Set to go on sale this fall, the all-new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup truck will take on Japanese-brand models like the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier, and its initial EPA fuel-economy ratings suggest it may have a leg up on that competition. When equipped with its optional V6 engine and two-wheel drive, the new Chevy Colorado will return up to 26 mpg on the highway. That figure not only tops the equivalent V6 highway ratings of the Frontier and Tacoma by four and five miles per gallon, respectively, but it also beats the highway fuel economy of the competitors' four-cylinder models.
While the Chevy Colorado's fuel efficiency is aided by a segment-first lightweight-aluminum hood and active aero grille shutters, its 3.6-liter V6 still packs plenty of punch under the hood, churning out a best-in-class 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. That impressive output will allow the 2015 Colorado to tow a class-leading 7,000 pounds when properly equipped. Though fuel economy has yet to be announced for the base Colorado, the truck will house a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque.
"Midsize pickup trucks typically appeal to buyers because they have a smaller footprint and are more affordable, but up until the debut of the new Colorado, they had been behind the times when it came to fuel economy," said Bo Hendrick, general sales manager of Central Maine Motors, a Chevy dealership in Waterville, Maine. "The 2015 Colorado not only features the most modern fuel-saving technologies in its segment, but it also offers legitimate capability that is typically reserved for full-size pickups."
Chevrolet hopes that the arrival of its new Colorado will further boost its surging pickup-truck sales. Moving more than 49,000 units in the United States last month, the recently redesigned Chevy Silverado saw its sales rise by 13 percent compared to August 2013. In fact, the Silverado joined forces with its GM counterpart, the GMC Sierra, to outsell the Ford F-Series in August. Through the first eight months of this year, Chevy's full-size pickup truck has sold 331,977 units, a 1 percent increase over its strong performance during the same period in 2013.
About Central Maine Motors:
Part of the Central Maine Motors Auto Group that has served New England drivers since 1935, Central Maine Motors is dedicated to creating a superior car-buying experience that leads to lasting relationships with their customers. Maintaining high standards of integrity, the staff at their Maine Chevrolet and Buick dealership is fully trained to find the right vehicle for each customer, along with expert service down the road. Visit Central Maine Motors at 420 Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville, call them at 888-709-1265 or browse their inventory of new and used Chevy and Buick vehicles online at www.centralmainechevybuick.com. They can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CentralMaineChevroletBuick.
