General Motors and Ford have two very different strategies for their pickup truck market solutions. Ford shaved unneeded pounds from the full-size F-150 through the use of lightweight aluminum body panels, whereas GM decided it would be better to offer a separate smaller, lighter pickup truck below the full-size Silverado 1500, the 2015Â Chevrolet Colorado. With it comes the promise of a smaller, more fuel efficient truck than the full-size lot, but brings to the segment many of the amenities that the bigger ones enjoy.
Full weight figures for the mid-size Colorado have now been released, and the Colorado weighs, on average, about 880 to 1,400 lbs. less than a full-size pickup on the market today. The weight savings are thanks to the truck’s slightly smaller overall dimensions and some use of lightweight aluminium. The outcome, Chevrolet says, is a truck that they hope will be the most fuel efficient in its segment.
“When it comes to building lighter pickups, there is more than one answer,” said executive chief engineer, Jeff Luke, referring to the two brand’s differing strategies. “Building on our experience with the new Silverado, we engineered the Colorado to be highly mass-efficient, while still providing the performance, capability, dependability and features that midsize truck customers are asking for.”
The Colorado fits neatly underneath the Silverado in Chevrolet’s truck lineup. The short-bed crew cab model is 17 inches shorter than the comparable Silverado, while the overall width is five inches narrower. Chevrolet says the smaller size provides easier maneuverability around towns and in parking lots, where many pickup trucks spend the majority of their time.
“For many customers, a midsize pickup is simply a better solution,” said Luke. “You get the versatility and capability of a truck in a package that is fun to drive and easier to maneuver and park.
The official weight of a 4×4 Colorado crew cab with a short bed, expected to be the most popular version of the mid-size trucks, is 4,329 lbs. This is 1,257 lbs. less than a 2014 Ford F-150 4×4 with a crew cab and short bed and lighter still than the 2015 F-150, which is expected to weigh 700 lbs. less than the outgoing model.
So while Chevrolet’s and Ford’s solutions are very different, they are both in pursuit of the same goal: to increase estimated EPA fuel economy figures. The two different strategies have resulted in both the brands having lighter trucks on offer, but only time will tell which company has the winning formula.
Comments
But it’s about few hundred pounds heavier than the taco isn’t it?
It is slightly heavier than the Tacoma. Toyota advertises the curb weight of the Tacoma Crew Cab 4×4 at 4220 lbs.
And it would be, there’s nothing to the Taco. Because it’s old.
I just feel like despite the Taco being lighter than the Colorado, it still feels like a tin can though….but the upside is that it’s few pounds lighter than the Frontier crew cab 4X4 though
The Colorado is also a lot lighter than a barge. Why, other than for misleading advertisement purposes, would one not compare apples to apples?
The thing is still heavier than a decade old Tacoma, which coincidentally does quite well in crash tests. Same size, four wheels, same amount of safety equipment. What do you mean there is nothing to the Taco? There’s hardly a better true 4×4 out there. It’s the vehicle of choice of the US Special Forces in Afghanistan. No trustworthy repair shops, you know.
GM clearly has a 2 vehicle approach while Ford is once again trying to cover an entire range of truck owners with one size truck. GM is making 2 options for customers; each designed for a specific customer’s needs in size and performance.
It is important for GM to tell the story that they will have a truck that will have the same tow rating as the F150’s 2.7L and more than the 2.7 when the diesel comes out, in a truck that is easier to park, get into garages etc (for the urban truck owner) and one that is lighter than the full size trucks.
North America is the only place full size 1/2 tons even sell. The majority of the world have Colorado size trucks (or smaller) as their mainstay. Remember a few years ago when people complained how cars here were getting smaller and that people wouldn’t buy them because they were too small (and the only places they sold were in Europe and Asia)? Now the compact and sub-compact car markets in N. America are huge. The same could happen and will likely happen in the truck industry. There will be those who need a full size truck and those who need a smaller size truck (urban owners) to pull boats, haul lumber, garbage, etc. Manufacturers better offer one in each category or they will be left behind to catch up. Personally I like GM’s approach.
The Tacoma is an ok truck. Lots of people like it better than the Tundra (often say the Tundra is just too big– gee, a truck company offering two sized trucks and they don’t get roasted?) But they haven’t changed it much in a lot of years (and they didn’t have to as it was one of only two or three options in this size of vehicle). But the driver sits very low (on the floor like a car), and the frame has had a lot of issues up until 2004 (even a few 2006 owners complaining their rear leaf spring mounts are rusting off the frames), valve spring’s cracking (13-14 I4 engines), and a few other things. But every vehicle has their quirks and issues. It’s time for a redo and to bring it up to today’s standards in comfort, technology, etc.
Amen to your comment about Tacoma comfort. The most durable (aka un-comfortable) part on their mid-sized trucks is the seats. Hoping (GM) will treat all their (truck) family members to the same level of comfort.
Ok, I get that most people on this site are pro-GM which is fine with me … but just a couple of points:
– No matter what you do to this truck if cannot and will not have similar tow ratings to any full size truck. Towing 8,000lbs (which is what the F150 2.7EB is rated) would be both stupid and dangerous. An 8,000 loaded travel trailer would tail wag the dog on this little truck for more than weight, but the footprint alone. Being significantly narrower and shorter than a full-size truck means its ability to control a heavy trailer is severely compromised and dangerous.
– So it will weight 4,300 lbs – a lot of weight to be moved around with the standard 4 cylinder engine – a 4 cylinder 2014 Malibu is rated at 21/30 and weights 3,300lbs … so add an additional 1,000lbs and a body that is not as aerodynamic … my guess EPA will give this 18/26 … but maybe GM can squeeze more? Ram, Ford and Chevy get at least 19/23 on their gas V6s … just a thought.
– Finally, yes this has a market and yes it will sell some models – but at the end of the day probably 95% of pickup truck buyers prefer full size trucks as the economy is nearly as good, the capability is much greater and they prefer a bigger truck …
I guess the bottom line is – don’t put so much on this truck, it will have a small market and following but really cannot compete with the full size guys …
This is the first truck that I would very much consider buying.
– Exterior looks great
– Interior looks perfect (functional, clean, simple)
– Performance excels
I’ll be in the market in 2015, and I look forward to a test drive!
As do the rest of us…
I am waiting for the truck release this fall.
I had several of the original S10 ‘s , 1982, 1984 and 1986 . the last 2 were v6 4wd and manual sift.
there were great commuter trucks for smaller jobs and the 4wd /skid plates etc. made them a great off roader in mild off road situations.
When they come out , I will be buying one , just wish the diesel was available at the start.
can hardly wait , the styling features and size all look great , and am anxious to get a truck again!!
Well here is the deal.
The mid size GM truck in a crew cab is a large truck. I do not have the dims but after seeing the crew I was shocked how long and tall it was. the one dim is the width where it is somewhat smaller than what you think.
This from what it looked to me the truck has grown from the smaller past Colorado/Canyon.
Also this truck will have things the Toyota could only wish for till is has a redo as the new GM truck will have a lot of trick features etc. that the other just does not offer.
MPG will be fine and will be important to GM as they need to add MPG to their lines.
Now the thing that will make or break this truck is price. It has to be priced right as if It is too high it will fail no matter the MPG. Also if the full size trucks get discounted down to their price then it will fail just as the last gen did as it is too hard not to buy a full size truck when it is priced near the smaller one.
If they can price this truck $18K-35K for a fully loaded crew they will do ok. The MPG will also make it a strong selling point as I hate it when I have to spend $85 just to drive to work for a week in a 2010 Full size Chevy after just putting $25 in my HHR for gas for a week.
The GM plan is a gamble as there is more risk involved here as if gas prices go down people move to the full size trucks. Also if they have to discount the full size much it will rob sales. Now if gas spikes this will be a home run and you can bank on that.
I expect this truck to do well as it is a good truck. How well it will do will be based on things beyond GM’s control. The fact is the smaller truck will be a factor in the future for Ford too. While we do not yet have the Ranger it is selling well globally and they designed it to meet North American regs so if and when they want it here it would take little time to bring it to market.
Aluminum will help the full size Fords but it will still not solve all their CAFE issues so look for the Ranger to come here at some point. It may be here sooner if the GM truck take off.
The biggest beef I have is the Extended Cab jump seats look more painful than waterboarding. They may sit better than they look but from the look of them I would not want to go far in them. I know they are limited use but even at that I think they could have done better or just eliminate them.
As for the Crew it is very roomy front and back with a bed that unlike the others you can really use. Note the bed on the Crew is much more useable than we have seen before. That may be your weight.
But in the end MPG is important here but more so to GM. The price is the most important thing here to the buyers with the added bonus of more MPG. Priced too high the highest MPG Diesel in the world will not save it
The other unknowns here is the cost additions to the new Ford. The price will be higher as it is with any new vehicle but how much more. Also what is the real curb weights of the 2015? They have not stated these and you would think if they were all that light they would have it listed in the title of every story on the trucks. It is kind of like a 500 pound man saying I lost 150 pounds. It sounds impressive till you find out he is still 350 pounds. I am sure they will come in under the light GM trucks but I do not expect by anymore than 200-300 pounds at best and less in many models. That is only one fat buddy worth of weight.
Now what Ford is doing is not as much of a risk as if the trucks do not sell at the higher price they can discount. It will hurt profits but they will still make money. Also they still have the Ranger that is ready and willing. But Ford is 5 years ahead of GM in rebuilding since they got their loans years before GM got bailed out.
I thought this truck was competing with the Tacoma and Frontier. How the hell is it so much heavier than these 2 old trucks?
I would not be shocked if Ford’s new 2.7 ecoboost is more fuel efficient.
http://www.torquenews.com/1080/gm-brings-marketing-lie-false-comparisons-new-colorado-titan
To answer your weight question, the 2015 Colorado will be 5 inches longer, 1inch wider than the Tacoma and 7 inches longer and 1 inch wider than the Frontier. Plus the frame is a was built heavier for higher tow ratings. Yes, the 3.6L gas only beats the Tacoma by 300lbs towing (6700 versus 6400) but the diesel is expected to be well over 7000 lbs which means the frame, suspension, etc was built heavier for more demanding tow ratings. That all adds up in weight.
Just like the Japanese pick ups of the 70’s & 80’s maybe this should be sold throughout the world.
Pal when you see it you will under stand the weight it is a large truck for a
Mid size class
Is this truck going to be made in mexico like the full size truck.
Well, Scott, i surely hope most of the sales are conquest customers, it would be a shame if the Silverado and Sierra lose sales to their smaller brother.
Of course the Colorado/Canyon will take some sales away from the Silverado/Sierra; how else to you think GM meets the CAFE requirements? You don’t think GM knows it will take some 1/2 ton sales away? This is part of the 3 truck strategy. The bottom line these days is total truck sales, meeting CAFE and profitability.
But these smaller twins will also take away some F150 and Ram buyers too, dropping their sales numbers also.
I remember selling for a Ford dealer back when the SportTrac first came out. Our F150 sales dropped by nearly 15% in the first 2 years because people liked a smaller vehicle with a box to haul the few things they needed to and still be able to pull their boat/small camper. Ford’s explanation to the dealers: we expected this to happen and it all comes down to total sales and profitability.
When Ford does it, it must be true and the best thing going. When GM does it, it’s all a fallacy. Can’t have it both ways people.
Refinement (might) weigh more. I’ve ridden in a F150 crew cab. Very smooth and quiet. The new Silverado is said to be even quieter. Thicker glass, sound deadener, chassis and body mount refinements probably weigh more than methods of the past. We have a 2004 vehicle that we bought new. 120,000 trouble-free miles. Not a thing wrong with it. That vehicle no longer goes on long trips with us. It’s interior is just too loud. Wind noise. Road noise. A two hour trip feels like half a day. I’m very willing to sacrifice a little mpg for a Silverado level of refinement on a mid-size truck.
Well here is the deal,
GM is wanting to take in sales from all areas full size owners and previous small truck owners like the Ranger etc. the fact is the Toyota is the only real viable truck in this class and it is not what I would call a top notch package. It is great for putting a machine gun in it from a third world country but it will not rob many Full Size truck sales in America.
Also GM is looking to improve CAFE at the expense of any full size truck including their own.
I hate to say this but unless there is some great break through in technology we may very well see a emphasis on the mid size trucks in the future. Just as we have seen in the car lines where 25 years ago the Caprice and Crown Vic were king we now see the mid size cars like the Malibu and Fusion as the volume lines.
The price of fuel and the price of the full size trucks themselves will start to drive people to smaller vehicles.
Think it will not happen? Just look at the SUV market where the Suburban was king and then the volume moved to the Tahoe. Now we are seeing more and more people down size to the Nox as it is selling over 200,000 units a year now. That also does not count the other small SVU/CUV models GM sells.
The income point of many in this country is down over the last 8 years and people do not have more money to spend. The prices keep going up in everything we have so our pay and social security is not purchasing as much as it used to. This is not lost on GM as this is why we are now seeing cars like the Verano and Encore.
The market is going to have to change in many ways due to fuel prices, income dropping, CAFE and inflation. In ten years the truck market is not going to be what we have today.
To me GM is about 5 years ahead on the mid size smaller trucks and should have a lead as time passes and the market comes to them. Many here complain that GM is always late and follows the market. Well this time they are ahead and leading to where this all is going to go. Just think about that $48K Crew LTZ and what it will cost in 10 years and how much the gas will be to fuel it with less take home pay because of higher taxes and inflation.
Short term these smaller trucks could pay if we get those times when gas spikes for 6 months. When that happens all full size sales tank till prices drop a bit.
As for the new truck forget the old Colorado and Canyon as the refinement of these trucks will be right with the new full size. The only thing different is the size, lower cost and more MPG.
As for where it will be built GM has made it clear it is being built in Wentzville KS. So stop the Mexico Bull Sh*t now. You can not hardly be build a truck anymore central in the USA than that.
This is a long term strategy truck and you will not see all the intentions right away. As time passes you will see how this fits into the long term plan. Ford will follow with the Ranger and God only knows what Fiat will do at Ram as I am not sure about Fiat running a truck company long term.
The first thing many here need to do is really get to know what the new trucks are. For the most many here have never seen one let along know much about them. I still have questions about it and thoughts I would like to confirm myself and I have seen both already. The first test drive for me will be very telling.
So before you debate refinement, weight and other issues get to know more about the truck and it will answer many questions you may have. Also forget the past as this is not the same truck. I almost wish they had changed the names as the last truck did little to enhance the names or represent where this truck is going.
Also compare the photos of the three GMC models on the web. You will see this while termed a mid size truck is not all the small. In a crew cab this is a good size truck and the weight is not bad for that size.
I am not 100% on this truck yet as I still have to get in it and drive it to answer some lingering thoughts. As of right now I get what they are doing and will watch to see how this plays out.
The bottom line is less mass is more MPG and even if you make a all aluminum Silverado or F150 it will not be enough to meet the CAFE with 2,000,000 trucks sold a year in 2025-2030.
The very first time i saw the pictures of this truck – Chevrolet Colorado 2015 – I fell in love. Just can wait to have this truck here in Puerto Rico. Sales will be espectacular and the Taco will be a thing of the past!!
I’m still waiting for someone to bring back the small truck segment. I love the size of the ford ranger, I just want that with a I4 built today. I don’t need a big truck to haul heavy stuff, just a small truck to drive daily, use for my kayak and camping. Yeah I can do that with a suv, but a truck is just more usefull than a suv.