The new midsize pickup -- on sale in fall 2014 -- is built off of GM's global Colorado, which it sells outside of the U.S., and the 2014 Chevy Silverado. But the Colorado surprisingly shares little exterior characteristics with the Silverado. Unlike the boxy Silverado, which GM released earlier this year, the Colorado is smooth and a bit sportier.Watch video
LOS ANGELES, CA- General Motors Co. was not shy about its ambitions for the new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado during its global reveal Wednesday at the 2013 LA Auto Show.
"It is a midsize offering that truck customers will find appealing for the combination of capability, refinement, maneuverability and fuel economy," said Mark Reuss, GM president of North America, during the vehicle's unveiling. "A truck that will really shake up the segment and leave the competition in the dust far behind."
Following Reuss' remarks and before the vehicle drove onto the stage, a video played of the Colorado passing a Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma on a track.
The new midsize pickup – on sale in fall 2014 – is built off of GM’s global Colorado, which it sells outside of the U.S., and the 2014 Chevy Silverado. But the Colorado surprisingly shares little exterior characteristics with the Silverado. Unlike the boxy Silverado, which GM released earlier this year, the Colorado is smooth and a bit sportier.
Compared to a Silverado crew cab, the Colorado is about 900 pounds lighter, 16 inches shorter, five inches narrower and three inches lower. GM plans to market the vehicle as a “lifestyle pickup” with numerous unique accessories, according to officials.
The Colorado will be available in an extended cab model with a six-foot bed, a crew cab with a five-foot bed and a crew cab with a six-foot bed.
2015 Chevrolet Colorado unveiled Nov. 20 at the 2013 LA Auto ShowGM will initially offer the Colorado with two engine options: A standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder estimated at 193 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque and a 3.6-liter V6 estimated at 302 horsepower (224 kW) and 270 lb.-ft. of torque.
For the 2016 model year, GM will also offer an all-new Duramax 2.8-liter turbodiesel – “greatly expanding the capabilities” of the pickup truck, according to GM.
GM did not announce pricing or fuel economy estimates for the Colorado.
The unveiling marks a new chapter for the midsize pickup truck segment, which GM believes it can grow with the Colorado and the GMC Canyon.
Automakers – particularly the Detroit Three – have gone away from offering any pickups smaller than full-size models, like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado.
GM phased out its Colorado and Canyon pickups last year. Crosstown rivals Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC ended production of the Ford Ranger and Dodge Ram Dakota in 2011.
Toyota Motor Corp. is currently the leader in the U.S. midsize truck segment with the Tacoma. The Japanese automaker sold 141,365 Tacoma models in 2012, a 16 percent increase from 2011. Through October, Tacoma sales were up nearly 17 percent to 134,123 trucks sold.
The Colorado is one of nearly 60 vehicles, including 22 world debuts, expected to be showcased at the 2013 LA Auto Show. The LA Auto Show, which is considered the start of the “auto show season” for automakers, is open to the public from Nov. 22 – Dec. 1.
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Michael Wayland covers the automotive industry for MLive. Email him at MWayland@mlive.com & follow him on Twitter @MikeWayland or Google+.