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H
olden is preparing to introduce a heavily upgraded
Colorado ute range, promising improved refinement,
new advanced connectivity and safety features and a
distinctive new look – as seen by the Chevrolet version (known as
the S10) already on the road in Brazil.
The South American country is the development hub for
General Motors’ one-tonne utility range, which is built in Thailand
for the Australian market.
However, Australia has still played a significant role behind
the scenes in terms of both engineering and design, and Holden
is confident the upgraded series will take the fight up to fully
redesigned and/or recently upgraded rivals such as the top-
selling Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara and
Mitsubishi Triton.
The styling changes were previewed ahead of the Brazilian
launch at the Bangkok motor show, where two Australian-
designed concepts took centre stage – the Colorado Xtreme ute
and Trailblazer Premier SUV.
While the ‘Trailblazer’ moniker will replace the ute-based
wagon’s Colorado 7 nameplate with this upcoming upgrade, the
Melbourne team’s work on the SUV show car is apparent on the
production version of the ute.
Holden calls it a ‘tough, yet refined appearance’ with more
angular lines (an apparent nod to its American truck DNA) and,
in general, a more sophisticated look via the redesigned grille,
sculptural bonnet and narrower headlight cluster with slim LED
daytime running lamps.
A new range of accessories, many of which were previewed on
the Xtreme concept, have also been developed, including a unique
safari bar, sports bar and alloy wheels.
The Colorado’s cabin has come in for a major overhaul, with
a new-look dash and redesigned centre console that is said to
be more user-friendly and features an 8.0” colour touch-screen
housing the latest version of Holden’s MyLink infotainment
system, including access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Attention to detail in areas such as materials, fabrics and
finishes is also apparent, particularly with new soft-touch
surfaces and trim inserts that have ‘tailored stitching’ in an effort
to improve interior comfort and classiness.
>Holden
www.holden.com.auHOLDEN COLORADO
COLORADO LS-X
While a new Colorado
is on its way, Holden
is working overtime
to keep interest up in
the current range, as
demonstrated by a host
of special offers and a
new LS-X variant that
includes higher-grade
equipment such as alloy
sports bar, front fog
lights and 16” alloy wheels.
Priced from $37,990 drive-away and based on the mid-
series LS 4x4 Crew Cab pick-up, the X factor also runs to a
Colorado-branded smoked bonnet protector, unique LS-X
badging and cabin carpet flooring.
A six-speed automatic transmission is included, pushing
maximum torque in the (147kW) 2.8l Duramax 2 turbo-diesel
engine out to 500Nm – up from 440Nm in the six-speed
manual variant.