New Thai-built Colorado debuts

The pickup that will eventually become the next Holden Colorado has been unveiled in Thailand, ahead of its official public debut at the Bangkok International Auto Show later this week.

GM stressed that the utility is strictly a 'show truck', but was quick to add that the basic proportions and form of the vehicle displayed do convey the company's vision for the Colorado it will be bring to market later this year. 

"It reflects a stylised version of the new truck, one that takes into account rugged dependable truck capabilities for commercial use as well as sophisticated refinement for personal-use needs," explained GM's global vehicle line executive, Brad Merkel.

The new Colorado was developed within GM's global product development organisation with engineers careful to ensure the mid-size ute would meet local (Thai) market needs as well as those of the brand's other markets.

"[Our] customers ask a lot of their trucks, so the powertrains and chassis must be very robust to earn their trust – and that's exactly what we've delivered," said GM's global vehicle chief engineer, Roberto Rempel.

Colorado's extended-cab body rides on an elevated all-wheel drive chassis rolling on 20-inch 'liquid metal' finished aluminium wheels.

It's powered by a 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine tailored to deliver a broad torque band. Chevrolet says the purposeful design conveys "strength and confidence"; its Pepperdust Metallic paint accented with polished aluminium fascias, integrated side steps and black-masked projector style headlamps flanking a twin-port grille.

Inside, the cabin incorporates Chev's new dual-cockpit instrument panel design which flows into the doors to create a "floating, wraparound effect". Motorcycle-inspired gauges (similar to those seen in the Barina Spark), are illuminated in Ice-blue and are contrasted by dark plastics and light-coloured leather trimmed seats. Elsewhere, dark wood trims are accented with chrome, low-gloss and soft-touch materials for some up-market ambience.

Creature comforts include dual-zone climate control and the latest infotainment technology presented via a centrally mounted 7-inch LCD display.

Full specifications and further details will be announced at the Bangkok International Auto Show later this week..

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