Colorado Diesel: What Will the Fuel Economy Be?
We are getting really close to the official launch of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon with the 2.8L Duramax diesel engine. In addition to providing a torque boost over the regular engine, the diesel should return excellent fuel economy. But just how good will it be?
Presently, the full size Ram 1500 with the EcoDiesel, when equipped, can hit 29 miles per gallon on the highway. I had an opportunity to have one last fall, and during mixed driving I was able to get 29 MPG or better. That’s the beauty of diesels, they often beat the EPA numbers.
For the Colorado diesel to be considered a success, it’ll have to get better fuel economy than that.
The Colorado is lighter than the Silverado (and other full-sized trucks, for that matter), and aren’t necessarily purchased by people who use the truck for work. General Motors can tune the diesel in the Colorado for fuel economy better than they can in the Silverado HD.
While I’m sure if the new Colorado diesel was put into the hands of legendary hypermiler Wayne Gerdes it’d get like 50 MPG, I think the EPA highway number will be around 35 miles-per-gallon.
I think if it hits that number, it’ll be a big win for Chevrolet and General Motors.
What do you think? Let us know your predictions over in the forums!
