Chevy: All-new V6 With More Power & 8-Speed in '17 Colorado

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
8-26-2016

 

General Motors will be offering an all-new V6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission in the 2017 Colorado. The new engine is intended to offer better real-world acceleration, while at the same time optimizing fuel economy. Given the new transmission, and expected improvements to the V6 in terms of efficiency, it will be interesting to see if the new gasoline V6 can match the cost per mile of the Duramax Diesel engine when the national average prices of gas and diesel are applied to the calculation.

 

Stan Ludlow, chief engineer for the 2017 Colorado, offered his take on the new engine and what it means, saying, “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. 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.”

 

The new engine is based on the current 3.6L V6, but has a host of improvements. Fuel efficiency will increase due to improved variable valve timing for intake and exhaust, and improved direct injection. Chevy is also using Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation), which disables two cylinders under light throttle applications, for the first time in the Colorado.

 

The new engine is rated at 308 hp at 6,800 rpm and 275 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. The current V6 in the Colorado is rated at 305 HP and generates 269 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM. While the changes are minor, coupled with the new 8-speed transmission the effects may be noticeable. Chevy says that the new 8-speed has a first gear that will have more grunt due to a "a numerically higher first gear ratio." The wider overall gear ratio spread will also keep RPMs lower at highway speeds. Using lightweight alloys, the new transmission, Hydra-Matic 8L45, is about the same size as the outgoing six-speed and has the same weight.

 

GM has not yet announced the same changes for the GMC Canon, but that will surely follow. No word yet on pricing or other 2017 model year details, but GM did say to expect the new model year Colorado to appear on dealer lots "in the fourth quarter."

 

GM did not offer an image of the new drivetrain. Image of Colorado in the snow courtesy of Zane Merva.

[newdude]

YES. I've driven a couple of the 3.6 Colorado. That current 3.6 loves to work up top, and you sometimes feel that you have to keep it up there to move. This will make for a much more pleasurable drive for sure. Felt like driving one of the Lambda trio. If they pick up 1mpg that would be more than great. Hopefully the 8 speed makes it to the 2.8 Duramax like it does with the Express/Savana vans.

 

Any idea if there was a GM Press Release for this?

[mookdoc6]

I think it's a dang good truck now better! If I had no kids, wife etc. I would have me a Colorado Diesel or maybe even gasser now that I read this. See ya Tacoma in the sales mirror.

[Colossus]

I don't know.. People love their Crapotas so even if the Taco is outdated and behind power wise, it still might outsell the GM twins.

[WilliamBos]

I wonder if that 3.6 will bump the 4.3 in the 1500?

[f8l vnm]

I don't know.. People love their Crapotas so even if the Taco is outdated and behind power wise, it still might outsell the GM twins.

I Agreed the FULGY Taco sales will always be #1 . Toyota has made a strong reputation with that truck.

However GM is selling about 12-13k units per month on average give or take. So even if combined they still don't add up to taco sales , its still selling very well.

I cant believe people are still buying new Frontiers as well . Nissan and Toyota sure do know how to make ugly trucks

[Colossus]

Yes they do.

[Daryl Z71]

Ugh, another vehicle with AFM shoved into it. Atleast the system seems to have less issues now than before.

[tbarn]

All new? Hardly. Added AFM and a few tweaks.

[DanMan_S]

All new? Hardly. Added AFM and a few tweaks.

 

 

New part number, haha.

[Silverado-Hareek]

I keep seeing mentions of "revised direct injection." See this article as an example: http://www.motortrend.com/news/2017-gmc-canyon-gets-eight-speed-auto-new-terrain-x-trim/?sc_cid=FBInstantMTArticle&sm_id=social_aumomotortrendhub_MotorTrend_20160829_65366136&adbid=10153982365961312&adbpl=fb&adbpr=18332466311

 

What is revised about the DI? Are they implementing the valve cleaning system like Ford and Toyota are starting to use?

[Silverado Steve]

Can't argue with the strong resale value of the Tacoma. For some people that's high on the consideration list.

 

I don't know.. People love their Crapotas so even if the Taco is outdated and behind power wise, it still might outsell the GM twins.

[Colossus]

Yup, Toyota is still cashing in via resale values because they built a superior product back in the 80s and 90s. Well deserved as far as I am concerned.

[mookdoc6]

They built rock solid stuff during those decades.....2000's only thing I have seen is Toyota's ability to mimick GM in exactly what to do wrong on all levels! GM is definitely going in the proper direction it's nice to see!

[Materialman]

Let's hope the timing chain issues with the 3.6 are finally behind us.