The number of new mid-size pickup trucks has dwindled in recent years, leaving many analysts to wonder what might have been.
The speculation will end soon, because a new pair of mid-size trucks is finally nearing showrooms--and in due course, they will offer a high fuel-efficiency diesel engine as an option.
The launch of the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and 2015 GMC Canyon pickups is just a few months away, and General Motors is expecting these small trucks to have a big impact on the market.
Speaking to WardsAuto, Chevy and GMC marketing managers were confident that the new mid-size trucks would win back customers who have switched to other vehicles as the segment has dwindled.
![2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2015-chevrolet-colorado_100446610_l.jpg)
2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71
That's left the aging Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma as the only major players.
With fewer choices available, many buyers switched to full-size pickups and crossovers, GM says, but the company believes these customers' needs haven't really changed, and can still be best served by a small truck.
GM hopes to lure those customers back with modern designs and more-efficient powertrains.
At launch, base Colorado and Canyon models will come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, producing 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. An optional 3.6-liter V-6 will be good for 305 hp and 269 lb-ft.
![2015 GMC Canyon 2015 GMC Canyon](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/gmc-canyon_100452274_l.jpg)
2015 GMC Canyon
By late 2015, the Colorado at least will also get a diesel engine option. The 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder will make it the smallest diesel truck on the market.
The only diesel alternatives are the full-size 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and upcoming Nissan Titan, or even larger heavy-duty trucks. That should make the Chevy appealing to buyers who don't need such a large vehicle to meet their needs.
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