No V8 For Colorado/Canyon Until 2009

[Spasticmustache]

As far as gas mileage v8 vs i5, while the v8 will probably not get great gas mileage during daily driving, it will also get much the same mileage while towing or hauling. where as the i5 might get better driving to work, but only if empty or not towing, If you were towing or hauling anything reasonably substantial your gas mileage would suck much worse than the v8. Its all about the power curve...

Besides, if my main point for choosing a vehicle was gas mileage, i wouldnt be buying a truck in the first place.

Diesel is pricey right now (though i dont see why since its cheaper to produce than gas) but the MPG you get with deisel makes up for it. I would buy a diesel Colorado in a heartbeat.

On a tangent id like to see someone make a diesel hybrid, with an all electric motor or even one motor for each wheel, and a high efficiency diesel generator just recharging the batteries. all of that technology is available currently, and is proven efficient. Look how long your RV generator runs on a gallon of gas. Maybe it just makes too much sense.

Back to the matter at hand. Come on GM! Show me the V8!

[Ming]

Originally Posted by FXjohn

RankMake/Model2007

The Dodge Dakota had the biggest drop in sales over the previous year, down 34%.

And unfortunately over the life of the Colorado I've seen a lot of posts from people wondering why GM didn't emulate the "mid-size" Dakota and get bigger.

Bigger is not better for compact trucks. More horsepower is not better if it means sucking more fuel, especially now with gas where it is. Not to mention the Colorado gets poor fuel economy as it stands from its 4 and 5 cylinder engines when compared to the old 2.2L S-10.

Save the bragging rights on that kind of stuff for full size trucks, and make a small truck that really does what a compact truck should do --- be at the top of its class in fuel economy, a good sticker price, and utility. Make it an all-around value. Not a wanna-be full-sizer.

Make it for people who want a truck for work that will save them gas and not hit them hard in the pocketbook. And give it a fuel efficient V6 or I-6 option for people who can't wrap their little minds around the concept of an I-5 even if it gets better fuel economy and HP and runs smoother than some old V6 (and there are enough of them to make a difference). Of course, your I-5 had better get better fuel economy, run smoother and have more HP than your old V6 for that to make sense...

A $30,000 V8 powered truck (come on, the I-5 Colorado costs nearly that much) with a smaller bed, the same basic fuel economy as a full-sizer with a V8 and less overall utility than a heavily discounted Silverado sitting right next to it on the lot makes no sense at all unless you are in the minority of people who think stoplight drag racing with a small pickup is cool. Or you just want to be different for no logical reason. Maybe your garage is too small for a Silverado, or something minor like that.

MAYBE it would make sense if GM got creative and put a small displacement "value" V8 into the Colorado/Canyon. Something that could keep fuel economy up and the price of using the engine down but still give "V8" bragging rights. Like the 4.8L(?). But knowing how GM loves to use the 5.3L in everything, and to keep the H3 Alpha HUMMER sharing parts, they wouldn't do that.

Besides, many of the dropped "street trucks" I see here in Texas (at truck shows like the Texas Heat Wave) are old S-10s with the 2.2LOHV 4-banger and a buzzing bee muffler --- so power doesn't matter much to them!

[BigNiner19]

Originally Posted by Ming

And unfortunately over the life of the Colorado I've seen a lot of posts from people wondering why GM didn't emulate the "mid-size" Dakota and get bigger.

Bigger is not better for compact trucks. More horsepower is not better if it means sucking more fuel, especially now with gas where it is. Not to mention the Colorado gets poor fuel economy as it stands from its 4 and 5 cylinder engines when compared to the old 2.2L S-10.

Save the bragging rights on that kind of stuff for full size trucks, and make a small truck that really does what a compact truck should do --- be at the top of its class in fuel economy, a good sticker price, and utility. Make it an all-around value. Not a wanna-be full-sizer.

Make it for people who want a truck for work that will save them gas and not hit them hard in the pocketbook. And give it a fuel efficient V6 or I-6 option for people who can't wrap their little minds around the concept of an I-5 even if it gets better fuel economy and HP and runs smoother than some old V6 (and there are enough of them to make a difference). Of course, your I-5 had better get better fuel economy, run smoother and have more HP than your old V6 for that to make sense...

A $30,000 V8 powered truck (come on, the I-5 Colorado costs nearly that much) with a smaller bed, the same basic fuel economy as a full-sizer with a V8 and less overall utility than a heavily discounted Silverado sitting right next to it on the lot makes no sense at all unless you are in the minority of people who think stoplight drag racing with a small pickup is cool. Or you just want to be different for no logical reason. Maybe your garage is too small for a Silverado, or something minor like that.

MAYBE it would make sense if GM got creative and put a small displacement "value" V8 into the Colorado/Canyon. Something that could keep fuel economy up and the price of using the engine down but still give "V8" bragging rights. Like the 4.8L(?). But knowing how GM loves to use the 5.3L in everything, and to keep the H3 Alpha HUMMER sharing parts, they wouldn't do that.

Besides, many of the dropped "street trucks" I see here in Texas (at truck shows like the Texas Heat Wave) are old S-10s with the 2.2LOHV 4-banger and a buzzing bee muffler --- so power doesn't matter much to them!

I think people just want more power in their midsize truck. Many midsize vehicles are "doggish". Putting a more powerful V8 motor in something like the colorado will fit the needs of many people. Like many have said...the gas mileage probably wont change a whole lot (although I'd like to see what some trucks do with a 5.3 V8 in a very light platform like the extended cab Colorado).

For some people, they just want more power, which could mean for towing, performance, whatever it may be. A V8 in a Colorado would be very practical, and probably more efficient and effective than the I5 (in the long run). This is just my own opinion.

Cory

[GMCdriver]

Originally Posted by Ming

MAYBE it would make sense if GM got creative and put a small displacement "value" V8 into the Colorado/Canyon. Something that could keep fuel economy up and the price of using the engine down but still give "V8" bragging rights. Like the 4.8L(?). But knowing how GM loves to use the 5.3L in everything, and to keep the H3 Alpha HUMMER sharing parts, they wouldn't do that.

I'm curious about your thoughts of useing the 4.8 over the 5.3 to keep fuel economy up and cost down in the name of value.

How much better is the 4.8 then the 5.3 in terms of fuel economy?
How much less does it cost GM to manufacture a 4.8 then the 5.3?
Doesn't the 4.8(iron block) weigh about 100 lbs more then the 5.3(aluminium block like the H3)?

I'm just not seeing the "value" in offering your concept of a value V8.

[FXjohn]

If you had a single cab colorado with a smaller V-8 and a manual transmission I'll bet you could get pretty decent mileage.
Too bad they would never build it.

[BigNiner19]

Originally Posted by FXjohn

If you had a single cab colorado with a smaller V-8 and a manual transmission I'll bet you could get pretty decent mileage.
Too bad they would never build it.

I agree 100%. Even with an automatic tranny with overdrive and the more efficient 5.3 vortec motors GM is using right now would be very good in both single cab and extended cab colorado's/canyons.

I totally don't understand what would keep them from doing it. Better fuel efficiency, more power, everyone should be happy with that.

Cory

[SwampFoxZ71]

Originally Posted by BigNiner19

I agree 100%. Even with an automatic tranny with overdrive and the more efficient 5.3 vortec motors GM is using right now would be very good in both single cab and extended cab colorado's/canyons.

I totally don't understand what would keep them from doing it. Better fuel efficiency, more power, everyone should be happy with that.

Cory

Except then they'd sell less full-size pickups where their main profit is. Even w/ a v8 in a colorado, you still wouldn't be willing to pay the premium people do for a full-size. Plus, the full-size trucks are a captive market. America needs them to work with, so you want a truck, you pay the going rate for a truck. The mid-size trucks will never command the same premium. They will always make more on the full-size.

[ctaylorzl1]

With gas hitting 3.55 today in my area I would almost rathar see the 286hp DI 3.6 in the Colorados! Its good enuf for the Lambdas and it only has 9hp less than the 5.3.

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by ctaylorzl1

With gas hitting 3.55 today in my area I would almost rathar see the 286hp DI 3.6 in the Colorados! Its good enuf for the Lambdas and it only has 9hp less than the 5.3.

Problem there is you give up lots of low-end torque and only gain a MPG or two when empty and get about the same loaded. When I drive my grandparents' Acadia I wish it had the W-Body's 5.3L LS4 so it wouldn't have to shift so much due to a lack of torque.

[Raydar]

So...
We're looking at June or July now?
I can do that. I have been contemplating doing an LS1 into my '01 ZQ8 Sonoma, but if I can get a Colorado with a 5.3, I may just wait.

I'm happy to see that they're finally doing it. I really don't need a full size truck, but I'd never want to be without *some* kind of truck. Most of my miles will be commute, but I need to tow the occassional project car. I also like to have fun when I'm behind the wheel. (I love to "practice random acts of acceleration.")

BTW... My other cars are a Fiero with a Caddy V8, and another Fiero with a Camaro 3.4. My wife has a Trailblazer (daily driver) and Miata that she would dearly love to have an LS1 dropped into. (Her words: "...and how much was that kit?!")

I'm 50, if anyone cares. Still haven't decided what I want to be when I grow up.

[micfly]

Talked to our GM training guy yesterday (out giving a walk-a-round on the Yukon Hybrid) and he said it's basically on hold. They are not giving him any idea now when the v8 might be available???

[newdude]

Originally Posted by bigtime

Just wanted to say good luck, we're all counting on you.

(be honest, how many of you got that???)

A colorado V8 would be sweet, so would a diesel. Both would be even better. For now, I am just goin to sit back and see what happens.

(i got that line to be honest)

[wpageabc]

An advanced tranny would be on prayer list as well

[bad03xtreme]

So does this mean no SS Colorado anytime soon??

[Raydar]

Originally Posted by bad03xtreme

So does this mean no SS Colorado anytime soon??

I'm not sure. I certainly hope it comes to pass.

This gives me a little bit of hope, however.
This link http://www.gmc.com/pdf/Canyon_Web_Specs.pdf was posted on www.S10forum.com
It is the same page linked from the Canyon section of www.gmc.com
I invite all who don't believe me to check for themselves.

I don't even care about a Colorado SS. I would be just as happy with a 5.3 ZQ8 version, without $10K worth of optional equipment and glitz.
Of course, the ZQ8 isn't available any more, either. WTF are they thinking?!