Holden Colorado full details

After attracting a lot of attention at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne in July 2011, the Colorado has already attracted many interested parties. So Holden has provided information to keep buyers informed in what is becoming a hotly contested market segment.

Unlike previous Holden Colorados, and the Holden Rodeo that preceded it, the new Colorado isn’t built by Japan maker Isuzu, but by the very American Chevrolet brand.

This results from a split between General Motors and Isuzu three years back. Interestingly, you can still buy an Isuzu pickup in Australia – it now carries Isuzu D-Max badges instead of Holden ones and is marketed by a completely different organisation.

The 2012 Holden Colorado range will be sold in the usual range of pickup body styles – single cab, space cab and crew cab

Two all-new 2.5-litre and 2.8-litre twin-cam, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines will be on offer. Both engines are tuned to give strong torque low in the rev range to suit the demands of commercial operators.

The 2.8-litre engine, when mated to the optional six-speed automatic transmission, produces 10 per cent more power and 40 per cent more torque than the old 3.0-litre diesel powertrain it replaces. 

The new Colorado will have a 3.5-tonne towing capacity across the 2.8-litre turbo diesel range, dropping to a still impressive 3.0-tonne towing capacity on the 2.5-litre models.

An extensive list of safety features will be standard across the range, including driver and front passenger airbags, side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake force Distribution and Electronic Stability Control.

Colorado will also be equipped with lifestyle and comfort features including Bluetooth connectivity, air-conditioning, power windows, auxiliary plug and USB port, two auxiliary power outlets and iPod compatible audio system.

A number of new Colorados are already on the roads and tracks of Australia gathering data on engine and transmission performance, as well as driveline quality and suspension tune.

Potential customers will be able to inspect the new Colorado range at Holden dealerships from April. A number are touring the country as part of a pre-launch roadshow. Check the Holden website for details.

Holden is currently performing Australian development work on the new Colorado using engineering tests, that includes recreational activities such as camping and fishing. Not to mention heavy-duty towing and farm work.

Other than saying the all-new Colorado will be launched in Australia ‘mid-year’, Holden won’t reveal the exact date of introduction.

Specifications of the all-new Holden Colorado are:

Towing Capacity: 3000 kg (2.5-litre turbo diesel), 3500 kg (2.8-litre turbo diesel)

Steering System: Hydraulic rack-and-pinion

Suspension: Independent double wishbone, coil spring (front), leaf spring (rear)

Safety and Security Features: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Front Drive and Passenger Airbags, Curtain Airbags
Interior
Features: Air-conditioning, Auxiliary plug and USB port, Two auxiliary power outlets, Bluetooth connectivity, iPod compatible audio system, Power windows.