Fleet & Commercial:
Commercial Vans/Pickups

For release: Aug. 1, 2007

2008 CHEVY COLORADO/GMC CANYON ASTRO BODY PACKAGE

New for 2008

Model Lineup

Engine

Transmission

Vortec
3.7L I-5 VVT

4-spd auto
(Hydra-Matic 4L60)

2WD and 4WD Chassis Cab

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2008 ASTRO BODY PACKAGE AVAILABLE WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE

Introduced for the 2007 model year, the Astro Body package on 2008 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks provided a viable alternative for commercial customers who favored GM’s midsize vans for their versatility and capability. For 2008, Astro Body delivers even more capability, with its available four-wheel-drive system, along with the available convenience package, which includes power door locks, power windows and remote keyless entry.

2008 product enhancements

The all-terrain capability of GM’s four-wheel-drive system is now available on Colorado and Canyon Astro Body. Also available is an uplevel convenience package designed to enhance driver comfort. It includes remote keyless entry, power door locks and power windows.

More cargo-carrying capability

Of primary importance to trade customers is cargo-carrying capability. Many of these customers equipped Astro and Safari with storage bins and partitions, turning these vehicles into rolling repair centers. The 2008 Astro Body delivers more flexibility than did the original midsize vans. Compared to the 2005 Astro and Safari Vans, the Astro Body is taller (78 inches vs. 75 inches), longer (82 inches vs. 80 inches) and can carry wider items (43.1 inches above the wheelhousings) safely and securely inside the vehicle.

Colorado and Canyon Astro Body customers can also carry more cargo than they could in Astro and Safari vans (173.7 cubic feet vs. 170.4 cubic feet). Total payload capacity for Colorado and Canyon Astro Body is nearly that of the midsize vans (1,515 pounds vs. 1,647 pounds) once one considers that the midsize vans required a driver partition that weighed approximately 100 pounds.

Cargo loading and unloading is easily accomplished via either the 30-inch side door opening or the 48.45-inch double rear doors that swing out for greater efficiency. The side and rear doors are keyed the same as the vehicle cab for greater convenience.

Enhanced visibility

The Colorado and Canyon Astro Body delivers enhanced safety and security by improving the driver’s field of vision alongside and behind the vehicle. Side-view visibility is enhanced by the Velvac mirror. It uses a built-in convex mirror, extending visibility along the side of the vehicle significantly vs. the Astro Van. An available camera that is mounted just below the Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) provides rearward visibility. With it, drivers can clearly see if an item as small as a wrench has been left on the rear bumper.

Integrated styling

“It was critical to us that the styling for the Astro Body mesh with the Colorado and Canyon styling. We’ve incorporated a number of subtle styling enhancements to achieve this objective,” said Tim Cavanaugh, marketing product manager for GM midsize trucks.

The box portion of the Astro Body package features the same door handles, taillights and CHMSL as those on Colorado and Canyon models. The box is made of commercial-grade fiberglass for enhanced durability, and the interior features a durable floor and a 12-volt dome light. For warmer climates, vents are available.

To maximize employee productivity, Astro Body is available with a host of bin packages and ladder racks from longtime GM suppliers Adrian and Leggett and Platt Commercial.

Powerful, efficient engine

Colorado and Canyon Astro Body models are powered by the 3.7L I-5 delivering 242 (180 kW) and 242 lb.-ft. of torque (328 Nm).* The engine features variable valve technology (VVT), electronic throttle control and other features that contribute to high levels of operating efficiency and fuel economy. Balance shafts help ensure smooth operation of the engines, providing a higher level of refinement. The 3.7L is coupled with the Hydra-Matic 4L60 electronically controlled four-speed automatic.

The 2008 Astro Body is available on Colorado and Canyon Chassis Cab models and in 2WD and 4WD configurations. It joins the Colorado and Canyon Mid Box and Topper packages. These vehicles were specifically designed based on customer input and are engineered to offer GM Fleet and Commercial customers unique models designed for their unique uses, ordered right from the factory and backed by GM warranties and service.

*SAE certified.

# # #

Contact:
Robert Minton
FCO Communications
Phone: 313-667-2634
Fax: 313-667-9390
E-mail: robert.minton@gm.com

Nina Price
FCO Communications
Phone: 313-667-4084
Fax: 313-667-1181
E-mail: nina.price@gm.com

Lynda Messina
GM Product Communications
Phone: 586-492-2866
E-mail : lynda.messina@gm.com

GM of Canada Communications
Tony LaRocca
Phone: 905-644-1804
Fax: 905-644-3873
E-mail: tony.larocca@gm.com

Antonio Sanchez Jimenez
Gerente de Relaciones Públicas y Comunicación
General Motors de Mexico
Office: 011-5255-5901-3042
E-mail: angelantonio.sanchezjimenez@gm.com

SPECIFICATIONS

(See GM of Canada section for Canadian product information)

Overview

Models:

2008 Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon Astro Body

2WD and 4WD Chassis Cab

Body style / driveline:

Chassis Cab (2-3 passengers), front-engine rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive pickup

Construction:

welded steel ladder H-frame, electrogalvanized steel

EPA vehicle class:

compact pickup

Manufacturing location:

Shreveport , La.

Engine

Vortec 3.7L I-5 VVT

Type:

3.7L inline 5-cylinder

Displacement (cu in / cc):

223 / 3654

Bore & stroke (in / mm):

3.76 x 4 / 95.5 x 102

Block material:

A356-T6 cast aluminum

Cylinder head material:

A356-T6 cast aluminum

Valvetrain:

dual overhead camshafts, continuously variable valve timing, 4 valves per cylinder

Ignition system:

coil-on-plug, platinum-tipped spark plugs

Fuel delivery:

multipoint sequential fuel injection

Compression ratio:

10:1

Horsepower (hp / kw @ rpm):

242 / 180 @ 5600*

Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):

242 / 328 @ 4600*

Recommended fuel:

regular unleaded

Maximum engine speed (rpm):

6300

Emissions controls:

evaporative system, close-couple and underfloor catalytic converters

Estimated fuel economy
city / hwy:

TBD (man)
TBD (auto)

Transmission

Hydra-Matic 4L60

Type:

4-speed automatic

Gear ratios (:1):

First:

3.06

Second:

1.63

Third:

1.00

Fourth:

0.70

Fifth:

—

Reverse:

2.29

Final drive ratio (:1):
3.42 axle
3.73 axle


2.39
2.61

Chassis/Suspension

Front:

independent with coil springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bar (2WD); independent with torsion bars, shock absorbers and stabilizer bar (4WD)

Rear:

live axle with steel, two-stage semi-elliptic multileaf springs

Steering type:

power-assisted rack-and-pinion

Steering ratio:

17.4:1 (2WD); 18.3:1 (4WD)

Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:

2WD: 3.31; 4WD: 3.2

Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):

2WD: 39.7 / 12 /; 4WD: 40.7 / 12.4

Brakes

Type:

vacuum power, front disc / rear drum, standard anti-lock

Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm):

front: 11 x 1.1 / 280 x 27

Drum diameter x width (in / mm)

rear: 11.6 x 1.8 / 295 x 45

Total rotor swept area (sq in / sq cm):

105.7 / 681.7

Drum swept area (sq in / sq cm):

64.6 / 417

Wheels/Tires

Wheel size & type:

15-inch x 6-inch steel

Tires:

General P235/75R15 standard all-season steel-belted radial tires (2WD)
Optional P235/75R15 On and Off Road tires available

Dimensions
Exterior

2WD

4WD

Wheelbase (in / mm):

111.2 / 2825

111.3 / 2825

Overall length (in / mm):

210.7 / 5352

210.7 / 5352

Overall width (in / mm):

77.5 / 1969

77.5 / 1969

Overall height (in / mm):

78 / 1981

78 / 1981

Track (in / mm):
Front:


57.5 / 1460


59.6 / 1514

Rear:

57.5 / 1460

57.5 / 1460

Minimum ground clearance front (in / mm):

8.5 / 216

8.5 / 216

Rear

7.5 / 191

7.5 / 191

Ground to top of load floor (in / mm):

26.9 / 683

29.6 / 752

Curb weight: base suspension (lb / kg):

3498 / 1590

3712 / 1687

Cargo Box

Cargo volume (cu ft / L):

173.7 / 4921

Interior length (in / mm):

82 / 2082

Interior height (in / mm)

47.7 / 1212

Interior floor space (sq ft / )
At floor
Above wheel housings


33.8 / 858
43.1 / 1095

Payload (estimated) (lbs / kg)

1515 / 682

Interior

Seating capacity:

2-3

Headroom (in / mm):

39.6 / 1006

Legroom (in / mm):

44 / 1118

Shoulder room (in / mm):

57.1 / 1450

Hip room (in / mm):

53.3 / 1354

Capacities

GVWR, standard (lb / kg):

2WD: 5000 / 2268

4WD: 5300 / 2404

Payload, base (lb / kg):

2WD: 1489 / 672

4WD: 1498 / 676

Fuel tank (gal / L):

19.6 / 74.2

*Horsepower and Torque Certified. A new voluntary power and torque certification procedure developed by the SAE Engine Test Code committee was approved March 31, 2005. This procedure (J2723) ensures fair, accurate ratings for horsepower and torque by allowing manufacturers to certify their engines through third-party witness testing. GM was the first auto manufacturer to begin using the procedure and expects to use it for all newly rated engines in the future.

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.
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