Chevy Colorado configurator goes live as GM touts fuel efficiency

Wed, 03 Sep 2014

While the news of today is destined to be dominated by a certain plucky Japanese roadster, props to Chevrolet and GMC for announcing its own significant bit of news about their newest pickup twins, the midsize Colorado and Canyon. The two GM-owned brands announced that the twins' 3.6-liter V6 will return up to 26 miles per gallon on the freeway.

To get such efficiency from the 305-horsepower mill, you'll need to live without four-wheel drive and be okay with a max city fuel economy of 18 mpg. The combined rating for the 2WD model sits at 21 mpg. Adding four-wheel drive drops the city and combined ratings by one mpg, while the highway rating dips from 26 to 24 mpg.

As for the twins' eagerly anticipated 2.8-liter diesel engine, it's destined for model year 2016, meaning we've got a ways to go before its efficiency and output are certified.

In other Colorado news, Chevy has launched the new pickup's configurator ahead of the truck's release later this fall. Its sister company, GMC, hasn't done the same for the Canyon (as of this writing), although we doubt a release is too far off.

Take a look below for the press release touting the new trucks' fuel economy, and then head over and build your very own Colorado at Chevy's consumer website.

2015 Colorado and Canyon offer Segment-Leading Fuel Economy
EPA estimated 26 mpg highway for V-6 2wd models

DETROIT – The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon will offer segment-leading fuel economy for V-6 midsize pickups, based on EPA fuel economy estimates released today.

For V-6 pickups with automatic transmissions, which make up the majority of midsize truck sales, Colorado and Canyon offer highway fuel economy 3 to 5 mpg better than competitors.

"Colorado offers some of the best EPA fuel economy estimates of any pickup in a fun-to-drive, easy-to-own package," said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. "Colorado proves you don't have to buy a lot of expensive technology to save money at the pump."

"The all-new 2015 GMC Canyon adds segment-leading fuel economy to its winning resume," said Kenn Bakowski, Canyon marketing manager. "Innovations such as available active grille shutters combine with an aerodynamic design in a smaller, more maneuverable package to set a new standard for fuel economy in midsize trucks."

Colorado and Canyon fuel economy

Engine	Transmission	Drive	EPA Fuel Economy Estimates
			City	Combined	Highway
305-hp 3.6L V-6 with direct fuel injection and continuously variable valve timing	6-speed automatic	2wd	18	21	26
		4x4	17	20	24

For the 2016 model year, Colorado and Canyon will add a 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel to the engine lineup. Technical details and EPA fuel economy estimates will be available closer to launch.

Colorado and Canyon will be available in dealerships nationwide in the fall of 2014. EPA fuel economy estimates for four-cylinder Colorado and Canyon will be finalized in the near future.

With the introduction of Colorado and Canyon, Chevrolet and GMC will offer customers more pickup choices than any other brand, including midsize, full-size light duty and heavy-duty pickups.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, and is one of the industry's healthiest brands. Innovation and engineering excellence is built into all GMC vehicles and the brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC is the only manufacturer to offer three full-size hybrid trucks with the Yukon, Yukon Denali SUVs and the Sierra pickup. The Sierra Heavy Duty pickups are the most capable and powerful trucks in the market. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.

By Brandon Turkus