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Holden Colorado already "hoses the Raptor": No plan for hardcore Ford Ranger rival

The Holden Colorado Xtreme began life as a limited-run special edition

If you're holding your breath for a Holden-badged rival to the Ford Ranger Raptor, then you best keep right on holding - the brand says it has no plans to further toughen-up its Colorado to do battle with its Blue Oval rival.

That's the word from Holden's executive team, who say the new Colorado - just updated for 2020 - already "hoses the Raptor" in terms of speed and off-road capability.

"This car hoses the Raptor on zero-to-100km/h," says Holden sales director, Peter Keley, confirming the Colorado Z71 Xtreme is as performance-focused as the model is going to get.

It's a view shared by Holden's GM of LCV marketing, Andre Scott, who told CarsGuide the Colorado has the Raptor covered.

"It depends on what you’re after, for us we’ve got a traditional, serious, hardcore off-roader with our Xtreme. That was our major play at the top end. Performance wise, speed wise, we have (the Raptor) covered.

"We feel like we’ve addressed that from different angle with this specific vehicle. We're going for pure off-road capability compared to our competitor. This is our offering."

The Xtreme is a tricked-up version of the top-spec Z71 Colorado, though it shares the same 2.8-litre diesel engine and six-speed gearbox. You get all-terrain tyres, heavy duty springs and a front winch. Elsewhere, it's mostly style changes, with fender flares, a sports bar, side steps, a LED light bar and a black grille (among other visual changes).

The Xtreme pack adds $19,550 to the price of the Z71 Colorado, lifting the sticker price to $76,640 for auto-equipped vehicles - though you do get a $2000 voucher that helps reduce the cost of the car.

The Ford Ranger Raptor comes in at $74,990, and arrives with unique chassis, body and suspension engineering developed by Ford Performance, and Fox Racing Shox coil-over dampers at both ends.

Does the Colorado have the Raptor covered? Tell us in the comments below.