HSV's Colorado SportsCat isn't cheap

Holden Special Vehicles' first take on the Holden Colorado – and its first new vehicle in the post Aussie Commodore era – is the Holden Colorado SportsCat by HSV.

The dual-cab five-seat 4x4 ute is yours from $60,790 for the manual or $62,990 with an automatic transmission.

There's also the SportsCat+, pegged at $66,790 for the manual, which is more expensive than the V8-powered, 340kW HSV Maloo R8 SV Black we last tested in mid-2016.

With no more power than the regular Holden Colorado, the SportsCat makes do with the same 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine worth 147kW and 500Nm, or 440Nm if you take the six-speed manual in lieu of the six-speed auto.

Adding an automatic transmission increases the price by $2200.

What you get is a pumped-up look designed to make the Ford Ranger Wildtrak look puny in comparison, thanks to the HSV's pumped wheel-arches, new grille, tailgate, hard tonneau cover and new wheels. AP Racing brakes and the option of SupaShock suspension are available on the SportsCat+ too.

Check out our review for more details and our thoughts on the new Colorado SportsCat, which we scored 80/100.

HSV Managing Director, Tim Jackson, said the new SportsCat delivers "outstanding value" considering "…the breadth of styling, comfort and engineering enhancements..." made to the vehicle.

"Our two-tier product strategy provides buyers with the flexibility to choose the model that best suits their work and lifestyle requirements," he added.

There has been talk of a full-blown HSV Wildfire, an even hotter version of the Colorado dual-cab ute developed by Walkinshaw. It could be powered by a twin-turbo petrol V6 and give the new $75,000 Ford Ranger Raptor something to think about.

HSV says it already has "strong" levels of interest in the new SportsCat model which can be optioned with a range of extras, listed below.

2018 HSV Colorado SportsCat (plus ORCs):
Colorado SportsCat manual: $60,790
Colorado SportsCat automatic: $62,990

Colorado SportsCat+ manual: $66,790
Colorado SportsCat+ automatic: $68,990

2018 HSV Colorado SportsCat options:
Six-speed Automatic Transmission: $2200
Sail Plane (SportsCat+ only): $1300
SupaShock suspension (SportsCat+ only): $3600
Prestige Paint (Satin Steel Grey & Mineral Black): $550
Tub-liner: $300
Load Master: $795
Eye-Bolt: $75
Roof Rack: $647

2018 HSV SportsCat equipment:
Driving Dynamics
• 2.8L 4-cylinder DOHC Duramax Turbo Diesel engine
• 6-speed manual transmission
• 6-speed automatic transmission with Active Select (option)
• Shift-on-the-fly 4WD
• Limited Slip Differential
• Engine sump guard
• HSV Sports suspension
• SupaShock suspension (option on SportsCat+)
• Rear De-coupling Anti-roll Bar (SportsCat+ only)
• Wide wheel track (30mm wider than Colorado Z71)
• Hi-ride height (45mm higher at the front than Colorado Z71)
• Cooper Zeon LTZ Pro Sports All-terrain tyres (285/60 R18)
• Electric Power Steering

Exterior Design
• Unique front fascias & grilles
• Unique fender flares
• 18” x 10” 6-spoke forged alloy wheels (matte black) – SportsCat
• 18” x 10” 6-spoke forged alloy wheels (matte black with machined face) – SportsCat+
• LED fog lamps
• LED daytime running lamps
• LED tail lights
• Bonnet bulge (SportsCat+ only)
• Tubular side-steps
• Hard tonneau
• Alloy Sports Bar
• Sail Plane (option on SportsCat+)
• Tailgate applique’

Interior Design
• SV Sports seats (Jasmine leather / Windsor suede)
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with red highlight stitching
• Perforated leather / suede dash-pad trim
• Red stitching highlights
• SportsCat floor mats

Safety
• Forward Collision Alert
• Lane Departure Warning
• Rain Sensing Wipers
• Front airbags for driver and front passenger
• Front seat side impact airbags
• Full length side curtain airbags
• Driver knee airbag
• Front disc brakes (SportsCat)
• Front AP Racing forged 4-piston brake calipers with 362mm discs (SportsCat+ only)
• 25.4mm brake master cylinder
• Electronic Stability Control incorporating:
• Anti-lock Braking System
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Traction Control System
• Hill Descent Control & Hill Start Assist
• Trailer Sway Control
• Roll Over Mitigation
• Front & rear park assist
• Rear-view camera

Cabin Comfort & Conveniences
• Electronic climate control
• Remote window activation (via key-fob)
• Heated 6-way electric adjustable driver seat
• MyLink infotainment system with 8” touch-screen
• Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB+) multi-media
• 7-speaker audio
• USB input with iPod® connectivity
• Phone projection featuring Apple® CarPlay™ and Android Auto™
• Embedded satellite navigation

Practicality & Versatility
• Remote start (auto only)
• Roof rails
• Recovery hooks (front)
• “Soft-open” tailgate strut
• Hard tonneau features “quick-release” mechanism & load-rail provision
• Tub-liner (option)
• Load Master (option)
• Eye-bolt (option)
• Roof rack (option)