As buyers eagerly await the 2015 Chevy Colorado to drop sometime this fall, the good news about the truck keeps rolling in: according to the research put together by Chevrolet, their new mid-size pickup will be significantly lighter than any other GM truck on the market.

This diagram shows the updated metallic structure of the 2015 Colorado.

The incredible weight savings that make the 2015 Chevy Colorado the lightest GM pickup truck available, according to GM, is thanks to the slightly smaller overall dimensions of the Colorado, but also has a lot to do with its extensive use of new and lightweight materials. These include high-strength steels and aluminum that save the truck anywhere between 880 to 1400 extra pounds when compared to its other pickup trucks and its full-size relatives.

Overall, about 71 percent of the truck will be made from high-strength steel, so safety and sturdiness shouldn’t be a major cause for concern. Under the hood, aluminum cylinder heads, engine blocks, and integral exhaust manifolds save more than 13 pounds of weight over traditional cast-iron components, in both the 2.5L four-cylinder and 3.6L six-cylinder motors found in the 2015 Colorado.

Power is in ample supply for the truck, with the four-cylinder capable of 193 hp, and the V6 capable of 302 hp. Chevrolet added an extra level of speediness to the truck with active shutters that seal the front of the truck, reducing aerodynamic drag and improving cooling performance. For towing, the Colorado is expected to lead the mid-size segment with up to 6,700 pounds of available towing capacity.

Compared to the 1500, the short-bed crew cab Colorado is 212.76 inches long, making it 17 inches shorter than its full-size brother. Its width is also five inches narrower than the Silverado, making it a snug fit in busy streets and garages.

As a result of these modifications, Chevrolet expects the truck’s design to bear out significant improvements to fuel mileage. We have yet to record hard numbers on what the Colorado will get in terms of MPG, but the EPA is expected to make the announcement sometime in the summer.

What do you think of the new Colorado? A promising little pickup, or a scrawny mid-size with more bark than bite? Share your two cents below.