It's official: Chevrolet PH launches Colorado pickup

Chevrolet Philippines--more formally known as The Covenant Car Company Incorporated--has officially launched the Colorado pickup to our market, sans the usual fanfare and obligatory speeches. You're probably tired of hearing about this already as this vehicle has been in the news the past several months, even making it to the cover of our January/February 2012 issue.

Facing supply problems as the units are being manufactured in Thailand, which was devastated by massive flooding last year, Chevrolet Philippines wasn't able to bring in and sell the actual pickup even after making a lot of noise about it. That time, thankfully, has finally arrived.

"Pickups are expected to have impressive power, torque and durability," said TCCCI president and managing director Atty. Albert Arcilla. "These are essential attributes that every pickup buyer considers. With nearly a century of truck-building experience and innovation, the Chevrolet Colorado is set to raise the bar higher and redefine expectations of what an impressive truck should be. Not only will it have best-in-class power, torque and acceleration, it will also have exceptional exterior/interior design, comfort and safety features that every truck or non-truck enthusiast can appreciate."

The Philippine-market Colorado comes in three variants, which are priced as follows:

* 2.8-liter 4x4 automatic transmission LTZ - P1,538,888

* 2.8-liter 4x4 manual transmission LTZ - P1,468,888

* 2.5-liter 4x2 manual transmission LT - P1,148,888

These prices are just a little off compared to those we already reported here last month.

Chevrolet Philippines said the Colorado should help continue the brand's substantial growth in our market. Chevrolet currently enjoys a 49.9-percent year-on-year improvement in vehicle sales, with its distribution network set to expand to 19 dealerships by the end of 2012 (and five more to open early next year).

The 2.8-liter diesel engine is equipped with a common-rail direct-injection system and a variable-geometry turbocharger, producing 180hp and 470Nm when mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and 440Nm when paired with a five-speed manual transmission. Both 2.8-liter variants have four-wheel drive.

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine has 150hp and 350Nm, and is serviced by a five-speed manual transmission. The 2.5-liter variant is rear-wheel-driven.

Among the many selling points of the Philippine-market Colorado variants (which are Z71 high-stance models, according to TCCCI) are:

* A double-wishbone suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar at the front, and semi-elliptical leaf springs at the back;

* Sufficient ground clearance to "traverse through rough terrain and wade through water as deep as 800mm at 7kph";

* Square fog lights and a metal sump-guard for the LTZ;

* Beige-and-black, two-tone color scheme (complete with metallic inserts) for the interior;

* Digital driver info system with unique features like programmable speed alarm, fuel-consumption meter and engine hour meter;

* A total of 25 storage spaces inside the cabin; and

* Three-year/100,000km warranty, with two-year warranty extension for the power train.

So, are the pricing and the packaging of the Chevrolet Colorado good enough for you?