Chevrolet Colorado Diesel

The Chevrolet Colorado Diesel was a variant of the Colorado pickup truck with a turbodiesel engine. It was first introduced for the 2016 model year, and was produced across a single generation.

Quick Facts

Model Years	2016 – 2022
Platform	GMT 31XX
Engine	Turbocharged 2.8L I4 LWN
Transmission	Six-Speed Auto
Production	GM Wentzville Plant, Missouri, U.S.A.
Segment	Midsize Pickup Truck
Availability	U.S.A., Canada

First Generation (Second-Gen Colorado)

Chevrolet Colorado Diesel

Model Years	2016 – 2022
Assembly Location	GM Wentzville Plant, Missouri, U.S.A.
Segment	Midsize Pickup Truck
Availability	U.S.A., Canada
Layout	Front-Engined, Longitudinal
Engine(s)	Turbocharged 2.8L I4 LWN
Transmission(s)	Six-Speed Automatic 6L50 MYB
Drive Wheels	Rear-Wheel Drive, Four-Wheel Drive
Platform	GMT 31XX
Refresh(es)	2021 model year

Making its debut one year after the launch of the second-generation 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, the Colorado Diesel – and its platform mate, the GMC Canyon Diesel – was the only diesel offering in the North American midsize pickup truck market. Despite developing less horsepower than the entry-level powertrain, the 2.8L I4 LWN turbodiesel “baby” Duramax produced the most torque of all Colorado engines. This – coupled with respectable fuel economy figures and resulting driving range – made the Colorado Diesel an attractive offering, particularly for enthusiasts.

When opting for the Baby Duramax, Colorado Diesel units also received the following additional equipment, including (relevant RPO code in parenthesis):

Exhaust brake (K40)
Trailer brake controller (JL1)
Transfer case – 4WD only (NQ6)
17-inch Blade Silver Metallic cast aluminum wheels – WT only (Q5U)
16-inch steel spare wheel (S1K)
P255/65R17 all-season blackwall tires – WT only (QHR)
P265/70R16 all-season blackwall spare tire (ZJJ)

Chevrolet Colorado Diesel

The Colorado Diesel was discontinued with the arrival of the third generation Colorado for the 2023 model year. The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado (and newer) switches to two gasoline engines – the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L2R and the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B. Interestingly, the L3B makes more power and torque than the LWN. Regardless, the 2.8L I4 LWN diesel engine was only available in the second-gen Colorado.

Year	Engine	Fuel	Aspiration	Transmission	Horsepower @ RPM	Torque @ RPM
2016 – 2022	2.8L I4 LWN	Diesel	Turbocharged	Six-Speed Auto 6L50 MYB	181 @ 3400	369 @ 2000

It’s worth noting that the Chevrolet Colorado’s international variants – the Holden Colorado and Chevrolet S10 – were offered with the XLD25 and XLD28 turbodiesel engines, which are related to the LWN Duramax in the Colorado Diesel.