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  • Drew Dowdell
    Drew Dowdell

    By Drew Dowdell •

    Two Wheel Drive Chevy Colorado Diesel Gets 31 MPG Highway Estimate

      EPA also states there are no issues with the diesel's emissions control systems.

    The Chevrolet Colorado Duramax today took the title of most fuel efficient truck available away from the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. The Colorado Duramax two wheel drive models are rated for estimated 31 mpg highway and four wheel drive models are estimated at 29 mpg highway. City and combined ratings are 22/25 and 20/23 respectively.

     

    For comparison, the 2.5 liter 4-cylinder is 20/27 mpg city/highway, and the 3.6 liter V6 2WD is rated at 18/26.

     

    Additionally, the EPA issued a Certificate of Conformity for the Duramax stating there were no issues with the emissions control system, this extra statement included no doubt due to the recent Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal.

     

    The 2.8 liter 4-cylinder turbo diesel produces 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque and mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and can sip B20 bio-diesel if needed.

     

    One of the main selling points to the Colorado Duramax, aside from the fuel economy, is the towing ability. The 2WD model is rated for 7,700 pounds and the 4WD model is rated for 7,600 pound when equipped with the proper tow package, an increase of 700 pounds. Further helping with towing duties are the diesel exhaust braking feature and integrated trailer brake controller.

     

    Opting for the Duramax will set you back an additional $3,730 over a similarly equipped 3.6 liter gasoline V6.

     

    2016 Chevrolet Colorado Duramax 1

     

    Press Release on Page 2

     

    Source: Chevrolet Media
    Photos: Drew Dowdell - CheersandGears.com

     

     

    For Immediate Release: Monday, Nov. 9, 2015

     


    Chevrolet Colorado Diesel: America’s Most Fuel Efficient Pickup

    • 2016 Colorado two-wheel drive model offers EPA-estimated 31 mpg highway
    • Up to 7,700 pounds of trailering when properly equipped

     


    DETROIT – Chevrolet today confirmed that the 2016 Colorado two-wheel drive with the Duramax turbo-diesel will be the most fuel efficient pickup in America, offering an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated 31 mpg highway fuel economy.

     

    The EPA-estimated highway fuel economy for 2016 Colorado four-wheel drive diesel is 29 mpg.

     

    The EPA has issued a Certificate of Conformity for the Chevrolet Colorado Duramax diesel. The agency expressed no issues or concerns following its recent extensive testing and evaluation of the emission control system on the Colorado Duramax diesel.

     

    With the Colorado’s 21-gallon fuel tank, the 2WD model offers an estimated maximum highway range of 651 miles per tank.

     

    “The Colorado Duramax diesel is in a league of its own,” said Sandor Piszar, director of Chevrolet Truck Marketing. “Colorado’s gas models already led the segment in fuel efficiency, and the new diesel – which no other non-GM competitor offers on a midsize truck – gives customers even greater freedom to go where they want with fewer fill-ups.”

     

    The 2016 Colorado diesel 2WD offers an EPA estimated 22 mpg city and 25 mpg combined. The 4WD model offers an EPA estimated 20 mpg city and 23 mpg combined.

     

    Colorado Duramax diesel’s fuel economy complements segment-leading capability, including maximum trailering ratings of up to 7,700 pounds (3,492 kg) on 2WD models and up to 7,600 pounds (3,447 kg) for 4WD models with the available trailering package.

     

    Colorado’s all-new 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel engine generates 181 horsepower (135 kW) and 369 lb-ft of torque (500 Nm). It is paired with the Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic transmission, which uses a unique Centrifugal Pendulum Vibration Absorber in the torque converter to reduce powertrain noise and vibration.

     

    A variable-geometry turbocharger helps optimize power and efficiency across the rpm band, while a balance shaft contributes to smoothness. Colorado’s diesel is engineered to be B20-capable.

     

    Two new features add control and confidence to the Colorado diesel: smart diesel exhaust braking and an integrated trailer brake controller. Smart diesel exhaust braking enhances vehicle control and reduces brake wear by reducing the need for breaking on downgrades. The integrated trailer brake controller works with the antilock brake system to provide immediate and measured brake force, eliminating the need for an aftermarket trailer brake controller.

     

    The Colorado diesel goes on sale this fall, offered in LT and Z71 Crew Cab models, with 2WD or 4WD. Pricing for the diesel engine option is $3,730 more than a comparably equipped 3.6L V-6 model.

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    ccap41

    Dang, that's impressive. That means that in the real world you could realistically expect a 35mpg truck rolling around(with a light foot and modest speeds).

     

    Ya know what? For some reason I didn't realize till now that the 2.8 was a v6. For some reason I was thinking it was a large 4, probably because turbo diesels have done that before. I could see anybody who puts even a decent amount of miles on their trucks to be able to justify the additional price.

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    El Kabong

    From a customer relations point of view, the EPA Certificate of Confirmity probably goes even further towards selling this thing than the mileage figures. Smart move on GM's part to emphasize that.

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    Drew Dowdell
      On 11/10/2015 at 3:24 PM, El Kabong said:

    From a customer relations point of view, the EPA Certificate of Confirmity probably goes even further towards selling this thing than the mileage figures. Smart move on GM's part to emphasize that.

     

    quite true.

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    smk4565

    Pretty good, would have been nice if the 4wd model hit 30 mpg highway.  The Grand Cherokee diesel is 30 mpg highway with a V6, I would have thought the Colorado might be like 30 mpg with 4wd and 33 in rear drive.  But still better than the gas engines.

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    Drew Dowdell
      On 11/11/2015 at 3:41 AM, smk4565 said:

    Pretty good, would have been nice if the 4wd model hit 30 mpg highway.  The Grand Cherokee diesel is 30 mpg highway with a V6, I would have thought the Colorado might be like 30 mpg with 4wd and 33 in rear drive.  But still better than the gas engines.

     

    The JGC has the 8-speed auto.

     

    That said, my limited drive in the Colorado Duramax 4x4 showed that it is indeed capable of over 30mpg highway.  I think it is another case of the EPA MPG test not being kind to diesels.  Pretty much every diesel available that isn't in a heavy duty truck soundly beats its EPA highway estimate. 

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    smk4565

    I think most diesels beat the highway estimate also.  But for comparison reasons, you have to compare the EPA sticker.  The Grand Cherokee could probably beat it's number just as easily as a Colorado could.   $3,700 seems like a big price premium though, that might slow down the take rate.

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    Drew Dowdell
      On 11/12/2015 at 3:05 AM, smk4565 said:

    I think most diesels beat the highway estimate also.  But for comparison reasons, you have to compare the EPA sticker.  The Grand Cherokee could probably beat it's number just as easily as a Colorado could.   $3,700 seems like a big price premium though, that might slow down the take rate.

     

    In my experience, the Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel does beat it the highway EPA, but not by the drastic numbers the VWs do.  JGC ED is good for about 33 - 34 highway.... but that is still a fantastic number when you think about what that vehicle is. 

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    ocnblu

    So, you're saying the beer can F-150 isn't getting 40 mpg?  You're saying the beer can F-150 is not the most fuel efficient truck?  It's not even the most fuel efficient full size truck?  WAS I LIED TO?  ;)

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