Review: HSV RG Colorado SportsCat (2018-20)

Overview

Released in January 2018, the HSV Colorado SportsCat was a four-wheel drive, dual cab utility. Manufactured in Rayong, Thailand, the HSV Colorado SportsCat was powered by a 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine that was mated to either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Based on the Holden RG Colorado , the Colorado SportsCat range consisted of standard and ‘SportsCat+’ variants.

Compared to the Holden RG Colorado, the HSV Colorado SportsCat could be identified by its unique fascias and grilles with LED fog lamps, functional tow hooks, wheel arch fender flares (‘smooth-form’ on the SportsCat and casselated on the SportsCat+). To differentiate the Colorado SportsCat+, it had a ‘3D’ upper grille, bonnet bulge and ‘3D’ wheel arch flares. At the rear, there was a hard tonneau cover with load-rail provision and quick-release mechanism, and a ‘Colorado’ tailgate applique. As an extra-cost option, the Colorado SportsCat+ could be specified with an HSV-designed sail plane

The Colorado SportsCat had a braked towing capacity of 3500 kg and a maximum payload of ‘approximately’ one tonne according to HSV.

LK5 Duramax engine

The 2.8-litre LK5 ‘Duramax’ turbo-diesel engine had a cast iron block, an aluminium alloy cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable exhaust valve timing, common rail injection and a compression ratio of 16.0:1.

4WD system

The HSV RG Colorado SportsCat’s four-wheel drive system had an electronically actuated part-time transfer case. As such, the driver could ‘shift on the fly’ via a rotary switch in the centre console between the following drive modes –

• Two-wheel High: rear-wheel drive with high range gears;
• Four-wheel High: permanent four-wheel drive with high range gears; and,
• Four-wheel Low: permanent four-wheel drive with a 2.62:1 gear reduction ratio.

Body and dimensions

The HSV Colorado SportsCat had a ladder-frame chassis, while its body was understood to have similar dimensions to the Holden RG Colorado which is 5361 mm long, 1874 mm wide, 1795 mm tall and has a 3096 mm long wheelbase.

Suspension

Like the Holden RG Colorado , the HSV Colorado SportsCat had double wishbone front suspension with coil springs and leaf spring rear suspension. The HSV Colorado SportsCat models, however, had ‘HSV Sports Suspension’ in which the front spring rate was increased to 110 Nm/mm, while the MTV dampers were tuned accordingly. Furthermore, front ride height was increased by 25 mm to improve the approach angle of the vehicle and reduce overall rake for ‘a more natural on-road stance.’

The Colorado SportsCat+ had a rear de-coupling anti-roll bar which disconnected the rear sway bar when low-range 4×4 was selected to improve rear wheel articulation. Developed specifically for the Colorado SportsCat+, HSV claimed that the de-coupling rear sway bar controlled rear roll to improve balance and turn-in transient responses when driving at high speeds. As an extra-cost option, the SportsCat+ was available with large-diameter remote-canister dampers produced by SupaShock.

Steering

The HSV Colorado SportsCat had rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the HSV Colorado SportsCat included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control, front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

As standard, the HSV Colorado SportsCat was fitted with a forward facing camera for the following safety technologies –

• Forward Collision Alert: monitored the distance to the vehicle ahead and, if it decreased such that there was a collision risk, the driver would receive audible and visual warnings; and,
• Lane Departure Warning: monitored the vehicle’s position within its lane and, if the vehicle was about to cross lane markings without the turn indicator having been applied, the driver would receive audible and visual warnings.

Wheels, tyres and brakes

The HSV Colorado SportsCat had 18-inch by 10.0J forged alloy wheels with a matte black finish and 285/60 R18 Cooper Zeon LTZ Pro Sports All-Terrain tyres; the SportsCat+ was distinguished by its machined-face alloy wheels. According to HSV, the Cooper Zeon tyres were ‘a hybrid between a sports-truck tyre and an all-terrain tyre’ that were specially selected by HSV’s chassis engineers.

The HSV Colorado SportsCat had 300 mm by 27 mm ventilated front brake discs and 295 mm by 50 mm rear drum brakes. The Colorado SportsCat+, however, had 362 mm by 32 mm front brake discs with four-piston forged AP Racing brake callipers and a 25.4 mm diameter brake master cylinder.

Features: HSV Colorado SportsCat

Standard features for the HSV Colorado SportsCat included a ‘MyLink’ infotainment system with an eight-inch touch-screen, satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a seven speaker sound system with digital radio tuner (DAB+), auxiliary (3.5 mm) and USB inputs), ‘SV Sports’ seats, Jasmine leather and Windsor suede upholstery for the seats and instrument panel, heated front seats, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, front fog lamps and LED daytime running lights, front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, twin-needle red stitching (for the leather-wrapped steering wheel, door trims and centre console cover), remote central locking, power adjustable and heated door mirrors, power windows, a height adjustable steering wheel, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, branded floor mats, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser. HSV Colorado SportsCat models with automatic transmissions were also equipped with a remote start function.

Although the HSV Colorado SportsCat was manufactured in Rayong, Thailand, the seats, dashboard trim and centre console bin lid were fitted by HSV at its facility in Clayton, Melbourne.

Features: HSV Colorado SportsCat+

Compared to the HSV Colorado SportsCat, the SportsCat+ could be identified by its bonnet bulge, ‘3D’ upper grille finished in satin black and ‘3D’ wheel arch flares in satin black. Beyond this, an HSV sail plane was available as an extra-cost option.

2018 HSV Colorado SportsCat R

The HSV Colorado SportsCat R was released in November 2018. Solely available with an automatic transmission, the Colorado SportsCat R was based on the SportsCat (so it was not fitted with the AP Racing brake package or rear de-coupling anti-roll bar). The Colorado SportsCat R, however, was distinguished by its 18 x 10.0J six-spoke forged alloy wheels finished in gloss black, Mineral Black paint finish, gloss black grille, gloss black lower fascia, red highlights (for the bonnet bulge, lower grille and sail plane), red ‘HSV’ logo on the tub and red decals which framed the hard tonneau cover and doors.

Production of the HSV Colorado SportsCat R was limited to 100 vehicles: 98 for Australia and two for New Zealand.

HSV Colorado SportsCat ‘Look Pack’

From December 2018, the HSV Colorado SportsCat could be specified with a ‘Look Pack’ which consisted of the distinguishing visual elements of the SportsCat+, i.e. machined-face alloy wheels, a unique fascia, ‘3D’ upper grille, ‘3D’ fender flares, bonnet bulge and hard tonneau cover.

Brochure

• Brochure: HSV RG Colorado SportsCat (January 2018)