Chevrolet reinvents Colorado midsize pickup truck for 2015

Absent from the North American midsize pickup market since the 2012 model year, Chevrolet made its much-anticipated return official today with the unveiling of the 2015 Colorado at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. Billed as the third element in a three-truck strategy-Silverado Heavy Duty, Silverado half-ton, and midsize Colorado-the new pickup was characterized as a "scaled down Silverado" by Jeff Luke, chief engineer for pickup trucks at General Motors. Luke added that this doesn't mean the Colorado revival will be based on the Silverado chassis, nor will it be a version of the Colorado that continued to enjoy strong sales in Thailand after GM pulled the plug on North American sales. Like the Silverado, the new Colorado will ride on a fully boxed frame, but the chassis will be unique to the mid-size truck, according to Chevrolet.Although dimensional specifics weren't announced, Luke noted that the Colorado will be 5 inches narrower, 3 inches lower, and some 900 pounds lighter than the Silverado, thanks in large part to a chassis that's about 40 percent lighter than that of the full-size truck

Three engines

When the truck goes on sale in the fall of 2014, Colorado buyers will have two engine options: a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder rated for 193 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 good for 300 horsepower and 270 lb-ft. Both engines already exist in the General Motors North American powertrain inventory. Engine choices will expand to three in 2016, when a 2.5-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder becomes available, a first in the midsize pickup category. Chevrolet did not release output figures for the diesel. All engines will be mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and buyers will have a choice of rear- or 4-wheel drive. Chevrolet sources also hint that another transmission choice may become available shortly after launch, but declined to furnish specifics other than to say that a manual gearbox is unlikely. Towing capabilities will range up to 6700 pounds, which Chevrolet anticipates will be best in class

The company also expects Colorado fuel economy ratings to be tops among midsize pickups. While the truck's EPA ratings are yet to come, that would mean maximums of at least 22 mpg city/26 highway for a rear-drive 4-cylinder model. Toyota's Tacoma, the segment's current bestseller, maxes at 21 mpg/25 highway for a standard cab rear-drive model with a 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission. The revivalist Colorado will be offered in extended and crew cab body styles -- no standard cab. Extended cab models will come with a 6-foot cargo bed, Crew Cabs with a 5-foot bed, the longest bed in the midsize segment for a four-door pickup according to Chevrolet. Suspension elements consist of coil-over front springs and 2-stage semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear. The brake system comprises discs front and rear, Like the Silverado, the Colorado will offer an EZ-Lift tailgate and a standard Step Assist pad at each end of the rear bumper to make it easier to climb in and out of the cargo bed. The bed rails and cargo floor will include 13 tie-down points, and a standard two-tiered storage system will expand cargo bed versatility. Chevy also plans to offer a variety of cargo accessories. There will be three trim levels-the basic WT (for Work Truck), mid-grade LT, and top-of-the-line Z71, designed to tackle off-road work. All three versions will be available in extended and crew cab body styles, and all offer the option of 4-wheel drive

The Inner Colorado

Inside, the Colorado's instrumentation and center stack echoes that of the new Silverado, and shares much of the full-size truck's features, including Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment and connectivity system. An 8-inch color touch screen dominates the center dash in LT and Z71 models, which also include USB drives. A 4.2-inch driver information screen enhances the instrument cluster, and a navigation system with voice recognition will be an available. Key instruments will include halo backlighting, making them easier to find and operate at night, and the standard center console is big enough to swallow a tablet computer. All trim levels will be furnished with cloth upholstery, and Z71 models will have unique color and trim details, including embossing on the seatbacks and contrasting stitching. Unlike the Silverado, the Colorado's shifter will be in the traditional center position, between the front seats. Standard safety features include front and side curtain airbags; rear view camera; Stabilitrak stability control with rollover mitigation; trailer sway control; and hill descent control. The Colorado will also offer the option of forward collision alert and lane departure warning, both firsts in the mid-size pickup segment according to Chevrolet

Pricing With the Colorado's on-sale date almost a year away, Chevrolet refrained from furnishing any pricing specifics, other than to say that the new truck would have the "best value proposition" in its class. However, it's likely that Chevy's new truck will be priced against the Tacoma and Nissan Frontier, the two trucks that currently dominate the hitherto shrinking midsize pickup class. Current Tacoma pricing ranges from about $18,000 up to about $30,000. Chevrolet's L.A. presentation made it clear that the company is bullish on its new truck, and the future of the midsize category. Chief engineer Luke flatly expects the Colorado to be "the most capable, fuel efficient, versatile midsize truck." Mark Reuss, president of General Motors North America, goes further, stating that the Colorado "reinvents the midsize truck, while reinvigorating the segment at the same time." How much room does that leave for the GMC Canyon, the Colorado's upscale clone? We'll have to wait for January's Detroit auto show to learn the answer to that question

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Chevrolet City Express rolls into Chicago 2015

Making its first public appearance, the 2015 Chevrolet City Express will add a new dimension to the automaker's fleet and commercial lineup when it arrives in showrooms this fall. As we reported last May, the new City Express is based on the highly regarded Nissan NV200 van and offers buyers a smaller and more affordable but still extremely capable alternative to the full-size Chevy Express. Although built under contract by Nissan, Chevrolet will provide all service for this versatile light-duty hauler through its own dealer network

Save for mild cosmetic tweaks - highlighted by the use of a signature Bowtie grille badge --  the front-drive City Express is an NV200 to its rugged core. As for vital stats, this Chevy alter-ego will be available in LS and LT trims, both fitted with a 131-horsepower/2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine backed by a continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission. Built on a 115.2-inch wheelbase and measuring 186.3 inches nose-to-tail, the 2-passenger City Express also boasts 122.7 cu ft of readily configurable cargo space that can be easily accessed through its dual sliding side doors and 60/40 split rear doors that can swing out to 90- and 180-degree positions. Six floor-mounted D-rings and 20 integrated mounting points further enhance utility

Standard features on both City Express trim grades include power windows, a driver information center, fold-flat passenger seat, 12V powerpoint and a large covered center storage bin. The LT adds remote keyless entry and heated power mirrors along with cruise control and backup sensors -- the latter two items also available as LS options. Buyers opting for LT trim also will be able to add the Technology Package that includes navigation, XM Radio, Bluetooth, USB input, steering-wheel audio controls and a rear view camera. Pricing for the 2015 Chevrolet City Express will be announced closer to its on-sale date

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Cadillac Escalade First Review 2015

Think about this for a second: It's been 15 years now since Cadillac took a chance on the Escalade. It was a radical move for a traditional domestic luxury car brand, but it's a gamble which continues to pay off. The Escalade's path to success hasn't been easy, it faces increasingly stiff competition from import and domestic rivals. And a dated interior didn't help its case. For 2015, though, Cadillac has upped its game with an all-new design featuring a cabin fit for a class-leading full-size luxury SUV. Cadillac was aiming for "world class quietness" through new additions like inlaid and triple-sealed doors, redesigned mirrors, and acoustic laminate glass for both the windshield and front row

The all-new interior is a major leap forward but other refinements further Cadillac's assertion of being best in class. A more powerful and fuel efficient 6.2-liter V8 engine is now rated at 420 horsepower and an impressive 460 lb-ft of torque (up from 403 hp and 417 lb-ft, respectively). The EPA has rated the 2015 Cadillac Escalade with standard rear-wheel drive at 15 city, 21 highway, and 17 mpg combined while the optional four-wheel drive model checks in at 14 city, 21 highway, and 16 mpg combined. The Escalade ESV with two-wheel drive is on par with the shorter wheelbase model while the ESV with four-wheel drive sees its highway fuel figure dip slightly to 20 mpg, still an improvement over the previous generation. Our time with the 2015 Cadillac Escalade demonstrated that General Motors' luxury brand fixed everything necessary to once again be considered a proper full-size luxury SUV

Buttoned Up

There's the obvious exterior styling tweaks including redesigned front and rear treatments, and fully-function LED lighting fore and aft, but the real star is the all-new interior.  Now with cut and sewn materials and real wood accents, the 2015 Escalade's interior is luxurious and comfortable. Climb into the driver's seat and it's easy to see that the interior has been harmonized with the rest of Cadillac's portfolio. Once a sore spot for Cadillac's largest offering, now the interior is one of the Escalade's strongest attributes thanks to the new materials, the restyled dashboard lay-out, and the addition of CUE giving it a distinct personality apart from its Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Denali siblings. Cadillac's on-board navigation and infotainment system, paired with the ability to customize the instrument cluster, now gives the Escalade a more technologically advanced feel

On the road 

After picking out a 2015 Cadillac Escalade Premium with four-wheel drive (and a staggering sticker price of $83,790, including a $995 destination charge), we were on the road in no time. This model came with available options such as 22-inch wheels ($600), power assist steps with LED lighting ($1,695), Majestic Plum Metallic paint ($495), and a second-row bench seat. Normally, the 2015 Escalade rolls on standard 20-inch wheels. The Escalade's 6.2-liter V8 engine provided spirited performance. On more than one occasion, our rural back road route had us caught behind farm tractors but a quick tip in of the throttle hustled the Escalade around slower traffic with ease. Moving 5,840 lbs is never an easy task but the Escalade's new V8 had little trouble doing so sounding great in the process

Controlling nearly three tons of mass isn't easy, so Cadillac unleashed its latest form of magnetic ride control on the 2015 Escalade with different modes available on the lower left-hand side of the CUE infotainment system screen. Our drive route snaked through a small, two-lane road that ran through a park and we battled our fair share of traffic along the way as well but we were able to handle the Escalade in a confident and controlled fashion. Improved brakes allow the 2015 Escalade to stop 9-feet shorter from 60 mph than the previous model. Other steering and suspension improvements include selectable, electric power steering and retuned, hydraulic engine mounts

Ready to Rumble

Cadillac faces an increasingly competitive set that includes the Lincoln Navigator and Infiniti QX80, but its most formidable challenger is the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, which bowed in 2006. However, unlike the Escalade, which only offers the 6.2-liter V8 engine, the Mercedes offers up three different engine choices - one of which is a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. There's also a high performance option in the GL63 AMG powered by a 5.5-liter biturbo V8 engine. We asked Cadillac's engineers about an AMG-fighting Escalade V-sport, and while it was considered, the idea never really progressed beyond the talking stage

We can't blame Cadillac for deciding to stay away from a V-sport variant of the Escalade. The way back to the top for Caddy's full-size SUV runs through higher quality interiors, a pleasant driving experience, and tons of cabin space. There are three different trims for the 2015 Escalade including the Standard ($72,690), Luxury ($76,690), and Premium ($81,190), all of which include a $995 destination charge. The long-wheelbase Escalade models will go for about $3,000 more than its regular wheelbase counterparts

The Verdict

The full-size luxury SUV segment has a lot to offer but with an all-out redesign for the 2015 model year, the Cadillac Escalade has climbed back to the top. With bold styling, seating for up to eight, a ton of storage space, and a towing capacity of up to 8,300 lbs, the 2015 Cadillac Escalade speaks volumes. We recommend you listen

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Cadillac ATS Coupe makes Detroit debut 2015

Presenting its own unique take on an elegantly efficient design formula that has earned the ATS Sedan kudos around the globe, the 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe boldly rolled into the limelight in Detroit. With its first compact luxury 2-door model, the automaker hopes to entice a new group of young affluent enthusiasts to slip behind the wheel of a vehicle it claims will deliver the best power-to-weight ratio and the most engaging driving dynamics of any player in its segment

While retaining all of the distinctive visual cues introduced on the ATS 4-door, this new coupe is even more aggressively styled and proportioned than its sedan sibling with the only shared sheetmetal being the hood stamping. Both ride on a 109.3-inch wheelbase, but the coupe is slightly lower and wider - the latter reflecting its more expansive track dimensions. In addition to a faster roofline and shorter front/rear overhangs, the ATS Coupe also has unique fascia treatments that include the first application of Cadillac's new-look crest. Primary illumination for base ATS Coupes comes from projector beam headlamps, but the Luxury, Performance and Premium collections all feature bi-xenon HID units with signature vertically stacked LED running lamps. LED rear lighting is standard across the lineup, as are 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/40 all-season run-flat or regular tires

The new ATS Coupe offers two sophisticated engines with direct injection and continuously variable valve timing, both also used in the sedan. The base 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gets a boost bump for 2015 that will also benefit the sedan. While its horsepower carries at 272, torque rises by 13 percent to a heady 295 lb-ft -- 90 percent of which is on tap from just 2,100 rpm. Cadillac projects the revamped engine will let the ATS Coupe sprint from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and will return 21 city/31 highway EPA numbers. The step-up alternative is the naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 that continues to make 321 horses and 275 lb-ft of peak twist while netting 19/28 mph EPA figures. Both engines are backed by a standard 6-speed automatic transmission, but the 2.0-liter turbo also can be paired with a 6-speed manual should the buyer choose

Like the sedan, the ATS Coupe is based on GM's sophisticated Alpha platform and will be available in rear-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive configurations. Here too, the crisply tuned and responsive FE2 conventional sport suspension includes StabiliTrak stability control and Brembo brakes, but can be upgraded to FE3 spec that brings driver-adjustable Magnetic Ride Control variable damping, a mechanical limited-slip differential, faster-ratio power steering and a high-capacity engine cooling system as well as staggered-width (225/40 front and 255/35 rear) 18-inch summer performance tires

Sharing all of its basic styling cues with the sedan, the well-finished, well-appointed cabin the ATS Coupe features seating for four not five, although passenger space in the aft quarters does go well beyond typical 2+2 levels. Leather, aluminum, carbon fiber and real wood highlight the upscale character of this realm and a Bose premium audio system with Active Noise Cancellation helps eliminate unwanted road din while augmenting the actual sound of the engine. Optional on the base model but standard on all other ATS Coupes, Cadillac's CUE infotainment system benefits from several upgrades for 2015 including a new Text-to-Voice feature with Bluetooth profile and Siri Eyes Free that works with iPhone. The OnStar system also is enhanced with the availability of new 4G LTE connectivity and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Other primo standard or optional features include a 12-speaker Bose audio upgrade, navigation system and head-up display

Like the sedan, the ATS Coupe comes with a comprehensive array of safety features including eight air bags and carries a NHTSA 5-Star safety rating. It also offers Driver Awareness (Safety Alert Seat, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Intellibeam high-beam control, front/rear park assist, rear-vision camera) and Driver Assist (full-speed-range adaptive cruise control, Automatic Collision Preparation, motorized safety belts, electronic park brake, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, head-up display) packages

The 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe arrives in showrooms this summer. Pricing will be released closer to the actual on-sale date, but expect a starting price in the mid-$30,000 range

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BMW X4 xDrive35i First Review 2015

If all vehicle purchases were completely based on practicality and rationality, the automotive landscape would look very different. Not everyone buys the car they need; in many cases, they buy the car they want. That idea, the thought of a car as an emotional purchase, is what brings cars to market that may not seem to make a lot of sense at first. But for buyers, it's always better to have more vehicles to choose from. That's where the X4 comes into play. Looking rationally at things, someone who wants a car that drives like a BMW 3 Series with a lot of cargo volume should probably buy a 3 Series wagon. Those who want increased ground clearance and a better view of the road can consider the X3 SUV. But for people who want the driving experience of a sport wagon with the seating position of an SUV, there's the 2015 BMW X4

The X4 is built on X3 underpinnings, which gives the X4 higher ground clearance than a traditional wagon, but lower than an SUV. When looking at it, there is no doubt the X4 is not quite an SUV and it's not quite a car. Whether someone is a fan of the styling is a matter of personal taste. It wants to be a 4-door coupe, but to keep the 5-passenger X4 capable of toting up to 49.4 cubic feet of gear, BMW opted to keep the roofline closer to that of an SUV in the rear. The new model comes with a choice of turbocharged engines, either a 240-horsepower I4 or a 300-horsepower I6. Both engines use an 8-speed automatic transmission. Our test vehicle for this drive was the turbo I6-powered X4, equipped with the M Sport package and donned in a Melbourne Red. It had a price tag of just over $61,000. The interior was an attractive combination of white leather seats with bright red stitching, part of the M Sport package. That, plus the brushed aluminum trim, served as a pleasant color contrast to the black dash and headliner. The front M Sport seats provided snug bolstering and proved comfortable on long drives. In back, the legroom was tighter than in the X3, but better than expected

Street Smarts

The most pleasant surprise about the BMW X4 is its demeanor when driven like a sport sedan. It is not a light vehicle, weighing in at over 4200 pounds with the I6 and standard all-wheel drive, yet the excellent power the turbocharged engine puts out makes the X4 feel spry. Adding to that feeling is the way the X4 handles. Taking it on curvy roads, the Sports Activity Coupe (BMW's term) was nimble and genuinely fun to drive. It also has a lower center of gravity than the X3, making the X4 feel more confident in turns

Each of the four driving modes--Sport+, Sport, Comfort and Eco Pro--have a unique feel. Sport+ is the most performance-minded, and Eco Pro the most frugal, with Sport and Comfort splitting the difference. Driving modes change transmission shifts, steering, throttle response and suspension. The steering is nicely responsive in Sport. The ride in our M Sport-equipped X4 was firm, which is fun in turns, but also let in a lot of road feel. Steering isn't as tight and precise in Comfort, and the vehicle feels a little more relaxed. Eco Pro mode, which optimizes throttle and transmission to help a driver achieve the best fuel economy possible in the X4, works with Auto Start-Stop and brake energy regeneration to squeeze every ounce of fuel efficiency out of this vehicle. (EPA ratings have not yet been released, but BMW estimates that the xDrive28i will achieve 21 mpg city, 28 highway and the xDrive35i should get about 19/26 mpg.) In the European-spec X4s we drove, the display on the dash showed the distance in kilometers saved by driving in Eco Pro mode. In all modes, the brakes worked well, feeling natural and linear

Who would the X4 potentially steal sales from? There is always the risk that it could take away from X3, X1 or 3 Series wagons, but it will also appeal to people who prioritize unique style and handling prowess over the functional practicality of an SUV. Possible competitors could include the Range Rover Evoque and Mercedes-Benz GLK. This is not a vehicle that is meant to be a high-volume seller. When it goes on sale in July, those people who want something that fills the gap between luxury wagon and crossover, but want something smaller than the X6, will have a new option to consider

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