1 Mar 2003
By CHRIS HARRIS
AN all-new generation Rodeo was introduced derived from the Isuzu/GM collaborative D-Max truck built in Thailand.
It was significantly larger and more refined than its ageing predecessor, as well as safer and more comfortable. At the time of its launch Holden offered well over 50 models, half of them as turbo-diesels.
The base engine was a 2.4-litre fuel-injected twin-cam 16-valve four-cylinder petrol unit offering 94kW and 207Nm. It was available in three-seater Cab Chassis and five-seater four-door Crew Cab body styles.
Next came an improved version of the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder unit in the last of the R9 Rodeos, this time delivering 96kW of power and 280Nm of torque in three-seater Cab Chassis, four-seater two-door Space Cab and five-seater four-door Crew Cab styles.
And finally, until early ’06, a 147kW/280Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine completed the choice, available in five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox choices.
This came in Cab Chassis, Space Cab utility and Cab Chassis and five-seat four-door Crew Cab styles.
Holden switched to its locally made 157kW/313Nm 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 from January ’06, in improved five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox guises, but left the existing 2.4 petrol and 3.0 turbo-diesel four-cylinder variants untouched, save for minor trim changes throughout the range.
