GM's new Colorado ute
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23rd March, 2011
General Motors will display the Colorado Show Truck at
Thailand's Bangkok Motor Show (25th March - 5th April, 2011), where the vehicle is making its global
public debut. The concept previews the next-generation Colorado mid-size utility truck in Chevrolet
guise. The new Chevrolet Colorado goes on sale in Thailand later this year. An Australian release is
expected in 2012.
“Thailand is the world’s-largest market for mid-size pick-ups (uts), so this was the perfect
location in which to unveil our new Colorado,” said Susan Docherty, vice president, GMIO Sales,
Marketing and Aftersales. “Trucks have been part of Chevrolet’s core for nearly all of its 100-year
history. The Colorado reinforces that heritage with expressive design, refinement and uncompromising
capability.”
The show truck features an extended-cab body atop a high-stance AWD chassis and rides on large,
20-inch wheels and off-road tyres. Power comes from an efficient 2.8L turbo-diesel engine, which produces
a broad torque band for excellent cargo and towing capability.
“Although this is a show vehicle, the basic proportions and form convey the vision for the
next-generation Colorado that we will bring to market,” said Brad Merkel, GM's global vehicle line
executive. “It reflects a stylised version of the new truck, one that takes into account rugged
dependable truck capabilities for commercial use as well as sophisticated refinement for personal-use
needs.”
While the new Colorado was developed within GM’s global product development organisation, engineers
took careful steps to ensure it would meet local market needs. Roberto Rempel, GM's global vehicle chief
engineer, lived in Thailand for several months during the truck’s development, immersing himself in the
market and observing how the Thai people use their trucks and the road conditions they experience.
“Pick-ups are instrumental in the vibrant Thai economy and owners take great pride in their
trucks, which are used for both work and personal driving,” he said. “These customers ask a lot
of their trucks, so the powertrains and chassis must be very robust to earn their trust – and that’s
exactly what we’ve delivered.”
Design details
The Colorado show truck’s purposeful design conveys strength through body work that appears tightly
wrapped over the chassis and a wide, confident stance. In the front, Chevrolet’s gold bowtie and
dual-port grille are framed by large headlamps that flow into the front guards, and an extractor vent
on the bonnet.
“Around the globe, pick-up trucks are associated with strength, capability and function – and
that’s exactly what the Colorado show truck embodies,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of Global
Design. “Its broad-shouldered proportions are derived from nearly a century of Chevrolet truck
heritage.”
Pepperdust Metallic exterior paint is accented with polished aluminium details in the fascias, as
well as integrated side steps and black-masked projector-style headlamps with LED lighting elements. At
the rear is a full-width LED-lit tail lamp, which provides a striking appearance when illuminated.
Additional exterior details include:
- A streamlined “cab collar” design with a body-colour hard tonneau cover over the tray
- Gray accents on the side, front and rear lower mouldings
- 20-inch aluminium wheels featuring a “liquid metal” finish, with Stone Grey colour wheel ports
- Cooper 285/50R20 ZEON LTZ tyres
- Outside mirrors with LED turn-signal indicators.
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Inside, there’s another signature Chevrolet cue: a dual-cockpit instrument panel design. It flows
into the doors, with continuous lines that suggest a floating, wrap-around effect, amplifying the
Colorado’s feeling of spaciousness. Ice-blue lighting and high-quality, “double-faced” leather-trimmed
seats add sophistication and refinement.
“The interior is designed to deliver a premium and inviting environment, with a greater feeling
of spaciousness than is typically found in mid-size trucks,” said Welburn. “There’s also great
attention to detail in the execution of the features you see and feel.”
A brace of motorcycle-inspired, three-dimensional gauges stand out on the instrument panel,
projecting a sporty appearance.
Contrasting trim used with the light-coloured leather seating, dark wood trim accented with chrome
and low-gloss and soft-touch materials are used throughout for a premium feel. A number of storage
compartments are located throughout the interior, including a covered centre bin for concealment of
valuable items, and a large, dual glovebox.
Additional features include a dual-zone, digital climate control system and the latest in
“infotainment” technology. The show truck highlights an ergonomically positioned 7-inch LCD display in
the centre stack, for easy viewing and intuitive control of Web access, navigation, music and hands-free
phone features.
More details about the production model will be released later in the year.
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