2006 COLORADO : A MIDSIZE TRUCK WITH MILE-HIGH SUCCESS
Source: GM Media

Colorado continues to attract new customers. More than 117,000 were sold in 2004, its introductory year, and sales topped 10,000 per month four out of five months in late 2004 and early ’05. With Colorado’s bold design, spacious interior, powerful and fuel-efficient engines and wide range of configurations, it’s no wonder it suits just about any personal or professional vehicle need.

For the 2006 model year, Colorado continues to offer one of the widest model ranges, including Regular Cab, Extended Cab or Crew Cab body styles; two pickup bed lengths; three available suspensions; and two inline engines. The popular Colorado Xtreme, which combines performance with an attractive sport-truck appearance package, also returns. Updates for ’06 include refinements of equipment groups that are designed to make customer selection easier. Colorado models are available in LS and LT trim.

A Sun and Sound package is available for LT models and includes an AM/FM with six-disc in-dash CD stereo and power sunroof. LT models also receive upgraded interior cloth material, as does the seatback of Crew Cab models. The Street Pack offers a great, color-keyed appearance to base, regular-length extended cab models. There also is a new exterior color for 2006: Blue Granite Metallic.

Efficient performance
Colorado is available with two inline, fuel-efficient engines. Standard on all models (except Crew Cab Z71 off-road and ZQ8 sport suspension models) is the Vortec 2800 2.8L four-cylinder engine, which delivers 175 horsepower (130 kw) and 185 lb.-ft. of torque (251 Nm).

The Vortec 3500 3.5L five-cylinder engine with 220 hp (164 kw) and 225 lb.-ft. (305 Nm) of torque is standard on the Crew Cab Z71 and ZQ8 models, and available on all other models. The 3.5L inline five-cylinder offers customers the power of a V-6 with the fuel efficiency of a four-cylinder. Both engines are based on the durable Vortec 4200 inline six-cylinder that powers the Chevy TrailBlazer. They feature dual overhead camshafts, variable valve timing, electronic throttle control and other features that contribute to high levels of operating efficiency and fuel economy. Balance shafts help ensure smooth operation of the engines, providing a higher level of refinement.

With its efficient packaging, Colorado looks and feels more like a spacious full-size pickup than a typical midsize truck. Built on an all-new midsize truck architecture, Colorado has a stiff frame that enables more precise suspension tuning to deliver a smooth, isolated ride without sacrificing responsive handling. Colorado also delivers class-leading refinement with features such as hydraulically assisted rack-and-pinion steering; large front disc brakes with twin-piston calipers; coil-over front suspension on 2WD models and torsion bar front suspension on 4WD models; and specifically tuned body mounts that help reduce interior noise and vibration.

Three suspension choices let customers tailor Colorado to their specific needs: the rugged Z85 suspension standard on 2WD or 4WD models; the lower-riding ZQ8 sport suspension for 2WD models only; and the Z71 off-road suspension, now available in both 2WD and 4WD.

Convenience and cargo room
Colorado can seat up to six while offering much higher levels of ride comfort, handling, quietness and interior space than many other midsize trucks. Standard features include rack-and-pinion steering, intermittent wipers, air conditioning tilt steering wheel, cruise control and folding outside mirrors. Insta-Trac is standard on 4WD models.

Notable optional equipment includes remote keyless entry; traction assist (2WD models); XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only); fog lamps; self-dimming inside rearview mirror; running boards; power, heated leather seating; high-back bucket seats; a rear sliding window; and power operated outside rearview mirrors.

Colorado ’s instrument panel has large, easy-to-read analog gauges, with switches and controls designed for easy operation with gloves. Crew Cab models offer a 60/40-split/folding rear seat capable of accommodating three adults. Extended Cab versions have four doors, and its two folding rear seats face forward.

Regular and Extended Cab models have a 6-foot 1-inch (1.85 m) pickup bed with taller sides than many competitors, providing best-in-class volume for deeper storage and higher overall payload. Crew Cab bed lengths are 5-foot 1-inch (1.55 m). Both beds offer two-tier cargo loading, and tailgates that are both lockable and easily removable.

Colorado ’s tailgate opens fully to almost 90 degrees, but can be set at a 55-degree opening. That puts the tailgate edge at the same height as the top of the rear wheel wells within the cargo box, creating a sturdy, flat platform to conveniently transport longer items or 4-foot by 8-foot (1.2-meter by 2.4-meter) panels.

Safety features
Colorado has standard dual-stage frontal air bags with a passenger deactivation switch. Dual-stage frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury. When the air bag system’s control unit detects an impact, it determines whether the crash is severe enough to trigger a deployment, and whether the primary amount of inflation is sufficient. The primary stage alone will deploy in most frontal impacts requiring the supplemental protection of an air bag, while a secondary stage is designed to deploy in more severe frontal collisions.

Colorado also offers head curtain air bags for enhanced side-impact protection – the first vehicle in the segment to offer side air bags. The optional head curtain side air bags act like a protective curtain when deployed, unfolding from the roof rail between the A-pillar and side window header. When the bag deploys in a moderate to severe side impact, it is angled somewhat toward the window to help provide protection for front- and rear-seat outboard passengers.

Pretensioners at the outboard front-seat positions deploy at the same time as the frontal air bags to take up slack in the safety belt webbing. Pretensioners also help reduce the amount of occupant movement in the event of a crash to help reduce the risk of injury.

The front outboard seating positions in all Colorados , and the rear outboard positions of Crew Cabs, have adjustable safety belt upper guide loops for improved fit and comfort. A three-point safety belt is standard for the center-rear seat in all Crew Cabs.

Additional safety and security items include daytime running lights; a first-in-class driver information center with oil life monitor; four-wheel anti-lock brakes; PASSLock II vehicle theft protection; first-in-class lockout protection (standard with power door locks); child security locks (standard on Crew Cab rear doors); and battery rundown protection.

OnStar-equipped Colorado models feature OnStar dual-mode (analog-digital) equipment. OnStar’s digital equipment also includes enhanced hands-free voice recognition capabilities including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada . Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Hands-Free Calling that allows drivers to make and receive voice-activated phone calls using an externally mounted antenna for greater reception.

Colorado Xtreme
The Xtreme goes even further in combining the rugged good looks, powerful engines, a performance ZQ8 suspension and the capable overall package of Colorado with sports car-like handling and contemporary sport truck styling. Colorado Xtreme is available on two-wheel-drive versions of LT Regular Cab, Extended Cab and Crew Cab models.

The Colorado Extreme stands out with a ZQ8 lowered suspension and special exterior enhancements. Suspension (spring & knuckle) modifications and tire/wheel assemblies lower the vehicle 1.6 inches (40.6 mm) 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;18-inch alloy wheels and low-profile performance tires also are included. 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.

A unique body-color front fascia with foglamps, rear fascia and rocker extension moldings, as well as a rear spoiler on the tailgate, new front 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, Superior Blue and Yellow. A power-operated sunroof also is available. The Colorado Xtreme comes with LT trim, but also includes special instrument cluster graphics and interior badging.