When General Motors launches its all-new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and 2015 GMC Canyon midsize pickup trucks this fall, the duo will bring a number of safety-related firsts to the midsize pickup truck segment, including an innovative patent-pending child safety seat feature.
Child Booster Seat Solution
Child booster seats may not fit in the rear jump seat in extended-cab midsize trucks due to the small amount of room, especially when manufacturers recommend to have at least 80 percent of the child restraint base fit on the seat cushion. So, GM engineers designed a solution that allows the rear seat headrest to be removed and inserted into the base of the seat horizontally, thereby becoming an additional point of support for the booster seat.
“It’s an elegant solution that makes efficient use of the limited space in the rear seat in this type of vehicle, by allowing us to adapt the seat cushion length for child restraint installation,” said GM safety performance team lead, Eduardo Bugelli. “The additional seat cushion length provides more support to the child restraint, which helps to reduce the rotation and the risk of injury in a crash.”
Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning
The Colorado and Canyon are also the first midsize trucks to offer Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning systems, which are part of the available Driver Alert Package. Forward Collision Alert technology alerts the driver if the truck is closing in on a vehicle in front of it too quickly, while Lane Departure Warning alerts the driver if the truck begins drifting over a lane line when traveling at least 35 mph.
In addition to the child safety seat solution and new safety technologies, the Colorado and Canyon are the only midsize pickups to have a cab structure made from over 70 percent high-strength steel and to offer six standard air bags, including head curtain side air bags that can reduce the risk of ejection from the vehicle.
We’ve included a video demonstration of the child safety seat feature below.
Comment
if GM is starting to release feature vids, we can’t be far off from having exact engine performance specs as well as est. fuel rating.. and more importantly price structure and on sale date.
Can’t wait to order mine this Fall. Thinking: Canyon in either cyber gray or bronze w/ crew cab, 4×4, E80, leather, trailering, maybe All Terrain unless it’s already required to get the G80.