Art of Gears
Fansided

Truck Yeah! Australia’s performance trucks vs America’s

By Billy Ho

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 12: Ford introduces the new Ford F150 Raptor at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on January 12, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. More than 5000 journalists from around the word will see approximately 45 new vehicles unveiled during the 2015 NAIAS, which opens to the public January 17 and concludes January (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 12: Ford introduces the new Ford F150 Raptor at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on January 12, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. More than 5000 journalists from around the word will see approximately 45 new vehicles unveiled during the 2015 NAIAS, which opens to the public January 17 and concludes January (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) /
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Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) has been synonymous with Australian performance for more than 30 years. With the majority of those 30 years supercharging Holden’s marquee Commodore sedan, HSV has turned to the performance truck market with the closure of local manufacturing.

With it comes the debut of their pumped up Colorado, named the SportsCat.

Based on the Chevy/Holden Colorado, the SportsCat features the same 2.8-litre Duramax turbo diesel engine found in its donor car. HSV enthusiasts were disappointment that HSV didn’t opt for more power, but the Duramax’s meaty 369 lb-ft of torque is still a class leader. On top of this, the SportsCat and its higher spec SportsCat+ come with SupaShock suspension upgrades, rear de-coupling anti-roll bar, performance brakes, and a raft of cosmetic enhancements.

It’s good looking to boot, and its HSV pedigree means that even if there is no power upgrade, there is enough to give it an edge in performance against its local competition.

The SportsCat+ is priced at around USD$62000 (AUD$78000). Certainly not cheap, but it’s more than just a sticker pack and bigger wheels.

So what’s your pick?

My personal choice is clear, if I had to pick one I’d opt for the HSV Colorado Sportscat+, but then again I might be a little biased.

Here I am doing a little off roading in the SportsCat’s donor car, the Colorado Z71 which spec wise, isn’t too far off the HSV version.

I did indeed fall in love with it and hoping that I’ll get my chance to see what the SportsCat+ can do.

While certainly a fine choice, these factory-built options in Australia are a step off their American counterparts. While HSV will soon bring the Chevy Silverado here in an official capacity, those wanting extra grunt with their trucks still have to opt for the aftermarket options.

Until the Ford F-150, Colorado ZR2 or the Ram Rebel make their away outside of the US, the American truck is still king of the mountain.

Or is it? …

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