In the hallowed tradition of SS-badged Chevrolets such as the Chevelle, Camaro, and awesome 1990-93 454 SS Sport Truck, the Colorado SS show vehicle sets a new benchmark for road-going performance. The Colorado SS launches with 400 horsepower from the 2005 Corvette’s LS2 and then benefits from a complete package of high-performance features.

LS2 6.0L V-8 with 400 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. torque that exhales through a custom-built performance exhaust from the catalyst rearward
Heavy-duty 4L70-E four-speed automatic transmission with floor shifter
Heavy-duty 9.5-inch rear axle with a locking differential for added traction and a short 3.73:1 rear axle ratio for rapid acceleration
Front disc brakes measuring over 12 inches that are sourced from the full-size Chevrolet Silverado; rear disc brakes from the Chevrolet TrailBlazer.
Lowered suspension riding on brushed nickel-plated 20-inch Silverado SS rims
Stylized interior with unique trim, bezels, and seats
Custom exterior package with unique grille, fascias, flares, rocker extensions and tonneau cover

Many auto manufacturers have used musclecar glory days to market their new vehicles. For the most part, these new-breed passenger vehicles stand in the shadows of their name branding. This isn't the case with GM's SS-series power players. We found GM touting its SS TrailBlazer, sporting the new LS2 6.0L motor. For the GM all-aluminum-constructed engine with 10.9:1 compression, GM recommends you run 91 octane fuel, but it's not required. Of course, if you want to use every bit of the LS2's 395 hp or 400 lb-ft of torque, you'd better stick 91 in the tank.

We'll save the discussion of ridiculous price-gouging for a totally different story. But, with alternative fuels and power sources on the horizon, it's great to see that GM's not afraid to provide consumers with what they want-power. GM also had its Colorado SS concept truck out for display. This Colorado was equipped with the early version of the LS-series engines. Even though the older modular motor only has 350 cubic inches in comparison to the 427 in the TrailBlazer, this hauler has an incredible pucker factor.

We're told GM's on the fence about putting the midsize hauler to production with either of the LS-series modular engines. We're hoping GM sees that catering a V-8 to a vehicle that is more mommy-based is missing the market by not catering power to a vehicle that would be more prone to hauling. Not to mention, guys who love trucks and power are less concerned about gas prices. After seeing the Colorado SS in action, we're even more anxious to inspire GM to make the V-8 midsize a dealer showroom figure.

• Colorado Rally Concept conveys robustness, strength and capability
• Colorado Rally gives another glimpse of the next generation global Chevrolet midsize pickup truck

Buenos Aires (Argentina) – At the Buenos Aires International Auto Show, Chevrolet revealed the Colorado Rally, a second show truck version of its next generation global midsize pickup. The debut of the adventure themed vehicle follows the reveal of the first Colorado show truck at the Bangkok motor show in April of this year. "Both trucks give a glimpse of the next generation Chevrolet global midsize pickup, which is of huge importance to consumers in many countries around the world. For example, in Brazil, costumers made Chevrolet's midsize truck the vehicle segment leader for 16 consecutive years," said Brad Merkel, GM Global Vehicle Line Executive.

Chevrolet's unmatched heritage in durable and dependable pickup trucks is exemplified in the Colorado Rally's sturdy and robust appearance. The show truck combines signature design elements with Chevrolet's legendary on and off road capabilities.

“Colorado Rally exhibits Chevrolet’s DNA in an off road version. To develop this vehicle we did an extensive research on the off- road Motorsport. Each and every detail was deeply studied in order to deliver maximum authenticity, designed with the rally raid category in mind, also known as cross country rallying”, says Carlos Barba, GM South America Design Center director.

Colorado Rally is a crew cab version with a tridimensional front grille featuring chromed details. Outfitted wildly, Colorado Rally’s body color is a triple coat pearled White with golden particles, and other external components in textured charcoal. Skid plate and side moldings in liquid metal and bead lock off road wheels milled from a single piece of aluminium. The wheels machined from a single piece of aluminium, with two distinct surface finishing (machined and polished), 18" inch diameter, and Mud-Terrain T/A 305/60R18 tires to “attack” the off road’s obstacles.

4WD, powered by an efficient 2.8 liter turbo-diesel engine, which generates high torque, Colorado Rally is perfect for the needs in the off road roads/tracks besides its technical aspects. Combining its high performance fox racing shox shock system with 140mm travel distance and adjustable suspension height system up to 50mm, the Chevrolet concept has two bumper integrated winch systems by Smittybilt with 5.5Hp and four metric tonnes pulling capacity, with 23,000mm of aeronautic cable. Off road optimized bumpers designed with high attack angle stylized side steps and moldings confirms the wild purpose.

For the adventures at night, Colorado Rally has a high performance frontal lights, with searchlight integrated to the side mirrors. LED, headlamps, tail lamps, fog lamps, search lights, and roof mounted high reach lights. The side blinkers are integrated to the side mirrors' shell.

Exterior details

In order to create a real rally vehicle, the GM South America Design Studio added up to Colorado concept a wide variety of off road features such as rally windows in acrylic for higher safety against side impacts with air inlets for better air circulation, two milled aluminium tow hooks integrated to each bumper, wide fiberglass fenders, spare tire support inside the bed and tool boxes integrated. Open tailgate to improve flux of air as well as optimize the rear view and reduce the weight, and many more details:

• Integrated bed roll bar
• Quick operation exposed aluminium fuel cap
• Body integrated rear bumper
• Full roof rack
• Fibreglass hood with differentiated detail

Ergonomics, safety and functionality set the Interior’s theme

Designers focused on ergonomics, safety and functionality to create the Colorado Rally’s interior, such as the high performance steering wheel, designed for an aggressive handling, with a tighter (than a production model) curvature in the upper and lower arcs. The upper arc has LEDs integrated to the bar designed as a quick display tachometer. The side grips have two buttons on each side facing the driver, they are; high beam toggle, menu display for the cluster to change the displayed information, "Air Boost" control, and speed limiter for urban sections of a race.

The interior colour trims, like the plastic components, leather covered upper instrument panel, are textured in "Very dark ash grey". The center stack has some inserts in metallic satin finishing. All commands are finished with soft touch materials and to make it more practical and sporty, the seat materials and the steering wheel cover are in black neoprene with orange stitching, and a high depth "Rashel" effect fabric in orange with black under colour. Metal mats in "very dark ash grey" with orange rubber inserts, roll cage and other metal details painted in silver and reflective orange details on the door reinforces the detailed interior design. The metallic mat is positioned a few millimeters from the floor, perforated with integrated rubber details designed to help clean the occupants’ footwear and provide a higher grip.

In terms of safety and functionality, Colorado Rally has the Internal roll cage with custom railing profile, developed to provide an attaching system to additional equipment, such as cameras or auxiliary lighting. The 5-point seat belt directly connected to the Roll cage.

Vehicle integrated fire extinguisher activated through the IP, releases flame suppressing foam to the cabin and engine compartment, and plus two traditional fire extinguishing canisters positioned between the seats right behind the center console. The master switch integrated to the center stack, with two key functions, starting the engine, disconnects every system in the vehicle, in case of emergencies. For off road chases before overtaking other competitors during a race, there’s the "Air boost" highly compressed air system developed to quickly clean the cabin after entering a dust cloud.

To be able to face high temperatures inside the cabin during the race, Colorado Rally has a Hydration pack, which consists of dedicated containers for feeding and hydrating positioned behind each seat, the food solution is delivered to the occupant's through a small tube system.

Other features are the first aid kit stored in the center console and three dedicated tool boxes locked in the area behind the seats, being one for each occupant, containing the most used tools, and a third box in the center dedicated to specialized tools for harder jobs.

To keep the racers in the right track the concept vehicle has a Sat Nat, satellite navigation positioned directly in front of the navigator. Maps, sign plates, and road books are stored into the glove box and also fixated through bungee cords on the outside of the glove box access door. Communication devices for internal and external contact, center stack with gauges for temperature and pressure, as well as commands for adjustment of the suspension system, tire pressure regulator, fire extinguisher activation, and two separate commands for the fuel pumps and a tripmeter display are also part of the high featured equipment.

Is the upcoming Chevrolet Colorado pickup the solution to a problem that has vexed automakers for years, or the answer to a question nobody asked?

Chevrolet is betting hundreds of millions of dollars and several hundred jobs the new midsize pickup will breathe life into what some automakers consider a dying market segment -- small and midsize pickups. The UAW says the pickup is scheduled for production at GM's assembly plant in Wentzville, Mo., as part of the automaker's new contract with the union.

Smaller pickups were once a vital part of the U.S. auto industry. They helped automakers meet fuel economy requirements. They were the affordable new vehicle of choice for many young buyers.

They've dwindled to virtual irrelevance. Their price and size grew close to that of full-size pickups such as the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150, and good small cars replaced them among first-time buyers. Midsize pickups account for about 2.2% of vehicle sales so far this year, according to figures from Autodata. The Ford F-150 alone outsold all seven small pickups on the market nearly 2-to-1 through August.

"Manufacturers killed their own vehicles by hyper-discounting full-size pickups" to the point where a bigger, roomier and more powerful truck cost about as much as a midsize, said Jim Hall, managing director of 2953 Analytics in Birmingham, Mich.

Automakers are fleeing the segment like a burning building. They feel there's no money to be made there. Chrysler stopped building the Dodge Dakota earlier this year. Ford Ranger production ends soon. The Honda Ridgeline is expected to disappear when the current model goes.

Nevertheless, GM's product-development brain trust has had its eye on the segment for years. They're convinced there's a market for small trucks, if you get the formula right.

For the new Colorado to succeed, Chevy must charge less or give buyers more. Preferably both.

The pickup was engineered to be rugged, capable and inexpensive. GM's Brazilian tech center developed it with an emphasis on creating a tough, versatile vehicle. It will be a mainstay of Chevy's lineup in Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East. The current Colorado, and its sibling the GMC Canyon, were developed by former GM partner Isuzu.

Toyota has proven you can make money and win loyal customers if you build a great small or midsize truck and price it appropriately. The Tacoma is a mainstay of Toyota's lineup. Though many automakers desert the segment, Toyota plans to introduce an all-new version next year.

The Tacoma is the definitive vehicle in its class. To succeed, the new Colorado will have to convince buyers its price, fuel economy, size and features match or beat the new Toyota. That won't be easy.

Early indications are the new Chevy will be slightly smaller than the current Colorado and Tacoma. It may get a diesel engine to boost fuel economy significantly. It's likely to offer several variations of cab and bed size.

"It's going to be interesting," Hall said. "The market will ultimately decide" if the wiser strategy is to build a better small pickup or ditch the segment and concentrate on larger trucks.