Holden Trax range to get turbo boost

Holden’s baby SUV has been sold in just one variant since its launch in August 2013, powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to either a manual or automatic transmission.

The Holden Trax is already effectively the leader of its segment despite VFACTs including it in a list of Small SUVs. It forms a part of a burgeoning group of sub-compact SUVs that also include the Ford EcoSport, Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008, Suzuki S-Cross and upcoming Renault Captur.

To May 2014, Holden has sold 2505 units of the Trax, with the Juke its closest challenger with 1017.

Holden confirmed the addition of a new Trax variant at a media event based around the State of Origin of which it is the main sponsor.

The 1.4-litre petrol turbo is already well known as one of the engines powering the locally made Holden Cruze small car.

It produces 103kW of power at 4900rpm and 200Nm of torque at 2000rpm, promising improved low-rev driveability compared with the non-turbo 1.8L with the same power but less torque (175Nm) at higher revs (3800rpm).

Fuel consumption should also be better based on how both engines fare in the Cruze.

The Trax is one of the company’s good news stories of 2014, along with Commodore and Colorado helping Holden to be one of only a handful of mainstream brands to record growth so far this year.

Holden sales are up eight per cent year on year to May, securing second spot behind Toyota but closing the gap slightly.

Holden’s new boss, Gerry Dorizas, said earlier this year the company intended to become the No.1 brand in Australia by 2020.

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