In a new agreement jointly announced late last year, General Motors Holden and Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) have agreed to a future which will see the Colorado 4x4 Crew Cab ute replacing Commodore as the iconic Australian tuning company’s base performance-upgrade model.

A wide-ranging re-jig of the relationship between the two companies will also see HSV import, convert to RHD and sell in Australia and here Chevrolet Silverados utes and Camaros sports coupes. But the all-new Colorado SportsCat, a derivation of the volume-selling Colorado 4x4 Crew Cab utility, will be the first fruit of the ground-breaking new deal to go on sale here.

The Colorado SportsCat features a raft of styling and chassis enhancements that the company believes will position it as the most advanced sports 4x4 on the market.

To be available in two variants – SportsCat and SportsCat+ - the pair are distinguished by all-new fascias and grilles that, with the addition of LED fog lamps and functional tow hooks, combine to deliver two distinctive and sporty front-ends.

Both models get prominent wheel arch fender flares, smooth-form on SportsCat and casselated on SportsCat+, and 18” x 10” forged alloys wrapped in all-terrain Cooper tyres.

A stylish hard tonneau, with load-rail provision and quick-release mechanism, plus sports-bar on SportsCat and sail plane on SportsCat+, enhance the vehicles’ sporty profile.

Inside both models get SV Sports seats, the front heated, featuring uniquely designed seat foams and Jasmine leather and Windsor suede trim.

Both SportsCat models feature HSV Sports Suspension with stiffer front spring rates and sport-tuned shock absorbers for improved handling.

Production of the SportCat range was due to begin at HSV’s new facility in Clayton, Victoria, in January, with Recommended Retail Pricing to be confirmed closer to model availability.

To read every story in the February 2018 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (Jan 20) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.