At the 2011 Buenos Aires International Auto Show, Chevrolet revealed the Colorado Rally, a second show truck version of its next generation global midsize pickup. The debut of the adventure themed vehicle follows the reveal of the first Colorado show truck at the Bangkok Motor Show in April 2011. "Both trucks give a glimpse of the next generation Chevrolet global midsize pickup, which is of huge importance to consumers in many countries around the world. For example, in Brazil, costumers made Chevrolet's midsize truck the vehicle segment leader for 16 consecutive years," said Brad Merkel, GM Global Vehicle Line Executive.
Chevrolet's unmatched heritage in durable and dependable pickup trucks is exemplified in the Colorado Rally's sturdy and robust appearance. The show truck combines signature design elements with Chevrolet's legendary on and off road capabilities.
"Colorado Rally exhibits Chevrolet's DNA in an off road version. To develop this vehicle we did an extensive research on the off- road Motorsport. Each and every detail was deeply studied in order to deliver maximum authenticity, designed with the rally raid category in mind, also known as cross country rallying", says Carlos Barba, GM South America Design Center director.
Chevrolet Colorado Rally Concept is a crew cab version with a tridimensional front grille featuring chromed details. Outfitted wildly, Colorado Rally's body color is a triple coat pearled White with golden particles, and other external components in textured charcoal. Skid plate and side moldings in liquid metal and bead lock off road wheels milled from a single piece of aluminium. The wheels machined from a single piece of aluminium, with two distinct surface finishing (machined and polished), 18" inch diameter, and Mud-Terrain T/A 305/60R18 tires to "attack" the off road's obstacles.
Chevrolet Colorado Rally Concept (2011)
4WD, powered by an efficient 2.8 liter turbo-diesel engine, which generates high torque, Chevrolet Colorado Rally is perfect for the needs in the off road roads/tracks besides its technical aspects. Combining its high performance fox racing shox shock system with 140mm travel distance and adjustable suspension height system up to 50mm, the Chevrolet concept has two bumper integrated winch systems by Smittybilt with 5.5Hp and four metric tonnes pulling capacity, with 23,000mm of aeronautic cable. Off road optimized bumpers designed with high attack angle stylized side steps and moldings confirms the wild purpose.
For the adventures at night, Colorado Rally has a high performance frontal lights, with searchlight integrated to the side mirrors. LED, headlamps, tail lamps, fog lamps, search lights, and roof mounted high reach lights. The side blinkers are integrated to the side mirrors' shell.
Exterior details
In order to create a real rally vehicle, the GM South America Design Studio added up to Colorado concept a wide variety of off road features such as rally windows in acrylic for higher safety against side impacts with air inlets for better air circulation, two milled aluminium tow hooks integrated to each bumper, wide fiberglass fenders, spare tire support inside the bed and tool boxes integrated. Open tailgate to improve flux of air as well as optimize the rear view and reduce the weight, and many more details:
Integrated bed roll bar
Quick operation exposed aluminium fuel cap
Body integrated rear bumper
Full roof rack
Fibreglass hood with differentiated detail
Ergonomics, safety and functionality set the Interior's theme
Designers focused on ergonomics, safety and functionality to create the Chevrolet Colorado Rally Concept's interior, such as the high performance steering wheel, designed for an aggressive handling, with a tighter (than a production model) curvature in the upper and lower arcs. The upper arc has LEDs integrated to the bar designed as a quick display tachometer. The side grips have two buttons on each side facing the driver, they are; high beam toggle, menu display for the cluster to change the displayed information, "Air Boost" control, and speed limiter for urban sections of a race.
The interior colour trims, like the plastic components, leather covered upper instrument panel, are textured in "Very dark ash grey". The center stack has some inserts in metallic satin finishing. All commands are finished with soft touch materials and to make it more practical and sporty, the seat materials and the steering wheel cover are in black neoprene with orange stitching, and a high depth "Rashel" effect fabric in orange with black under colour. Metal mats in "very dark ash grey" with orange rubber inserts, roll cage and other metal details painted in silver and reflective orange details on the door reinforces the detailed interior design. The metallic mat is positioned a few millimeters from the floor, perforated with integrated rubber details designed to help clean the occupants' footwear and provide a higher grip.
In terms of safety and functionality, Chevrolet Colorado Rally has the Internal roll cage with custom railing profile, developed to provide an attaching system to additional equipment, such as cameras or auxiliary lighting. The 5-point seat belt directly connected to the Roll cage.
Vehicle integrated fire extinguisher activated through the IP, releases flame suppressing foam to the cabin and engine compartment, and plus two traditional fire extinguishing canisters positioned between the seats right behind the center console. The master switch integrated to the center stack, with two key functions, starting the engine, disconnects every system in the vehicle, in case of emergencies. For off road chases before overtaking other competitors during a race, there's the "Air boost" highly compressed air system developed to quickly clean the cabin after entering a dust cloud.
To be able to face high temperatures inside the cabin during the race, Chevrolet Colorado Rally has a Hydration pack, which consists of dedicated containers for feeding and hydrating positioned behind each seat, the food solution is delivered to the occupant's through a small tube system.
Other features are the first aid kit stored in the center console and three dedicated tool boxes locked in the area behind the seats, being one for each occupant, containing the most used tools, and a third box in the center dedicated to specialized tools for harder jobs.
To keep the racers in the right track the concept vehicle has a Sat Nat, satellite navigation positioned directly in front of the navigator. Maps, sign plates, and road books are stored into the glove box and also fixated through bungee cords on the outside of the glove box access door. Communication devices for internal and external contact, center stack with gauges for temperature and pressure, as well as commands for adjustment of the suspension system, tire pressure regulator, fire extinguisher activation, and two separate commands for the fuel pumps and a tripmeter display are also part of the high featured equipment.