Chevrolet Philippines rolls out new Colorado pickup

MANILA, Philippines - Chevrolet Philippines—The Covenant Car Company Inc. (TCCCI) gives pickup enthusiasts something to be excited about as it introduces the all-new Chevrolet Colorado in the Philippines.

“Pick-ups are expected to have impressive power, torque and durability. These are essential attributes that every pickup buyer considers. With nearly a century of truck-building experience and innovation, the Chevrolet Colorado is set to raise the bar higher and redefine expectations of what an impressive truck is. Not only will the Chevy Colorado have best in class power, torque and acceleration, it will also have exceptional exterior/interior design, comfort and safety features that every truck or non-truck enthusiast can appreciate,” said Chevrolet Philippines—TCCCI, President and Managing Director Atty. Albert B. Arcilla.

The new Chevy truck has been subjected to a tough development and validation process, and has been tested in the toughest conditions around the world. The result is a midsize pickup that Chevrolt claims to be the best-in-class in terms of power, torque and acceleration over all terrains, and under all operating conditions.

At the heart of every Chevy Colorado is the new Duramax engine that comes in 2.5L and 2.8L displacements. The state-of-the-art engines are manufactured by GM’s new $200 million powertrain facility in Rayong, Thailand. The four-cylinder Duramax engine has been subjected to the same set of rigorous tests, under tough and varying engine loads as the V8 Duramax engine, in Africa, Asia and North and South America.

Both 2.8L 4x4 variants (manual and automatic) come with a Common-Rail Direct-Injection (CRDi) system and Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) with intercooler that provides efficient power delivery across the rpm band. It produces 180hp at 3,800 rpm and 470Nm at 2,000 rpm when mated to the Colorado’s six-speed automatic transmission. The five-speed manual transmission 4x4 variant produces 440Nm at 2,000 rpm.

The 2.5L four-cylinder 16-valve 4x2 version develops 150 hp at 3,800 rpm and delivers 350 Nm at 2,000 rpm. The 2.5L version is also equipped with a five-speed manual transmission.

The Chevrolet Colorado has a 3.5-ton towing capacity and over a ton of payload.

The Colorado 4x4 variants come with electric drive mode select that allows the operator to choose between two different 4x4 modes as well as 2WD. Shifting of drive modes while on the fly is possible up to the speed of 100 kph.

The all-new Colorado is built on a strong chassis that has dependable torsional rigidity, aided by eight cross members in its stepladder frame. In addition to rigidity, the stiffer chassis also allows engineers to dial out noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) from the cabin. Additionally, a stiffer chassis also aids in better driving feel and handling over all terrains.

The Colorado rides on a durable suspension system that can handle heavy loads while offering superior handling and comfort. It features a double-wishbone configuration with coil springs and stabilizer bar at the front, while the rear uses semi-elliptical leaf springs. All Colorado variants are Z71 high-stance models that have sufficient ground clearance to traverse through rough terrains and wade through water up to 800mm at 7 kph.

The all-new Chevy Colorado projects a bold, rugged look. At the front, Chevrolet’s internationally recognized gold bowtie and signature dual-port grille are complemented by two large projector-style chrome headlamps that flow into the front fenders. The side-beams of the large hood are three inches high and, together with the flared wheel arches, give the Colorado a high shoulder line and a bolder look. A tough metal sump-guard is integrated into the bottom of the front bumper that serves to protect the bottom of the powertrain from rugged terrain and also provides a tougher look to the front end.

Inside, Chevrolet did not hold anything back with the interior design and features of the truck. The larger overall dimensions of the Colorado allow more head and shoulder room while the ergonomically designed front seats have a large range of adjustments to accommodate a wider variety of driver and passenger physiques. The Colorado boasts 25 storage spaces to accommodate all sorts of items.

The Colorado has the signature ‘dual-cockpit’ front console that is inspired by the legendary Chevrolet Corvette’s. The design of the instrument cluster resembles that of the Chevrolet Camaro, while all displays, including the digital Driver Information System (DIS) between the speedometer and tachometer, are backlit with Chevrolet’s signature LED Ice-Blue illumination. The interior features a beige-and-black, two-toned color scheme, complete with metallic inserts to give a sleek and sporty feel.

Chevrolet Philippines offers a unique warranty program that will provide a more worry-free ownership experience. The Chevrolet Colorado is covered with a warranty for 3 years or 100,000 kilometers whichever comes first, and a 2-year warranty extension for the powertrain. Also, Chevrolet provides its new clients with free 3-year 24/7 Roadside assistance. Just by dialing 751 CHEV (2438) owners may avail of the following services: vehicle support, personal assistance and information service.

The Chevy Colorado comes in three variants with the following introductory prices: 2.5L 4x2 Manual transmission LT (P1,148,888); 2.8L 4x4 Manual transmission LTZ (P1,468,888); and 2.8L 4x4 Automatic transmission LTZ (P1,538,888).

With the launch of the Colorado, Chevrolet aims to continue the rapid growth in vehicle sales that it has enjoyed since TCCCI took over management of the brand in 2009. This year Chevrolet has grown by 49.9 percent year on year in vehicle sales and similarly the dealer network is set to expand to 19 dealership by the end of 2012, with five more to open early next year.