Colorado ‘Box Delete’ Expands Options for Businesses

Chevrolet package offers unique midsize pickup platform for alternative uses

With a box delete option, business owners and fleet managers can have it their way when it comes to customizing the back end of the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado.

The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado box delete package –
the only one offered in the midsize truck segment.

Chevrolet today announced availability of the package in mid-April. It is on display this week at the annual National Truck Equipment Association Work Truck Show in Indianapolis. It is the only such option offered in the midsize truck segment.

“With the segment-leading efficiency and maneuverable size, the Colorado makes a great, flexible choice for urban businesses and fleets to make the most of a midsize truck,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, GM Fleet & Commercial. “It’s ideal for utility companies requiring service bodies, as well as landscapers and other businesses needing the utility of a flatbed.”

The box delete package – RPO order code ZW9 –  is available on Colorado Work Truck 2WD extended cab models and is offered exclusively with the 305-hp 3.6L V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. A $300 credit is applied to the Colorado’s suggested retail price when the option is selected.

Additional vehicle and package highlights include:

• 2,200-pound payload rating
• 6,001-pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
• Temporary taillamps installed on the rear of the frame
• Rear bumper deleted
• Full-size spare tire included
• Eight body mount provisions (four per frame rail)
• Standard fuel filler position. Optional BJA-code service body fuel filler will be available and shipped loose in the cab for upfitter installation
• Z82 trailering package
• G80 locking differential.

Additionally, an option to delete the rear seat for great cargo capacity and versatility is available with the Colorado Work Truck extended cab regardless of whether the box stays or goes.

“The Colorado was developed with the upfitter industry in mind,” said Mike Jones, product manager, mid-pickups, CNG and LPG. “Input from body manufacturers and fleet owners helped us make the most of the optional fuel filler mounting location to suit their unique needs.”

Award winnerChevrolet Colorado was named the 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year^® and Cars.com’s Best Pickup Truck of 2015. It also received Kelley Blue Book’s 5-Year Cost-to-Own award for the midsize truck category.

Like the full-size Chevrolet Silverado, the Colorado has a fully boxed perimeter frame, which provides the strength to support its capabilities and was engineered, to provide a confident, smooth and quiet ride.

A coil-over-type front suspension features aluminum knuckles that are low in mass and high in strength, contributing to a more responsive feel and efficiency. Colorado also features the segment’s first application of energy-saving electric power steering. 

The Colorado has a short turning circle of 41.3 feet (12.6 meters), enabling easier maneuvering in tight areas such as on city streets.

Four-wheel disc brakes, with four-piston front calipers, are standard and feature Duralife™ brake rotors – pioneered on the Silverado – that can offer up to double the service life and save money on maintenance.

In the city, the V-6-powered Colorado 2WD (with box) is rated at 18 mpg, and on the highway, it’s rated at a segment-best 26 mpg.

Editors’ note: Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Includes dealer freight charges and option package discounts. 

Chevy Colorado GearOn™ Edition Brings More Adventure

Versatile accessories package maximizes cargo capability; enables more fun

Chevrolet today introduced the 2015 Colorado GearOn™ Special Edition, which blends the capability of the all-new midsize pickup truck with the versatility of the GearOn accessory system – and additional popular features.

It makes its public debut Feb. 13-22 at the Chicago Auto Show. 

The Colorado GearOn Special Edition goes on sale this spring with a starting price of $31,250. It’s offered on LT models in extended or crew cab configurations, with the long or short cargo bed and available 4WD.

“Chevrolet Colorado answers the call for customers who have passions of all types and the GearOn accessory system enables them to bring more adventure wherever they go,” said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. “And with Colorado offering segment-leading efficiency and capabilities, it’s a combination that maximizes adventure without compromise.” 

The GearOn accessory system is designed for easy configuration with a multitude of mounting accessories for everything from bikes, kayaks, skis and stand-up paddle boards to a bed-mounted tent. Many of the GearOn accessories allow the bikes, boards and other “tools” of adventure to be mounted on upper rails, leaving room in the bed below for complementing gear.

The Colorado GearOn Special Edition includes the GearOn bars package, divider package and cargo tie-down rings. Additional GearOn accessories can be purchased separately and the customer can have them installed at the time of delivery (installation charges may be extra). The cost of the accessories can be included in monthly vehicle payments, when they’re chosen before taking delivery.

Additional content on the Colorado GearOn Special Edition includes:

• EZ Lift and Lower tailgate
• Off-road assist steps
• Gloss black 18-inch aluminum wheels
• Body-color grille
• Front and rear black Chevy bowtie emblems
• Front fog lamps
• Rear window defogger
• Remote start.

GearOn^TM Accessories are available for installation on the entire Colorado portfolio.   

Chevrolet Colorado offers the most horsepower and best highway efficiency in the segment, as well as the highest available trailering rating – 7,000 pounds (V-6 2WD) – and higher payload rating – 1,590 pounds (V-6 2WD).

Award winner

Chevrolet Colorado was named the 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year^® and Cars.com’s Best Pickup Truck of 2015.

Visit Kupper Chevrolet in February to save on the 2015 Colorado during Chevy Truck Month. 

Super Bowl MVP Receives Chevrolet Colorado

Chevrolet presented Super Bowl XLIX Most Valuable Player Tom Brady with a 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, the Official MVP Vehicle of Super Bowl XLIX, in recognition of his tremendous effort on the field in the New England Patriots 28-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

A media panel and fan vote on nfl.com/MVP determined the MVP Award winner, announced during the Super Bowl Postgame Show on NBC.

The Chevrolet Colorado, 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year^®, was engineered to be the most capable, most versatile and most technologically advanced midsize truck in the market. With class-leading horsepower and fuel economy along with a 4G LTE built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, the Colorado adds a new dimension to the Chevy truck line. 

“The Chevy Colorado, like Tom Brady, is truly a game changer,” said Paul Edwards, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Marketing.

The Super Bowl MVP receives the Pete Rozelle Trophy, a silver trophy made by Tiffany & Co., and the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado.

Visit us on the lot in Mandan or online to learn more about the 2015 Colorado. 

Chevy Colorado Picks Up Another ‘Best’ Award

Latest accolade: Cars.com’s Best Pickup of 2015 Powered by PickupTrucks.com

Chevrolet Global Chief Marketing Officer
Tim Mahoney (right) accepts the award at an
 event in conjunction with the North American
International Auto Show
(Photo by John F. Martin for Chevrolet)

The Chevrolet Colorado was named Cars.com’s Best Pickup Truck of 2015 at a ceremony during the North American International Auto Show on Tuesday evening.

“The impressive, all-new 2015 Colorado jumpstarts a category of trucks that was quickly fading away,” said Mark Williams, Cars.com pickup truck editor. “Midsize pickup trucks have long been a favorite of both Cars.com experts and truck shoppers, so we’re thrilled to see them come back to life, starting with the new Colorado.

“This truck offers shoppers a lot of bang for their buck with great features and an impressive ride, all at an affordable price."

Said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager: “Offering segment-leading capabilities and efficiency, with the latest in convenience and safety features, is our goal with the Colorado and the Cars.com’s award affirms our instincts. It is an efficiently sized, maneuverable solution for customers who want the cargo-hauling and trailering versatility of a truck without the size of a full-size pickup.”

General Motors CEO Mary Barra with the
Cars.com Best Pickup Truck of 2015.
(Photo by John F. Martin for Chevrolet)

The Colorado starts at $20,995, including destination charges, and is available in four-door extended- or crew-cab models. It offers the segment’s best horsepower and EPA-estimated fuel economy: 200 horsepower (149 kW) and up to 27 mpg highway (2WD) from a standard 2.5L I-4 – the most fuel-efficient gas pickup trucks on the road; 305 horsepower (227 kW) and 26 mpg (2WD) from an available 3.6L V-6.

V-6 models offer a segment-leading maximum trailering rating of 7,000 pounds, as well as the G80 locking rear differential, for sure-footed track in slippery conditions and when trailering.

Editors’ Note: The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price includes destination freight charge but excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Excludes other General Motors’ vehicles.

Visit Kupper Chevrolet online or stop by the lot to test drive an all-new Colorado today.

Chevrolet Puts the Show Back into the Auto Show

Interactive display highlights key safety features using state-of-the-art technology

Chevrolet is putting the show back in the North American International Auto Show with an all-new display featuring six 20 ft.-tall, transparent screens with coordinated LED lighting and music that will tell stories about the brand’s cars, trucks and crossovers.

The nine chapters include highlights of Chevrolet’s dependability, performance, belief in the power of play, available in-vehicle Wi-Fi technology through OnStar 4G LTE and others.

“We’ve re-imagined the auto show by putting the show back at the center with state-of-the-art technology,” said Tim Mahoney, chief marketing officer, Global Chevrolet. “The display is designed to connect with attendees and show how the brand continues to Find New Roads.”

The center aisle, or Main Street, features the latest vehicles from Chevrolet – the Corvette Z06, Trax and Colorado, 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year^®. Main Street leads to the Chevrolet Theater with a massive, high resolution 73-foot-long, 20-foot tall display, and the latest introduction, the 2016 Chevrolet Volt.

A safety experience in the theater will show how Chevrolet vehicles are designed to prevent, protect and respond to help keep vehicle occupants safe on the road. Next to the theater, virtual reality technology will provide a driving experience of crash avoidance technology like available Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Alert.

During select public days, regional organizations will present ways they are using ingenuity to make a difference in their community during The Possibilities Project feature presentations. Participating groups include United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Greening of Detroit, De-Tread and others.

The public will also have an opportunity to record a 20-second video with their ideas for a better tomorrow and share their video via Facebook, Twitter, e-mail or text.

The display will also make attendees a part of the experience through social media.  Attendees who take photos with My Chevy View in the display can share them through their own social media accounts and may find themselves on the larger-than-life screens.

Virtual Reality Perfects Chevrolet Colorado Accessories

4K resolution display allows fine tuning of vehicle features

With a giant screen that has more pixels than an IMAX theater, the temptation is ever present to watch a movie or hook up a video game console. At Chevrolet, however, this high-tech display is instrumental to refining vehicle design.

The 4K ultra-fine resolution PowerWall system, capable of displaying both 2D and 3D content, allows designers and engineers to compare versions of part designs and ideas without the need for expensive physical prototypes. The team can quickly examine several concepts and speed a decision on the best solution.

The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado was a major focus of the PowerWall. The 2015 MOTOR TREND Truck of the Year is customizable with accessories that match the owner’s personality. Making these features fit right and look good is time consuming.

For example, the Colorado’s chrome assist step was designed with black treads in part to avoid the unsightly reflection of drain holes in the bottom edges of the cab. The treads on the Colorado assist step were evaluated for this issue with the PowerWall more than a year before a physical prototype was available.

“That’s the beauty of this kind of high definition. Using the math data, we can render the vehicle as the customer will see it in the ‘as manufactured state,’” said Joe Guzman, engineering group manager for Global Virtual Design Process & Operations. “Designers and engineers can then scrutinize every detail to make sure they are spot on.” 

In addition to the assist step, the GearOn^TM customizable and adjustable cargo system for the truck bed was evaluated on the PowerWall to assure it looked and performed as intended.

Guzman, who started as a wood model maker, said the PowerWall won’t replace clay modeling or other physical prototypes anytime soon. But for dozens of minor and major decisions, the technology’s speed, precision and lifelike accuracy allow attributes like reflections, finishes, glare and lighting to be assessed many months or years before the first physical vehicles are built.

The PowerWall solution comprises a 240 square-foot solid glass screen, and two Christie^® Mirage 4K25 DLP^® 3D projectors, powered by eight computers and two Christie Spyder X20 video processors. The team of virtual reality experts includes three visualization specialists, an IT technician and a Christie hardware engineer.

See for yourself the all-new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado by visiting us on the lot in Mandan, ND or online at kupper-chevrolet.com. 

MOTOR TREND Names Chevrolet Colorado 2015 Truck of the Year

Midsize pickup outclasses competition in design, engineering, efficiency, safety and more

After its most comprehensive truck evaluation program in history, MOTOR TREND has selected the Chevy Colorado as its 2015 Truck of the Year®.

MOTOR TREND’s Truck of the Year program is only open to all-new or significantly updated trucks and vans for the upcoming model year. For 2015, seven contenders were invited to compete; three competitors were asked to bring a powertrain and/or body style variant for a total of 10 vehicles overall:

• Chevrolet Colorado WT and Colorado Z71
• Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD
• Ford F150 2.7L EcoBoost and 3.5L EcoBoost
• Ford F-450
• Ford Transit 350 HR and Transit 150 MR
• GMC Canyon SLT
• GMC Sierra Denali 2500 HD

The 2015 Colorado emerged as MOTOR TREND’s 2015 Truck of the Year by a rare unanimous vote. The editors were particularly impressed with Colorado’s handsome, clean-sheet design, “right-sized” package, excellent handling and overall capability. Colorado’s potent-yet-efficient powertrains also returned best-in-class fuel economy according to Real MPG and EPA testing. 

photo by Steve Fecht for Chevrolet

“After days of testing, hundreds of miles on the road, and our most rigorous truck testing program to date, our editors unanimously selected the Chevy Colorado as our 2015 Truck of the Year,” said Edward Loh, MOTOR TREND’s editor-in-chief. “Colorado is a smart, capable, and refreshingly honest truck that makes a strong value and efficiency statement. It’s perfectly sized and suited for the needs of many of today’s truck users.”

Said Sandor Piszar, Chevy Trucks marketing director: “The Chevrolet Colorado offers customers the versatility of a pickup in a powerful, refined, fuel-efficient midsize package, with up to 27 mpg EPA highway. For Colorado to emerge from MOTOR TREND’s thorough evaluation as the 2015 Truck of the Year shows how Colorado is changing the game by offering truck customers fresh new choices.”

To determine which truck deserved top honors, the MOTOR TREND test team subjected all of the contenders to numerous instrumented and real-world road tests. First up was standard MOTOR TREND testing, which included: 0-60 mph and 1/4-mile acceleration, 60-0 mph braking, and maximum lateral grip - all without payload or trailered loads.

A specific payload was then added to each truck and van, and the vehicles were then driven more than 250 miles to the Arizona/Nevada border to evaluate ride quality and loaded fuel economy. The vehicles were driven up and down the famed Davis Dam in Bullhead City, Ariz., for further assessment, including an instrumented test designed to simulate a passing situation while carrying a load.

The team then moved to a world-class automotive proving grounds for instrumented acceleration tests with nominal weight trailers. Truck and trailer were also driven through a short handling course to evaluate acceleration, braking, maneuverability and outward visibility. The final phase of evaluation involved a 21-mile road loop through hills of Arizona’s Hualapai Mountains.

Following the team’s intensive evaluation, the trucks were shipped to MOTOR TREND headquarters in El Segundo to undergo proprietary “Real MPG” fuel-economy testing. Using advanced exhaust gas and flow-rate analyzers, Real MPG measures tailpipe emissions every second during a three-hour, 88-mile drive around the Los Angeles area to record accurate real-world fuel economy.

Once testing was completed, select MOTOR TREND editors convened to determine which truck would be crowned Truck of the Year. The winner is not chosen from a direct comparison against the other contenders, but rather as a result of how each contender performed in testing and against the award’s six criteria: Design Advancement, Engineering Excellence, Efficiency, Safety, Value, and Performance of Intended Function.

Visit Kupper Chevrolet at 1500 2nd St. NE in Mandan to take a test drive of the all-new 2015 Colorado today or view our online showroom at kupper-chevrolet.com.

2015 Chevrolet Colorado ‘Build Your Own’ Site Goes Live

Customers can tailor midsize pickup for their wants and needs

Consumers can customize their brand-new, 2015 Chevrolet Colorado – available at dealers this fall – with a “Build Your Own” tool.

“Our truck lineup is all about giving truck buyers choice,” said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. “With the Build Your Own site, Colorado customers can equip their truck, request a quote from the dealer and even get a price on their trade-in.”

The Colorado base extended-cab model with a standard 200-horsepower, 2.5L four-cylinder engine starts at $20,995 including destination charge. The 305-horsepower 3.6L V-6 engine adds $1,220 and a 6-speed automatic adds $650. The customization goes from there. Sample builds include:

Towing: Colorado 4WD Crew Cab Short Box LT with a 3.6L V6 engine ($32,960) with automatic locking rear differential ($325) and Z82 trailering package ($250), Total suggested retail price: $33,535.

Mountain biking: Colorado 4WD Crew Cab Long Box Z71 ($35,290) with the GearOn™ Cross rails tiered storage system and moveable tie-down rings ($395), all-weather floor mats ($160) and spray-in bedliner ($475). Total suggested retail price: $36,320.

Commuting: Colorado 2WD Crew Cab Short Box LT ($27,985) with tri-fold tonneau cover ($595), spray-in bedliner ($475), the GearOn™ divider system and moveable tie-down rings ($495). Total suggested retail price: $29,550.

Regardless of what they build, all Colorado owners can stay connected with OnStar 4G LTE WiFi with a three-month or three-gigabyte trial, whichever comes first. Afterward, the Colorado's built-in Wi-Fi hotspot costs as little as $5 per month.

Editors’ Note: The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price includes destination freight charge but excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment.

Visit the Kupper Chevrolet website or visit us on the lot in Mandan to find out more about the all-new Chevrolet Colorado.

2015 Chevrolet Colorado Redefines Playing in the Sand

Sand gets in everything- even the all-new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado that took the stage this last weekend at the 2015 U.S. Sand Sculpting Championships. One of the trucks on display this weekend was a Colorado sculpted (mostly) out of sand. It’s mesmerizing to watch it materialize, but even more so more to watch it in about a minute.

“It’s a great fit for the Colorado to be partnered with the U.S. Sand Sculpting Championships,” said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. “With Southern California being the largest mid-size truck market in the country, the Colorado is right at home here in San Diego.”

The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado has been engineered to meet active lifestyles, offering more technology, versatility and efficient capability than midsize pickup competitors.

With the introduction of Colorado, Chevrolet will offer customers more choices than any other pickup truck brand, including midsize, full-size light duty and heavy-duty pickups. Colorado will be available in Chevrolet dealerships nationwide in the fall of 2014.

Be the first to know when the Colorado will be available at Kupper Chevrolet in Mandan- visit our website or call 663-9851.