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Here’s Why The 2023 Chevy Colorado And GMC Canyon Got A Longer Wheelbase

With the introduction of an all-new generation, both the 2023 Chevy Colorado and 2023 GMC Canyon received an extensive overhaul of virtually every component. One such update was an increase in wheelbase, which comes despite sharing the same general vehicle platform as the second-gen midsizers. Now, General Motors has disclosed the reasoning behind this significant change.

During a recent media briefing for the upcoming 2024 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison, GM engineers revealed that the 3.1-inch increase in wheelbase as compared to the preceding generation was implemented to allow the third-gen Colorado and Canyon to fit 35-inch tires.

This is an interesting development, considering that both the 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison and 2024 Canyon AT4X AEV Edition are equipped with 35-inch tires as standard affair.

It’s worth noting that although General Motors didn’t further elaborate on this intriguing detail, it certainly seems that engineers designed the Colorado and Canyon from the ground up with the range-topping off-roading monsters in mind.

Side profile of 2024 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison.

As a reminder, the 2023 Chevy Colorado is available with two engine options, including the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L2R gasoline engine, rated at 237 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine, which produces either 310 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque, or 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, depending on the tune. Meanwhile, the 2023 GMC Canyon is only available with the High Output tune of the 2.7L L3B.

Both midsize pickups feature an updated version of GM’s eight-speed automatic transmission.

Under the body panels, both midsizers ride on an updated variant of the GMT 31XX platform, while production for both takes place at the GM Wentzville plant in Missouri.

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As a typical Florida Man, Trey is a certified GM nutjob who's obsessed with anything and everything Corvette-related.

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Comments

  1. How about the extra wheelbase was for a longer box. 👍

    Reply
    1. Or like in the Silverado, increased stability…..

      Sounds like an instance of someone pulling a tidbit out of their butt when they actually don’t know the answer. Kinda like how californias plastic straw ban was bassed off a stat from a 10 year olds science project

      Reply
      1. Big giant tires with a tiny, vestigial, unusable bed, pathetic.

        Reply
  2. The reason for increased wheelbase of light duty trucks is CAFE regulations. It’s been the sole reason for 20+ years. The bigger the footprint the easier it is to meet CAFE requirements. It is also the main reason U.S. manufacturers no longer produce sedans, station wagons, and small regular cab short bed pickup trucks.

    Reply
    1. The regulators are running our lives.

      Reply
    2. Could you elaborate on the longer wheelbase being better for CAFE. I would really like to know the reason as it seems longer wheelbases for economy we would all be driving limousines.

      Reply
      1. The 2023 footprint is bigger by 8.3% than the 2022, which gives GM more “room” for fuel economy numbers.

        2022
        Wheelbase 128.5″
        Track 62.4″
        Footprint sq. ft 55.7

        2023
        Wheelbase 131.0″
        Track 66.3″
        Footprint sq. ft 60.3

        2023 footprint is 8.3% larger

        “Alex on autos” You Tube has a video on this EPA “play” Dec 2022. Can’t post links so you will need to do the search. Linked posts go to moderator jail.
        “Chevy’s Montana is Forbidden Fruit”

        Reply
  3. I guess these brain surgeons were asleep when they forgot to add in a power sliding rear window and homelink in a 52k truck.

    Reply
    1. not really, because that is just more profit for them. Charge more, give you less.

      Reply
  4. It sucks that my ZR2 desert boss went from an original Build date of April, pushed to early June, now it is late August/early September.

    Reply
  5. Too bad all this effort will be wasted on the vast majority of these trucks that will seldom ever see anything other than an occasional dirt road that most any car could easily traverse. And also too bad it resulted in a decrease in rear seat legroom, one cab and bed configuration, a substantial weight increase and decrease in highway fuel economy on volume 4X4 models. Hardly seems worth it.

    Reply
  6. Some encouraging news for people waiting on deliveries – my canyon denali (ordered in December) is finally due to hit the dealer on the 14th. So they say!

    Reply

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