Chevrolet Colorado Receives Xtreme Makeover

[PontiacJ8]

DETROIT - Chevrolet introduces the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Xtreme pickup truck combining Colorado performance with an attractive sport-truck appearance package featuring a lowered stance, unique wheels and monochromatic appearance.

Based on the new Colorado midsize pickup, the Colorado Xtreme goes even further in combining the rugged good looks, powerful engines, a performance ZQ8 suspension and the bigger, more capable overall package of Chevy's new truck with sports car-like handling and contemporary sport truck styling. Colorado Xtreme will be available in Regular Cab, Extended Cab and Crew Cab models.

"The Colorado Extreme is a gotta-have product for sport truck customers that gives them the performance and styling they want right from the factory," said Janet Eckhoff, general director of Chevy truck marketing and business planning. "It is a value-priced package that will appeal to the many enthusiasts who take pride in a personalized vehicle."

The Colorado Extreme stands out with a ZQ8 lowered suspension and special exterior enhancements. Suspension (spring & knuckle) modifications & tire/wheel assemblies lower the vehicle 1.6 inches, compared to Colorado's standard 2WD suspension, and they are complemented with gas-charged monotube shocks at all corners. The ZQ8 suspension also includes front and rear stabilizer bars to increase the vehicle's handling capability.

The Colorado Xtreme stays glued to the pavement with 18-inch alloy wheels and low-profile performance tires. The ZQ8 suspension, which was benchmarked against the racetrack performance of several rear-wheel-drive performance cars, was tuned specifically for the Colorado Xtreme's 18-inch wheels-and-tires combination. (Other Colorado models equipped with the ZQ8 suspension have 17-inch wheels and tires.)

A unique body-color front fascia with fog lamps, rear fascia and rocker extension moldings, as well as a rear spoiler on the tailgate, three-dimensional expanded metal grille and special badging, visually identify the Colorado Xtreme. The monochromatic appearance is bold and in step with contemporary sport truck trends. Four colors are available: Victory Red, Black, White and Yellow.

A power-operated sunroof also is available.

"It drives as good as it looks," said Eckhoff. "The Colorado Xtreme's handling performance would be enviable for many cars - this vehicle just happens to have a versatile pickup bed attached."

The Colorado Xtreme's engine offerings include the 2.8-liter, Vortec 2800 inline four-cylinder and the 3.5-liter, Vortec 3500 inline five-cylinder (crew cab only available with the I-5.) Based on the inline six-cylinder in the Chevy TrailBlazer, these engines feature dual overhead camshafts, variable valve timing, electronic throttle control, low mass and other technologies that combine to offer excellent fuel economy.

Xtreme details
The Colorado Xtreme comes with LS trim, but also includes special instrument cluster graphics and interior badging. Bucket seats are standard, and leather seating is available for Extended Cab and Crew Cab models. The Crew Cab offers a 60/40-split/folding-rear seat capable of accommodating three adults. The Extended Cab comes standard with four doors and its two folding rear seats are forward facing rather than the side-facing jump seats that are more common in extended cab trucks.

An AM/FM stereo with CD player is standard on Regular and Extended Cab models, while an up level radio with Radio Data System and six speakers comes with the Crew Cab. Other up level radios are available, including XM Satellite Radio. Also standard are intermittent wipers and air conditioning. Options include remote keyless entry, heated seats, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, self-dimming inside rearview mirror, rear sliding window and power left and right outside rearview mirrors.

The Colorado Xtreme is scheduled to arrive in dealerships in September.

[Ultimate]

I just saw a little of it on Gmtv

while i think it looks good. I think it needs more power to qualify as Xtreme since the Sport Model basically has the same suspension only 1" smaller wheels.

[gmlinedog]

Lets hope you can get 1. I have been trying to find the sport version for 3 months with no luck..

[Ultimate]

Originally posted by gmlinedog@Jul 31 2004, 12:06 AM
Lets hope you can get 1. I have been trying to find the sport version for 3 months with no luck..

where do you live man?

I have seen a sport version in at least 4 different dealers in california.

[vanshmack]

Originally posted by laserwizard@Jul 30 2004, 09:09 PM
Extreme makeover seems appropriate for a truck that makes you feel like a woman.

Yeah, a buddy of mine just bought a Ranger. He feels like a natural woman, too.

[mshu7]

This doesn't make a lot of sense to me. They already have a "sport" model Colorado. Now they are going to add another sport model to the menu? And on top of that, you get no power increase AND can only get the I-5 with the crew cab extreme. I think it's a poor decision on GM's part. I'm GM through and through, but damn, if you're going to make a sport version with all the looks, back it up with some extra power over the normal models.

[Trendkiller]

Originally posted by mshu7@Jul 31 2004, 01:17 PM
This doesn't make a lot of sense to me. They already have a "sport" model Colorado. Now they are going to add another sport model to the menu? And on top of that, you get no power increase AND can only get the I-5 with the crew cab extreme. I think it's a poor decision on GM's part. I'm GM through and through, but damn, if you're going to make a sport version with all the looks, back it up with some extra power over the normal models.

How much more power would you like? Does the common customer looking for an entry level truck want to pay for the extra power? Like I always say, you can't get a Cadillac for an entry level price, just won't happen. Besides, the trend these days especially for people(mostly kids) who are buying entry level vehicles are the looks and not the power. GM has achieved the best selling point for their entry level truck.

[GotAWD]

Originally posted by Trendkiller+Jul 31 2004, 11:00 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Trendkiller @ Jul 31 2004, 11:00 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-mshu7@Jul 31 2004, 01:17 PM
This doesn't make a lot of sense to me.&nbsp; They already have a "sport" model Colorado.&nbsp; Now they are going to add another sport model to the menu?&nbsp; And on top of that, you get no power increase AND can only get the I-5 with the crew cab extreme.&nbsp; I think it's a poor decision on GM's part.&nbsp; I'm GM through and through, but damn, if you're going to make a sport version with all the looks, back it up with some extra power over the normal models.

How much more power would you like? Does the common customer looking for an entry level truck want to pay for the extra power? Like I always say, you can't get a Cadillac for an entry level price, just won't happen. Besides, the trend these days especially for people(mostly kids) who are buying entry level vehicles are the looks and not the power. GM has achieved the best selling point for their entry level truck. [/b][/quote]
i agree with mshu7 GM should put more power in the extreme version, when the extreme first came out i thought they looked cool. but it was still the standard 4.3 V-6. total crap.

sure its an entry level truck but something called the extreme should have more power standard. i like the extreme idea, but they should have some more power. i dont mean throw the turbo I5 in the truck but maybe 20 more horses would be sweet.

has anyone seen what the extreme is gonna look like? if its a bodykits and wheels like the first version i dont know if i want one just for thoses reasons, ya it may look cool but still who wants to pay more for GM's classic badges and stickers trick??? <_<

[ibechip]

How many are they going to make?

[Ultimate]

Originally posted by GotAWD+Jul 31 2004, 11:21 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (GotAWD @ Jul 31 2004, 11:21 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

How much more power would you like? Does the common customer looking for an entry level truck want to pay for the extra power? Like I always say, you can't get a Cadillac for an entry level price, just won't happen. Besides, the trend these days especially for people(mostly kids) who are buying entry level vehicles are the looks and not the power. GM has achieved the best selling point for their entry level truck.

i agree with mshu7 GM should put more power in the extreme version, when the extreme first came out i thought they looked cool. but it was still the standard 4.3 V-6. total crap.

sure its an entry level truck but something called the extreme should have more power standard. i like the extreme idea, but they should have some more power. i dont mean throw the turbo I5 in the truck but maybe 20 more horses would be sweet.

has anyone seen what the extreme is gonna look like? if its a bodykits and wheels like the first version i dont know if i want one just for thoses reasons, ya it may look cool but still who wants to pay more for GM's classic badges and stickers trick??? <_< [/b][/quote]
no body kit. The front and rear bumper is a much cleaner design body color. The grill has that crome trim around it like the 2005 silverado. Only it doesnt go horizontally on the chevy bowtie bar. Round fog lamps in Square bumper sockets. 10 spoke aluminum wheels with skinny tires.

Overall its a clean looking truck. But it should not be more than 300 dollars over the Sport truck.

[armycam68]

I picked up a 2005 Colorado brocure at a dealership last week. Pictured on pages 18,19 is a Victory Red Xtreme with the 18" wheels. Of the Colorado family, this is the best combo for looks. It really looks like an SS Silverado.
Although I think the Colorado is a cross between a Studebaker and an early Datsun, this model isn't bad. Too bad it doesn't come in 4X4.
As for the 4X4 Z-85............my wife (57 years old) says....that looks like a wimps truck and the Z-71 4X4 looks like Hummer wheels on so-so design.
Maybe in a few years they will get it right. After all I drove a 2.8 V-6 for three models until someone at Chevrolet woke-up!

[ByTheLake]

I decided that I've posted enough negative comments, so I'll go on record here as saying that I really like the Colorado. I usually like GMC styling better than Chevy for trucks, but I like the Colorado better than the Canyon.

I have gone as far as ordering a Colorado, 4WD, with the 4.10 rear axle ratio, for towing my little boats around. It gets built the week of August 23.

Now, if Chevy can only get the styling together with its cars as it has with its trucks, I'll be thrilled.

Go buy a new Chevy!

[mshu7]

How much more power would you like?&nbsp; Does the common customer looking for an entry level truck want to pay for the extra power?&nbsp;

Uh, if they are calling it a sport package then yeah! And as you call them, "the common customer looking for an entry level truck"...i don't think this type of customer would be looking at the Extreme package. They would probably go for something "entry level".

Like I always say, you can't get a Cadillac for an entry level price, just won't happen.&nbsp; Besides, the trend these days especially for people(mostly kids) who are buying entry level vehicles are the looks and not the power.&nbsp; GM has achieved the best selling point for their entry level truck.

Way to go overboard on this one dude. I said nothing about wanting Cadillac-like features in an entry level truck. My point is this. If you're going to make a "sport" package, give it the "sport" HP it deserves. I'm not saying load it with options. Personally, I say give this truck the sport appearance, only a few options to keep the prices down, and a little more power under the hood. If they eventually come out with a Colorado SS, let that be the one to receive the full list of options and a true power boost (turbo or V8).

Anyway, you obviously must be one of those "common customers looking for an entry level vehicle" so I'm not going to take you too seriously. I'm sure a 140hp 4-cyl. engine in any vehicle is all you'd ever want. <_<

[casket_demon]

It should have the I-5 as an option. Maybe in another couple model years after/if the Rado SS drops.

[SCCA1995]

I can't start a new thread, so if an admin wants to move this to a new thread, that would be great.

I read a recent issue of Autoweek, & they say (or were told a rumor) that GM has a Colorado SS in the works. Does anyone have any reliable, rock hard evidence of such a truck being tested?