2008 CHEVY COLORADO : CHOICES + CAPABLITY = VERSATILITY
08/01/2007
Chevrolet
Coming out of a model year that saw significant changes, including two new, more powerful engines, the 2008 Chevy Colorado lineup soldiers on with minimal changes and all of the versatility the customers have come to expect from this lineup of capable trucks.
Colorado is available in regular cab, extended cab and crew cab configurations, as well as 2WD and 4WD. The base engine in all but 4WD crew cabs is a powerful, 2.9L DOHC four-cylinder with variable valve timing (VVT) that delivers 185 horsepower (138 kW) and 190 lb.-ft. of torque (258 Nm).* Available in all models - and standard in the 4WD crew cab - is a 3.7L DOHC five-cylinder with VVT that is rated at 242 horsepower (180 kW) and 242 lb.-ft. of torque (328 Nm).*
Colorado 's various body styles and powertrain combinations are available in WT, LS and LT trims. LS models come with a color-keyed appearance for a sporty appearance.
Colorado can seat up to six while offering much higher levels of ride comfort, handling, quietness and interior space than many other midsize trucks. Standard features include rack-and-pinion steering, intermittent wipers, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cruise control and folding outside mirrors.
Notable optional equipment includes remote keyless entry; traction assist (2WD models); XM Satellite Radio; fog lamps; self-dimming inside rearview mirror; power, heated leather seating; high-back bucket seats; a rear sliding window; and power-operated outside rearview mirrors.
Colorado 's instrument panel has large, easy-to-read analog gauges, with switches and controls designed for easy operation with gloves. Crew cab models offer a 60/40-split/folding rear seat capable of accommodating three adults. Extended cab versions have four doors, and its two folding rear seats face forward.
Regular and extended cab models have a 6-foot 1-inch (1.85 m) pickup bed with taller sides than many competitors, providing best-in-class volume for deeper storage and higher overall payload. Crew cab bed lengths are 5-foot 1-inch (1.55 m). Both beds offer two-tier cargo loading and tailgates that are both lockable and easily removable. The crew cab box offers a standard lock.
Colorado 's tailgate opens fully to almost 90 degrees, but can be set at a 55-degree opening. That puts the tailgate edge at the same height as the top of the rear wheel wells within the cargo box, creating a sturdy, flat platform to conveniently transport longer items or 4-foot by 8-foot (1.2-meter by 2.4-meter) panels.
With its efficient packaging, Colorado looks and feels more like a spacious full-size pickup than a typical midsize truck. Colorado has a stiff frame that enables more precise suspension tuning to deliver a smooth, isolated ride without sacrificing responsive handling. Colorado also delivers class-leading refinement with features such as hydraulically assisted rack-and-pinion steering; large front disc brakes with twin-piston calipers; coil-over front suspension on 2WD models and torsion bar front suspension on 4WD models; and specifically tuned body mounts that help reduce interior noise and vibration.
There are two suspension systems available on Colorado : the rugged Z85 suspension, which is standard on 2WD or 4WD models, and the Z71 off-road suspension, which is available on both 2WD and 4WD models.
Powertrains
Standard on all models except 4WD crew cabs is a 2.9L DOHC four-cylinder engine rated at 185 horsepower (138 kW)* and 190 lb.-ft. of torque (258 Nm).* A 3.7L DOHC five-cylinder is standard on 4WD crew cabs and available on all other Colorado models. It is rated at 242 horsepower (180 kW) and 242 lb.-ft. of torque (328 Nm).*
Both engines are based on GM's modular inline engine design, which also serves as the foundation for the 4.2L inline-six engine of the Chevy TrailBlazer. They feature dual overhead camshafts, variable valve timing, electronic throttle control and other features that contribute to high levels of operating efficiency and fuel economy. Balance shafts help ensure smooth operation of the engines, providing a higher level of refinement.
Transferring the Colorado engines' torque to the axles is an Aisin five-speed manual transmission or a Hydra-Matic 4L60 electronically controlled four-speed automatic. The manual transmission is standard with the four-cylinder engine. The automatic is standard with the five-cylinder engine and available with the four-cylinder.
Safety features
Colorado has standard dual-stage frontal air bags with a passenger sensing system. Dual-stage frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury. When the air bag system's control unit detects an impact, it determines whether the crash is severe enough to trigger a deployment, and whether the primary amount of inflation is sufficient. The primary stage alone will deploy in most frontal impacts requiring the supplemental protection of an air bag, while a secondary stage is designed to deploy in more severe frontal collisions.
Colorado also offers head curtain air bags for enhanced side-impact protection - the first vehicle in the segment to offer side air bags. The optional head curtain side air bags act like a protective curtain when deployed, unfolding from the roof rail between the A-pillar and side window header. When the bag deploys in a moderate to severe side impact, it is angled somewhat toward the window to help provide protection for front- and rear-seat outboard passengers.
Pretensioners at the outboard front-seat positions deploy at the same time as the frontal air bags to take up slack in the safety belt webbing. Pretensioners also help reduce the amount of occupant movement in the event of a crash to help reduce the risk of injury.
The front outboard seating positions in all Colorado models, and the rear outboard positions of Crew Cabs, feature safety belt upper guide loops; they are adjustable on the front seats. A three-point safety belt is standard for the center-rear seat in all Crew Cabs.
Additional safety and security items include daytime running lights; a first-in-class driver information center with oil life monitor; four-wheel anti-lock brakes; PASSLock II vehicle theft protection; first-in-class lockout protection (standard with power door locks); child security locks (standard on Crew Cab rear doors); and battery rundown protection.
All retail models come with OnStar, with one-year Safe & Sound Service; it is available on WT models. . OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada. Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Hands-Free Calling that allows drivers to make and receive voice-activated phone calls using an externally mounted antenna for greater reception.