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HSV SportsCat Series 2 pricing and specs

Holden Special Vehicles has given its flagship SportsCat ute a mid-cycle makeover with new wheels, sports seats and a new, grippier steering wheel.


However, there is no extra power under the bonnet and, as with the Holden Colorado on which it is based, autonomous emergency braking and radar cruise control – available on the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, the top two sellers – are not available on the HSV. 

There are still two models in the range but the names have changed slightly. The SportsCat and SportsCat Plus are now known as the SportsCat V and SportsCat SV. 

The grille, fascia and lower inserts are now gloss black rather than a matte finish, there is a new six-spoke forged alloy wheel design (18 x 10) wrapped in the same all terrain Cooper tyres as before, new HSV Performance seats, and a new leather steering wheel with meatier hand grips.

There are also more HSV logos, on the ute tub, front seats, steering wheel, and floor mats.

Although the 2.8-litre turbo diesel (147kW/500Nm) shared with the Holden Colorado is unchanged, the HSV SportsCat has maintained its 3500kg towing capability. By comparison, the Ford Ranger Raptor’s towing is capped at 2500kg, which has ruled it out for many buyers.

The SportsCat’s suspension set-up also has not changed since it went on sale in April 2018, but nor is it lacking.

Both SportsCat models are equipped with HSV-tuned sports suspension with the front spring rate stiffened to 110 Newtons/mm. 

The stiffer spring rate and the addition of front strut braces improve steering feedback and contribute to flatter handling.

The HSV suspension standard on both SportsCat models increases ride height by 25mm. Combined with the rolling radius of the off-road tyres, the total ride height is lifted by 45mm, which improves approach (32 degrees) and departure (24 degrees) angles. Ground clearance is increased to 251mm.

An optional HSV SupaShock suspension is available at an extra cost, however road test reviews found it is not suited to corrugated dirt roads and is not as supple as the Fox shocks on the Ford Ranger Raptor.

While the SportsCat only has a limited-slip rear differential rather than a rear diff lock, HSV developed a rear de-coupling anti-roll bar. When engaged it improves high speed on-road driving, when disengaged the suspension is optimised for off-road driving and articulation.

The flagship SportsCat SV comes with four-piston forged AP Racing brake calipers and 362mm x 32mm discs. A larger (25.4mm diameter) brake master cylinder helps deliver an improved pedal feel due to a reduction in pedal travel and softness. 

The rear brakes are still drums rather than discs. Rivals such as the Ford Ranger Raptor, VW Amarok and Mercedes X-Class have four-wheel disc brakes.

Rather than limiting the extra equipment to the flagship SV model, HSV will now allow buyers to pick and choose SV options for the SportsCat V. And the hard lid and sports bar can be deleted for a saving of $2500 on the SportsCat V (see price list below).

However, by the time a couple of option boxes are ticked, most buyers would be better off with the SportsCat SV.

In July 2018, HSV moved the SportsCat to a five year/unlimited kilometre warranty (to match the Holden Colorado on which it is based) and a premium five-year roadside assistance package. Fleet buyers are entitled to a five year/200,000km warranty.

The HSV SportsCat starts life as a Holden Colorado on a production line in Thailand, but examples are shipped to Australia in a partially completed form before HSV adds its locally-designed and engineered components at its facility in Clayton, Melbourne.

HSV SportsCat Series 2 pricing

  • SportsCat V six-speed manual - $62,490
  • SportsCat V six-speed auto - $64,690
  • SportsCat SV six-speed manual - $66,790
  • SportsCat SV six-speed auto - $68,990

 

Options 

  • AP Racing premium front brakes (SportsCat V only, standard on SV) - $2295
  • Rear De-coupling Anti-Roll Bar (SportsCat V only, standard on SV) - $2795
  • Sail Plane (SportsCat V only, standard on SV) - $1300
  • SupaShock suspension (optional on V and SV) - $2990
  • Tub-liner (optional on V and SV) - $300
  • Prestige paint (optional on V and SV) - $550
  • Delete hard lid and sports bar (SportsCat V only) - subtract $2500 from the RRP

All prices exclude on-road costs

Joshua Dowling

Joshua Dowling has been a motoring journalist for more than 20 years, spending most of that time working for The Sydney Morning Herald (as motoring editor and one of the early members of the Drive team) and News Corp Australia. He joined CarAdvice / Drive in 2018, and has been a World Car of the Year judge for more than 10 years.

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