First Drive: Colorado ZQ8

**Ghrankenstein** · 02-26-2004, 09:52 AM

Article from PickupTruck.com.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” asks the voice coming from inside the full-face racing helmet that covered the driver’s head.

The driver is Tom Wallace, who on his rare free weekends, races a tube-frame, carbon-bodied, 750-horsepower GT1-class Chevrolet Camaro. Wallace also was part of the engineering team that made GM history in the mid-1980s by building the Buick GNX, a rear-drive, turbo V6-powered car that was faster in the quarter-mile than the mighty Chevrolet Corvette.

For the next few laps, Wallace will wring out another rear-drive Chevy, although this one can switch to four-wheel-drive at the turn of a knob. This one also has four doors plus an open bed behind the passenger compartment and, for good measure, will tow 4000 pounds.

This is a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado, equipped with the ZQ8 “sport” suspension package. Wallace is vehicle line executive for General Motors’ mid-size trucks, and one of his roles is to push those trucks to – o.k., often beyond – their limits. Apparently it’s rare that anyone volunteers to ride along.

But I’ve chosen to do so because I know Wallace will get every foot-pound of performance out of this truck, will test the adhesion of its tires beyond the point where I’d be comfortable driving, and I want to experience just what this truck and suspension can do.

Full Article Here:That Crazy Full Article

sykboy · 02-26-2004, 10:19 AM

Very interesting but a couple of mistakes.(?)

1. As of now, the ZQ8 is not availible with 4WD, as he seems to allude to.(I think it should be, though, and would buy one.)
2. He speaks of "the turbocharged Vibe". Nadda.

Other than that, great article. Can't WAIT for the SS.

**BigAls87Z28** · 02-26-2004, 10:48 AM

Yeah, I think GM could hit a home run here in the compact world. As a V8 would be good, a power adder to the 5cyl would also be just as sweet. A turbo 5cyl goes back to the day of the sy/ty's. Id love for a 340hp supercharged motor, which if you think about it, seems feasable. Its about a 55% increase, and that can be done. Weither or not thats a safe margin for GM.... thats up to the suits. Chances are its going ot be 40% or less power increase to put it near 310hp.

and turbo vibe? Maybe turbo matrix.

sykboy · 02-26-2004, 10:55 AM

If they do either, they have one sold.

johnd89 · 02-26-2004, 11:15 AM

"While some old-timers might think you can put the SS badge only on vehicles with V8 engines, there may be others who are younger at heart, who just might accept an inline five cylinder – as long as it produces 300 or more horsepower, which Wallace says is possible with either a turbo or supercharger."

well, I want s/c v8... now I'm a little confused!

MCGARRETT · 02-26-2004, 01:17 PM

I think that it would more than likely that the Colorado SS would get the Turbocharged 3500 I5 that I have heard rummors about. Add some AWD with about 300-320 Hp and you would have a blast.

91 s-10baja · 02-26-2004, 02:07 PM

I agree, I can't wait to hear the announcement for the SS, and am quite curious if a turbo is in the works, as a few concept turbo fives have been shown lately (H3-T??)!

**paul8488** · 02-26-2004, 02:08 PM

great article... i want this truck! wasn't much of a truck person 'til now. little extended-cab ZQ8 colorado, with the current I5 and 5-speed, would be awesome

johnd89 · 02-26-2004, 03:51 PM

yeah, who needs a camaro when you have this?

PS: J/K!!!!

sam4irene · 02-26-2004, 05:24 PM

Ford Ranger?
Out of the way! :plasma:

Move out of the way Ranger, there is a new sheriff in town. :roflmao:

impala02 · 02-26-2004, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigals87z28@Feb 26 2004, 10:48 AM

and turbo vibe? Maybe turbo matrix.

There is a Supercharger available for the Vibe through GM Performance Parts.

About the Colorado...This truck would rock with the turbo or supercharged I-5.

sykboy · 02-26-2004, 11:05 PM

A S/C is old news, thanks though, but I doubt it had it on the comparo model anyway. Never the less the writer said turbo and that is something an auto journalist shouldn't be mistaken about, IMO.

**paul8488** · 02-27-2004, 09:32 AM

power level discussion aside, the new gm pickups look fantastic. took a closer look last night (after the dealership was closed... couldn't get inside the trucks), and am thoroughy impressed. i really wish i was buying a new vehicle... canyon or colorado would top my list for sure. it'd be nice to try the 4 & 5 cylinder versions back to back and see how they feel. i'm not a hp kinda guy... i'd rather go by the feel of the vehicle... and wonder how strong the base engine feels.

thehemi · 02-27-2004, 10:53 PM

I thought the 350-hp turbo 3.5 I5 in the Hummer was set for production?
If so, than a potential SS engine for the Colorado will already be ready!

**TaHoE** · 02-28-2004, 01:50 PM

There aren't any solid reprts that clearly state that the T-3.5 is set for production, however there have been plently of concepts that feature it (H3-T recently, Bel Air a while ago) and all of them have 350HP. Though I wouldn't expect a Colorado SS with 350HP, 300-320 sounds reasonable for a compact truck (Eventhough GM says its a midsize).

02-26-2004, 09:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ghrankenstein GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Springfield, MO Drives: 2004 Chevy Cavalier LS Sport 5-speed. Posts: 3,169	Article from PickupTruck.com. “Are you sure you want to do this?” asks the voice coming from inside the full-face racing helmet that covered the driver’s head. The driver is Tom Wallace, who on his rare free weekends, races a tube-frame, carbon-bodied, 750-horsepower GT1-class Chevrolet Camaro. Wallace also was part of the engineering team that made GM history in the mid-1980s by building the Buick GNX, a rear-drive, turbo V6-powered car that was faster in the quarter-mile than the mighty Chevrolet Corvette. For the next few laps, Wallace will wring out another rear-drive Chevy, although this one can switch to four-wheel-drive at the turn of a knob. This one also has four doors plus an open bed behind the passenger compartment and, for good measure, will tow 4000 pounds. This is a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado, equipped with the ZQ8 “sport” suspension package. Wallace is vehicle line executive for General Motors’ mid-size trucks, and one of his roles is to push those trucks to – o.k., often beyond – their limits. Apparently it’s rare that anyone volunteers to ride along. But I’ve chosen to do so because I know Wallace will get every foot-pound of performance out of this truck, will test the adhesion of its tires beyond the point where I’d be comfortable driving, and I want to experience just what this truck and suspension can do. Full Article Here:That Crazy Full Article __________________ NEW RIDE: 2008 Carp Poseidon (for fish-head delivery)

02-26-2004, 10:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
sykboy 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 680	Very interesting but a couple of mistakes.(?) 1. As of now, the ZQ8 is not availible with 4WD, as he seems to allude to.(I think it should be, though, and would buy one.) 2. He speaks of "the turbocharged Vibe". Nadda. Other than that, great article. Can't WAIT for the SS. __________________ blank, blankity, blank, blank, blank.

02-26-2004, 10:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
BigAls87Z28 GMI Mod/Camaro Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 9,545	Yeah, I think GM could hit a home run here in the compact world. As a V8 would be good, a power adder to the 5cyl would also be just as sweet. A turbo 5cyl goes back to the day of the sy/ty's. Id love for a 340hp supercharged motor, which if you think about it, seems feasable. Its about a 55% increase, and that can be done. Weither or not thats a safe margin for GM.... thats up to the suits. Chances are its going ot be 40% or less power increase to put it near 310hp. and turbo vibe? Maybe turbo matrix. __________________ Any Inside Info? Questions or Coments? Ideas? Email me at BigAl@GMInsidenews.com 1993 Caprice 9C1 1987 Camaro Z28 1972 Camaro RS

02-26-2004, 10:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
sykboy 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 680	If they do either, they have one sold. __________________ blank, blankity, blank, blank, blank.

02-26-2004, 02:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
paul8488 GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: France Drives: 2007 MBK Flipper Scooter Posts: 13,401	great article... i want this truck! wasn't much of a truck person 'til now. little extended-cab ZQ8 colorado, with the current I5 and 5-speed, would be awesome __________________ *The department of redundancy department.*

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02-26-2004, 11:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
johnd89 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In front of the PC! Posts: 1,960	"While some old-timers might think you can put the SS badge only on vehicles with V8 engines, there may be others who are younger at heart, who just might accept an inline five cylinder – as long as it produces 300 or more horsepower, which Wallace says is possible with either a turbo or supercharger." well, I want s/c v8... now I'm a little confused!

02-26-2004, 01:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
MCGARRETT 5.3 Liter LS4 V8 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 3,003	I think that it would more than likely that the Colorado SS would get the Turbocharged 3500 I5 that I have heard rummors about. Add some AWD with about 300-320 Hp and you would have a blast.

02-26-2004, 03:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
johnd89 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In front of the PC! Posts: 1,960	yeah, who needs a camaro when you have this? PS: J/K!!!!

02-26-2004, 05:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
sam4irene 1.8 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 34	Ford Ranger? Out of the way! :plasma: Move out of the way Ranger, there is a new sheriff in town. :roflmao: __________________ vettecor[font=Arial][size=1][color=blue]

02-26-2004, 11:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
sykboy 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 680	A S/C is old news, thanks though, but I doubt it had it on the comparo model anyway. Never the less the writer said turbo and that is something an auto journalist shouldn't be mistaken about, IMO. __________________ blank, blankity, blank, blank, blank.

02-27-2004, 09:32 AM	#13 (permalink)
paul8488 GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: France Drives: 2007 MBK Flipper Scooter Posts: 13,401	power level discussion aside, the new gm pickups look fantastic. took a closer look last night (after the dealership was closed... couldn't get inside the trucks), and am thoroughy impressed. i really wish i was buying a new vehicle... canyon or colorado would top my list for sure. it'd be nice to try the 4 & 5 cylinder versions back to back and see how they feel. i'm not a hp kinda guy... i'd rather go by the feel of the vehicle... and wonder how strong the base engine feels. __________________ *The department of redundancy department.*

02-27-2004, 10:53 PM	#14 (permalink)
thehemi 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 713	I thought the 350-hp turbo 3.5 I5 in the Hummer was set for production? If so, than a potential SS engine for the Colorado will already be ready! __________________ 99 MPFI S10, 04 GP, 07 TB (S10 getting a SyTy turbo!) http://www.Highflow.com/ http://www.TheHEMI.com/

02-28-2004, 01:50 PM	#15 (permalink)
TaHoE GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Long Island, New York Drives: 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora 3.5 Posts: 9,850	There aren't any solid reprts that clearly state that the T-3.5 is set for production, however there have been plently of concepts that feature it (H3-T recently, Bel Air a while ago) and all of them have 350HP. Though I wouldn't expect a Colorado SS with 350HP, 300-320 sounds reasonable for a compact truck (Eventhough GM says its a midsize). __________________

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