Ford versus GM, 2023 fashion! The all-new Chevrolet Colorado would possibly find yourself in Australia, so here is the way it traces up in opposition to the most recent Ford Ranger ute – Automobile Information

Is it a coincidence that Basic Motors timed the worldwide announcement of the all-new Chevrolet Colorado between the Australian launches of the Ford Ranger and its Raptor flagship? Most likely. 

Unveiled in Detroit late final month, the third-generation ute to put on that identify since 2004 is the primary in half a century from GM that’s unrelated to any Isuzu equivalents, such because the D-Max or previous Sooner of 1972. 

Most of which additionally spawned a number of Holdens after all, from 1981’s Rodeo to the earlier two Colorados from 2008 to 2020.

Fully redesigned from the bottom up, there isn’t a denying that the looming international grudge match between the 2023 Ranger and Colorado will doubtless additionally play out in Australia, whether or not the Chevrolet arrives through General Motors Special Vehicles (GMSV) program or by non-public importation.

With the surprising success of the bigger Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado full-sized vehicles in Australia – which is able to meet their nemesis when Ford reintroduces the F-150 in Australia mid subsequent yr – there’s a probability that GMSV would possibly increase down into Ranger territory too.

Or, a minimum of, in opposition to the up-spec variations, like Wildtrak and Raptor. That’s as a result of, Jeep apart, all of the American-made vehicles are manufacturing unit left-hand-drive solely (for now), and are transformed by a second occasion as soon as they land on Australian soil, including a big premium to their already lofty pricing.

Nonetheless, when CarsGuide spoke to GMSV Australia and New Zealand director, Joanne Stogiannis, late final yr in Melbourne (and months earlier than Chevrolet unveiled the brand new Colorado in July), it was made clear that no GM car is off the desk sooner or later for Australia and New Zealand.

“We’re not likely trying for the time being that low (sub Silverado),” she stated. “However you by no means say by no means. We’re all the time always assessing all of the alternatives within the GM steady.”

The Colorado would possibly even be extra ‘prepared’ for Australia than we may hope.

Intriguingly, on the Holden Acadia launch in October, 2018, Holden’s then managing director, Dave Buttner, hinted {that a} future Chevrolet Colorado may type the idea of the corporate’s Ranger rival. 

“The information are we will draw on a implausible stable of SUVs and vehicles (inside GM),” he revealed. “I had an opportunity to go to the design studio (in Detroit), go to all of the studios, see each clay mannequin, see every little thing that’s beneath improvement for all the manufacturers.

“When you get in early sufficient on the platform improvement stage designed for each right-hand-drive and LHD, then actually, the world’s your oyster by way of what you may usher in,” he stated on the time. 

“So, you simply have to verify what you’re bringing in, you need to perceive the market as we speak, and if we’re planning three-to-four years out, then additionally what’s the market tomorrow. So, you need to be sure to’re bringing in the suitable product to fulfill the market on the proper time.”

This means that the 2023 Colorado would possibly have already got been future-proofed for right-hand drive if Holden purchased into this system within the early phases as a alternative for its then best-selling mannequin.

So, with all of this in thoughts, how would the penultimate Colorado ZR1 stack up in opposition to its vastly profitable Ranger Wildtrak equal in Australia?

Physique

The brand new Ranger is actually a closely redesigned model of the primary T6 launched again in 2011.

Sure, every little thing from the windscreen ahead is new, with a hydro-formed entrance construction, wider tracks and longer wheelbase to assist accommodate the optionally available V6s and coming electrified powertrains, whereas the sheetmetal and rear tub have additionally been restyled. 

However the Ford’s roof and door and window apertures are carryover.

In the meantime, every little thing pertaining to the Colorado’s design has not been seen earlier than or carried over, leading to a good-looking and cohesive look with even beefier proportions than the Ford’s. Just like the latter, entrance overhangs are shorter now as properly.

There is no denying the enchantment of the Chevy’s shrunken-Silverado styling.

Inside

The Ranger’s inside is box-fresh. Dominating what Ford calls a “coast-to-coast” dashboard is a big, Tesla-style portrait touchscreen in both 10.1-inch or 12.0-inches, with the latter reserved for Wildtrak and Raptor.

Ford says it labored onerous to enhance performance and comfort, with improved storage, aided by the adoption of a drive-by-wire gear lever and digital park brake, liberating house.

In fact, the Colorado’s cabin can be new, that includes “… commonplace 11.3-inch-diagonal color multimedia touchscreen… and segment-first commonplace 8.0-inch-diagonal absolutely digital color instrument show, each of that are customisable”, as GM places it.

Off-road shows to assist 4×4 progress are included within the Ford and Chevrolet, together with app-assisted applied sciences, to assist with on a regular basis performance.

Tub

Be aware that GM has but to disclose the 2023 Colorado’s full spec particulars or tub dimensions.

It does point out some added objects in comparison with earlier than, together with eight commonplace mounted tie-downs, 4 stake pockets on the highest of the mattress with the power to create tri-level storage, a tailgate that may be positioned halfway between absolutely closed and open for longer objects, bike tyre grooves within the entrance mattress wall, a 110-volt energy outlet and spray-on bedliner.

The most recent Wildtrak, in the meantime, has already set a excessive bar with its field capping to guard the sheetmetal, load-bearing field tie down rails, under-rail load field illumination, a bedliner with a 12-volt socket, powered curler shutter and a lighter tailgate courtesy of an ‘simple raise help’ system.

It is going to be onerous to beat the Ranger total on this regard.

Security

On the protection entrance, each vehicles undertake a excessive variety of superior driver-assist applied sciences, together with autonomous emergency braking, lane-warning/hold methods, rear-cross visitors alerts, surround-view cameras and adaptive cruise control.

The Ranger additionally introduces 9 airbags, together with a front-seat centre merchandise.

Dimensions

Dimension-wise, the Wildtrak’s size/width/peak/wheelbase measure in at 5370/1918/1884/3270mm, versus the ZR1’s 5411/1903/1817/3337mm, so there’s not lots in it: the Colorado is barely longer total and in wheelbase, however a tad narrower and shorter total than the Ranger. 

Thus, cabin house should be an in depth factor between the longtime foes.

The Wildtrak’s monitor width of about 1610mm compares to 1590mm for Z71.

Engine

Most likely the largest departure is beneath the bonnet, since for now, all Colorados are powered by a 2.7-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine supplied in three output ranges, with the Z71 boasting 231kW of energy and 530Nm of torque, placing it within the center. 

Be aware that the outgoing US Colorado supplied a 3.6-litre V6 petrol and VM Motori-supplied 2.8-litre four-pot turbo-diesel engines, each of which could possibly be present in some variation in some Holdens from the mid-2000s.

Whether or not a diesel is finally introduced down the monitor isn’t but recognized. North American consumers favor petrol anyway. So, as a substitute depend on seeing hybrid and/or electrified versions within the not-too-distant future.

The Wildtrak, in the meantime, has a pair of turbo-diesel selections, in both base 154kW/500Nm 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo or 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre V6 single-turbo guises. 

Curiously, each the Ford and GM vehicles use a variation of an analogous torque-converter automatic transmission: Ranger has the 10-speed 10R80 whereas Colorado employs an eight-speed 8L80 unit.

Each utes provide varied on- and off-road driving modes.

There’s no point out of manual gearboxes on the GM press web site, whereas the Ranger, outdoors of Australia, is on the market with five-speed or six-speed manuals.

Chassis

Each vehicles characteristic a ladder-frame chassis with a physique on high.

The Ranger strikes to a improvement of the Raptor/Everest’s three-piece body, although all parts are modified from earlier than. The added width means a redesigned unbiased wishbone coil-sprung entrance suspension set-up, that includes new geometry, with the dampers additionally shifting additional outboard for higher tuning vary and a greater experience.

The Colorado’s chassis is all-new. Particulars are nonetheless sparse however the front suspension is described as unbiased with coil-over shocks, whereas the rear is just like the Ranger’s in having a strong axle with semi-elliptic multi-leaf springs. The Raptor upgrades to coils, by the best way.

Each utes are fitted with electrical rack and pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes.

In Australia, the Wildtrak affords 234mm of floor clearance, in comparison with ZR1’s 227mm.

Wheels are 18-inch items on each automobiles.

Weights

The ZR1 in US specification has a kerb weight of 2255kg; the Wildtrak in 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo guise is rated at 2341kg whereas the V6 grade is available in at 2399kg.

The Chevy’s Gross Car Mass (GVM – the utmost whole mass of a totally loaded motorcar as specified by the car producer) is 2835kg (Wildtrak Bi-Turbo/V6: 3280/3350kg); most payload is 720kg (Wildtrak Bi-Turbo/V6: 1009/1021kg); and most towing capacity is 3493kg (Wildtrak: 3500kg).

On this division, the Ranger seems to be forward of its Colorado competitor. 

Verdict

Appearances and present powertrains apart, the brand new Colorado and newest Ranger are fairly related in numerous methods. As has all the time been the case traditionally, one follows the opposite.

If GMSV or a non-public import firm can promote the 2023 Chevrolet at a value inside hanging distance of the Wildtrak, then there could be a excessive probability of success on the idea of the early info we have been equipped.

Extra particulars on the Colorado might be revealed in North America when the mannequin is launched within the close to future. How related it’s for Australians stays anybody’s guess.