2012 Holden Colorado: First details

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By Tim Beissmann | February 17th, 2012

The all-new Holden Colorado will be a diesel-only affair when it launches in Australia around the middle of this year.

Two brand-new four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines will power the Colorado, giving the new full-size ute up to 470Nm of pulling power and a 3.5-tonne towing capacity.

The decision to offer only two diesel engines means there will be no petrol or LPG option in the new Colorado range. The outgoing model is available with an Australian-made 3.6-litre V6 dual-fuel engine.

The smaller 2.5-litre diesel produces 110kW and 350Nm, giving it a 3.0-tonne towing capacity. The engine is teamed with a five-speed manual transmission and Holden says it will be available in selected models only.

The larger 2.8-litre engine produces 132kW of power. Five-speed manual models have a peak torque rating of 440Nm, while the six-speed automatic produces the maximum 470Nm at 2000rpm. That represents a spike in power of 10 per cent and a massive 40 per cent boost in torque compared with the current 3.0-litre diesel unit.

A number of new Colorados are currently being evaluated by Holden engineers as the local brand aims to develop the optimum engine, transmission, drive quality and suspension tunes for Australia’s roads and conditions. The five-month real-world evaluation process will continue in the lead-up to the launch, which will include all three body styles: Single Cab, Space Cab and Crew Cab.

Safety and technology will be a focus of the new Holden Colorado. Standard features will include electronic stability control, front and side curtain airbags, ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution, as well as Bluetooth, AUX and USB ports and iPod connectivity.

Prospective buyers can get their first look at the all-new Colorado from April when Holden begins its pre-launch road show at local dealerships.

Full pricing and specification details will be revealed closer to the Colorado’s mid-year launch.

Note: Chevrolet Colorado pictured in body of article.

Kampfer

Nice, hopefully won’t as over-priced as the Ranger…

birdie

so whats your excuse for toymota ,nissan, vw, mazda,isuzu .
Slinkywinky68

It would need to cheaper…drove the current one, appalling…spent the extra and bought a stronger, tougher, better equiped and safer Ford Ranger…absolutely brilliant…
stangman383

I too thought the Ranger was overpriced until I bought one. Wow what a vehicle. It only seems over priced when you compare it to other inferior utes on the market. I have owned current model Hilux and 2 D40 Navaras and there is nothing on the market close to this new Ranger.

Doctor

And hopefully, the 2.8 VM Motori engine won’t be like the earlier ones used in Land Rovers!

Sash

Its not a VM diesel, its a DURAMAX Diesel from the states.

Robert Ryan

No such animal in 2.8 Litre form it is a VM Motori
Rick

GM own half of VM Motori so i’m pretty sure it’ll be a VM

Guest

Actually, I think GM now owns VM fully.

Schofield

VM used to be owned by Chrysler then sold its share to GM. Its now 50/50 split with GM and Fiat. VM’s have been in jeeps since the mid 90′s.

BIGJV

They should put a 6L V8 in the Colorado for the lolz. 270kw, 517Nm Torque, would blow away any other ute (at least in aus)

Andrew

Don’t think so, even a bog stock SS would still beat it let alone HSV or FPV’s offerings…

Guest2

VM Motori engines. Is that good or bad?

Sumpguard

Good. Despite what Doctor says. They build some of the best diesels available.

Anonymous

Very American looking
Mpayne

Would this be the same VM Motori motor as in the Jeep Wrangler? They have a 2.8 turbo diesel with similar specs…
Symo

No thanks, next.
Jio

It’s about time we get real trucks/utes

Toyota Tundra
F-150
Chevrolet silverado

Robert Ryan

There is a reason they do not sell here. The Tundra has a payload of 900lbs

loft

Is that only.400kg? Surly it can carry more than that

Robert Ryan

No. The F150 is 1600lb, Silverado 1500, the same. Only the HD version in the F150′s case like a F250 minus the name carries 3050lb.

Tlaxcala

The Tundra doesn’t sell in America either.

Jcp

Oh really? In the U.S the tundra sold 14,410 last month.. That’s more then entire Toyota monthly sales

Robert Ryan

It is generally outsold by the Tacoma in the US, that is the best selling midsize pickup in the US. Midsize pickups are dying in the US, but Chevrolet wants to restart the segment with the Colorado being bought to the US

Slinkywinky68

Get ya hand off it!…
Research

we dont have the roads to accomodate them over here, and the government would tax them to much they would end up being 100k+

Karl

Looks too American. Shame about losing the LPG option.

Slinkywinky68

Looks like the Captiva, once again Korean Daewoo garbage…

Bowtie Lover

Looks better with the Chevy Badge
Westie

VM are responsible for the noisy rattletrap diesels used in the Korean Holdens as well.
Not great motors, by any standard.
Hjwarwick1

Very disappointed with Holden withdrawing the V6 range of Engines. I have 3 current Colorado’s with the V6 engines in them & love them. They go a lot better then the GUTLESS DIESELS do specially with big payloads & towing a bogie trailer. I just hope that the changeover 2 Diesels will b good otherwise I will have 2 change Brands. Being a Holden man that will b hard.

Gap

Thank you..

Diesel is nothing but a hoax.. The fact is that diesel powered cars are weaker & slower, smellier, more expensive and much more noisy than petrol powered cars..

Sumpguard

   Yep. All those farmers, mining companies, transport companies and ship builders know nothing. To think it is all a hoax!


                I’ll get straight on the phone to Bob Katter and ask him to spread the word on the farms. They’ve been duped. They should all tow with a V6 petrol and run out of fuel halfway to the next station as they will get about 150 km’s from the tank if they are lucky towing anything over 1.5 tonnes (take it from a former owner who isn’t named Robinson Crusoe !) . The same applies to the Navara V6 petrol. It drinks like a fish too.

        The money they saved buying the petrol model will pay for the care flight if they took enough water out there into the desert with them to survive until help arrived . If not it will at least pay for the casket I guess.

    Now I’ll just have to work out why my near 2 tonne SUV with a 2.0 ltr diesel can see off any 4 cyclinder Camry at the lights. I must have just bought a lucky one. Same with the economy on the highway. Must have been lucky there too! Same too with the effortless hill climbing.

    *runs off to alert the media* “It’s all a hoax!! Diesels are weaker”.

pk

gap is correct i work in a service dept common rail diesel are garbage you got no idea what your talking about mate!

wow

you obviously arent in a good service department, more torque = more pulling power

bashplate

LOL don’t believe everything you read in 4X4 Australia mate context is they key ” A hammer is a fantastic tool if its a nail that your using it on ” and so with vehicles no one vehicle is great at doing everything, different configurations need to be applied to different applications. Light truck sub 3 liter diesel isn’t going to be the right tool for every job as neither will a 3 liter plus petrol engine be the right tool for every job.
So just Chillax already & go back to reading your 4X4 Australia propaganda.

Pk

very true people have been brainwashed with these common rail diesels the v6s are so much better i have done the diesel exercise with 2xwork vehicles and never again
WOW

what is wrong with you mate, diesel eats a petrol all day long ESPECIALLY when towing big loads, havent you noticed trucks use a diesel engine… or are they driving a gutless diesel. FOOL

Wayne

A bit of vomit on the dashboard will make the interior look better..
farmer

our current diesel ‘poverty pack’ colarodo tows a 3 tonne load of cows no worries a petrol would be reving the whole way
Anthony

As a Holden man for over 25 years,I currently own a RC Colorado LTR Crew Cab with the petrol engine and the LPG option. For me its a great vehicle and suits me, but not offering a V6 option on the 2012 Colorado, HOLDEN, YOU HAVE LOST ME!!! Not everyone needs a diesel engine. This will be my last Holden.

dilligaf

pssst, its not really a holden

Anthony

pssst….REALLY???? I didn’t know that!??? Thanks for the heads up. I guess the Isuzu emblem followed by the chassis number stamped on to the right hand side frame rail is a give away huh?? Its more Isuzu/GM/Chevrolet than it is a Holden. Its only a Holden by badge engineering and a few tweaks here and there.That I know. That is the furture for Holden. It works for Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi and TOYOTA so it will work for Holden. My point is give me or other people a choice in engines to suit their situation. Diesels are fine if they are used for their intended purpose, to work, tow, haul heavy loads, cover vast distances economically, etc,. Not to be used as a run about around town or as a daily short trip commuter. I will tell you something about diesels. They only have a finite number warm ups and cool downs especially if you have a cast iron block mated to an alloy cylinder head. In time the alloy cylinder head gives up. This has affected owners of Mazda Bravos, Ford Couriesr and Ford Rangers and possibly other brands. This I know throught the industry. It’s a costly exercise. In one instance it was cheaper to replace the entire engine on the Ranger. People don’t hear about the downsides of owning a diesel powered vehicle. The fuel savings they gain are at times lost on the repairs.

SP20

Then gained back on resale.
Brah

the new common rail diesels dont have these problems welcome to the 21st century mate, no one wants the petrol version, its a struggle to sell them genius, you want a run around car go buy a great wall v240 or a small hatch, the reason you buy a ute is to tow/ carry a heavy load. not just to duck down the shops and do the groceries brah

BIGJV

buy a commodore ute…

Anthony

Had one….Needed someting with for doors…better than a Crewman!!!!

Slinkywinky68

Everything and anything is better than a Crewman!…

Anthony

As I said I had one. Never again. Not practicle enough and the VE ute along with the rest of the VE range is ugly, Holden have lost the plot. They need to LISTEN to the customer a bit more.

BIGJV

Man I have to disagree with you there, the VEs especially the utes are some of the sexiest cars on the road.

The only prob is that most ppl are too scared to put anything in the back coz they are scared that they might damage the beautiful paintwork while doing so.

The VE utes are really a foreman’s car as they are for tradies that don’t need to move anything
Stupid

thats why the VE is the best selling commodore model by far, maybe you should look past your own nose, in YOUR opinion they are ugly.

SP20

Dont think the Commodore can tow 3+ ton??

Jason

thats why holden struggles to sell the petrol version, maybe we should make 6 v6′s for the people in the country that want them, unless we have lost you, then we only need to make 5

Adelaide_john

Obv Holden are not interested in sales in this category (or a few others as well) and that’s why Toyota is number 1; they have the choice and most segments covered.
Holden if you want to sell cars you need to offer the variants, costly as it is !

Anthony

I couldn’t agree with you more. My brother was in the market for a basic cab/chassis one tonne vehicle with a low ride height, V6 engine 2WD, auto. etc…only Toyota had the right vehicle.

Birdlife

The market has become increasingly about economy and Holden don’t have an economical V6 petrol engine. If they did – the Commodore wouldn’t be losing it’s crown right now. I exaggerate perhaps – but the reality is the Alloytec V6 hasn’t been future proof enough for Holden. How a global company [GM] with such huge resources could come up with that engine as their “new” V6 beggars belief. Take any current V6 driveline from Japan or Germany and see how far behind the game that motor is. I’ll bet the VE designers hearts sank when that first fired up that engine.

These images show a big bold Chevy based aesthetic – peoples car. Just like the old days for Holden. Hooray. Give sports saloons the flick Holden and go back to building build rugged everyday cars that Australians can love and desire.

Golfschwein

I’ve always stood behind the Alloytec, even the little one in the Omega. There’s a common belief here, probably propagated by people who haven’t driven it (not saying that’s you), that it can’t go, can’t overtake, can’t go uphill, can’t tow and can’t get the economy. Loaded with 5 people and luggage over a 1500 km weekend, our Omega hire car provided the stated economy and sung like a bird when overtaking – which it can do, and lustily.
It may not be as ultimately smooth as some Jap or Euro V6s, but compare its blend of natural aspiration, power, torque and economy in the back pages of WHEELS with any other motor within half a litre, and you will see it betters just about everything except BMW.

With dedicated LPG AND diesel options, (the latter being ignored by Holden, despite the fact that every second $60,000 euro car is diesel powered), I hold some hope that Commodore will fight the future battle a little more easily than Falcon.

Robin_Graves

Sing’s like a bird – I guess so – like a strangled buzzard. Torque is definitely not an Alloytec’s strong point, especially the 3.0lt

Golfschwein

You don’t get it, and you obviously haven’t driven it. But do me a favour and re-read what I wrote:
compare its blend of natural aspiration, power, torque and economy in the back pages of WHEELS with any other motor within half a litre, and you will see it betters just about everything except BMW.

Okay now? Is there a special reason why you’d like more than 290 Nm from a naturally aspirated 3 litre six?

Robin_Graves

Umm – where was I questioning what you wrote? The bottom line is the alloytec has no low-down or mid range torque, is thrashy and harsh up top so where exactly does it like to operate? Peak torque figures are meaningless – its about the area under the curve and this is the problem with Alloytecs. The Falcon engine gets the same or better economy, is fat down low and in midrange and is smooth up high in the revs, there is no comparison. And FYI I have driven then and was not impressed by any of it’s traits at all, cheap and nasty in every respect like all of GM’s products – including this hideous new Colorado with a VM Motori boat anchor.
Golfschwein

Its peak torque comes in at 2400 rpm.
Robin_Graves

2900 actually – doesnt change much, its still a pig.
Golfschwein

2400 on Holden’s website.
Gdup

Toyota makes excellent V6 engines, the Aurion is an extremely smooth ride With power, only problem is that the Aurion hesitates a tad but when you suddenly push it.. But in a straight line 0-100 it goes really fast..

Birdhomo

9.3L/100 winning

Birdlife

I owned many Holdens over the years. I loved them. My first drive of an Alloytec motor was a huge surprise and dissapointment. Where was the vibe?! That lovely relaxed low down tractor torque that we all grew to know and love from our Aussie 6s. It weren’t there…gawn. In it’s place a wheezey wine and a drivetrain so unsure and tense I couldn’t wait to get out of the thing.

Admittedly there have been some changes and refinements to the motor but reading between the lines the basic issues still appear to be there. I have since joined the list of Australian family motorists looking for practical everyday motoring and bought an SUV. Do I love it like my old Holdens? I like it alot – it’s a very very easy car to live with – but it ain’t a love thing. Maybe that kind of connection to a car and a brand is a thing of the past - I hope not.

Dave S

The problem with the alloytec, is they cant make it too good because then you would have no reason to pay extra for the 3.6 motor in the Calais or SV6. From what you read, the only problem with the 3.6V6 is that for a couple of grand more you can can that awesome 6.0 V8 motor.

I am sure if you drove the SV6 or SS wagon (lets not forget the Calais models) you may not be in a SUV.

3333lkjkjkj

Alloytech is a piece of junk, absolutly gutless and thirsty, the Ford 4.0 destroys it in all areas, better real world economy etc, it will be out of production in 2 years, cartn come quick enough

Golfschwein

Well, no, not really true. It does the real world economy as well, as described above. The Ford motor doesn’t ‘destroy’ it, or if it does, maybe it’s because it’s a third bigger again, so it has an excuse to go harder. Anyway, that’ll be the one that’s gone. It and the Falcon are gone in 2016.

Dave S

Agreed. As you said to those that read, good motor for it’s size. It’s a base model motor, it does a good job, dont like it get a 3.6 version or the 6.0 V8.

Regardless of how the V6 sounds, itls still a 6 -you cant beat the sound of a NA V8. It seems some just want to argue over the base model, and judge the rest on that.

Robin_Graves

It doesnt matter what version alloytec you choose, they are both horrible, and the 6.0 V8 is straight from the 60′s The misinformed mediocrity keep buying mediocrity, thats the whole story about Holdens is the sheep keep buying them blindly without shopping around, its worked for decades. Like my grandad used to say, its a pity you cant buy a Holden car with a Ford driveline – the story is still the same 40 years on.

Fag

who else sells a v8? thats not over 100k
Robin_Graves

Ford and Chrysler? This applies to all segments where Holden does not have a car that is top of its class, the morons just keep buying them because of the badge and so that their uncle-daddy, dazza and wozza approve.

Golfschwein

Spot on, Dave. Finally, someone else understands that it’s not a 4 litre. It’s not a 2 litre. It’s the one in between.

Slinkywinky68

With the commode close behind…fancy them giving employees a pay bonus, then crying for cash from the government??…

Ford_sucks

thats why ford is dropping the falcon… cause its better than the commodore, or maybe cause they cant get away with copying the commodore anymore

Birdlife

Whichever way you cut it – the Alloytec needed to be a significant advance over the Ecotec it replaced. Alas it wasn’t. And that was a big pity for us ol’ Holden fans. As for driving an SV6 or an SS – here exactly is my [personal] point. I don’t care for so called “performance” motoring. I love to WATCH Bathurst – but I don’t need to live the fantasy in my daily drive.

I like to go “motoring” in the old v.old fashioned sense of the word. I like it to be a comfortable and relaxing pastime. For everyone concerned. The Calais – a great lookin’ thing in sedan and wagon form – is a lotta money. It just is. GREAT seats – stoopid huge steering wheel and A pillars…:) But good lookin’ and great seats…:)

I think the all purpose “family car” Holden is still in there somewhere if the company goes looking for it – but the horse may have bolted. Take a look around the carparks and SUVs have increasingly taken that spot. I’m not their champion – it’s just that they’ve filled a hole in the market which I think Ford and Holden left by persuing a horsepower and performance sports saloon agenda. They were fighting a battle the masses didn’t really care about anymore. They’re not the only manufacturers to lose their mojo and they won’t be the last. Here’s hoping they can find some salvation for the local industry by building great - relevant – local cars.
Pk

another new 4×4 with ifs cv joint garbage
if ur buying this car for medium to hard offroading skip it and get a coil live axle 4×4 i have had 1xcolorado 1xhilux and there no good for it. as to the coments on the diesel being hoaxs they are! the fuel economy isnt that much better than the v6s they cost much more to service you dont need much brains to work that out and they dont last PRE common rail diesels did last. i peronally have gone to petrols with my new vehicles and the outcome is a lot better.
Big H

By the way I work at a Holden Dealership and the new engines that are going to be put in the new Colorados are not VM Motori engines, they are designed and Built by Durmax, they Duramax does not currently have a 2.8l or 2.5l engines but these are new engines by Duramax not VM Motori.

Robin_Graves

Duramax are Isuzu engines. I cant see that happening when the Rodeo was culled off because the Isuzu arrangement finished – hence the D-Max.

barttholemewj

As for all you people that rave on about 4 cylinder turbo diesel engines especially toyotas, I don’t know what your on but but you should take my advice and get off it and come back to reality.
Have owned a v6 alloytech RA rodeo since new and it has 144,000 km on it and has not missed a beat. I also drive a 2011 SR hilux for work and I get to drive it privately as well. It had a broken spring and shock absorber within the first twenty thousand km the shocky that toyota replaced fell off two weeks after they replaced it the only work it does is taking the rubbish to the tip on weekends (500 metres of gravel the rest is highway with no load).
The rodeo gets better fuel economy than the hilux around town on the highway and towing and the rodeo would would pull the rear end out of the hilux, when I tow a horse float with two horses with the rodeo I go back to fourth for overtaking and I am gone, as for the hilux you go back a gear put your foot down and nothing happens it is scary

PS When I mean towing I mean keeping up with traffic doing a 100 in 100 zones and 110 in 110 zones and not getting stuck behind a truck in the hilux and having to wait to get a huge straight to get the underpowered guttless turbo diesel wound up to get around safely.
Annette

Unbelievable Holden that you are not going to have V6 utes available. How is it possible in a country of 20 million plus people that I can’t buy a simple V6, extra cab, 2WD, manual ute? I don’t care about economy or towing capacity, I just want a new ute before my old one falls apart.
Peter

Holden had a the new LX-R (i think that was its badging) dual cab at the Wimmera Machinery Field days at Horsham during the week. Have to say its certainly a step up from the old model! (wouldnt be hard. Holden rep said dealers will have demo models for testing in April. look forward to having a drive.
Matt

I just went to Surf Holden on the Gold Coast and had a look at the new colorado FANTASTIC plenty of room and was more car than ute like it was the LTZ model and it had vic number plates.
Annette

Yes it looks great but it’s a crappy diesel. Where is the V6 or even better V8 models?