General Motors leaked this one image and next to no information about the new GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado. We know they will begin production at GM’s Wentzville, Mo., assembly center in 2014. It’s a pretty good bet that the two trucks will share a massive amount but have unique skins. Judging from the only image supplied, the GMC Canyon is boxy and thick while the Chevrolet Colorado is sleeker and almost crossover-like in appearance.
I did speak to an inside source who indicated a four and six-cylinder engine were on tap with the possibility of a diesel coming later on. The straight five-cylinder is gone and the six-cylinder should be a conventional V6. Expect six-speed manuals (base/lower end models) and automatic transmissions with rear and four-wheel drive.
Obviously, General Motors wants the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado to be competitive with the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier – but they look to be competitive on the efficiency side: “At the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars today, General Motors Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dan Ammann provided the first look at the next-generation Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, designed to be capable, versatile and fuel-efficient alternatives to full-size pickups.”
You can read my epitaph for the Ford Ranger (here).
So, just when it looked like the small truck market in the United States has dried up, the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado re-enter the fray.
I wish I had more for you to read, but it would just be speculation and hot-air. I am keen on this topic and will give you an update the moment I get something from the scuttlebutt. For now, check out this Nissan Frontier video as we put it through its towing paces!
