Holden’s tough new 4×4 truck-based SUV wagon, the Colorado 7, made its first official appearance at the Australian International Motor Show recently, more than two months ahead of its official on sale date in late December.
Designed in parallel with the Colorado one-tonne ute in GM’s design studio in Brazil, the body-on-frame Colorado 7 with its seven-seat interior layout and generous cargo space will be available in two specifications – entry level LT and top-spec LTZ.
Only one powertrain and transmission combination will be available, with the Duramax 2.8-litre 132kW/470Nm four cylinder turbo-diesel engine and six-speed automatic transmission standard on both LT and LTZ models. Claimed fuel economy is 9.4 litres/100 kms.
Holden’s new SUV also shares the ANCAP five-start safety rating of its Crew Cab ute stable-mate, backed by the usual array of safety features including ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), dual front airbags and full-length curtain airbags that extend to the third row of seating among the list of standard equipment.
It also shares the ute’s part-time 4×4 system with two-speed shift-on-the-fly transfer case, limited slip diff and Hill Descent Control.
Colorado 7’s chassis has been engineered independently of the Colorado pickup with a bias towards passenger comfort.
While both models share the same independent coil-sprung double wishbone front suspension, Colorado 7 features a unique five-link coil-sprung live axle rear suspension in preference to the one tonne ute’s leaf springs.
This results in a 500 kg drop in peak towing capacity from the ute’s 3.5 tonnes to 3.0 tonnes.
Compared to the Colorado one-tonne 4×4 Crew Cab pickup, the Colorado 7 is 250mm shorter in wheelbase (C7 2845mm vs 3096mm), 469mm shorter overall (C7 4878mm vs 5347mm) but 249mm wider (C7 2131mm vs 1882mm).
The top-spec Colorado 4×4 Crew Cab LTZ pickup’s kerb weight is 2053 kgs, but Holden has not yet issued a figure for the new Colorado 7 in LTZ spec. We will update this as soon as it is available.
The new truck wagon’s interior dimensions offer an interior layout that features seven seats across the range. And with the second and third row seats folded, Colorado 7 offers up to 1830 litres of cargo space and 30 separate storage options throughout the cabin.
The second row also has 60/40 split-folding seats which can be stowed in a forward tumble motion with a single latch in the seat back. The second row seat-backs are also reclinable by up to six degrees, while the third row has a 50/50 split configuration. Both rows fold to create a flat load space.
Colorado 7 has a 235-litre rear cargo area with the third row in use which increases to 878 litres with the third row folded into the floor. Additional storage is available with the second row tumbled (1780 litres) and even more when folded (1830 litres).
“Colorado 7 is the first true heavy duty off-roader to wear a Holden badge in around 10 years,” said Holden Executive Director Sales, Marketing and Aftersales John Elsworth.
“It was designed to stand side-by-side with the Colorado (one-tonne pickup) at the Holden dealership and will complement our Captiva range by offering a serious alternative.
“Colorado 7 is a true seven-seat, full-size 4X4, which is ideal for customers shopping for an SUV that can take them off the beaten track and still carry the family and haul cargo at the weekend.”
Standard LT features include:
- Reversing camera
- Rear Park Assist
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Body coloured front and rear bumpers
- Body coloured door handles
- Body coloured mirrors with side turn signal
- Side steps
- Front fog lights
- Front and rear mudflaps
- Aluminium roof rails
LTZ builds on LT features with:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Projector headlamps
- LED tail lamps
- Front fog lights with chrome surround
- Chrome side window mouldings
- Body coloured door handles with chrome strip
- Chrome power folding side mirrors with side turn signal
Passengers in the second and third rows benefit from roof-mounted air-conditioning controls with four air vents.
Other standard LT features include:
- Leather wrap steering wheel
- Bluetooth® connectivity
- USB and auxiliary
- Six-speaker audio system
- Woven cloth seat trim
- Multifunction steering wheel controls
- Power windows with cloth trim door inserts and metallic spear mouldings
- Roof mounted rear air-conditioning controls with second and third row air vents
- 60/40 tumble fold removable second row seats
- 50/50 folding third row seats
- Third row armrest storage
- Rear auxiliary power outlet and coat hooks
LTZ builds on these other LT features with:
- Leather seat trim
- Six-way electric adjustable driver’s seat
- Eight-speaker audio system with amplifier
- Single zone climate control
- Chrome interior door handles
- Gloss Piano Grey centre stack mouldings
- Chrome gear shifter
Exterior colours
Holden will offer six exterior colour choices:
- Summit White – solid white
- Carbon Flash* – metallic black
- Royal Grey* – metallic grey
- Nitrate* – classic silver metallic
- Blue Mountain* – metallic light blue
- Sizzle – bright metallic red
*Prestige paint