GM Reveals 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

[Expunge]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Frankly, I don't see what the obsession is with putting the 4.3L in the Colorado. If they used it, it would be geared taller which negates the torque advantage that the engine has over the 3.6L. And it would do this while making noticeably less power. I just don't get it.

Because the 4.3L produces more torque at lower RPM's like an engine should designed for a truck. The 3.6L falls short in that area.

It really is more like a car engine. GM knows this, otherwise they would offer the 3.6L as the entry level motor for their full size trucks.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Expunge

Because the 4.3L produces more torque at lower RPM's like an engine should designed for a truck. The 3.6L falls short in that area.

It really is more like a car engine. GM knows this, otherwise they would offer the 3.6L as the entry level motor for their full size trucks.

The 4.3 is derived from the gen V small blocks. Using 1 engine family for a vehicle simplifies things inside the engine bay considerably.

[6spdhyperblue]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

The 4.3 is derived from the gen V small blocks. Using 1 engine family for a vehicle simplifies things inside the engine bay considerably.

so you're saying they selected the 4.3 because it was easier for them? Lol

With that thinking they'd use the 4.3 rather than the 3.6 in the Camaro because it's derived from the gen v small blocks ala 6.2

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Nicul15

so you're saying they selected the 4.3 because it was easier for them? Lol

With that thinking they'd use the 4.3 rather than the 3.6 in the Camaro because it's derived from the gen v small blocks ala 6.2

Engineering is about finding the optimal solution to dozens of conflicting wants simultaneously. Things are rarely done exclusively because of this or that. But there are priorities. And depending on the segment a vehicle is competing in, those priorities can shift around.

My guess is that they were looking to minimize the powertrain cost for the base models of the full size trucks. Using a cheaper engine, that also saves R&D money goes a long ways to that end.

As for the Camaro, using the 4.3 in Alpha doesn't simplify things, it complicates them. The Camaro isn't the only thing using the Alpha platform. The ATS & CTS both have turbocharged engines related to the LGX. So you'd need to engineer the platform to accept the High Feature V6 family anyways. And thats not even getting into the NVH issues with using a large 90 degree V6 in a luxury car.

[McBeevee]

Originally Posted by Expunge

Because the 4.3L produces more torque at lower RPM's like an engine should designed for a truck. The 3.6L falls short in that area.

It really is more like a car engine. GM knows this, otherwise they would offer the 3.6L as the entry level motor for their full size trucks.

Exactly!

[snizzle]

$4,000 off 2017 Colorado Z71 Midnight Edition right now, Labor day sale. I know it's no ZR2.....

[KMPrenger]

So I'm going to assume this hasn't gone completely unnoticed by you guys?

The announced (for Aussie market ... for now) Ranger Raptor:


You know this is going to make it stateside a year after the Ranger drops.

If you like the ZR2, and you're not a complete Chevy fanboy you will appreciate this. I think its pretty sweet. Not saying I wouldn't rather have a ZR2, but if this truck has the 2.7EB or the 3.5EB, then I think its going to make an even bigger splash than the ZR2.

[sherob]

Originally Posted by KMPrenger

You know this is going to make it stateside a year after the Ranger drops.

I wouldn't be surprised if it drops when the regular Ranger drops... why not start the hurt right away...

http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/ford-c...ere-1802034442

(Correction: The author originally thought the Ranger was coming stateside in 2020, but it will actually be here for the 2019 model year.)

[snizzle]

I hope it shows up with a 2.7 EB. It'll force GM to drop a V8 in this thing, maybe.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by snizzle

I hope it shows up with a 2.7 EB. It'll force GM to drop a V8 in this thing, maybe.

Probably a lot easier to use the LF3 as it should bolt right into where the V6 currently fits. No need to rejigger engine mounts or anything.

[6spdhyperblue]

That raptor is gonna kill it

[snizzle]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Probably a lot easier to use the LF3 as it should bolt right into where the V6 currently fits. No need to rejigger engine mounts or anything.

I'd be happy....err with at least that option. I thought I remembered reading the GM engineers hinting a V8 would fit.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by snizzle

I'd be happy....err with at least that option. I thought I remembered reading the GM engineers hinting a V8 would fit.

Oh I'm sure it will. A small block will fit in pretty much anything. But at its heart, even with all the resources at GM's disposal, its still an engine swap. So the same basic logic applies at the Warren Tech Center as it does in someone's garage:

same engine family -> easy
different engine family -> hard

[6spdhyperblue]

Wouldn't necessarily say it's hard. It's highly probable there's a mule that has a v8 or a 4.3 in it already, even if they know it will never make production.