Chevrolet Colorado debuts new Duramax 2 in Australia

MY14 Colorado

GM has given its Chevrolet Colorado pickup and Colorado 7 SUV an update for 2014 – the refreshed models have been introduced in Australia, where the models are sold under the Holden brand name (the Colorado 7 is the Chevrolet Trailblazer).

Primary changes include the introduction of the new second-generation MY14 Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel engine – which was announced earlier in the month – on the Colorado models. Known as the Duramax 2, the mill makes its debut on the Colorado pickup in Australia, ahead of Thailand.

Other revisions include a new six-speed manual gearbox, an all-new app-enabled infotainment system and increased safety kit – it looks as if all the changes are under the skin.

In Australia, the entire Colorado (Crew Cab, Space Cab and Single Cab) and Colorado 7 range is equipped with the 2.8 litre version of the Duramax 2, which offers 200 PS (or 197 hp) and 500 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm, this with the six-speed automatic transmission in place. With the six-speed manual, horsepower remains the same, but the torque output is 440 Nm, available from a 1,600 to 2,800 rpm range.

MY14 Colorado 03

Aside from the new six-speed manual, revisions to the auto transmission have also been made, the improved calibration now including shift stabilisation in uphill and downhill modes as well as grade braking control to prevent unnecessary shifting between gears when travelling uphill.

The entire Colorado and Colorado 7 range now features Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist as well as a Descent Control System, with only the Colorado DX not getting the latter.

Elsewhere, the standard driver and front passenger airbags and full length curtain airbags now add front side impact airbags to the bag complement, as well as Rear Park Assist and a rear camera to all Colorado 7 models and the Colorado LTZ.

Infotainment-wise, MyLink is new to the fold – the seven-inch colour touchscreen system offers Bluetooth connectivity as well as embedded apps such as Pandora, Stitcher and TuneIn that allow users to create their own personal stations, stream their favourite podcasts, radio shows and news. There’s also a BringGo navigation app and Siri Eyes Free Mode for Apple iPhone users.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • showmetheranger on Oct 29, 2013 at 4:14 pm

    Awesome power and torque figures.
    The drawback is higher road tax here in peninsular
    due to higher engine capacity.
    Better than hilux is so many ways.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
    • Chris on Oct 29, 2013 at 5:21 pm

      Hey, it’s one step better than the Ford’s 3.2L 200ps inline 5.

      Used to think that’s a monster of an engine, but now you get more with 400cc less?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
      • Sam Hilux on Oct 29, 2013 at 5:42 pm

        Never,I had been to Perth,Australia before and I saw the Toyota Hilux more than Ford Ranger,Mazda BT 50 and this Holden Colorado.Holden is just a Chevrolet in Oz except their Commodore series which is awesome.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 8
    • Someguyonthenet on Oct 29, 2013 at 5:29 pm

      i agree, there are many other better pick-ups in the market today than the Hilux but people are still fooled by the brand.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • TS.Lim on Oct 29, 2013 at 4:41 pm

    Faster come to Msia with this new engine! with the trailblazer too!

    With such a figure (200PS/500Nm), easily become king of pick-up in Msia, even beat the 3.2L Ranger!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
    • lonelyobserve on Oct 29, 2013 at 7:27 pm

      Problem is whether these engines are tuned for using ULSD (ultra low sulphur diesel) only. If so then it is impossible to have engine update for Chevy Colorado here due to the quality of the diesel fuel (Euro 2M vs Euro IV and above).

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • But why did they reduce the torque so much for the manual version????!!!!!

    Adoi…. i want 500Nm AND a stick!!! 4×4 should be stick-driven lar!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
    • lonelyobserve on Oct 29, 2013 at 10:25 pm

      Actually manual gearbox does not detuned the torque compared to automatic transmission. Most probably the automatic gearbox is specifically designed for this engine so that it can squeeze more torque than the manual gearbox.

      But look at the bright side. Manual gearbox does have wider maximum torque bandwidth than automatic gearbox, which is pointed out by Anthony. Clearer picture on horsepower and torque curves can be found on this webpage, http://www.holden.com.au/cars/colorado/performance

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • colopark on Oct 30, 2013 at 9:09 am

    the beast of trucks. god father of trucks! best truck out there right now…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • isuzuki on Oct 31, 2013 at 11:45 am

    Truck nice…… but after sales service, parts availability and maintenance cost is important… too … to me :)
    PS: Anyone has URL for pickup trucks forum? TQVM

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Engineblock on Dec 28, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    Bring in the 6speed manual to Borneo..its more useful for real offroad condition here..automatic is not practical at the offroad.this beast surely get demand.but make sure the service spare parts are abundant.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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