THE NEW 2023 CHEVY COLORADO WON’T BE A MILITARY TRUCK

With the arrival of the new 2023 Chevrolet Colorado and its heightened off-road abilities with the new ZR2, one can only wonder whether the United States military wants to take advantage of it. GM Defense already builds the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) based on the outgoing Chevrolet Colorado, after all. So why not expect that to carry forward into the next-generation? Well, turns out that’s not in the plans just yet.

Per Motor1, who received email communication straight from a GM Defense spokesperson, the United States Army is content with their current ISV set-up that utilizes the last-generation Colorado ZR2 and its 2.8L Duramax diesel engine as a base. Further, GM Defense has enough components from the last-gen Colorado in supply to complete the entire order for the United States Army, its client. In June 2020, the Army awarded the GM Defense a $214.3 million contract to produce 649 vehicles by the end of 2024. GM Defense is also extending its products to international clients such as Canada and the European Union, following a scathing report from the Pentagon’s chief weapons tester, despite favorable reviews from the troops.

All of that is to say: there is no pressing need to shift to the 2023 model just yet.

Aside from the Infantry Squad Vehicle, GM Defense is developing a Chevrolet Silverado HD-based vehicle for the Canadian military, built an electric ISV prototype, and the DOD is evaluating a GMC Hummer EV for possible uses. We’ve also seen the conceptual Chevrolet Off-Road Vehicle Concept (AKA: Beast) at last year’s SEMA Show, and that thing looks like it could help the soldiers mobilize. Fast.

Compared to the outgoing truck, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado family features a longer wheelbase, and comes standard with only one engine size, a turbo-charged 2.7L four-cylinder capable of either 237 or 310 horsepower depending on variant selection, as well as varying levels of torque. On top of that, it only comes in one configuration, a four-door crew cab attached to a short bed, compared to three different body styles offered before.