LOS ANGELES, CA - Ahead of its world debut today at the 2013 LA Auto Show, General Motors Co. took the wraps off of its 2015 Chevrolet Colorado.

The new midsize pickup – on sale in fall 2014 – is built off of GM's global Colorado, which it sells outside of the U.S., and the 2014 Chevy Silverado. But the Colorado surprisingly shares little exterior characteristics with the Silverado. Unlike the boxy Silverado, which GM released earlier this year, the Colorado is smooth and a bit sportier.

The Colorado will be available in an extended cab model with a 6-foot bed, a crew cab with a five-foot bed and a crew cab with a six-foot bed.

"Our strategy is simple: meet the needs of the broadest possible customer base, and let them choose precisely the right truck to meet their needs," said Mark Reuss, GM president of North America, in a statement.

GM will initially offer the Colorado with two engine options: A standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder estimated at 193 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque and a 3.6-liter V6 estimated at 302 horsepower (224 kW) and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. For the 2016 model year, GM will also offer an all-new Duramax 2.8-liter turbodiesel – “greatly expanding the capabilities” of the pickup truck, according to GM.

“We’re really excited about being able to bring in the 2.8-liter Duramax diesel,” said Jeff Luke, GM Trucks executive engineer, during a recent media event previewing the vehicle.

All models are matched with a six-speed automatic that complements the truck-tuned engines with features that make hauling and trailering easier, including auto grade braking and a tow/haul mode.

When properly equipped, the Colorado is expected to offer class leading payload capacity and trailering capacity of more than 6,700 pounds.

The new Colorado was developed for the North American truck customer, with distinctive design, comfort and connectivity features, including segment firsts such as available forward collision alert and lane departure warning. The midsize pickup is part of a

for GM, which also includes heavy-duty and full-size options.

It also marks a new chapter for the midsize pickup truck segment, which GM believes it can grow with the Colorado and its brother, the GMC Canyon.

Automakers – particularly the Detroit Three – have gone away from offering any pickups smaller than full-size models, like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado.

GM phased out its Colorado and Canyon pickups last year. Crosstown rivals Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC ended production of the Ford Ranger and Dodge Ram Dakota in 2011.

Toyota Motor Corp. is currently the leader in the U.S. midsize truck segment with the Tacoma. The Japanese automaker sold 141,365 Tacoma models in 2012, a 16 percent increase from 2011. Through October, Tacoma sales were up nearly 17 percent to 134,123 trucks sold.

GM, which will livestream the unveiling of the Colorado, has not said when the Canyon will debut.

The Colorado is expected to be one of nearly 60

vehicle debuts, including 22 world debuts, during the

Press Days Nov. 20-21. The LA Auto Show, which is considered the start of the “auto show season” for automakers, is open to the public from Nov. 22 – Dec. 1.

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