Chevrolet is bringing new features to the mid-size 2017 Colorado pickup truck, including an updated V-6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
With Chevrolet boasting the most fuel-efficient truck in the country with its 2.8-liter Duramax diesel engine, the truck maker looked to improve the performance and efficiency of the second-generation 3.6-liter V6 on the Colorado. Chevy says the second-gen 3.6L engine retains the double-overhead-cam engine architecture but features a host of upgrades that include variable valve timing for intake and exhaust, improved direct injection and Active Fuel Management (or cylinder deactivation) that is designed to disable two cylinders when the truck is under light loads. Chevrolet says the new V6 will produced an SAE-certified 308 hp at 6,800 rpm and 275 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.
“Customers made the Colorado an overnight success and it remains one of the industry’s hottest-selling products,” said Anita Burke, Colorado chief engineer. “That fast success has justified our continued investment in midsize pickups, introducing new features for our customers such as the class-exclusive diesel engine, advanced technologies like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and now a class-leading V-6 and eight-speed automatic powertrain combination.”
Chevy will then mate the updated V6 engine to a GM-developed Hydra-Matic 8L45 eight-speed transmission, which the company says is roughly the same size and weight as the 6L80 six-speed automatic it is replacing. Chevy says the key distinction between the eight-speed and outgoing six-speed is a wider 7.0 overall gear ratio spread than a 6.0 ratio on the outgoing 6L80. Chevy says the new wider gear ratio offers a numerically higher first gear ratio to aid with easier starts when carrying a heavy load or when pulling a trailer. The numerically lower rear axle ratios will also reduce engine rpm on the highway for improved efficiency, although no fuel economy numbers are yet available at this point (we expect to see at least a slight improvement over the previous V6 though).
Chevrolet says its new trans features aluminum and magnesium in its construction to ensure the weight of the new 8L45 eight-speed is no heavier than the outgoing 6L80 transmission.
“The Colorado is currently the most fuel-efficient pickup truck in America, with an EPA-estimated 31 mpg highway when equipped with the diesel engine,” said Stan Ludlow, chief engineer for the 2017 Colorado. “As such, for the new V-6 and eight-speed combination we focused on improving everyday driving performance. Drivers will immediately notice that it pulls harder when accelerating from a stop or passing on the highway; it is more confident pulling a trailer up a steep grade and it is more refined cruising at a constant highway speed.”
Chevrolet says the updated 2017 Colorado will be in dealerships in the fourth quarter of this year.
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