The diesel-powered Chevy Coloroado and GMC Canyon could hit the market later than expected thanks to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s tougher emissions tests.
According to Automotive News, the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently informed GM that the Colorado and Canyon equipped with the four-cylinder 2.8-litre Duramax diesel won’t be certified for sale until testing has been completed.
“The EPA and CARB told us they are going to do on-road testing,” Scott Yackley, Chevy Trucks’ assistant chief engineer, said. This could delay the diesel Colorado and Canyon’s launches, originally set for the fourth quarter of this year.
In response to Volkswagen’s emissions scandal, the EPA and CARB will incorporate laboratory and on-road testing, and whenever possible, both will use cars from other sources – such as rental car companies – to avoid any tinkering from manufacturers.
Already used in markets outside of North America, the Duramax 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine produces 181 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. It will be available on both two- and four-wheel-drive Colorado and Canyon models.
