Coming Soon: Holden Colorado Xtreme

What is it?

Different to the HSV Sportscat, the Xtreme is Holden’s answer to the likes of the Ford Ranger Raptor and Toyota Hilux Rugged X - and we’ve known about it for two years.

Though previewed with a Chevrolet badge on its front at the 2016 Bangkok international motor show, the idea was cooked up and executed by Holden Australia on behalf of GM Thailand, and it seems its coming back home in relatively untouched form.

The concept might not have been a feasible business case at the time, but a recent influx to accessorise utes with prices beginning to almost tip over $70,000 has seen a shift into new tricked up dual-cab territory.

“The Colorado Xtreme and Trailblazer Premier show vehicles were created with the intent of injecting excitement and passion into the critical light commercial and SUV segments, while reinforcing Holden and Chevrolet’s commitment to exciting design and listening to customer feedback,” Holden managing director Mark Bernhard said at the time. “It’s especially exciting that our GM Australia design team were able to lead this project, working in collaboration with GM Brazil and GM Thailand.”

The new top-of-the-line model has already been confirmed for New Zealand, so we expect it’s coming, but Holden Australia is yet to talk about our market.

What will it look like?

Like the concept car that was finished in Furness orange paint, the Xtreme is likely to use a similar bright tone with added black accessories and Xtreme stickering down the side. It’ll look tough.

Rather than use side steps and sports bars from the current accessories catalogue, it is understood that Holden has developed its own new parts. The side steps are made from tubular metal and the new sports bar is crafted from the same material for a consistent look.

At the front is a new factory-fit bullbar finished in black and incorporating the same rolled tube used elsewhere.  The rear is equally protected with a metal bumper in the same guise and everything is tied together with wide black flared guards.

Heading higher, the roof is covered with a new square cargo carrier mounted to roof rails that could also get a big LED flood light for hazardous conditions.

Sharing some similarities with the Z71 are familiar alloys but with slightly bolder all-terrain tyres.

“This truck is in direct response to consumers’ desire to personalise their vehicles,” said GM vice president of global design Michael Simcoe of the original concept.

 “Not only does this integrated accessory range look fantastic but our priority was to ensure they were, first and foremost, practical and useful additions that were perfect additions to the vehicle.”

We've rendered our insights on what to expect above.

What’s new?

Nearly all of the added factory-fitted parts are new to the Colorado and inside will likely see matching orange accents in a familiar setting.

Rather than having some of the flair of the Colorado Sportscat by HSV, the Xtreme incorporates more off-road focussed parts for heavy-duty use. It will also be one of only a handful of utes on the market to come with a bullbar as standard and with a factory warranty.

The Colorado’s drivetrain is not likely to change, and the off-road truck will remain powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel turbo engine producing 147kW and 440Nm (manual) or 500Nm (automatic) – all protected by an underbody bash plate.

What’s on the wish list?

The Ford Ranger Raptor’s comprehensive chassis development and new suspension is impressive, but it also receives an all-new engine. The Colorado will likely stay on the same unchanged platform with the same motor so there’s room for a hot version - maybe something touched by HSV with a V6 motor.

For serious off-roading a ride height boost with matched suspension via portal axles and underbody protection would be hard to stop.

When is it coming?

The concept is no longer a pipe dream and has gone into production for Holden New Zealand with an expected arrival date towards late-2018. It’s priced in Aussie dollars at under $75,000 and it’s not too far a stretch to guess we could see a local variant confirmed to arrive around the same time.