V8 for '08: Chevy Colorado engine lineup expanding

[1931Chevy]

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/07/v...eup-expanding/


The addition of GM's 5.3L V8 to the HUMMER H3 Alpha for 2008 has resulted in some trickle-down goodness for the SUV's pickup truck platform-mate, the Chevy Colorado. PickupTruck.com is reporting that the smaller Chevy truck will indeed receive the same infusion of V8 power in 2008. We've driven both the Silverado and the GMC Sierra with that engine, and we liked it a lot in the big trucks. Imagining it in the Colorado has grins spreading across our faces, as it will certainly add a good amount of pop, and with the 5.3's cylinder deactivation system, it should also be respectable at the pump, considering it'll have a lot less truck to move around than with the GMT900.

The addition of the 295-horse V8 will catapult the Colorado to the top of the heap in the midsize pickup segment in terms of power, edging the new Dodge Dakota (290 hp), and putting it well beyond the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger (numbers 1 & 2 respectively on the sales charts). GM's been teasing everyone with V8-powered small concept pickups for a while now, and though it won't officially confirm or deny the report (a spokesman only says, "stay tuned"), it sure looks like the General's finally decided to give us the real thing. Good.

[genjy]

Holy crap. It's about time.

But... is it going to help?

[Ming]

It's a good move. I hope they upgrade the interior materials like seat fabric, etc., along with this addition, and not just for some uber-SS model, but across the board.

Problem with the I-4 and I-5 is that they never really got such great fuel economy. Not like the old wheezer the 2.2L OHV did for the S-10. So if you're gonna get mediocre fuel economy anyway, might as well get a V8, with AFM!

On a side note I recently saw what looked like a new Colorado with the sealed beam headlamps fleet-style black plastic grille. Really rare to see those, it may be the second I've ever seen on the road since noticing it in the brochure years ago.

[mcool]

Originally Posted by genjy

Holy crap. It's about time.

But... is it going to help?

We'll see, though I think this answers much of what is lacking in the current trucks. Sure, an interior refresh with some better materials will be nice, but hopefully this truck can still compete on price with the added engine. The V8 in the H3 comes at a decent premium above the 3.7... I wish it just replaced the I-5 wholesale.

[WishIhadatruck]

Hopefully they bump up the tow ratings as well. This is good news, can't wait to see the EPA Fuel Economy ratings on it. It seems possible it might not be much different than the 5-cyl ratings.

I haven't spent much time looking inside one but from the sounds of things the interior could still use some improvement. Perhaps they will suprise us and address that issue as well?

[RWD60]

finally!!! assuming they freshen the styling both inside and out sometime soon so people notice they've changed, they might just do ok, especially as many who would get Sierras and Silverados look for something a bit smaller due to gas prices.

also, i think we could see a HP/trq war get going in this segment, as the bigger trucks' sales are flat, and both Nissan and Toyota do far better here than in the full-size area, so they'll want to keep their good standing and outdo this new GM entry. i know Nissan can get more power out of their 4.0L V-6 currently in the Frontier (seeing as how they can get 300hp from a 3.5L), and the 310hp V-8 from the Titan will fit into the Frontier-based Pathfinder. in a world with 260hp Camrys and 250-300hp compact cars, i'm shocked we haven't already seen 300+hp compact trucks, if only in SS or SRT type models.

[solman98]

Originally Posted by Ming

On a side note I recently saw what looked like a new Colorado with the sealed beam headlamps fleet-style black plastic grille. Really rare to see those, it may be the second I've ever seen on the road since noticing it in the brochure years ago.

We had a couple of those around here. Definatley the bottom of the options list.....

[genjy]

Originally Posted by RWD60

i know Nissan can get more power out of their 4.0L V-6 currently in the Frontier (seeing as how they can get 300hp from a 3.5L), and the 310hp V-8 from the Titan will fit into the Frontier-based Pathfinder.

Yeah... I was watching TV last night and a Nissan truck commercial stated that the 2008 Pathfinder now has a v8. I was thinking if the Pathfinder now has a v8... then that means the Frontier can and will have a v8 sometime down the road.

I think Nissan is still waiting for the right moment to unleash the v8 Frontier.

[titanguy]

I think this is great news. I am willing to bet that the gas mileage difference is very small between the I-5 and 5.3. I am not sure what the current rating is for the 3.7 model. All I know is that I consistently got 16-17mpg in CITY driving in my 5.3 2003 Sierra. On long highway trips I could often get 20-22mpg. For a 300 hp V-8 this is staggering gas mileage. I'm assuming it could only be better in these smaller trucks. GM cannot forget about this segment!

[boblutzfan]

This could set the sales charts on fire. A slight upgrade on the interior and exterior styling would help as well - but the extra power will please many in this segment. GM seems to be doing so many things right these days. 2008 is really shaping up to be a good year. Now if they would just give the G6 the MCE it deserves - GM would have the sedan segment covered, the midsize truck market and the CUV market - a nice shift out of gas guzzlers.

GM is moving in the right direction.

[red_xtreme95]

SWEEEEETTTTTTTT.....I WANT ONE that this will be Blazing fast

[JacozSS]

This is a great add to the line, but they need to be careful. The new H3 5.3L engine (LH8) is neither flex-fuel capable nor does it have active fuel management. I have to check with three different sources at GM on this. The nubmers on H3 are 300HP and 320TQ just as an extra tidbit.

[E. Haskell]

I would DEFINATELY buy this truck with the V8.



It'll make an awesome sport truck.

[SuperSS27]

I might have to trade my Trailblazer SS for one of these bad boys. If indeed they actually come out with something with a little sport to it.

[E. Haskell]

3400-3500 lbs with 295hp and 300+ lb-ft. These things will be as fast as Mustang GTs!