05 Gmc Sierra 3500 Duramax Diesel 6.6l V8 Rwd Workbody Dually 1 Owner 80+ Pics on 2040-cars
Parker, Colorado, United States
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Parker, Colorado, United States
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The invitation to come out and sample product at the General Motors Proving Grounds in Milford, MI is rarely dull, and after spending this morning driving preproduction versions of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon all we can say is... under strict embargo. Sorry, America, we were as excited as many of you are to learn more about GM's new midsize truck range and take note of how they go down the road, but it's going to be September before we're allowed to share that with all of you. Here's to sweet suspense.
While we might not be able to talk about refinement or handling yet, we did find some of the product positioning and marketing statements from GMC and Chevy officials on hand at the program to be pretty interesting.
Of course, we all know that the literal competitive set for Canyon and Colorado is comprised of two comparatively ancient Japanese midsize trucks: the Toyota Tacoma (which currently owns this segment) and the Nissan Frontier. The Frontier's bones are as old as the 2005 model year, with 2009 marking the last time the truck was updated. The Taco was also launched in 2005, though it did see a freshening for 2012. The point remains that, in every facet from powertrain to dash plastics, the GM midsize truck twins are going to look positively space age by comparison when they hit the market for MY 2015.
After James Bearing bought a Chevrolet Colorado, he noticed a discrepancy between the truck's spec sheet and the truck's tachometer: Chevrolet said 3.6-liter V6 in the little pickup produces 305 horsepower at 6,800 rpm, but the the tachometer indicates a redline at 6,500 rpm. So either he wasn't making as much power as he was promised, or the tachometer display was incorrect. Bearing said he asked Chevy about it but got no response. Until now. A General Motors spokesman said the rev limiter is indeed set for 6,800 rpm, but the tach graphics "are slightly off" in the Colorado and the GMC Canyon, and submitted an SAE horsepower certification to back him up. If you're wondering how such a thing got past quality control... well, let's just say you're not alone. GM is going to fix "the graphics on future trucks," which makes it sound like Bearing will just have to learn to live with the indicated redline he's got. He could always pretend he's driving a sleeper, with four more ponies waiting to be unlocked in the danger zone for those who dare. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2015 Chevrolet Colorado: First Drive View 38 Photos Related Gallery 2015 GMC Canyon: Quick Spin View 27 Photos News Source: Auto Guide Auto News Chevrolet GM GMC Truck gmc canyon
Before even officially going on sale to customers, the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup twins are already proving to be a success with dealer orders exceeding original projections. Now, there is even more good news for these siblings, with the fuel economy for their four-cylinder engines netting class-leading numbers and the 3.6-liter V6 getting segment-best payload ratings.
The 2.5-liter four-cylinder in the two trucks makes 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, and in rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual trim it has an EPA rating of 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. Opting for a two-wheel drive configuration with the six-speed automatic bumps those figures slightly to 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. Finally, a four-wheel drive model with the automatic 'box carries a 19/25/21 rating. Those numbers are a tick better here and there compared to what's offered by the optional V6.
The twins' major four-cylinder, midsize pickup rivals are the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier, but they're both getting somewhat long in the tooth. To compare fuel economy and power, a two-wheel drive Tacoma with its 2.7-liter four-cylinder is rated at 159 hp and 180 lb-ft, and achieves 21/25/22 mpg. The Frontier with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder is good for 152 hp and 171 lb-ft, and carries 19/23/21 mpg figures.
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