The mid-size truck segment is heating up as Ford recently unveiled the redesigned Ranger. Not to be outdone, General Motors is putting the finishing touches on the next-generation Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. One of those trucks was recently spotted undergoing testing in Phoenix, Arizona by CarScoops reader Nicholas and although it’s hard to identify which version it is, it appears to be the redesigned Canyon.
Dressed in heavy camouflage, the truck
features a prominent grille that is flanked by slender headlights with circular
lighting units located beneath them. Additional details are hard to make out,
but it appears the truck will adopt a more curvaceous design and pronounced
fender flares, which may indicate this is the off-road focused AT4 variant. The
camouflage does a good job of hiding details, but the Canyon is slated to adopt
muscular bodywork and a flatter beltline. We can also see vertical taillights
and a sliding rear window. Rumors have also suggested the Canyon could receive
a MultiPro tailgate, like the larger Sierra and the Hummer EV.
The exterior updates are certainly
welcome, but some of the biggest changes will occur in the interior. Previous
spy photos have shown the truck will be equipped with an all-new steering wheel
and a freestanding infotainment system. The model is also slated to adopt
higher quality materials, modern switchgear, and more advanced driver
assistance systems.
While the current Canyon is offered with
an assortment of different engines, rumors have suggested the redesigned truck
could be offered exclusively with a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder. That
remains to be seen, but the 2.7-liter engine develops 310 hp and 571 Nm of torque in the facelifted Sierra. That’s a huge
improvement over the current 2.5-liter four-cylinder, while also besting the
3.6-liter V6 which develops 308 hp and 373 Nm of
torque.
The 2023 GMC Canyon is expected to be
introduced later this year and we can expect to learn more details shortly.
