SportsCat…..Sports. Cat.
Very early this morning, in a reveal that was teased all week, some interesting announcements were made jointly by Holden and HSV. The primary and most tangible of those, and the subject of the majority of those teasers, was the much-rumoured ‘hot’ Colorado.
Now, with the veil being lifted, we’re finally able to at glimpse what GM Holden and Holden Special Vehicles have been working on. To give the ute its full moniker would mean having to utter the following: the 2018 Holden Colorado SportsCat by HSV.
It’s a mouthful and a little ridiculous, sure, but perhaps they were eyeing the name Wildcat and couldn’t square it with having so munch phonetic resemblance to the Ranger Wildtrak, though that’s a Ford variant spelled incorrectly on purpose.
What the SportsCat (and SportsCat+) is, is a more visually bold and dynamically capable version of the Colorado we’re already familiar with. And before you ask, there aren’t any changes to the powertrain to help achieve these performance ends.
Under that bonnet - which now has a bulge (on the SportsCat+) that we know is non-functional - lives the same 2.8-litre four-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel that kicks out 147kW and 500Nm, matching the lesser Colorados and Trailblazer, and mated to a 6-speed automatic that sends the go to all four wheels.
So far, it’s all very familiar. But now this is where the ‘by HSV’ parts comes into play. Apart from signifying a closer relationship with Holden, the Melbourne-based tuning house has had its paws all over the Colorado, leaving its mark on the exterior styling to the suspension.
Outside, its tough to miss those 18-inch forged alloys shod in all-terrain Cooper Zeon LTZ Pro all-terrain tyres, helping to raise the vehicle ride height by a total of 45mm. Complementing the more aggressive look is the all-new fascia and grille, LED fog lamps, flared fender arches, unique sports-bar, and prominent “Colorado” tailgate applique.
The cosmetic enhancements spill into the interior, too, which has been outfitted with SV Sports seats wrapped in Jasmine leather and Windsor suede, a material combination that’s also given to parts of the dashboard and instrument panel. But apart from that there’s branded floor mats and red contrast stitching.
Alright, now for the funner stuff - something that’ll help justify the ‘sport’ in SportsCat. HSV is no stranger to a finely tweaked suspension, and here they’ve given the Colorado some tech from the GTSR W1, namely its trick SupaShock absorbers, though this is only fitted as standard on the more expensive SportsCat+. What is standard, thankfully, is the AP Racing brakes. Fronts gain 4-piston callipers and rather sizeable 362mm diameter rotor.
There’s also a decoupling rear sway bar that, when engaged, can keep the Colorado flatter through the corners but be switched off in order to allow for more structural flexibility when tackling off-road terrain. Of course, this will all depend on how HSV brings all these small adjustments, traction control tuning, and new components together to form a cohesive and appreciable improvement in handling.
HSV’s Managing Director, Tim Jackson, said: “Most 4x4’s Pick-Ups are inherently capable off-road – essentially, it’s a category expectation, and we’ll certainly be amongst the best-in-class in this regard, especially with our added ride height and Cooper tyre package.
“But what we also wanted to do with the SportsCat program was dial up the vehicle’s on-road characteristics, given that’s where most people tend to spend the bulk of their time driving their vehicle.”
“With our unique suspension packages and AP Racing brakes combined with the interior and exterior comfort and styling enhancements we’ve made, we’re confident we’ve developed Australia’s most stylish and advanced sports 4x4”.
Pricing will be announced closer to the official launch of both the SportsCat and SportsCat+, and preparations are underway for production to begin in late January at HSV’s new facility in Clayton, Victoria.
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