WITH its launch delayed six months due to the floods in Thailand, Holden has a lot of catching up to do with the crucial new Colorado, and has gone some way towards that by pre-selling 1500 units ahead of its showroom arrival.

Designed from the ground up as a global product, with a smattering of Australian input, the Colorado gets an efficient all-diesel engine line-up, class-leading towing capability and standard safety gear to set it apart from the crowd.

Holden says being the newest ute on the scene, pent-up demand caused by the delay and outstanding customer loyalty, will get the Colorado off to a flying start. But how does it stack up against hot competition from other recently-launched rivals?