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Colorado is loaded with safety features like stability and traction control, antilock brakes, front side-impact airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, and a rearview camera, all standard.

Even so powerfully equipped, the Colorado makes a quick stop, coming to a halt from sixty miles per hour in 129 feet – about five feet faster than its rivals in Edmunds testing. Edmunds, as it turns out, gave the 2015 Chevy Colorado an A overall, specifically for the ride quality, tech-savviness, fuel economy, refined interior, and performance.

For added assurance, the Colorado’s upper trim levels come standard with Chevy’s OnStar telematics, which automatically alerts emergency services after a crash, and provides stolen vehicle notification, as well as remote locking and unlocking capabilities. Other added safety features are supplied by the lane departure warning and forward collision alert systems.

Compared to other midsize pickup trucks, the Colorado boasts a seriously refined interior, much quieter than its competitors, even when traveling at faster speeds on the highway. Starting at the MSRP of $20,120, the Chevy Colorado is an outstanding midsize pickup truck, one worthy of helping you “Find New Roads.”