1 best of : 2017 Chevrolet Colorado Gains Eight-Speed Auto, Updated V-6

The 2017 Chevrolet Colorado receives a new eight-speed automatic and a few updates to its 3.6-liter V-6 engine. The truck goes on sale in the fourth quarter of this year.

The new eight-speed auto, replacing a six-speed, weighs about the same as its predecessor but features a wider 7.0 overall gear ratio spread. Chevrolet says this results in a numerically higher first gear ratio, helping drivers start off the line more easily while carrying heavy loads. Lower rear axle ratios on the transmission should reduce engine rpm on the highway and improve fuel economy, the automaker said.

With its new transmission, the Colorado further differentiates itself from its competitors. The Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, and Nissan Frontier offer no more than six gears. But Chevrolet has also made another change to the Colorado: a new and improved V-6. It now puts out 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, up 3 hp and 6 lb-ft from the previous model. Revised direct injection, updated variable valve timing, and new cylinder deactivation technology make up the engine improvements.

The fully redesigned Chevrolet Colorado debuted for the 2015 model year. For 2016, it received a new engine option: a 2.8-liter turbodiesel inline-four that helped it win our Truck of the Year award for the second year in a row. It also offers a standard gasoline 2.5-liter inline-four engine with 200 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque. For 2016, the four-cylinder topped out at 20/27 mpg city/highway, while the 3.6-liter V-6 gas engine was rated at 18/26 mpg. The turbodiesel model hit 22/31 mpg.

General Motors hasn’t made any announcement yet about the GMC Canyon, but we imagine it will offer a similar set of updates. Pricing has not yet been released.

Source: Chevrolet