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MAHINDRA PIK-UP
HSV SPORTSCAT RS
I
ndian auto brand Mahindra is working overtime to
steer attention its way, targeting tradespeople with
a specially tailored offer on its Pik-Up workhorse
ute and, at the top end, developing its first-ever special
edition for the Australian market – the Black mHawk.
The deal for the trades is available on the S6 single cab
manual – priced from $23,990 plus on-road costs for the
4x2, or $26,990 for the 4x4 – and adds a general-purpose
aluminium tray, ladder rack, towbar, Bluetooth mobile
phone connectivity and cruise control.
The Black mHawk, meanwhile, is a locally developed
special edition based on the 4x4 S10 dual cab priced at
$38,990 drive-away and follows various other brands in
applying a darker theme to the donor model to impart a
more aggressive or upmarket ‘black-tie’ impression.
The latter is evident here, with Mahindra using black
as the colour of choice for the model’s 17” wheels, alloy
sports bar, side steps, custom decal set, wheel-arch
flares and factory bullbar.
All Pik-Up variants use a 2.2L four-cylinder ‘mHawk
CRDe’ turbo-diesel engine that delivers 103kW of power
and 330Nm of torque (available from 1,600-2,800rpm)
and combines with a six-speed manual gearbox only.
There is no automatic transmission available.
Standard safety equipment includes dual front
airbags, a rear differential lock, hill descent control,
electronic stability control, rollover mitigation and ABS
brakes with electronic brake-force distribution.
The S6 is otherwise a fairly basic package, with cabin
features including air-conditioning, and fabric seats with
vinyl inserts. The S10 ups the ante with extra sound-
deadening material for a quieter ride, climate-control
air-conditioning, full-fabric seat trim, remote central
locking, multi-function steering wheel, driver’s seat height
adjustment, automatic headlights/wipers and a better
infotainment system with 6.0” touch screen.
H
olden Special Vehicles is trading on its high-
performance pedigree with a new SportsCat RS
special edition of its Holden Colorado-based ute,
although the additions are mostly cosmetic.
Priced from $63,990 plus on-road costs, the RS-
badged SportsCat sits $1,000 upstream of the entry Cat
upon which it is based, but remains $5,000 adrift of the
flagship SportsCat+ that carries a range of features now
applied to the RS, such as a bonnet bulge and wheel-arch
fender flares that accommodate black-painted 18x10”
forged alloy wheels wrapped in 285/60 Cooper Zeon LTZ
Pro Sports AT tyres.
Other highlights of the package include a hard tonneau
(with load-rail provision and quick-release mechanism)
and sports bar, while front occupants are treated to
Premium SV Sports bucket seats with leather and
suede upholstery – a trim combination that adorns the
instrument panel, too. Double stitching (in red) is also
used on the seats and the leather-wrapped steering
wheel, door trim and centre console cover.
As with the other HSV-tweaked SportsCat variants,
the RS comes with a host of chassis modifications –
targeting the suspension and brakes in particular – that
aim to improve dynamic performance in both on-road and
off-road situations. The AP Racing braking package on
SportsCat+ – with front four-piston callipers, 362x32mm
diameter discs and larger brake master cylinder –
remains optional at $1,995.
The RS is available only with a six-speed automatic
transmission and, as with the regular Colorado, uses
a 2.8L four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces
147kW of power at 3,600rpm and a muscular 500Nm of
torque at 2,000rpm.
The SportsCat is based on Holden’s Thai-built Colorado
Z71, with its various modifications carried out at the
Walkinshaw Automotive Group’s production facility in
Melbourne, where Chevrolet Silverado and Ram pick-up
trucks are also converted to right-hand drive.