2012 Holden Colorado revealed

The production version of the all-new Holden Colorado has broken cover in Thailand ahead of its Australian arrival, which is scheduled for early 2012.

Badged as a Chevrolet in South East Asia, the new Colorado will be built in Thailand and will lock horns with a number of other new or updated utes that have recently hit Australian streets, such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Mazda BT-50.

The all-new Holden Colorado will replace the current model that has been holding the fort for the last eight years, and according to the Thai specifications, two engines will be offered - 2.5-litre and 2.8-litre Duramax turbodiesel engines.

It is understood that Holden will be importing the 2.8-litre oiler, which outputs 132kW/470Nm but it remains to be seen is the 2.5-litre 110kW/350Nm model will find its way under the hood of Holden badged Colorado utes.

Two gearboxes are available, a five-speed manual transmission and a six-speed auto. Four-wheel drive models also get an electronically actuated part-time transfer case.

There will plenty of variants on offer with both 4x2 and 4x4 drivelines, comprising several body variants that can be matched to pick-up and cab-chassis trays, including: Single Cab, Crew Cab and Extra Cab.

Showing off a fresh new look, Holden has repeatedly referred to the Colorado as a 'lifestyle' vehicle rather than a light commercial vehicle, hoping to entice family buyers and individuals looking for a 'work and play' machine.

During the Australian International Motor Show, GM Holden boss Mike Devereux told motoring.com.au that, "One of trends we see for utes in general is a move away from just utilitarian to more of a lifestyle vehicle. There's going to be much more of a cool lifestyle edge to these types of vehicle [going forward] than just it's a ute that goes offroad and that tradies use."

The new design was penned by GM's Brazilian design centre, and the Colorado will be sold in 60 different markets around the world. Closer to home Devereux noted that Holden will develop several cool accessories for the new 2012 Colorado.

The front end features a much sleeker design that its angular predecessor, the new-look headlights in particular giving the ute a sporty disposition. Top-end Colorado variants will also make use of LED brake lights, which will be a first for the GM ute.

Safety has also been a focal point for the designers of the new ute, and GM claims the Colorado will be "...among the safest vehicles in its class, having been developed to meet the highest possible safety standards wherever it is sold." We can expect to see a bevy of airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, traction control, and even cornering brake control.

An updated interior is also part of the new Holden Colorado, which has been designed to deliver car-like levels of comfort.

For the month of September, Holden owned 12.5 per cent of the light commercial vehicle market, slightly behind Ford (14.5 per cent) and a long way off Toyota (28.7 per cent) year to date.

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