Chevrolet News:Chevrolet Updates Colorado's V6, Adds Eight-Speed Auto

[William Maley]

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In light of fresh competition in the form of the refreshed Toyota Tacoma and new Honda Ridgeline, Chevrolet has announced some updates for the 2017 Colorado.

First is a new 3.6L V6 producing 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque (up 3 horsepower and 6 pound-feet). Changes to the engine include a revised direct injection system, updated variable valve timing, and cylinder deactivation. We can't help but wonder if this is the same engine that resides in a number of Cadillac models. A new eight-speed automatic transmission is hooked up to the V6. The transmission features a higher first gear (helps with towing or hauling a heavy load) and lower rear axle ratios will improve fuel economy.

At the moment, we don't have EPA numbers for the V6 or pricing details. We do know the 2017 Colorado will go on sale later this year. Expect a similar announcement for the GMC Canyon in the near future.

Source: Chevrolet
Press Release is on Page 2

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Chevrolet Colorado Resets the Bar for Midsize Segment

• 2017 model updated with all-new V-6 and class-exclusive eight-speed automatic

DETROIT – For 2017, the Chevrolet Colorado offers an all-new V-6 engine and class-exclusive eight-speed automatic. It is the latest major update for Colorado, which entered the market for model year 2015. Chevrolet is on track to sell more than 160,000 Colorados in the first 24 months on the market, reigniting the midsize segment.

“Customers made the Colorado an overnight success and it remains one of the industry’s hottest-selling products,” said Anita Burke, Colorado chief engineer. “That fast success has justified our continued investment in midsize pickups, introducing new features for our customers such as the class-exclusive diesel engine, advanced technologies like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and now a class-leading V-6 and eight-speed automatic powertrain combination.”

Class-exclusive powertrain combination 
The most significant update for the 2017 Colorado is an all-new V-6 engine and eight-speed transmission, creating a combination that’s unmatched in the midsize segment.

According to Stan Ludlow, chief engineer for the 2017 Colorado, the engine and transmission were calibrated to emphasize performance and refinement while optimizing fuel economy: “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. 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.”

This second generation of Chevrolet’s double-overhead-cam engine architecture retains the same 3.6L displacement as before, with an updated suite of advanced engine technologies. This includes improved variable valve timing for intake and exhaust, improved direct injection and for the first time, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation), which disables two cylinders under light throttle applications. Horsepower and torque increase to an SAE-certified 308 hp (230 kW) at 6,800 rpm and 275 lb-ft (373 nM) at 4,000 rpm.

The engine 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. However, the eight-speed automatic 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.

The 2017 model year updates, including the new V-6 and eight-speed combination, will arrive at dealerships in the fourth quarter of this year. 

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[ccap41]

Nice to see the expansion of their 8spd getting put to good use. I heard the epa ratings are more stringent for 2017 but even if this doesn't change, that's an improvement.

[G. David Felt]

Wonder if they will up the figures on the diesel as they fine tune the programing. A hybrid system aka using the Volt system in a truck would be cool also.

[ocnblu]

Seems like worthy (if minor) changes.  Would like to see if there are any color and trim changes.  The order guide still does not include the 2017 Colorado.

[smk4565]

I think the 2.0T could be good, it makes more torque at lower rpm than the 3.6 and trucks are about low end torque, not rev to 6,500 rpm V6s.

[ocnblu]

6 hours ago, smk4565 said:

I think the 2.0T could be good, it makes more torque at lower rpm than the 3.6 and trucks are about low end torque, not rev to 6,500 rpm V6s.

Ford might do that... tiny turbo engine, but I would hope GM realizes that a larger NA engine will last longer and give favorable fuel mileage.

[William Maley]

16 hours ago, dfelt said:

Wonder if they will up the figures on the diesel as they fine tune the programing. A hybrid system aka using the Volt system in a truck would be cool also.

 

Maybe for 2018 or later. The Duramax is unchanged for 2017.

 

[Drew Dowdell]

I think they still need to put the 4.3 in there.... it would be a great torque machine with that 8-speed.  The torque comes on faster than on the 3.6

[loki]

drew, just speculation.. but do you think the 4.3L will go away by 2020?