Many of the various blogs and news stories we have
looked at over the past week here at the Mid Missouri Powerhouse have been
about vehicles with manual transmissions, and the fact that they are rapidly
becoming obsolete. GM Authority reported this week on the loss of
two more 3-pedal vehicles, and they just happen to be the 2019 Chevy Colorado
and GMC Canyon. Chevy officially made the confirmation that the two manual
models would be discontinued in a statement to Carbuzz, claiming
that sales were not healthy enough to continue. We know how much purists who
yearn for every drive have heaps of love the manual, but we still avidly attest
that the transmissions of tomorrow AND today will leave you satisfied by means
of an automatic shift!
Previously, the six-speed manual transmission for
the Colorado
and GMC Canyon came with only the Work Truck trim that was powered by the
2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and two-wheel drive. It was not available with
the 2.6-liter V6 engine, 2.8-liter diesel, or 4-wheel drive. Now that the word
is official, the Colorado and Canyon will still be offered with two automatics:
a six-speed and an 8-speed. 2.8-liter diesel Colorados and Canyons will feature
the 6, and the 8-speed will be found on 3.6-liter V6 models.
We are definitely excited about the introduction
of the new ZR2 Bison model: it gets some new parts and accessories from the
off-road gurus at American Expedition Vehicles that allow for more clearance,
protection from the elements underneath, and rugged appearance. As MotorTrend
reported last month, demand has been staggeringly high for the Bison,
as they were snagged up at a breakneck pace after release. Cnet.com called
it “an off-road animal” after a test drive, and had massive amounts of praise
for the steel skid plates, front and rear differentials, transfer case and gas
tank, and front mounting points for a winch.
MotorTrend's main test drive was completed on an off-road trail east of Phoenix,
with washouts, rocks littering the path, and steep drops aplenty. At no time
did it ever feel as if the limits of the ZR2 were even close to being
approached, and the crew admitted that the off-road prowess of the Bison was
likely far more than many average drivers will ever need. The Infotainment 3
system is located on an 8-inch touchscreen on top of the center stack, and rear
passengers have access to two USB ports and a 12-volt outlet on the back of the
center console. The staff of KBB.Com claimed that on their
expedition with the Bison when they were close to getting stuck, the
differential “worked like off-road magic,” and combined with the low-range
4-wheel-drive, made for the most serious yet practical off-roader ever
designed!
