HSV lobs special-edition Colorado SportsCat R
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 12th Nov 2018
HOLDEN Special Vehicles (HSV) has announced a special-edition version of its Colorado SportsCat pick-up dubbed the ‘R’ that arrives in showrooms priced from $65,990 plus on-road costs – $3000 cheaper than the SportsCat + on which is it based.
With just 98 units set for Australian shores, the SportsCat R takes the top-spec automatic SportsCat + and adds a number of aggressive design elements including a gloss black grille, lower fascia and 18-inch, six-spoke alloy wheels with Cooper Zeon LTZ Pro Sports all-terrain rubber.
Its Mineral Black exterior paint hue – the only colour available – is contrasted by red elements throughout the exterior, including on the bonnet bulge, lower grille, door skirts, tow hooks, sports bar, tonneau cover and rear flanks, the latter of which is emblazoned in a red ‘HSV’ logo.
Inside, the SportsCat R builds on the specification of the SportsCat + which includes premium SV Sports seats upholstered in Jasmine leather and Windsor suede with red contrast stitching, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 8.0-inch touchscreen with sat-nav and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, branded floor mats and a suite of safety features such as seven airbags, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, trailer sway control, front and rear parking sensors and a rearview camera.
The most distinctive feature of the SportsCat over the regular Colorado is its suspension setup, specifically HSV’s Sports Suspension with increased front ride height, a unique ESC and MTB damper tune, and widened wheel track.
For the first time on a SportsCat, a premium AP Racing brake package with four-piston brake callipers and 362mm x 32mm rotors will be optionally available for $1995. A $300 tub liner is the only other option.
No changes have been made to the regular SportsCat’s powerplant, a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder mill producing 147kW/500Nm, driving all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. The six-speed manual option is not offered on the SportsCat R.
The SportsCat R is the first special edition from HSV since the Holden Colorado-based pick-up went on sale earlier this year, whose regular four-variant dual-cab line-up consists of two trim levels offered with manual and automatic transmissions. The range kicks off at $60,790 for the manual SportsCat and tops out at $68,990 for the SportsCat + auto.
Production for the SportsCat R begins at HSV’s production facility in Clayton South this month.
