The 2012 Holden Colorado has been previewed in detail ahead of the unveiling of the Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck at this week’s Bangkok International Motor Show.
Although the vehicle at Thailand is just a show car, the production version of the Colorado will go on sale in Thailand later this year. Australian sales of the rebadged Holden Colorado are expected to commence early in 2012.
The Colorado Show Truck features an extended-cab body with small rear suicide doors to improve access behind the seats.
The 20-inch liquid-metal aluminium wheels, off-road tyres, and bold grille and front and rear lights give the Colorado an imposing and capable appearance.
The streamlined “cab-collar” design that flows into the hard body-colour tonneau cover gives the ute a more complete, car-like stance.
Chevrolet says the Colorado’s new 2.8-litre diesel engine will be powerful, efficient, and produce a broad torque band perfect for towing.
The interior has a refined appearance, with wraparound features integrating the dashboard and centre console with the rest of the cabin.
Chevrolet says the materials and surfaces inside the Colorado are more like an expensive European passenger car, with ‘double-faced’ leather, ice-blue lighting, three-dimensional instrument gauges, dark wood trim, chrome highlights and soft-touch dashboard plastics.
Also included is a dual-zone climate control system and an infotainment system with seven-inch display, internet connectivity, satellite navigation, audio functions and hands-free phone features.
Chevrolet says the Colorado Show Truck still does all the things a mid-sized pick-up needs to, with a number of storage compartments, including a large, dual glovebox.
Exactly how many of these features will make it to the production model is still to be finalised, according to General Motors global vehicle line executive, Brad Merkel.
“Although this is a show vehicle, the basic proportions and form convey the vision for the next-generation Colorado that we will bring to market,” Mr Merkel said.
“It reflects a stylised version of the new truck, one that takes into account rugged dependable truck capabilities for commercial use as well as sophisticated refinement for personal-use needs.”
More details of the production model will be released towards the end of this year.
