Ricky Carmichael helps develop
package to demonstrate cargo capability, flexibility
LAS VEGAS – Motocross legend Ricky Carmichael has the perfect
go-anywhere transporter in the all-new Chevrolet Colorado for his motorcycle,
mountain bike and the gear that goes with them.
Carmichael teamed with
Chevrolet to develop the Colorado Performance concept to illustrate the
lifestyle-supporting capability of Chevy’s new midsize pickup truck. It debuts
this week at the SEMA Show, the world’s largest trade show of automotive
performance and personalization.
“Where I take my bikes, a full-size
truck isn’t always the best solution, so a maneuverable midsize truck like the
Colorado is just the ticket,” said Carmichael. “Besides a cargo bed that’s not
only large enough to haul a motocross bike and a mountain bike, the Colorado
has the power to confidently take them where the pavement ends.”
Carmichael consulted with
Chevrolet on the unique concept equipment to facilitate the bikes’ mounting in
the Colorado crew cab’s 6’ 2” cargo bed, which allows hauling of items up to
eight feet long with the tailgate down. A concept tailgate extender helps
secure the bikes, while the Colorado’s standard CornerStep rear bumper makes it
easier to step up and reach into the bed to tighten hold-down straps or
retrieve other gear.
The concept mounting features on Carmichael’s Colorado were developed
with the same eye on integrated functionality that’s offered in production accessories
available today for Colorado customers – including the patent-pending GearOn™ system. It’s designed to hold larger items
such as bikes, boards and kayaks above the bed, leaving room for smaller gear
such as tents and sleeping bags in the bed. It can even accommodate 4 x 8-foot
sheets of plywood above the wheelhouses.
Customers can have the accessories installed when they purchase their
new truck, so they are ready at the time of vehicle delivery. In fact, they can
even roll their cost, including any installation charges, into the monthly
payments for the Colorado, and carry a warranty backed by General Motors.
With his motorcycle and
mountain bike safely mounted, Carmichael and Chevrolet designers turned their
attention to the Colorado’s exterior and interior to give it a one-of-a-kind
appearance reflecting the hall-of-fame racer’s competitive spirit.
The truck was given a unique
matte gray exterior color accented with high-gloss silver and yellow accents –
and a graphic of Carmichael’s signature. The production 17-inch Z71 aluminum
wheels were accented with yellow highlights and wrapped in Goodyear Duratec
off-road tires. A concept sport bar was also added to the bed.
Yellow accents were added to
the interior, along with Carmichael’s racing number 4 embroidered into the
front seat headrests. Like the production Colorado, Carmichael’s concept
version is well connected via Chevy MyLink with a built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. There’s also a
standard rearview camera system that’s helpful when backing up with tall cargo,
such as a motorcycle.
And when it comes to the
power Carmichael appreciates, the Colorado delivers the segment’s most powerful and efficient engine: an
available 3.6L V-6 rated at 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque – and 26 mpg
on the highway (2WD models), according to EPA estimates. The concept vehicle
features a concept performance exhaust system.
That power supports segment-leading capabilities, too, including a
7,000-pound maximum trailering capacity with available heavy-duty trailering
package, and a maximum payload capacity of 1,590 pounds.
“The Colorado does everything I want in a pickup truck,” said Carmichael.
“It simply does it in a smaller package that fits the lifestyle of a lot of
people like me.”
Join the social conversation at #CHEVYSEMA.
About Ricky Carmichael
Ricky
Carmichael won 102 American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Motocross Nationals
and 48 AMA Supercross main events for a record 150 major wins between 1997 and
2007. The Tallahassee, Fla., resident won 10 AMA Motocross Championships and
five AMA Supercross crowns, giving him a record 15 major titles. After retiring
from professional motocross racing, he began pursuing a career in auto racing
and was named the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Most Popular Driver.
Currently, Carmichael can be found in the TV booth providing color commentary
on CBS and Fox Sports Supercross coverage. As for motocross, he will forever be
known as "the Goat," which stands for greatest of all-time.
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's
largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more
than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with
fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design,
and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
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