In Malaysia, Chevrolet have never entered the pickup truck segment and instead looked to the sedan and SUV segments for market leadership. It has been a rocky ride for them as the competitors have had more loyalty in the market and better used values. This is now set to change with Chevrolet’s all new pickup truck, the Colorado. Just launched in Thailand weeks ago, the Colorado is expected to arrive in Naza Quest (Chevrolets brand guardian in Malaysia) showrooms in the 1st quarter of 2012. We were given an exclusive test drive over various terrains in Northern Thailand. Only 1 version of the Colorado was allocated for the test drive, a 2-door crew cab. Malaysia will get this version as well as the popular 4-door and the 2-door single cab.
This Colorado carries with it the signature GM family look. A handsome chiseled nose carrying the Chevy bowtie sits on the front. Flanked by large swept back headlamps, the oversized front fenders gives an impression of a larger truck. The rear carries upright LED tail-lamps with a large Chevy bowtie sitting in the middle of the tailgate. Ride height is class average. Get inside the cabin and the Colorado has a SUV like dashboard.
The 2-pod deep set instrument cluster is borrowed from the Camaro sports car. The center console uses the elements of the Captiva SUV. It all works in harmony to give a very pleasant looking cabin environment. There is an I-Pod/MP3/WMA/USB ready stereo with a cell-phone Bluetooth capability included. The sound delivery is decent calling only for better speakers to enhance the cabin experience.
Driver seat comfort is good and provides for a multitude of adjustments. There is a new engine range. A 2.5-liter and a 2.8-liter. Both mated to 5-speed manual and auto gearboxes. We test the 2.5-liter mated to a 5-speed auto. Start the engine and you will realize how much insulation has been put into the cabin. The diesel clatter is muted at idle. Our drive starts on smooth tarmac in the city and the Colorado cabin also keeps the tire roar muted. The drive shows for a nicely weighted steering that gives a very SUV like feel. Tarmac imperfections are not felt and the is little wallowing and bouncy normally associated with pickup trucks currently in the market. The 2.5 diesel is smooth in its power delivery as we try in gear acceleration from 3rd to 5th. However 2nd gear ‘pull’ shows the real power of this engine and it revs cleanly with no hesitation right up the revolution range.
We get into a dirt road and with all 4-wheels working the Colorado takes to the ruts, dips and mud with little hesitation. The torque filled engine allows us to keep the revs low and still take in the route with ease. We start a steep hill climb up to the Thai-Burmese border and corner after corner we work with the gearbox which delivers on all levels.
We stop and swap to a 5-speed manual 2.5-diesel Colorado midway. There is better response up the steep gradients as we keep the gear in 2nd allowing for the engine to rev cleanly across the power range. This 2.5-liter turbo diesel (DOHC 16-valve) engine pushes out 150bhp @ 3800rpm with a generous 350Nm of torque @ 2000rpm. On the ride back downhill to the city of Chang Rai, the engine cruises nicely and with more engine braking in use the Colorado sweeps past corner after corner with little wallowing as the Colorado frame was designed to take more stiffness using bigger cabin mounts and tuneable torsion bars that work for a better ride. To get this SUV like ride a double-wishbone configuration with coil springs and a stabilizer bar in the front and in the rear carrying a semi-elliptical leaf spring system was used. It works impressively.
The Colorado’s top version, the LTZ will come with two air bags for the driver and the front passenger and three-point seat belts for every passenger. Driver aids include, TCS (traction control system which is a computer that works in tandem with the ABS that controls torque delivery to the driving wheels at all speeds), ESP (electronic stability control), PBA (panic brake assist which when necessary will increase the braking force and trigger the ABS system), HBA (hydraulic brake assist which will automatically increase pressure applied to the brakes to enhance stopping power), CBC (cornering brake control which is an extension of the ABS, TCS and ESC systems to help the driver maintain control when the brakes are applied in mid corner) and HBFA (hydraulic brake fade assist which increases braking pressure when the system detects brake fade.
Chevrolet in Malaysia has not confirmed the Colorado’s selling price at print time, but we are sure it will stick in the current 4×4 pickup range. What should be noted is the fact that now Malaysians will have a pickup truck option that is more carlike in comfort and drive whilst still keeping to the utility and work abilities of a conventional pickup. A new generation of consumers will be targeted and this will give Malaysians a wider vehicle choice to choose from.
Chevrolet Colorado Pickup 2.5-Diesel Specifications
Engine: 4-cylinder/16v Turbo Diesel
Power: 150bhp @ 3800rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 2000rpm
Capacity: 2449cc
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Top Speed: TBA
0-100km/h: TBA
Price: TBA
