Ottawa Citizen

Chevy Colorado gets powerful new diesel

- DEREK MCNAUGHTON

GM’s plan to install a diesel engine in its mid-size Chevrolet Colorado was never a secret, but the automaker has finally confirmed that the engine is a 2.8-litre Duramax with 369 pound-feet of torque.

That’s a huge number for a midsize truck — Ford’s 5.0-L V8 in the full-sized F-150 produces 387 lb-ft — and GM says its four-cylinder turbodiese­l is good for 7,600 pounds of towing with 4WD models.

The diesel will get best-in-class fuel economy, Chevy claims, though the company didn’t release figures. The addition makes the Colorado (and GMC Canyon) the first and only diesel options available for a mid-size pickup in North America. The truck competes against the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma.

“It’s a no-compromise turbocharg­ed engine that’s also really fun to drive, with excellent responsive­ness,” said Scott Yackley, assistant chief engineer.

“It was also designed specifical­ly for trucks.”

The 181-horsepower diesel will be available this fall on LT and Z71 Crew Cab models, in either 2WD or 4WD. In the U.S. it will cost $3,730 more than a comparably equipped 3.6-L gas V6 model, so expect a $4,500 premium in Canada.

Diesel models also get a diesel-exhaust brake system, a standard Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic transmissi­on with vibration control, the Z82 trailering package with standard hitch receiver and seven-pin connector, a new integrated trailer-brake controller, a 3.42 rear-axle ratio and a new electronic­ally controlled two-speed transfer case on 4WD models.

 ?? CHEVROLET ?? Canadians can expect to pay about $4,500 extra for a diesel in the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado.
CHEVROLET Canadians can expect to pay about $4,500 extra for a diesel in the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado.

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