Holden chose the (relative) wilds of Great Barrier Island for the local reveal of its new Colorado Z71 Xtreme. NZ4WD Editor Ross MacKay went along for the ride.

While I’m well used to flying off to exotic spots for press launches, Holden NZ’s invite to Great Barrier Island, in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, was a first.

I’m almost embarrassed to day that, though almost close enough to touch for most Aucklanders, I was one of the many who had been ‘meaning to’ but never quite got around to visiting the place.

Getting there was as easy as driving out to the airport and taking a half-hour (small) plane ride to the north and east before a spectacularly side-on landing into a vigorous westerly on the nor-west facing airstrip at Claris (on the eastern side of the island).

The big surprise, once behind the wheel of the new limited edition Xtreme, was two-fold; how good the roads are, and how ‘modern’ the local vehicle fleet is.

Like most ‘typical bloody Mainlanders’ I laboured under the impression that ‘the Barrier was still a refuge for ‘old hippies and rusty Lada Nivas.’

Not so now apparently, with most of the key linking roads still narrow but well-sealed, and many of the more desirable building sites now occupied by funky architect-designed weekend/summer holiday baches.

A bit flash?

‘That’s a bit flash for around here,” laughed a local Mum in a well-used Toyota who we had stopped for on a particularly tight stretch of gravel road on the way back up from one of the many gorgeous bush-lined bays dotted along both coasts.

But she was taken more, methinks, by the garish (not to mention unnaturally clean) ‘nuclear’ orange colour of our test vehicle rather than the, er, $79,990 RRP. We saw plenty of other late model TD DC (Turbo Diesel Double Cab) utes and top end SUVs on our travels. So had ours, say, been white, and covered with a layer of dust and Manuka pollen I’m sure all we would have got was a nod of the head and or (local signature) cheery wave!

Certainly, you’d be hard pressed to find a better all-round vehicle for ‘island life’ than a modern TD DC ute.

Whether you would want to plumb for an absolute top-of-the-liner like the Xtreme is the moot point.

Holden certainly believes many will.

“The top end of LCV market continues to develop, and we’re seeing a growing number of customers demanding greater off-road capability,” says Ina Economopoulos, Product Marketing Manager at Holden NZ.

“The Colorado Xtreme was a concept car that resonated with our customers, and to not only put it into production, but elevate it, is very exciting.

“As a base vehicle, Colorado Z71 is already very capable, so we’ve expanded our Genuine Accessories range for additional off-road capability.”

Raising the bar

Setting the Xtreme apart from any other production TD DC ute on the market is a front winch bar and Warn winch aka ‘the Holden Winch system.’ Because together the bar and winch weighs more Holden’s engineers have also swapped out the front springs and dampers for heavier duty items to suit.

Otherwise the Xtreme is all Z71 – meaning a 2.8 litre Duramax Turbo Diesel engine, 500Nm of torque and a 3.5 tonne towing capacity, seven-speed auto trans and the following genuine accessories;

So, if you like the idea of a toughened up and well-accessories ‘factory’ ute (i.e. which comes with a full three year warranty on both truck and all accessories) the new Xtreme could well be right up your alley.

Better be quick

Better be quick though, because like Mitsubishi NZ with its Huntaway, the Xtreme is a strictly limited offering.

“It’s certainly going to be a very exclusive model, Ina Economopoulos confirmed when we asked the question (as you do!) “We’re limiting numbers to essentially one per authorised Holden dealer nationwide – meaning there are only 30 available when it goes on sale in November,” said Ms Economopoulos.

“The recommended retail price for the new model is $79,990 which includes three years’ free certified servicing, three years’ roadside assistance support and a three-year warranty.  Considering the limited number of vehicles available, customers are encouraged to register their interest with their local dealer to avoid disappointment.”

Please note:

NB: The NZ launch vehicle which appears in these photos has been fitted with an optional snorkel kit, which has a RRP (installed incl. GST) of $1,160.  The Recommended Retail Price (RRP) for accessories and options includes GST and recommended fitting and labour costs. Actual accessory and option pricing may vary.

To read the full story in the November 2018 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (October 19) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.