Is this the ute that could have saved Holden? New Colorado ZR2 is the Ranger Raptor-fighting beast Australia needs

Is this the ute that could have saved Holden? It's no secret that the big thing missing from Holden's Australian portfolio was a battle-ready ute to take on the headline-stealing Ford Ranger Raptor, but alas, the company simply didn't have a Colorado that could measure up.

A recap? Holden was short of a true dual-cab hero in its final years in Australia, with Ford's Ranger (and the Toyota HiLux, for that matter) hammering the Colorado in the sales department.

The Colorado's sales figures in 2017 tallied 21,579, then dropped to 18,301 in 2018 and 17,472 in 2019. Compare that to the market-storming Ranger, which managed 42,728 sales in 2017, 42,144 in 2018 and 40,960 in 2019.

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Until now, that is, with Chevrolet in the USA today whipping the covers off a Ranger-ready version of its Colorado that appears plenty up to the task of taking on Ford (and the Toyota HiLux, for that matter).

Called the ZR2, the new Colorado is designed as the "ultimate off-road performance" vehicle, and at first blush it appears to live up to that claim.

Under the bonnet you'll find a "High-Output" version of the brand's turbocharged 2.7-litre petrol engine, which pumps out a considerable 231kW and 583Nm, and is paired with an eight-speed Hydra-Matic automatic. While down on kilowatts, the ZR2's torque is on par with the new Ford Ranger Raptor.

It also, unsurprisingly, delivers the best off-road specs in the new Colorado family, with approach, departure and break-over angles of 38.3, 25.1 and 24.6, as well as ground clearance of 27.1cm.

Towing capacity is listed at 2721kg, and it wears factory 3.0-inch lifted suspension and upgraded Multimatic DSSV dampers.

There are also three unique off-road modes, including:

Off-Road: Specific tractive and other dynamic performance features designed for general off-pavement driving

Terrain: Designed for low-speed rock crawling, with specific throttle control, brake performance and other calibrations, with three settings

Baja: Developed for high-speed desert running, with specific throttle control, transmission shifting and other body/drivetrain control calibrations.

“The all-new Colorado is enhanced in every way,” says Scott Bell, global vice president of Chevrolet. “With its rugged and sporty styling, enhanced capability, new technology and customization options, it’s designed to do more for discerning customers and still offer them great value.”

Sounds fun, no?

The ZR2 continues to up the tough stuff, with a heap of standard fit goodies, including a spray-on bed liner, LED lighting, off-road designed front and rear bumpers (for better ground clearance), an aluminium skid plate and rocker panel protection.

The wheels are 17 inches, and have chunky all-terrain tyres wrapped around them, and there are front and rear electronic locking differentials, those Multimatic DSSV dampers, and new cast-iron control arms, too.

“We set out to design the Colorado as a tough, muscular and capable midsize truck, which we think especially came through in the wide ZR2 trim with the aggressive grille shield,” says Phil Zak, Ford's executive design director.

“Across all trims, the exterior’s presence and attitude is reflected in the interior, which is designed around the large centre stack screen.”

So will it come to Australia? Make it so, GMSV.