SPY PICS: Holden's Colorado 7 spotted again

Holden’s first direct rival for Toyota’s dominant Prado off-roader will be launched at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney next month.

In the meantime, Holden continues to undertake Australian testing of its first full-chassis seven-seater since 2004, when Isuzu’s Rodeo-based Jackaroo departed.

Want proof? Try these new shots – taken by an eagle-eyed motoring.com.au reader on Melbourne’s Monash Freeway this week – that reveal the new Colorado ute-based wagon complete with Holden badges and a 2.8 CDTi badge.

The latter proves Holden’s Colorado 7 will be powered by the same 2.8-litre Duramax turbo-diesel engine as the Colorado ute launched recently, although there’s still no sign of the 3.6-litre V6 petrol version we expect will also become available.

Both engines should be available with the same transmission options as in the ute, a five-speed manual gearbox and six-speed automatic.

Based on the same ladder-type truck platform as Holden’s new Colorado ute and developed alongside the pick-up by GM in Brazil at a cost of $2 billion, the wagon will add a third row of seats and coil-sprung five-link rear suspension to replace the ute’s leaf-sprung live axle.

Also like the ute, the Colorado 7 will come standard with electronic stability/traction control, side curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, plus cruise control and Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

In addition there should be Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control, while premium Thai-market features that should also be available here include 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, LED tail-lights and, perhaps, a seven-inch touch-screen system with satellite-navigation.

Despite riding on a shorter 2845mm wheelbase than the Colorado (3096mm) and being shorter overall at 4878mm (5127mm for the ute), the Colorado 7 is claimed to offer class-leading interior space – including in the third row, which is said to be suitable for adults on long trips.

The Colorado 7’s reclining second-row seats are split 60/40 and feature integrated folding armrests with cup-holders, while 50/50-split third row offers centre console storage and also folds flat.

As we reported a month ago, when we snapped a silver Holden-badged Colorado 7 for the first time, the big new Holden four-wheel-drive received Australian Design Rule approval on July 20 and will be joined in six months by another all-new Holden SUV, the compact Trax five-seat crossover.

Together, the Trax and Colorado are expected to more than double Holden’s small presence in the booming SUV sector, in which it is currently represented only by the Captiva 5 and 7.

Expect pricing to be in line with or below the Prado – and well over the top of the Captiva ($27,990-$43,490) – with a starting price of around $50,000.