HSV Colorado SportsCat Series II 2019 Review – Australia

When Holden shuttered the assembly line on its locally-produced Commodore range back in 2017, it inadvertently put an end to 30-odd years of HSV’s “one trick” business model. Given the circumstances, it would have been understandable for Holden Special Vehicles to call it a day.

But before we could blink it seemed the Clayton-based hot shop had found itself an all-new start – this time in the conversion of left-hand drive trucks and performance cars from the US, and in the modification of Holden’s Thai-sourced Colorado dual-cab ute.

It was a gamble, when you consider the established competition Down Under; and an investment that in monetary terms alone boggles the mind. But it’s one that seems to be paying dividends for HSV managing director Tim Jackson and his team, plus the more than 1400 happy Colorado SportsCat buyers.

The HSV Colorado SportsCat was first launched in February 2018 under the lengthy title of the Holden Colorado SportsCat by HSV. It was available in two grades, both with styling and suspension upgrades that gave it a wilder personality than the Holden Colorado Z71 on which it was based.

It wasn’t quite the rival to Ford’s highly-popular Ranger Raptor – and the HSV Wildfire that was to complement that model hasn’t yet eventuated. But in its own little niche the SportsCat has performed well. It gives “Sports Truck” buyers a useable, go-anywhere alternative to dress-kit variants offered elsewhere, and continues (in part) the Ford v Holden stoush we’ve become so fond of.

The HSV Colorado SportCat Series II builds on the success of its predecessor with a suite of visual and equipment upgrades for 2019. Pricing remains unchanged ($62,490 - $68,990 plus on-road costs), but brand identity and all-round ability improve – both above and below the chassis rails.

New naming conventions are likely the most evident change to the updated SportsCat range. The SportsCat V replaces the SportsCat Look Pack and the SportsCat SV takes the place of the SportsCat+.

Both SportsCat variants are defined by a rugged and distinctive front end with a gloss black grille, fascia and lower inserts, prominent (but non-functional) bonnet bulge, bespoke LED fog lights and dual, red-painted recovery hooks HSV says can suspend more than twice the weight of the SportsCat itself.

HSV designed lightweight (12.6kg each) six-spoke forged alloy wheels measuring 18 x 10 inches which are clad in model-specific Cooper Zeon LTZ Pro Sports All-terrain tyres.

The package works with bolstered spring rates (+15 per cent) and thicker strut braces up front, and revised dampers all-round to offer a “more performance-based handling characteristic”, HSV says. All told, the changes contribute to an increase in ride height and clearance of 45mm (to 251mm) and a track increase of 30mm.

SportsCat SV variants include a decoupling anti-roll bar at the rear and four-piston AP brakes with 362mm rotors up front. HSV’s remote reservoir-type SupaShock dampers – also sourced from the HSV GTSR W1 – remain optional across the range at $2990.

Other options include the availability of the SportsCat SV’s rear decoupling anti-roll bar on the SportsCat V for $2795, hard tonneau cover and sports bar delete ($2500), AP Racing premium brake package for the SportsCat V ($2990), Sail Plane-type sports bar for the SportsCat SV ($1300), tub liner ($300) and metallic paint ($550).

HSV’s chief designer, Julian Quincey, said customer feedback on the Colorado SportsCat dictated changes to the Series II variant. In short, that customers wanted to feel a “stronger HSV presence” inside and outside the cabin without detracting from the model’s muscular stance and unique but well-integrated design.

To that end, the SportsCat Series II features bolder graphics externally and more prominent HSV badging inside the cabin. The steering wheel scores a new logo and a thicker perforated-leather wheel rim, while the design of the seat bolsters and Windsor Suede upholstery come directly from the HSV GTSR and iconic GTSR W1 – winner of our 2017 Australia’s Best Driver’s Car award.

The SportsCat cabin continues to offers an 8.0-inch infotainment array with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, digital radio (DAB+) and a seven-speaker sound system, plus rain-sensing wipers, remote start, climate control and reversing camera. Safety aids include forward collision alert, front and rear parking sensors and seven airbags.

Up back, the tray is topped by an HSV-designed one-piece hard tonneau cover fitted with a load rail system, quick-release latches and a choice of two rugged alloy sports bars. The colour-coded lid is removable via a process that takes “around five minutes”, offering a full-size tray and up to 875kg payload. Towing remains unaltered at 3500kg (braked).

Motivation continues to come from the same engine that powers the Holden Colorado and Trailblazer. Displacing 2.8 litres, the turbocharged four-cylinder diesel unit makes an unaltered 147kW at 3600rpm and 440Nm at 2000rpm when matched to the Eaton-sourced six-speed manual, or 500Nm at 2000rpm when paired to GM’s own six-speed automatic transmission.

The aforementioned changes to the braking system, track and ride height mean the SportsCat Series II runs a unique anti-lock brake, stability and traction control and hill-start/descent control systems to its derivative. The two-speed transfer case and (rear) helical limited-slip differential is unchanged.

To put the HSV Colorado SportsCat Series II through its paces, Holden Special Vehicles chose the Holden Proving Grounds at Lang Lang – the same venue its engineers used to hone the SportsCat’s suspension tune from the get-go – to show-off the abilities of its latest ute. It’s a site that has played a key role in the development of every Holden since 1957, and one that stirs a certain nostalgia in the scribes gathered to put the SportsCat through its paces.

Trailing the SportsCat through the same high-speed slalom and braking exercise used to prove the worth of the GTSR W1 might seem a step too far, but it quickly demonstrates how capable the jacked-up Colorado is.

The SportsCat has a level of body control that would shame many road-focussed SUVs through the damp, demanding course; the quick directional changes and on-throttle “push” required to keep the nose in check blending confidently through the electrically-assisted wheel and back to the driver.

Despite the aggressive tread pattern of the wide Cooper Zeon LTZ Pro Sports All-terrain tyres, there’s little in the way of tyre howl or sidewall flex. Standing back to watch my colleagues drive the course is as impressive as partaking in the exercise myself, the demonstration a worthwhile validation of the thoroughness of engineering at play here.

Equally impressive is the recalibrated braking performance and pedal feel from the AP Racing brakes. Four gutsy pistons and a slotted 362mm rotor on each side of the front axle give the Colorado SportsCat Series II mammoth stopping power irrespective of surface.

Hitting the picks at 80km/h on soft, corrugated gravel extended the ute’s stopping distance by only half a car length when measured on concrete at the same speed – a big confidence tick for those taking the family away.

At the same time, the unique tune of the HSV’s electronic chassis aids combine with the added ground clearance on offer to easily crawl through the bog holes and whoops at the back of the Lang Lang Proving Ground. The SportsCat doesn’t flinch at the exercises tackled, and shows a level of conviction in climbing and descending short, sharp grades particularly well.

Driving back to HSV’s home base in Clayton demonstrates how well the SportsCat Series II deals with pockmarked country back roads, too. The levelled ‘rake’ of the vehicle and its longer suspension travel combine to calm the relationship between front and rear axle, giving the ute a more uniform action over sharp bumps and potholes. It doesn’t track or wander like some of its competitors, either.

As it’s unchanged, the driveline feels much the same as it does in the remainder of the Colorado range. It’s still one of the stronger engines in its class, and since the model range was updated back in 2016 continues to pair cooperatively to the six-speed auto sampled.

We asked HSV is they’d considered more power for the SportsCat II and were told that the cost of emissions testing meant it was out of the question. They did, however, add that engineering partner Walkinshaw Performance offer a “chipped” tune of the ECU straight from the showroom, which is covered by a three-year / 100,000km warranty and ups power and torque by “approximately 20 per cent”.

HSV’s ability to rise from the ashes of local manufacturing shows it’s more than the one-trick pony we’ve often labelled it.

Looking solely at the Colorado SportsCat Series II, the brand clearly has an understanding of its customer base – and the popularity of the dual-cab ute segment – that can’t be underestimated in a market as small as ours.

It might be a niche within a niche, but it’s a niche that’s increasingly popular.
As trade, family and recreational buyers seek to use their dual-cab utility beyond the worksite, it’s vehicles like the HSV Colorado SportsCat Series II, Ford Ranger Raptor and a growing list of others that will continue to grow the market.

The more influence vehicles sold in our market have from the experts who are familiar with it, the better off we’ll be. And in that respect, the SportsCat Series II is a terrific example of the dual-cab ute done right.

How much does the 2019 HSV Colorado SportsCat Series II cost?
Price: $62,490 - $68,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/440Nm (500Nm auto.)
Transmission: Six-speed manual; six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 228g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2016)