Colorado goes dual-fuel

Holden's Colorado 4x2 single cab chassis and crew cab pickup light commercials are now optionally available with dual-fuel capability.

This adds a new string to the Colorado's bow, as well as giving it something of an advantage over Ford's competing Ranger lineup that is only available in turbodiesel form.

The three-model dual-fuel Colorado range includes a single cab chassis available in LX form only, and a crew cab variant available as either an LX or LT-R.

The Colorado's 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 dual-fuel engine produces 155kW at 5400rpm and 300Nm at 2700rpm -- not that far below petrol versions. Fuel consumption is another thing, although CO2 emissions are improved. Running on LPG, it returns fuel consumption figures of 16.7L/100km (manual) and 17.2L/100km (auto), with respective CO2 emissions of 269g/km and 276g/km.

Regular petrol-only V6 Colorados produce 157kW at 5300rpm and 313Nm at 2800rpm. Manual-transmission versions quote 12.4L/100km fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions of 297g/km. Auto-transmission petrol-only versions are quoted at 12.8L/100km and 306g/km.

Cruising range should be extended considerably over petrol-only variants, with the single cab chassis version using a 56-litre LPG tank sitting between the chassis rails. Crew cab models have a larger, 76-litre tank located in the spare wheel housing. The standard 76-litre fuel tank remains unchanged.

Maximum braked towing capacity for LPG Colorados is quoted at 2500kg.

According to Holden's Holden Director of Marketing Philip Brook: "We think the introduction of the LPG option to the Colorado range is a clear advantage for the customer.

"Customers have the space, power and performance that they need while slashing their fuel bill in a big way.

"LPG is widely available across Australia and perhaps most importantly gives customers access to heavy duty truck benefits with small car running costs," he said.

Dual-fuel is available on the models detailed as a $3850 RRP (excluding GST) option. Holden says eligible private buyers qualify for a $2000 government rebate, with Western Australian buyers able to apply for an extra $1000 rebate on top of that (refer to the WA Government's LPG Vehicle Scheme at www.dpi.wa.gov.au).

The Colorado is also available in 120kW/360Nm 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel form.

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