Chevrolet colorado
Chevrolet Colorado Chevrolet Colorado
Of the cars sold in 2011 in Thailand, 42% are pickups. The mid-size trucks Toyota, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Ford are all produced here. If not for the catastrophic flood, this country would now retain the status of the second largest market for light commercial vehicles in the world. But, oddly enough, the Chevrolet is almost invisible in this series. For a couple of days traveling in northern Thailand, I caught sight of only two or three Chevrolet pickups.
MANUFACTURER DATA
So what does the huge Thai GM plant do for 200, 000 cars a year, if in 2011 only 31, 595 Chevroles were sold on the local market, half of which are pickups? Is the company operating at a loss? No, it’s just that the former Thai Colorado (by the way, besides a similar appearance, had nothing to do with the American namesake) only served as the basis for a bestseller of another brand - Isuzu D-Max. The latter provided the plant with the necessary output.
The new Colorado must fundamentally change the situation. After all, it was created as a worldwide model for implementation in 60 countries, including the USA and Brazil. It will replace both the American namesake and the ancient Brazilian S-10 pickup truck of the 1994 model.
By the way, it was mainly Brazilians who developed the new generation of Colorado. In that country, Chevrolet trucks have a good reputation and high demand, which is why the brand new name was left there - S-10. In Thailand and most other countries, Colorado will also try to promote under the Chevrolet brand. Although the version of Isuzu prepared on its basis will surely again receive much higher demand.
But in Russia, Isuzu pickups could not gain a foothold in the market, so we will have to get acquainted with the Chevrolet - probably at the end of this or next year.
This is the interior of the prestigious LTZ configuration with the original climate control unit
This is the interior of the prestigious LTZ configuration with the original climate control unit. This is the interior of the prestigious LTZ configuration with the original climate control unit.
How is the Colorado different from other pickups? By and large, nothing. Design? Yes, it’s clear that this is a Chevrolet, according to the radiator lining, instruments reminiscent of the eyes of a transformer robot, and lights, in which, if you try and take a closer look, you can find analogies with the Camaro lights. Here is another original detail - a round block of climate control on the most expensive versions. True, he looks against the background of the rest of utilitarian-peasant chic like a big clown button on a working cobineson. But don’t worry! When the car has normal air conditioning, all the avant-garde chic disappears instantly. And even more, anachronism leaves no room for it - an ancient slider that includes a recirculation mode.
In a word, the new Colorado is the most typical pickup truck. And just like most competitors, despite the infinite number of variations with cabs, bodies, suspension, in Russia it will be offered in only one version: with the four-door Cru Cab cab, all-wheel drive, and also a 2.8 liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 180 forces. By the way, despite the fact that this engine, like its younger brother with a working volume of 2.5 liters, is advertised as a representative of the newest Duromax family, in fact it is a licensed copy of Italian VM diesels.
On the road, the capabilities of a diesel engine that produces decent traction with only 1, 500 rpm become not very convincing and often make you switch to a gear lower noticeably earlier than you expect. Ahead is the slope - and the second speed is slowly dying. In this sense, the 6-speed automatic gearbox offered for an extra charge is more convenient than the 5-speed manual. But on an ordinary highway, and it tires you with an endless warping back and forth, as if trying to tear between fuel economy and the supply of traction on wheels.
"Colorado" in off-road equipment Z71 - with extended wings, rear springs mounted above the bridge, and ground clearance of 217 mm
"Colorado" in off-road equipment Z71 - with extended wings, rear springs mounted above the bridge, and ground clearance of 217 mm. "Colorado" in off-road equipment Z71 - with extended wings, rear springs mounted above the bridge, and ground clearance of 217 mm.
To create more comfortable conditions for movement and increase cross-country ability, a gasoline 3.6-liter V6 with a capacity of 236 forces can. His appearance is also not excluded on the Russian "Colorado".
Do not forget about the downshift in the transmission, expanding the capabilities of the machine. If the stabilization system is installed on the pickup, then when the bottom row is turned on, it automatically goes into off-road mode of operation, allowing slipping.
