Maisto 1:64 2015 Chevrolet Colorado

Maisto is no stranger to the Colorado pickup by Chevrolet having release the 1:18 Chevrolet and GMC Canyon twins back in 2004.  It was not something you see everyday and yet the trucks look great at that scale.  Since then most of the Colorado models have been in Remote Controlled vehicle shells, and the same goes for the new 2015 Colorado.  This time Maisto goes for the smaller scale 1:64 version so let's see if they still got it.

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The Colorado replaced the S-10 in 2004 as a new mid-size pickup that was partnered with Isuzu.  Not only was it larger and better than the S-10 it also had new powerplants that only differed from one cylinder count.  The quality and the engine's offered turned off some buyers so GM added a V8 model in 2009.  Even the Hummer brand had the H3 SUV and pickup based on the same platform, but both were short-lived when the brand was shuttered in 2009.  By that time fuel prices were high and full-size pickups started to overcome the price and fuel economy advantages of the mid-size pickups causing Ford, Dodge, and GM to abandon them by 2010.  However all was not dire when GM made a bold move and revived the Colorado for the U.S. market in 2015.  In fact, it has been on sale in other countries since 2012 on an all-new platform still using some help with Isuzu (who is long gone from the U.S. market).  The new trucks are larger with better interior quality and up-to-date technology and fuel economy standards that rivals full-size pickups, including a more fuel-efficient V6 and eight-speed automatic for 2017 and a turbodiesel I-4 for 2016.  This much needed boost in the small truck segment is now fueling returns of the Ford Ranger and needed refreshes for the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier.

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The 3.6L DOHC V6 is shared with the Cadillac family and is tuned for truck duty.  It produces for 2017 that makes 308 horsepower and 275 Ib-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic and a two-speed transfer case on 4x4 models.  The styling was updated before U.S. entry with a more bolder front-end and an interior with better layout and materials.  The Canyon version also returns for GMC with mini-Sierra pickup styling cues.  Starting off as a 1:64 Fresh Metal model was not a bright choice for Maisto (1:24 would've been better), but for now it's the only replica out there so just deal with the lack of an interior, cheap wheels, and some sloppy detail areas (and paint).  Offered in red and black the crew cab Z71 looks pretty good for a first start.  To help with the lack of detail and too much paint I added some detail of my own and converted the black version to the Trail Boss edition complete with blacked-out bowtie's and blacked-out wheels.  The front has silver headlights with projector beams and signal lights below them, black grille with bowtie logo in center, and a lower bumper with black center section and that lower air dam for aerodynamics but not for good off-road clearance.

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The sides have the 4-door cab look with a rather odd notch after the cab at the start of the bed (might be the paint glare playing tricks or not).  COLORADO is on the doors and note the running board steps that are nicely done.  At the rear you have Z71 badges on the rear fenders, tall taillights, Colorado badging, and a bumper that has corner steps just like the bigger Silverado.  The bed area is not as deep as the actual truck but is enough to carry most loads with ease.  The base is plain-jane plastic despite nice details on the exhaust pipe and spare tire just after the rear axle.  On the real truck the interior seats five with nice materials and plenty of room.  The dashboard follows the Silverado with a nice clean look with easy-to-use controls and a center screen with infortainment system.  The shifter for the transmission is on the console except for a different console setup for work trim models with 6-speed manual transmission.  Maisto did a good job with this casting, but I expect more and better than this.  Hopefully them (or someone else) can make a larger one with much better detailing, and now with the Ford Raptor-fighting ZR2 that seems like a possibility someday.

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Update 1/2/2018: here's pictures of the blue one that looks nice.  Also there is a police truck as well in white:

Update 12/1/19: Here's the police version of the Chevrolet Colorado by Maisto.  Aside from adding a light bar the rear bumper is black instead of body-color.