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GM Subjected The Chevy Colorado To These Five Water Intrusion Tests During Its Development

For one reason or another, GM has two global midsize trucks that are more different than they are alike. Of course, we’re referring to The General’s two Colorados: the International-market Chevrolet Colorado (available in markets outside of North America) and the North American-market 2015 Colorado (and 2015 Canyon). Although they’re visually and mechanically different, both Colorados undergo similar development and testing procedures. Take, for instance, tests to ensure the trucks are resistant to water intrusion.

“Truck customers around the world expect to get to their destination no matter what’s happening outside the vehicle – be it a flooded road, river crossing or storm,” said Kevin Dunn, GM global vehicle performance owner for splash contaminants. “When you think of all the sensitive equipment on trucks these days it is critical to ensure that Colorado customers will never have to worry about how their truck will perform under extreme conditions.”

From drunk tanks to water booth tests to flooded trenches, GM puts the trucks through a series of tests at its Milford Proving Ground in order to ensure that the truck performs well in wet conditions. The tests include:

1. Dunk Tank

GM’s dunk tank simulates static water fording, like when customers are idling in deep water during flood conditions like those that frequently occur during Thailand’s rainy season.

First, the truck is driven into the dunk tank. Then, water floods into the tank up to the truck’s rocker panel. This allows engineers to examine the effect on underbody and chassis components, such as electrical wires and venting systems. The dunk tank is the newest of GM’s water tests, inspired in part by the kind of severe flooding that occurred in Thailand during the 2011 monsoon season.

2. Universal Water Test

GM’s universal water test booth uses 330 nozzles to spray 3,123 liters (825 gallons) per minute for eight minutes from the bottom, sides and top. The test helps determine long-term reliability by testing the robustness of a vehicle’s door and window seals to ensure no water leaks into the cabin during a severe rainstorm or other wet conditions. The test also helps ensure that water doesn’t interfere with powertrain venting systems and other underbody components.

3. Mist Test

The universal water test booth also enables a test that simulates the kind of misty conditions found in places like northern Thailand, when a fine mist can creep into areas of a vehicle that larger drops of water do not. This can potentially create a leak by having water wick through weatherstrips with low compression.

4. Deep Fording Trough Test

GM’s 15-meter outdoor deep fording trough is designed for slow treks through water, like a stream crossing during a camping trip when water intrusion can compromise transmission fluids and powertrain components like the rear exhaust.

5. High-Pressure Sprayers

GM engineers use high-pressure sprayers (7,584 kPa) to test charge ports, powertrain vent and fuel vent systems, as well as vehicle air induction systems behind grille openings to ensure that consumers who do the same won’t damage components.

“Hopefully, most of our truck customers will never have to deal with extreme water conditions, but in case they do they can take solace in the fact that we’ve designed our vehicle components to handle it,” Dunn said.

Fording through some water

Fording through some water

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Comments

  1. GM lost my interest after I got to see the Colorado’s interior in person. For a $35K vehicle to use cheap feeling, hard plastic dash and door materials is shameful no matter how water tight they are. For them to brag about how nice it is compared to the decade old competition, is ridiculous. It’s like GM wants to punish Colorado owners for not buying the Canyon. Moreover, the exclusion of an Auto 4WD mode in the Colorado is a pathetic mistake. Also, why can’t I buy full leather in the Z-71? $35K for this?

    GM simply doesn’t understand that people born in the 80’s and 90’s want to be able to choose option in a flexible, a la carte way. We don’t want to be tied to limiting packages, or corporate shenanigans used to manage brands. Colorado fans should not be punished for liking the Colorado’s looks more than the Canyons. Both trucks should have an option for a luxury interior, not just the GMC. The exterior is enough to differentiate them.

    I guess the bean counters are back in charge again.

    Bottom line, I anxiously waited for this truck as the diesel, when it arrives, is the perfect vehicle for my situation. But after seeing the interior in person, and realizing that GM just went back to doing exactly what got it in trouble years ago, I’m not longer interested.

    Reply
    1. I find this interesting.

      I on the otherhand don’t understand why a company would waste money on interior. I’m buying a truck to be a truck, not to be a luxury car- if I wanted a luxury car, I’d buy a cadillac. GMC is the one “truck” brand that can venture there. Chevy can’t.

      I want hard plastic thats easy to clean and can stand up to abuse. I don’t want soft touch that mars, cracks, and tears when I jab it with stuff I’m hauling.

      A luxury interior fits with the GMC more than the Chevy- it fits the brand. Chevy is a utilitarian brand, GMC is a luxury-utility crossover. I’d say if you want a touch of luxury, buy a GMC! I think that might actually HURT Chevy’s brand appeal.

      And $35k for this- wow. What a bargain. The average CAR sold in the united states is $31,252. So in other words, for $3750 more than the “average” car, you get a full truck with heated seats, backup cameras, so many safety and tech features, great towing, and good fuel economy.

      At least GMs “limited packages” are better than some other brands, like Hyundai which has 1-2 “packages” available and thats it. a la carte is expensive and less profitable. GM is still a business, but with that being said in many ways I do agree with the a la carte desire. Unfortunately since NO ONE offers it, there’s very little incentive to do so since it means lost revenues and lower profit margins.

      I find it interesting how differently two people can see something like this. Some of your thoughts are valid, but it can be polarizing!

      Reply
    2. Christ man, what do you want? Go buy a Benz SUV, nobody’s forcing you to buy a Chevy.

      Reply
  2. I agree with Revenant. And to arach, I say that I am one that uses a truck for extended periods of time on the highway. There I want a nice, comfortable interior that looks good and has all the tech goodies – navigation, telephone, wi-fi, weather conditions up ahead, etc.). When I get to my destination, the hard, off road work begins. I need a truck that has 4 WD and a suspension that can tackle trails.

    But in the end, it doesn’t matter because both the Colorado and the Canyon miss the mark. Oh, sure they are quiet and their ride is smooth. Having driven the V-6 version of the Colorado with Z-71 package, I find the power adequate but I find the drive train and transmission lacking in smoothness.

    Moreover, I find the interior room of the Colorado confining. The seats are not comfortable – I am 5’9″ – and for me, impossible to adjust to a comfortable position. The seat cushion is too short and lacks support for your legs. The back seat requires a contortionist to get in and out off. And the leg room would be adequate only for someone 5’5″ tall or shorter. With the driver’s seat adjusted to the mid-way position – where I would place it – I could not get comfortable in the back seat and my feet and knees were up against the back of the front seat.

    Now I know that this is a mid-sized truck. But so is my Ridgeline. The Ridgeline is not anywhere near as quiet as the Colorado, but it is roomier, its seats are much more comfortable and the leg room in the back is more than adequate for my 6′ 3″ friend who rides back there often. In addition, the rear door openings are wide enough that ingress and egress is done without even thinking about it. Another shortcoming of the Ridgeline is its short bed. However, the in-bed trunk more than makes up for this. And I have had a full size Suzuki King Quad 750 on the Ridgeline’s bed, with the tailgate open.

    All this to say that the abrupt downshifting, interior room, uncomfortable seats and constrained rear seats are deal breakers for me. I was seriously considering the Colorado. But now I guess I will wait for the new Ridgeline which is supposed to come out sometime in 2016. My current Ridgeline is a 2006 and I have 158,000 trouble free (very trouble free) miles on it.

    A mid-size truck that is comfortable, has a fully loaded interior and can handle the rough outdoors is what I need. The Ridgeline, except for the road noise, has met my needs for almost 10 years (I bought it in 2005).

    Reply
  3. I like the international version. U.S. version looks “bulky” to me. Anybody agree?

    Reply
  4. I was in a loaded Crew last July and it was fine for the price range It is in. I would not want the interior to be too plush but I don’t want it bare bones either. It is comfortable but able to take a beating too. No matter what it is a long way better than the last gen GM had.
    I am right at 6 foot and felt fine in the truck and it reminded me much of our Terrain sitting behind the wheel.

    Anyone complaining about price has not been shopping the full size market very well. By the time you get this truck out the door vs. the same thing in a full size it will be at the least $12K more for the full size depending on your deal.

    As for the sliding rear window I would agree in a standard cab but in a crew or extended cab just open the back windows. I have had sliders in my last two trucks and I seldom touched them. I also expect the aftermarket will offer them and dealers can pop them in in a half hour or less. Many will toss it in just to make the sale in many cases as they are cheap.

    The way I see it this is not a truck for everyone but it is a truck that many will buy. I really have no need for a full size but I do not get overly dramatic over the higher prices for a truck that is just not for me.

    As for option packages it is what it is as most of the industry is there. Trucks are easier and cheaper to build in specified packages. Also the more options the more profitable a truck is. Building vehicles are all about making money and if you can make an attractive package to the majority and make more money by doing it they will.

    But like I said this is not a truck for everyone but the vast majority will be fine with it. GM nor anyone else is ever going to make everyone happy and all you can hope for is the majority and I think they will do that.

    Reply
  5. What a bunch of winey brats, I want leather I want AWD WAAA. These trucks are great these days and 35k is not that much for a loaded truck that can pull 7k and get good mileage when your not hauling. I’m gonna wait for the duramax 4cyl and then see what kind of deals they have. As far as I’m concerned anything more than a radio in a truck is a luxury.

    Reply
    1. Totally agree. Half these guys probably don’t even have blue collar jobs. They just like pretty things. Who cares? As a contractor it’s about capability.

      Reply
  6. I just bought a crew cab Chevrolet Colorado on 12/20/2014. The second day I owned it, we had normal rain and the entire driver side floor was covered in water. Dealership said it was a bad seal on the plastic shielding in between the windshield and the hood. The day after I brought it home from the fix, we had another rain storm. When I opened the drivers side door, water pooled out from the rocker panel. I dont think the leak is fixed. Beware of this issue…. I’d hate for someone else’s 35k truck to be filled with water like mine was.

    Reply
    1. Do you have a sunroof?

      Reply
  7. I just bought a 2019 Colorado. Barely two months old and roof is leaking. The automatic transmission does not shift smoothly. I love the size of the truck and the interior. That all being said I’ve dealt with nothing but rude employees at the dealership. Only two out of the ten people I’ve had to deal with there. Had me leaving there this morning like the leak is my fault.

    Reply

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