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2017 Chevrolet Colorado (U.S. & Canadian Version)

The Chevrolet Colorado line of mid-size pickup trucks receives several updates and changes for the 2017 model year, including a new 3.6L V-6 engine, 8-speed automatic transmission, and more.

This entry is about the Chevrolet Colorado sold in Canada and the United States of America. Information about the International-market Colorado sold in Asia, Australia, and South America can be found at this link: 2017 Chevrolet Colorado International markets.

The most significant update for the 2017 Colorado is an all-new 3.6L V-6 LGZ engine and eight-speed transmission, a combination unmatched in the midsize segment.

Stan Ludlow, chief engineer of the 2017 Colorado, says that the new engine and transmission were calibrated to emphasize performance and refinement while optimizing fuel economy.

New 3.6L V-6 LGZ Engine

“The Colorado is currently the most fuel-efficient pickup truck in America, with an EPA-estimated 31 mpg highway when equipped with the diesel engine. As such, for the new V-6 and eight-speed combination we focused on improving everyday driving performance”, says Ludlow. Drivers will immediately notice that it pulls harder when accelerating from a stop or passing on the highway; it is more confident pulling a trailer up a steep grade and it is more refined cruising at a constant highway speed.”

Assigned production code LGZ represents the second generation of Chevrolet’s double-overhead-cam engine architecture. It features the same 3.6L displacement as the 3.6L V-6 LFX it replaces but adds an updated suite of advanced engine technologies, including:

  • Improved variable valve timing for intake and exhaust
  • Improved direct injection
  • Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation), which disables two cylinders under light throttle applications

Horsepower and torque increase to an SAE-certified 308 horsepower (230 kW) at 6,800 rpm and 275 pound-feet (373 Nm) at 4,000 rpm, up 3 horsepower and 6 pound-feet from the LFX’s 305 horsepower (227 kW) and 269 pound-feet of torque (365 Nm).

New 8-Speed 8L45 Automatic Transmission

The new engine 3.6L V-6 LGZ is mated to the class-exclusive eight-speed automatic.

The GM-developed Hydra-Matic 8L45 is roughly the same size and weight as the 6L80 six-speed automatic it replaces, but offers a wider 7.0 overall gear ratio spread than the 6L80 transmission’s 6.0 ratio. This results in a numerically-higher first gear ratio, helping drivers start off more confidently with a heavy load or when trailering, and numerically lower rear axle ratios that reduce engine rpm on the highway for improved efficiency.

Extensive use of aluminum and magnesium, combined with similar packaging to the outgoing 6L80 transmission, equates to no increase in overall weight for Colorado models equipped with the new 8L45 transmission.

Other Powertrain Changes

The 2017 Chevy Colorado also adds the AutoTrac transfer case standard on 4WD models with gas engines, excluding WT trim level. What’s more, the trailer brake controller is now available with the new 3.6L V-6 LGZ engine and Z82 Trailering Package.

Rounding out the 2017 model’s powertrain changes is the deletion of the Performance Air Intake System as well as the Performance Intake and Exhaust Package. Both LPO-level items were calibrated for the outgoing 3.6L V-6 LFX engine.

Exterior

On the outside, the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado replaces two existing colors with four new ones:

Deleted Colors

  • Red Rock Metallic
  • Inferno Orange Metallic

New Colors

  • Graphite Metallic
  • Cajun Red Tintcoat
  • Laser Blue (mid-model year availability)
  • Orange Burst Metallic (mid-model year availability)

But that’s not all, as there are many more changes to the exterior.

Exterior deletions:

  • Body-color luxury package
  • Midnight Edition (for the LT trim level); the Z71 Midnight Edition remains available
  • Z71 Trail Boss
  • Bed Protection Package (LPO)
  • Exterior Convenience Package (LPO)
  • Bed net (LPO)
  • Metal bed storage box (LPO)
  • Utility rack load stops (LPO)
  • 18-inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels (LPO, SE4)

New exterior features:

  • Custom Special Edition for the Work Truck trim level that includes the following equipment:
    • Body-color grille
    • Body-color door handles
    • Outside power-adjustable, body-color, manual-folding mirrors
    • Body-color rear bumper
    • 18″ Dark Argent Metallic cast aluminum wheels
  • Chevrolet MyLink Radio with 7″ diagonal color touch-screen
  • Front Fog Lamp Kit (LPO, available on WT)
  • Cargo divider (LPO, available on all trims except Base/2SA)
  • Low-gloss Black Stripe Package that includes stripes on the hood and tailgate (LPO, available on all trims except Base/2SA)

That’s right, the 2017 model year of the midsize truck no longer offers the Colorado LT Midnight Edition or the Colorado Z71 Trail Boss models (thankfully, the Z71 Midnight Edition remains). Lastly, the equipment in the Colorado Chrome Appearance Package Plus (PDY) will now be included with Chrome Appearance Package (PDZ), with the Chrome Appearance Package Plus (PDY) being discontinued.

Interior

On the inside, the 2017 Colorado makes heated front cloth seats available as a free flow option on the LT trim level. In addition, the 4.2-inch IO4 MyLink radio is deleted, while the 7-inch diagonal Color Touchscreen MyLink radio IOB is introduced, with Teen Driver Mode becoming standard on all 2017 Colorado models.

And finally, the LPO-level protective rear seat cover becomes available on LT and Z71 Crew Cab models; it was not available on LT and Z71 in the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado.

Following is the complete list of RPO-level changes to the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado:

Deletions

  • Exterior color (G7P) Red Rock Metallic
  • Exterior color (GCR) Inferno Orange Metallic
  • (LFX) 3.6L SIDI DOHC V6 VVT engine
  • (IO4) Chevrolet MyLink, 4.2″ diagonal color screen with AM/FM stereo
  • (PCL) Body-Color Luxury Package
  • (PDL) Midnight Edition
  • (PCZ) Z71 Trail Boss
  • (PDG) Performance Intake and Exhaust Package, LPO
  • (VTG) Interior Trim Kit, Techno Steel, LPO
  • (PDM) Bed Protection Package, LPO
  • (PDP) Exterior Convenience Package, LPO
  • (RXQ) Bed net, LPO
  • (RW6) Metal bed storage box, LPO
  • (S42) Utility rack load stops, LPO
  • (SE4) 18″ 5-spoke aluminum wheels, LPO
  • (WBC) Cat-Back Performance Exhaust Upgrade System, LPO
  • (5W7) Performance Air Intake System, LPO

New Features

  • Exterior color (GPA) Graphite Metallic
  • Exterior color (GPJ) Cajun Red Tintcoat
  • (PCP) Custom Special Edition, includes:
    • (VAT) body-color grille, LPO
    • (D75) body-color door handles
    • (DL6) outside power-adjustable, body-color, manual-folding mirrors
    • (VT5) body-color rear bumper
    • (PZX) 18″ Dark Argent Metallic cast aluminum wheels
  • (IOB) Chevrolet MyLink Radio with 7″ diagonal color touch-screen (available 2WT and 4WT)
  • (LGZ) 3.6L DI DOHC V6 VVT engine
  • (M5T) 8-speed automatic transmission
  • (KA1) Heated front cloth seats are now available as a free flow option on LT models
  • (IOB) 7″ diagonal Color Touch Screen with MyLink
  • (TDM) Teen Driver Mode (standard on all models)
  • (S3U) Front Fog Lamp Kit, LPO (available on WT)
  • (SIZ) Cargo divider, LPO (available on all trims except 2SA)
  • (SB7) LPO, Stripe Package, low gloss Black, includes hood and tailgate (available on all trims except 2SA)

Changes

  • (S6W) Protective rear seat cover, LPO is now available on LT and Z71 Crew Cab models (was not available on LT and Z71 in 2016)
  • Exterior color (G7Z) Laser Blue is a mid-model year addition
  • Exterior color (GGQ) Orange Burst Metallic is a mid-model year addition
  • (NQ6) AutoTrac transfer case is now standard on 4WD models with gas engines (excluding WT models)
  • (JL1) Trailer brake controller is now available with (LGZ) 3.6L DI DOHC V6 engine and (Z82) Trailering Package
  • Contents of (PDY) Chrome Appearance Package Plus are now included with (PDZ) Chrome Appearance Package ([PDY] will no longer be offered)

Following were our expectations for the possible changes and updates to the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado prior to an official announcement from Chevrolet:

2017 Chevrolet Colorado (U.S. & Canadian Version) Pages

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