Workhorse has a makeover
On the highway, it sits flatter, with improved comfort and isolation and the engineers talk of reducing “head toss” — the amount of head movement passengers experience while cornering and over uneven surfaces. Up in front, reshaped seats also help the comfort levels.
Holden also uses a helical limited slip differential on Colorado models in a trade- off that provides enhanced handling on gravel and slippery surfaces but misses out on an electronic locking rear differential for more extreme terrain as used by many of its rivals.
Another engineering change is a shorter final drive ratio on the manual models, which provides improved towing performance.
The changes are aimed at achieving more car- like qualities from a ute in highway cruising, country roads and urban work.
But there’s no loss of workhorse credentials with the Colorado retaining a 3500kg braked towing capacity and a minimum onetonne payload capacity ( and up to 1048kg on workhorse LT models).
Equipment levels see the LT model gain additional features including a leather steering wheel and dusk sensing headlights, and all Crew Cab variants have gained A steel rear step and sports bars are part of the new Colorado accessories range. Pictures / Colin Smith, Supplied rear ventilation outlets. Crew Cabs are now equipped with a reversing camera and rear park sensor and LTZ and Z71 models have a front parking sensor as well.
Other safety upgrades include the addition of a driver’s knee airbag on all models and a forward- facing camera provides Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning for the upscale LTZ and Z71 models.
Tyre pressure monitoring, LED tail lights and remote window control and engine start are features on the LTZ and Z71.
The LTZ model has 18- inch alloy wheels, an alloy sports bar and chrome door handles while at the top of the range, the Z71 has leather- appointed seats, the front ones heated.
Holden has also taken inspiration from the recent Colorado Xtreme concept vehicle and extended the range of genuine accessories with options such as a safari and nudge bars, underbody bash plate packages, tubular side steps, a steel rear step, snorkel and an LED light bar to add style and functionality.
While Holden Colorado is a global vehicle for General Motors it has ended up with a package of driving dynamics features and refinement measures that are unique to Australia and New Zealand. The programme follows soon after the launch of the Spark micro- car, another example of Holden tuning a global product to suit Australasian conditions.
The 2017 Holden Colorado is one of those upgrades in the middle ground between being substantially more than a facelift yet not a completely new vehicle.
The areas where Holden has worked to modernise its light truck model have delivered significant driving refinement and equipment gains, qualities that are powering the growth in this segment.