Next-gen Colorado
All-new pickup from General Motors' mass-market brand makes it world premiere at the 32th Bangkok International Motor Show
Published: 25/03/2011 at 08:59 AM
Bangkok Post: Newspaper section: Motoring
The Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck is stealing the limelight of the 32th Bangkok International Motor Show, which kicks off today at Impact in Muang Thong Thani.
Although it is still billed as a concept vehicle, Chevrolet Sales Thailand has confirmed that the next-generation pickup will hit Thai showrooms later this year.
General Motors' mass-market brand has previewed the concept to the media on Monday night this week at a glitzy unveiling on the banks of the Chao Phraya River adjacent to the famous Wat Arun historical land site.
Executives of GM said Thailand was chosen to stage the global debut of the Colorado Show Truck, as the country is home to the world's largest mid-sized pickup market.
The Colorado will come with rear access panels for the extended-cab model.
As seen in these first official pictures, the Colorado is set to return with a prominent face featuring a pronounced ``bow-tie'' design language.
Exclusive details include LED lights, blown fenders, side-view mirrors with indicator lights integrated into them, front air-diffuser and 20-inch mag wheels. However, most of these items are unlikely to reach production.
For the first time, the Colorado in extended-cab form is set to feature rear access panels for enhanced practicality. Rival models already using this door format are Ford Ranger, Mazda BT-50, Nissan Navara and Toyota Hilux Vigo.
According to sources at Chevrolet, there will be other body derivatives including standard-cab and four-door double-cab.
A sport-utility vehicle variation will round off the Colorado assault in Thailand, as confirmed by the American company last year, to match the Ford Everest, Isuzu MU7, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner.
Powering the Colorado concept is a new 2.8-litre diesel-turbo engine, although no power or torque outputs have been disclosed yet. Chevrolet, however, promises a broad torque band for easy cargo and towing capability.
A smaller four-cylinder diesel engine is also in the works to ensure that the Colorado can maintain market share in the lower price segment of the Thai pickup market.
The Colorado concept is claimed to be built on a four-wheel-drive, high-riding chassis to help accentuate the rugged looks - an aspect that has made the Chevy desirable among Thais when the current generation was launched some seven years back.
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