2012 Holden Colorado previewed as Chevrolet reveals new ute

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By Tim Beissmann | October 06th, 2011

The production version of the all-new Chevrolet Colorado has been revealed, giving us an accurate impression of how the 2012 Holden Colorado will appear when it launches in Australia in the first quarter of next year.

The global Colorado development program spanned five years, five continents and cost $2 billion as General Motors worked on a vehicle that would meet the needs of customers in more than 60 markets around the world.

GM has released the details of the two diesel engines that will be offered. The first is a 2.8-litre unit that Holden has confirmed for our market. It produces 132kW of power and 470Nm of torque when teamed with the six-speed automatic transmission (440Nm with the five-speed manual).

A smaller engine – a 110kW/350Nm 2.5-litre turbodiesel – will also be offered, although Holden is yet to confirm if this engine will be sold locally.

GM has not confirmed details of the petrol engine options, although there is expected to be at least two choices, with one for out market potentially a locally manufactured 3.0-litre V6.

When the 2.8-litre Holden Colorado show car was revealed at July’s 2011 Australian International Motor Show, Holden said the 2.8 would be “one of a number of engines that will be offered” when the Colorado goes on sale next year.

Like the previous model, the new Colorado will be available in three body styles – Single Cab, Space Cab and Crew Cab – as well as rear- and four-wheel drive.

GM says the Colorado has been developed to meet the “highest-possible safety standards wherever it is sold”, with features including electronic stability control, ABS, EBD, traction control, brake assist, cornering brake control and a number of airbags.

The designers targeted a premium finish and design, with the highlights including the ‘power dome’ bonnet, prominent three-dimensional grille, detailed sheet metal work, and LED taillights for high-level models.

GM says the new Colorado will offer segment-leading front- and second-row shoulder room, headroom and seat height, and insists the interior has been designed with an emphasis on passenger comfort.

Auxiliary and USB ports will be fitted standard to all models for simple audio playback.

More details of the 2012 Holden Colorado will be revealed in the lead-up to its local launch early next year.

Steve the “Keyboard Hero”

Ford Ranger FTW!

scottjames_12

Hmm, the interior actually doesn’t look all that bad. I still think the Ranger wins for looks both inside and out, though. Also Ranger’s diesels both have more grunt, and the manual is a 6 speed in the Ranger.

Will be interesting to see a comparo with the new Ranger, Colorado, Hilux, Navara etc.

The Aussie engineered Ranger should bring home the silverware, hopefully!

Whoever it is

If i buy it i would like to keep the Chevrolet fount grille.

o

They are, the concept holden rolled out has the same gril and the new barina is the same

Jzaa

Seems like every car company has been working on Utes recently? VW Amaroc, new Ford ranger, now Holden with theirs….is this what everyone is looking for now?
t39

5 speed manual? That’s an industry last.

BP

470NM? Beats a Ford Ranger

MRL

You mean equals a Ford Ranger
scottjames_12

132kw vs. 147kw in the Ranger? Obviously that torque doesn’t go as high into the revs as the Ranger Not to mention the Ranger is a 5-pot (I’m a little biased, I love 5-pot engines!)

MRL

Yep – the 3.2L Ranger has flatter torque curve – the 2.8L Colorado engine peaks at 470Nm @ 2000 RPM, but is back down to around 325Nm by the time it hits 3,800 RPM.

Don’t forget that the 470Nm is only possible with the 6-speed AT too – the 5-speed Manual version is limited to 440Nm @ 2,000 RPM.

The Colorado’s 2.5L is the most dissapointing though – it’s outclassed in either power and/or torque by Nissan’s 2.5, Mistubishi’s 2.5, and well and truly tromped by Ford’s new 2.2L.

GTS

Give me a 5 Speed any day over messy 6 Speed manuals. 6 Speed is over rated.

Mr Gaspo

Holden should release a wagon version as well… Should provide competition to the Prado.

MRL

The SUV variant is due for release in Q4 2012/Q1 2013 in Thailand, so a possible starter in 2013 for Oz.

CK

This is a bit of a hound. The poor thing has inherited Barbara Streisands nose from somewhere… Ranger and Amarok can breathe easy…

Crummydore

NICE!
Force-15

At least it isn’t as ugly as the new Mazda BT-50…

CK

So true! How did Mazda get it so wrong?
MRL

I agree. Well, I used to agree..

After seeing the production versions in the metal earlier this month in Thailand, I was shocked to find that I wasn’t in fact gouging my eyes out with shards of glass from the beer I’d just dropped.

They look much, much better in the flesh than they do in the pics we’ve all seen. And they’re just a T6 Ranger in a contraversial skin, so they have the credentials..

Would a tradie buy one though? That’s a toughie – but more likely if he’s the type to let his Mrs take control of these kinds of decisions…

HaplessPossum

I prefer the Ranger’s interior by far. This looks a bit cheap inside.
BP

Looks good I gotta say. I like it better than the new Ford Ranger (not sure about the mild update Toyota did to Hilux). Inside looks like a big improvement too as are the engines. Bring it on!

MRL

Not sure why you got voted down in this comment so much – the Colorado is definitely a good looker.

I think you must have crossed that sacred line with the devout when you mentioned the high-lucks – or maybe this the temple of Ford now

RJL

Looks good although I think the ranger has a tougher look but I prefer the interior on the Holden
Seymour Butts

The Great Wall V240 has a better looking exterior than this. The interior looks real good, very bold and sharp.

JonnyBravo

well if u want a coffin that looks good, suit yourself

nickdl

I’m not sure that the 3.0 V6 would be a good choice. It’s average in the Commodre to say the least, and it’s supposed to be pretty awful in the Captiva. I’m just not sure if 290Nm of torque is enough to pull a ute and its payload.

What happened to the cool interior we saw in the concept? This one just looks dull.

Karl

The 3.0L is hardly a good choice for the Commodore let alone a commercial vehicle.
Theoretically, it may benefit from lower Commodore servicing costs and parts availability?

Grr

Please keep the Holden badges off this!!

Carter

Why? Holden put their badges on anything from towels to Daewoos.

Andrew M

What an anti-climax this new Colorado has turned out to be.

I was expecting a drive-train to at least match the 2.5TD D40 and new Ranger, its not even close.

At least they got rid of their 4-speed auto!!
Shak

Well its looks pretty good to me, and MUCH better than Mazdas’s God awful excuse for a Ute. The Ranger is still probably better than this in many areas, but then Again, it has a Holden badge and it will probably still be a very good Ute in its own right, so theres really no reason for so many people to be hating on this car as much as they are.
Chris

This looks more truck like than the Ranger and the interior dimensions are class leading which means this will be one big truck.
I saw the Ranger at the motor show and it looks quite narrow compared to the Amarok, I’d be interested if we could get comparison dimensions of each of the new trucks.
Adam

It actually sits quite tall does anyone know what the ground clearance is? I love the looks, I think GM have done a great job, next year will be one cat fight in light trucks, lets hope they make Toyota sweat
http://isuzudmax dsel

new isuzudmax smokes this
Brendan

I’m looking forward to April-May next year when all the new utes are out. I’ll be looking to upgrade my 7 year old Rodeo then, so can’t wait to get in and test drive them all. Being a Holden man I’m unsure whether to stick with them or go to Isuzu, as I’ve had no problems with my Rodeo and it’s just an Isuzu with a Holden badge. I like the extra torque in the Colorado (compared to the D-Max), but not a huge fan of the front, looks too American. But I’ve got an open mind so I’ll test drive them all (especially the Amarok and Ranger, which I also like the look of) and see what I like best at the time.
Angel

PLEASE Holden make this gorgeous ute in a V6, manual, 2WD, spacecab because I really need a new ute & no one else makes what I want.
March1josh

I have just had the pleasure of driving a 2011 Holden Colorado LTR and an 2011 Isuzu D-Max LE 3, what a piece of rubbish the D-Max is compared to the Colorado. Anyone looking at buying either of these utes better go and take them for another test drive if they think they are identical. I can’t believe the difference between them, The Colorado was smooth and pleasant to drive. The D-Max was a completely different vehicle to drive really harsh on road and a lot of noise on dirt. They were both TD 4x4s, I also test drove the new Ranger what a great ute very strong motor. I still prefer the old ranger motor though. Can’t wait to see the rang of utes coming.
J Jplastering

i thought d-max and colorado were the same car? i own a 2011 colorado single cab 4×4 and can honeslty say its one of the most comfortable cars i have ever driven , im goin in to holden tomorrow to get a twin cab for the mrs… not to sure about these new ones but ??? when do they come out?? ive heard big things about the new bt50???
Peter Smith

It’s great to see the body styling left the same as the chevy, tougher and modern. My concern is the choice of a 5 speed instead of a 6 speed manual, could have delivered more torque. The interior looks also great and roomy as long as they keep the leather available with holdens sat nav and DVD system like in the Cruze, atleast in the top of the range. It would of been nice to see a larger tray area like in the F250 or other chevy pick up range and a V8 model available but then it would pretty much be the Chevy.
I hope the price will be justified in comparison…
Bert

Holden has one in Brisbane Just drove it,Looks big feels big next to my 07 Rodeo,plenty of room inside and also in the tray,head room was good in the back seats.Ride was softer than the stock standard Rodeo,didnt have long in it but the engine felt a bit like the navara you had to give a few revs to get it going but once under way felt quite responsive,Need a longer drive in it to get a better feel
PH78

any idea what price these are going to be( new colorado)
Bert

$44500 for an LX 4×4 pick up Crew Cab on road with tow bar thats the lower spec one, with vinyl floor covering,didnt ask what the higher spec is,delivery around the end of may thats with air