HSV Raptor rival "dormant"

Sorry Holden and GM fans, the chances of HSV coming up with a genuine rival for the Ford Ranger Raptor aren’t looking good at the moment.

The beserko blue oval ute has set a new standard for off-road capability and the Melbourne-based vehicle developer and converter had been considering its options for getting a Holden Colorado-based competitor into the segment.

But for now at last HSV managing directorTim Jackson describes the project as “dormant”.

That’s understandable as HSV has its hands full ramping upproduction of the recently confirmed Camaro ZL1 and MY19 2SS.

Beyond that, carsales.com.au understands the new Silverado 1500 remains the most likely addition to the company’s portfolio.

The preferred Raptor rival plan is to further develop the SportsCat, which is based on the Thai-built Colorado sold in Australia by Holden.

The alternative is to import the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 from the USA and convert it to right-hand drive at Walkinshaw Park – just as it now ‘remanufactures’ the Chevy Camaro and Silverado (and the RAM truck under contract for American Special Vehicles).

But Jackson made it plain that neither plan for an HSV-badged Raptor rival was happening at the moment.

“We are always looking to develop new opportunities in our business,” he told carsales.com.au.

“If we think it appeals to the market and if we think can get it at the right price then there may be an opportunity in the future. But at the moment there’s not a massive drive to make it happen.”

Jackson explained the plusses and minuses of both potential plans.

“You end up making the decision whether to invest in the Thailand-built product and continue to develop that, which is where we are at at the moment and where we should continue to look at.

“Then if there’s the opportunity to do a [Chevrolet] conversion you have to weigh up what’s the cost, because there is a significant additional piece cost to convert the vehicle because you have all the low volume issues that happen with that.

“Can you then – if it’s going to cost more - deliver the level of performance expectation to marry that.”

A HSV development based on SportsCat would require new suspension componentry to cater for longer travel and a wider track. But Jackson says that’s probably cheaper than shifting the steering wheel of the ZR2.

“Depending on where you go it can be less expensive than converting a car,” he said.

“You can focus your attention on the chassis side of things, but if you are doing a conversion you have got on you have got dash, steering systems, wiring issues and so on.

“Some of its spins between what’s your tooling and development costs and what’s your piece-costs and what’s it cost to build.”