Colorado’s success, arguably, comes from one of the most complicated lineups in the mid-size segment — including three powertrains, three configurations and numerous models and special editions.
November marks the four-year anniversary of the return of the Colorado midsize truck. In a segment that Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford walked away from to the delight of Japanese automakers Toyota and Nissan. Introduced as a 2015 model, the Colorado recorded its first full month of sales in October 2014. Since then, U.S. customers have bought more than 428,792 Colorados.
Chevrolet is expanding the Colorado range with two new special editions, the off-road Z71 Trail Runner and street-focused RST, that offer options to match customer interests on the trails and on the street.
“The success of Colorado helped reignite the mid-size truck segment, which increased 27 percent from 2015 to 2017,” said Sandor Piszar, director of Marketing for Chevrolet Trucks.
The Colorado also helped make GM the most successful truck company for four consecutive years, selling 634,505 more pickups than the closest manufacturer from 2013 through the first three quarters of 2018.
Upon its introduction as a 2015 model, Colorado three powertrain options, had an EPA-estimated 27 mpg highway and 7,000 pounds of towing capability. It also had built-in Wi-Fi Hotspot with optional 4G LTE data.
Since then, Colorado has made updates every calendar year, including:
- 2015: First optional diesel engine offered in the segment (excluding GMC). Four years after it was introduced, no other competitor offers a diesel engine*, with class-leading 30 mpg highway fuel economy and class-leading towing capacity of 7,700 pounds.
- 2016: All-new V6 gas engine and segment-first eight-speed transmission.
- 2017: ZR2 model with wider track, lifted suspension from the factory, Multimatic DSSV dampers and class-exclusive standard front and rear electronic locking differentials.
- 2018: ZR2 Bison performance variant developed in partnership with AEV that will reach dealers in early 2019.
- 2019: Two new special editions added to the lineup: RST and Z71 Trail Runner.
Both new special editions feature the flow-through “CHEVROLET” lettered grille first introduced on the Colorado ZR2 Bison. The grille is also available as an accessory for $395, not including installation or tax.
The Colorado RST builds on the successful street-focused RST models offered on Tahoe, Suburban and the all-new Silverado. For Colorado, the RST is based on the LT trim and adds monochromatic exterior offset with black beltline and bodyside moldings. It also adds a black tailgate bowtie, Colorado and RST badges. The RST is also the first Colorado to offer 20-inch wheels, finished in low-gloss black.
The Z71 Trail Runner begins with the Colorado Z71 off-road package and adds the Colorado ZR2’s underbody protection. Changes include stamped aluminum front and mid skid plates, functional rocker protection and Goodyear Duratrac tires.
With the Z71 Trail Runner, the Colorado lineup now offers four distinct levels of off-road capability:
- Colorado Z71: Z71 Off-Road Suspension, automatic locking rear differential and unique 17-inch painted wheels and all-terrain tires.
- New Colorado Z71 Trail Runner: Adds additional off-road protection to the Z71 trim with the Colorado ZR2’s front and mid skid plates, rocker protection and 17-inch Goodyear Duratrac tires standard.
- Colorado ZR2: Compared to a standard Colorado, the ZR2 features a factory-installed 3.5-inch wider track and a suspension lifted by 2 inches. Class-exclusive features include front and rear electronic locking differentials and Multimatic DSSV Dampers. The ZR2 also features front and mid skid plates, rocker protection and front and rear bumpers modified for better off-road clearance.
- Colorado ZR2 Bison: The ZR2 Bison adds even more extreme off-road capability with five hot-stamped Boron steel skid plates and stamped steel front and rear bumpers with front winch provisions and rear recovery points.
*Excludes other GMC vehicles.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Chevy Marks Four Years of Colorado Sales with Sales Editions
Colorado’s success, arguably, comes from one of the most complicated lineups in the mid-size segment — including three powertrains, three configurations and numerous models and special editions.
November marks the four-year anniversary of the return of the Colorado midsize truck. In a segment that Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford walked away from to the delight of Japanese automakers Toyota and Nissan. Introduced as a 2015 model, the Colorado recorded its first full month of sales in October 2014. Since then, U.S. customers have bought more than 428,792 Colorados.
Chevrolet is expanding the Colorado range with two new special editions, the off-road Z71 Trail Runner and street-focused RST, that offer options to match customer interests on the trails and on the street.
“The success of Colorado helped reignite the mid-size truck segment, which increased 27 percent from 2015 to 2017,” said Sandor Piszar, director of Marketing for Chevrolet Trucks.
The Colorado also helped make GM the most successful truck company for four consecutive years, selling 634,505 more pickups than the closest manufacturer from 2013 through the first three quarters of 2018.
Upon its introduction as a 2015 model, Colorado three powertrain options, had an EPA-estimated 27 mpg highway and 7,000 pounds of towing capability. It also had built-in Wi-Fi Hotspot with optional 4G LTE data.
Since then, Colorado has made updates every calendar year, including:
Both new special editions feature the flow-through “CHEVROLET” lettered grille first introduced on the Colorado ZR2 Bison. The grille is also available as an accessory for $395, not including installation or tax.
The Colorado RST builds on the successful street-focused RST models offered on Tahoe, Suburban and the all-new Silverado. For Colorado, the RST is based on the LT trim and adds monochromatic exterior offset with black beltline and bodyside moldings. It also adds a black tailgate bowtie, Colorado and RST badges. The RST is also the first Colorado to offer 20-inch wheels, finished in low-gloss black.
The Z71 Trail Runner begins with the Colorado Z71 off-road package and adds the Colorado ZR2’s underbody protection. Changes include stamped aluminum front and mid skid plates, functional rocker protection and Goodyear Duratrac tires.
With the Z71 Trail Runner, the Colorado lineup now offers four distinct levels of off-road capability:
*Excludes other GMC vehicles.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.