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Holden Colorado to get Xtreme makeover: Aussie engineers to work on factory lift kit

This hardcore Colorado Rox is a "pure NZ play", for now...

The hardcore Holden Colorado Rox revealed last week in New Zealand is not a sure-starter for Australia, with the beefed-up concept vehicle "purely a NZ play". 

But it is understood at least one element of that vehicle could make its way into an Australian version, with Holden here thought to be working on at least a lift-kit for its just-updated workhorse. 

The Rox takes the Colorado and dials it up to 11, leaving it barely recognisable from its more sensible donor car in places. For a start, it rides on massive 35-inch mud-terrain tyres, and a six-inch lift kit further beefs up the Rox's off-road credentials, as do the snorkel, winch, and light bar. Better still, you get custom side-exit exhausts.

The vehicle is a one-off concept that will travel across New Zealand, acting as a rolling advertisement for Holden's accessories catalogue.

"That is a New Zealand-specific concept they’ve pulled together," says  Holden's GM of LCV marketing, Andre Scott.

The Rox takes the Colorado and dials it up to 11. The Rox takes the Colorado and dials it up to 11.

"Obviously we’re closely tied with New Zealand, but we don’t have any firm plans on an Australian-specific version. But it's a fantastic effort, and we’re one team across the region.

"We’d love to have one, but at this point it’s purely New Zealand’s play."

But that's not to say the Rox won't inspire something special in Australia, with the brand thought to be working on a six-inch lift kit for its most rugged Colorado, the Z71 Xtreme.

The brand has declined to comment, but it is understood the local engineering team will be tasked with injecting even more off-road capability into the Colorado.

Would you be in the market for a more rugged Colorado? Tell us in the comments below.