The Chevrolet Colorado has been an utter hit for The Bowtie brand, with demand continuing to outpace production capacity — not a bad problem to have in the slightest. Now, Chevrolet has officially introduced the configuration many mid-size truck buyers have been waiting for, at least from the sounds of it: the 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel has officially arrived for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado.
Chevrolet says the engine, which makes 369 pound-feet of torque can, withstand 7,700 pounds of towing capacity, while delivering fuel economy that surpasses that of the gasoline-powered Colorado. It is also the cleanest diesel truck ever produced by GM.
“Simply put, there’s no other midsize truck that can do what Colorado can with its all-new Duramax diesel,” said Sandor Piszar, director of Chevrolet Truck Marketing. “Along with greater capability and efficiency, it expands the Colorado lineup to give customers more choices and the capability of exploring more possibilities on and off the road.”
The 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel has global roots within General Motors. The engine has been engineered with a variable-geometry turbocharger, providing smooth power delivery across the power band. Horsepower figures are officially rated at 181 ponies, but the low-end grunt of 369 pound-feet arrives at 2,000 RPM.
“It is a no-compromise turbocharged engine that is also really fun to drive, with excellent responsiveness,” said Scott Yackley, assistant chief engineer. “It was also designed specifically for trucks and has undergone many of the same validation tests as the 6.6L Duramax, contributing to legendary Duramax durability and reliability.”
Noise and vibration has been kept to a minimum in the 2.8-liter Duramax oil burner, too. The engine’s Centrifugal Pendulum Vibration Absorber (CPVA) controls harsh vibrations and unpleasant noises, marking the first time the device has been used in a GM vehicle, and in the mid-size truck segment. The 2016 Colorado diesel even takes a cue from bigger brother, the Chevy Silverado, in providing a driver-selectable exhaust brake system, thereby, reducing brake pad wear.
Chevrolet states the 2016 Colorado diesel will arrive this fall, and will be offered on LT and Z71 Crew Cab models, in two- and four-wheel drive. Expect the price to be $3,730 higher when compared to a similarly-equipped 2016 Colorado with the 3.6L V6 LFX gasoline engine.
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Comments
No more CUV’s please. GM, please take these Colorado parts and put them in a Trailblazer. I don’t care how you do it. Just get it done. Otherwise, I’ll buy a Wrangler.
Nailgun – so what’s your rental of choice going to be when your Wrangler spends more time on the hoist than on it’s wheels? Enjoy the “awesome” fuel economy the rough riding, air leaking box Jeep has been passing off on people for years…
What, so maybe Chrysler is the single manufacturer MORE unreliable than GM? That’s nothing to brag about.
And don’t diss the Wrangler, it the most quintessential American vehicle out there.
Is that paired to a 6L80?
I like it. I’m glad it’s finally here. Now they just need to up the power a little bit. I’d like to see 200-250 hp and 400-500 ft-lbs. maybe the aftermarket will get it there.
I’m sure aftermarket will take care of that for you.
For the better part of a decade, on various forums on the Internet, there’s always a large majority lamenting the fact as to “Why can’t GM bring a small diesel over” and “put it in a small truck or SUV” resulting in “if they did that I’d buy one in a second”…well here it is, an excellent engine in just the right vehicle for it… time to put money where the mouth is.
Of course they’ll now be complaints about the tranny or the HP, putting it just out of reach (at best) or “GM dropped the ball” (by not giving me exactly what I want (if I could even afford it)”
Lutz you nailed it. they are a bunch of closet talkers.
When will the 2015/16 Chevy Colorado ever be RHD?
Hate to bring up the question when the 2.8L diesel is now coming available , but why 2.8 when Chrysler ‘s model is 3L ? Wouldn’t a 3.3L diesel been more suitable , with a stronger Hp/Torque and probably not much difference in fuel economy ? This would certainly be more appropriate as future GM heavier off road models are offered and owner mods to wheel and suspension are done . A 3.3L would also not work as hard and be longer lasting , just saying !
This should be available with any cab or trim level. I’m tired of GM packaging in order to upcharge customers.