An eight-speed gearbox and more efficient V-6 engine have helped the new Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup achieve both more power and efficiency. Under the hood, the thoroughly reworked version of the Colorado’s V-6 gets tweaked variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust points of the combustion cycle. Improvements in the direct-fuel-injection system is likely to help eke out a few extra miles per gallon, noted emerging-technologies magazine New Atlas, though fuel-consumption figures have not yet been disclosed. The new eight-speed transmission is the same size as the six-speed that it replaces. The use of aluminum and magnesium mean there’s no weight penalty associated with the extra ratios, according to parent company General Motors.

2016 Chevrolet Colorado Diesel

The Colorado gets a revised engine and new eight-speed automatic transmission that replaces the six-speed unit.(PHOTO: GENERAL MOTORS)

Six gears instead of eight for Colorado:

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