Holden Prepares For Launch Of Colorado 7 (Trailblazer)

After nearly a decade without a serious off-road-focused offering, Holden is preparing to launch the Colorado 7 4×4. Known as the Chevy Trailblazer elsewhere around the world, the Colorado 7 was developed alongside the Colorado pickup truck but was tuned to meet the demands of customers looking for a tough and stylish SUV with bona fide off-road capability, credible towing capacity, and a cabin large enough to carry a large family and its cargo.

Just like the Trailblazer, the Colorado 7 is based on GM’s new GMI700 vehicle architecture and features bold styling, a spacious interior with seating for seven, a high level of safety, and a 2.8 liter turbo diesel Duramax engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission — the only powertrain and transmission configuration offered in the SUV. Holden is offering the SUV in two trim level configurations — LT and range-topping LTZ.

Similar to the Crew Cab Colorado pickup truck, the Colorado 7 boasts a 5-star ANCAP safety rating thanks to a sturdy structural design, coupled with a wide array of safety features including Electronic Stability Control, dual front airbags, and full-length curtain airbags that extend to the third row on both LT and LTZ variants.

The 2.8 liter Duramax turbo diesel makes 132 kW (177 hp) and 470 Nm (346 lb.-ft) of torque. The diesel-burning four-banger returns 9.4 liters per 100 kilometers (25 MPG) and 252 grams of CO2 per kilometer, while allowing the SUV to tow an impressive 3 tons (over 6,000 pounds).

In an effort to provide greater passenger comfort than its work-focused cousin, the Colorado 7 features a five-link live rear axle rear suspension configuration and coil springs in the front and the rear; meanwhile, both the Colorado and Colorado 7 share an independent double wishbone front suspension. The vehicle’s off-road prowess is highlighted by a part-time four-wheel drive system with a transfer case including low and high ratio gears, Shift on the Fly, Limited Slip Differential, along with a Descent Control System. This makes the SUV a perfect off-roader to explore Australia’s toughest bush tracks. Folding second- and third-row seating with 1,830 liters of cargo space doesn’t hurt, either.

“With our Captiva range a proven performer in the family SUV sector, Colorado 7 taking up the challenge in the serious four-wheel drive market, and the new Trax SUV arriving next year, Holden will be in its best position yet to take advantage of the SUV sales boom”, said Holden Executive Director of Sales and Marketing Philip Brook.

Holden’s Colorado 7 is built on the same production line as its pickup truck brother at GM’s Rayong plat in Thailand. The Duramax diesel engine is also built at the facility’s engine operations that opened in September of 2011.

In South Africa, Chevrolet offers the TrailBlazer with GM’s last-generation 3.6 liter V6 engine, along with the 2.5 and 2.8 liter Duramax diesels. General Motors has not announced plans to bring the Colorado 7 Trailblazer to North America, although we think doing so wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

Standard Holden Colorado 7 LT Features

• Rearview camera
• Rear Park Assist
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Body colored front and rear bumpers
• Body colored door handles
• Body colored mirrors with side turn signal
• Side steps
• Front fog lamps
• Front and rear mud flaps
• Aluminum roof rails
• High ride height

Additional Holden Colorado 7 LTZ Features

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Projector headlamps
• LED tail lamps
• Front fog lights with chrome surround
• Chrome side window moldings
• Body colored door handles with chrome strip
• Chrome power folding side mirrors with side turn signal

Holden Colorado 7 Exterior Colorado Choices

• Summit White – solid white
• Carbon Flash – metallic black*
• Royal Grey – metallic grey*
• Nitrate – classic silver metallic*
• Blue Mountain – metallic light blue*
• Sizzle – bright metallic red

*Prestige paint $550 (RRP)