Making of the all-new Holden Colorado show car for 2011 Melbourne Motor Show

An exclusive video for YouTube and Holden's stoked with the result! The Holden Design team takes us behind the scenes as they take the Holden Colorado show car from a concept sketch to car that was revealed on the motor show stand. Check out more on the Colorado Show Car at www.holden.com.au/pages/motor-show-2011

Holden Colorado Show Car

Aussie Inspired Holden Colorado Leads The Charge at 2011 Melbourne Motor Show

Holden has previewed its all-new Colorado 4x4 workhorse with a tough, Aussie-inspired show truck at the Australian International Motorshow in Melbourne.

The Melbourne show represents the latest step in General Motors' multi-stage international reveal for the new light commercial vehicle which included two separate Colorado designs shown in Bangkok and Buenos Aires.

The stunning five-seat crew-cab, styled and built in Holden's Port Melbourne Design Studio, foreshadows the production version of the next generation model launching in Australia in 2012.

Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux said the new generation Colorado represented Holden's most significant play in the growing light commercial segment.

"Although this is a show vehicle, the fundamental design and proportions are true to form for the production version of the Colorado hitting Holden showrooms next year," Mr Devereux said.

"As a show truck it's designed to whet the appetite for another chapter in the Holden product renaissance - a series of new, world-class vehicles that are making people sit up and take notice of our new generation cars.

"Without doubt the new Colorado will be the biggest and toughest member of the Holden family- equally at home as a workhorse or active lifestyle vehicle.

"And as our centrepiece for the Melbourne Show, it also demonstrates the capability of the Holden Design Studio, which is an industry leader in stunning global show vehicles."

Exterior and interior highlights

Holden applied its proud sports-performance design flair to the Colorado, playing heavily on the vehicle's powerful stance and wide, athletic proportions.

The top-secret project was led by 26-year-old creative designer Ben Last who worked closely with General Motors' Colorado homeroom and design studio in Brazil along with operations in Thailand and US to develop the final Australian show theme.

Last, an industrial design graduate from Monash University, gave the Colorado's Brazilian-developed architecture, a unique Holden appearance through a number of locally styled panels including the front fascia, bonnet, fenders and tailgate.

Working to the brief of ‘refined ruggedness', he also introduced a series of machined aluminium details to the vehicle including side steps, bumpers, rear step plates and side mirror attachment arms, as well as striking 20-inch satin-finished wheels fitted with Cooper Zeon LTZ 285/50/R20 tyres.

The Colorado's exterior is further enhanced by unique LED head and tail lamps, custom rear-vision mirrors with integrated turn signals, hard tonneau cover and a brilliant Red Rock metallic paint finish emphasising its strong surfaces.

Holden Design's Colour and Trim team created an equally impressive interior treatment for the Colorado with a rugged yet luxurious theme that combines high level craftsmanship with edgy street presence.

The interior includes strong dark tones such as steel and black teamed with a rich dark blue leather wrapped instrument panel and seats with red stitching.

Of particular note, designers used paper thin lighting known as electro luminescent film to light the Colorado's laser-cut metal circuit graphics on the front and rear door appliqués.

Powertrain

The Colorado show truck is powered by an efficient 2.8L turbo-diesel engine with a broad torque band for cargo and towing capability. It is one of a number of engines that will be offered when it goes on sale in Australia next year.

Technical Specifications:

Engine: 2.8L Turbo Diesel

Transmission: Auto Transmission

Wheels: 20" x 9"

Tyres: Cooper Zeon LTZ 285/50/R20

Exterior:

Body: Crew Cab

Colour: Red Rock

Head lamps: LED

Tail lamps: LED

Interior:

Seats: Rich Blue supple quality leather with Light Titanium Suede feature and red stitch detail

Headliner: Light Titanium Suede

Steering wheel: Leather wrapped in Very Dark Pewter leather with red stitch detail

Flooring: A technical loop pile carpet in dark steel

Lighting: LED interior lighting with electro luminescent film back-lit door appliqués

Colorado Rally Concept

Chevrolet introduces the second concept of the next generation of pick ups in the 5 th International Motor Show in Buenos Aires

16/06/2011

Rally Colorado Concept conveys strength, power and capacity

Design developed by the GM Design Center South

Buenos Aires, Argentina - Chevrolet revealed in the 5 th International Motor Show in Buenos Aires, Colorado Rally, the second concept of what will be the next generation midsize pickups global brand. The premiere of the Rally version, following the presentation of the first Concept of Colorado Hall of Bangkok last March. These two pick ups will allow us to visualize how the next generation of pick ups global brand.

The tradition of Chevrolet pickups were characterized by their robustness and strength. This concept combines design elements from Chevrolet's legendary ability to develop vehicles with excellent performance both on and off the road.

"The Concept Rally Colorado, once again demonstrates that the DNA of competition is in the blood of Chevrolet. One of these characteristics Concept reaffirms our commitment to the future of the brand and also part of the centennial celebration of Chevrolet around the world, "said Jaime Ardila, president of GM South America.

"We are honored to be posted in Argentina for the first time in eastern Concept symbolizes the evolution of Chevrolet pickups in the world. We celebrate with pride the development of GM South America, "said Sergio Rocha, President and CEO of GM Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

For the construction of the Colorado Rally, GM designers in South America, conducted extensive research on this subject. Every item developed for this Concept was designed to improve vehicle performance in all fields and also to help the pilot and navigator.

This Concept is a version of pick-up double cabin, equipped with four-wheel drive, aluminum rims 18 "double-ended (machining and polishing) and 305/60 R18 tires. The power of the Colorado Rally Concept comes from an efficient 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine that delivers excellent torque for this car rally.

The Colorado Rally Concept has features that allow even better prepared for the off-road activity. It has high performance shock absorbers 140mm and a remote reservoir with fluid. It is also equipped with a system that allows you to increase during the suspension at 5 centimeters and consequently the height relative to the floor.

Both the front and rear, the Rally Colorado is equipped with integrated winch to the bumper, 5.5 hp, with a capacity of 4 tons of traction and reinforced steel cables 23 meters long.

Design details

Painted white pearl, the Colorado Rally Concept, has unique features developed by the GM Design Center in South America, exclusively for this vehicle. The windows are made of acrylic, which ensures greater protection from side impacts and also have holes for air circulation, as temperatures inside a rally car can exceed 50 degrees Celsius.

As for the bodywork, Colorado Rally, has a roll bar, support for the spare tire in the box and other decorative details in color "Charcoal" textured. Also in the box, this pickup has a plastic protector and a box of tools specifically developed for this Concept. It also has running boards stylized fueling nozzle exposed executed in aluminum. In order to improve aerodynamics and reduce vehicle weight, the designers have chosen to introduce a perforated back cover.

"Robust and aggressive lines of the Colorado Concept, presented in Bangkok were the perfect foundation for building a car rally. Certainly, with the debut of the Concept in the Hall of Buenos Aires will have a preview of what we see on the roads around the world in a while, "said Carlos Barba, General Director of GM Design America.

"The Concept Rally Colorado is looking to the future of the global Chevrolet pickups. With this concept, the brand demonstrates its leadership in building vehicles with great design and capacity, "said Brad Merkel, Executive GM Global Vehicle.

All external lighting of this pickup is comprised of lamps and lights that use LED technology. The Colorado Rally Concept has sidelights and high performance lighting incorporated into the outside rearview mirrors, as well as long range lights on the ceiling and auxiliary lights on the front bumper.

Inside: a separate show

The interior of the pick up Colorado Rally Concept is focused on ergonomics and functionality. The top of the dashboard is covered in textured leather color "Very Dark Grey Ash" and was fully adapted to incorporate the tools in a race car.

The center console, for example, has pressure and temperature gauges and controls that adjust the tire pressure, the hardness of the dampers, operate fire extinguishers and additional fuel pumps.

The sports steering wheel has a flattened curve and a set of LEDs indicating engine speed (the most important indicator for the pilot), allowing you to find the best time to shift gears. It also has four command buttons that alter the central display panel (alternating different information like a computer board), turn on the headlights, the Air Boost (a compressed air system that cleans the air quickly cabin, in situations where the vehicle is in a cloud of dust) and the speed limiter in the urban stretches.

The seats are sporty Colorado Rally Concept, type "shell" and has seatbelts five points that allow a total clamping of the pilots. They are lined Neoprene with orange stitching and has a lattice "Raschel" that gives the illusion of depth, black with orange background. The carpets of this pick up are aluminum with some holes and are placed a few millimeters above the floor. The purpose of this is to allow the occupants to clean your shoes and ensure a better grip.

Within the Colorado Rally, another item that stands out is the internal structure of occupant protection (cage), which facilitates the placement of extra equipment such as cameras or auxiliary lighting for the browser.

And speaking of pilots and navigators, the Colorado Rally Concept, offers a GPS navigation system of last generation and also a Hydration Pack. The latter is thermally insulated boxes containing an isotonic solution for hydration of the occupants, which passes through small tubes connected directly to the hull of them, allowing them to stay hydrated throughout the competition without removing from the road . In addition to these two cases, this concept has additional tool boxes and a first aid kit.

Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck

Chevrolet Unveils Colorado Show Truck

Boldly styled show truck previews next-generation midsize pickup

2011-03-21

BANGKOK, Thailand - Chevrolet today revealed the Colorado Show Truck in advance of the Bangkok International Auto Show, where it is making its global public debut. The concept previews the next-generation Colorado midsize pickup truck, which will build on Chevrolet's strong truck DNA and award-winning heritage. The Colorado goes on sale in Thailand later this year.

"Thailand is the world's-largest market for midsize pickups, so this was the perfect location in which to unveil our new Colorado," said Susan Docherty, vice president, GMIO Sales, Marketing and Aftersales. "Trucks have been part of Chevrolet's core for nearly all of its 100-year history. The Colorado reinforces that heritage with expressive design, refinement and uncompromising capability."

The show truck features an extended-cab body atop a high-stance AWD chassis and rides on large, 20-inch wheels and off-road tires. Power comes from an efficient 2.8L turbo-diesel engine, which produces a broad torque band for excellent cargo and towing capability.

"Although this is a show vehicle, the basic proportions and form convey the vision for the next-generation Colorado that we will bring to market," said Brad Merkel, GM's global vehicle line executive. "It reflects a stylized version of the new truck, one that takes into account rugged dependable truck capabilities for commercial use as well as sophisticated refinement for personal-use needs."

While the new Colorado was developed within GM's global product development organization, engineers took careful steps to ensure it would meet local market needs. Roberto Rempel, GM's global vehicle chief engineer, lived in Thailand for several months during the truck's development, immersing himself in the market and observing how the Thai people use their trucks and the road conditions they experience.

"Pickups are instrumental in the vibrant Thai economy and owners take great pride in their trucks, which are used for both work and personal driving," he said. "These customers ask a lot of their trucks, so the powertrains and chassis must be very robust to earn their trust – and that's exactly what we've delivered."

Design details

The Colorado show truck's purposeful design conveys strength through bodywork that appears tightly wrapped over the chassis and a wide, confident stance. In the front, Chevrolet's internationally recognized gold bowtie and dual-port grille are framed by large headlamps that flow into the front fenders, and an extractor vent on the hood.

"Around the globe, pickup trucks are associated with strength, capability and function – and that's exactly what the Colorado show truck embodies," said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of Global Design. "Its broad-shouldered proportions are derived from nearly a century of Chevrolet truck heritage."

Pepperdust Metallic exterior paint is accented with polished aluminum details in the fascias, as well as integrated side steps and black-masked projector-style headlamps with LED lighting elements. At the rear is a full-width LED-lit taillamp, which creates a striking appearance when illuminated.

Additional exterior details include:

A streamlined "cab collar" design with a body-color hard tonneau cover on the bed

Gray accents on the side, front and rear lower moldings

20-inch aluminum wheels featuring a "liquid metal" finish, with Stone Gray color wheel ports

Cooper 285/50R20 ZEON LTZ tires

Outside mirrors with LED turn-signal indicators.

Inside, there's another signature Chevrolet cue: a dual-cockpit instrument panel design. It flows into the doors, with continuous lines that create a floating, wraparound effect, amplifying the Colorado's feeling of spaciousness. Ice-blue lighting and high-quality, "double-faced" leather-trimmed seats add sophistication and refinement.

"The interior is designed to deliver a premium and inviting environment, with a greater feeling of spaciousness than is typically found in midsize trucks," said Welburn. "There's also great attention to detail in the execution of the features you see and feel."

A brace of motorcycle-inspired, three-dimensional gauges stand out on the instrument panel, projecting a sporty appearance.

Contrasting trim used with the light-colored leather seating, dark wood trim accented with chrome and low-gloss and soft-touch materials are used throughout for a premium feel. A number of storage compartments are located throughout the interior, including a covered center bin for concealment of valuable items, and a large, dual glovebox.

Additional features include a dual-zone, digital climate control system and the latest in "infotainment" technology. The show truck highlights an ergonomically positioned 7-inch LCD display in the center stack, for easy viewing and intuitive control of Web access, navigation, music and hands-free phone features.