Building Connection Summer 2016

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TRANSPORT
with Terry Martin
Holden is confident its heavily upgraded Colorado ute will
now take the fight up to the top-selling Toyota HiLux and Ford
Ranger in the ultra-competitive one-tonne utility segment,
touting significant Australian engineering work on the Thai-built
workhorse.
Local engineers have focused on improving refinement and
driveability with a range of chassis changes, including the
introduction of electric power steering (with a faster steering rack
and fewer turns lock-to-lock), digressive front and rear shock
absorbers, a thicker front stabiliser bar and revised spring rates.
Among the measures to reduce noise, vibration and harshness
(NVH), Holden engineers have shifted the balance shaft on the
2.8L turbo-diesel engine, revised the engine and transmission
mounts, developed an ‘engine acoustic pack’ homing in on the
injectors, metal timing cover and oil pan, and, not least of all,
they’ve slotted in a new ‘central pendulum absorber’ (CPA)
automatic transmission torque converter.
Billed as a first for the one-tonne ute segment, CPA-type
torque converters are more commonly found on high-end diesel
passenger cars. According to Holden, the benefits include major
NVH benefits and improved driveability and fuel economy.
Manual versions of the Colorado also now have a new final drive
ratio, which is said to improve drive quality (particularly while
towing), while rounding out the engineering effort is a variety
of detail changes to reduce wind noise, a revised traction and
stability control system (including hill descent control) and new
tyres bringing improved low-rolling resistance, wet weather grip
and ride comfort.
Importantly, the Colorado – which is still available in single,
extended and dual cab body styles across LS, LT, LTZ and Z71
grades – also brings new levels of safety equipment, including a
rear-view camera as standard on all pick-up models (cab chassis
versions have it as an option) and, on selected models, advanced
systems such as forward collision alert, lane departure warning,
front and rear park assist and tyre pressure monitoring.
A driver’s knee airbag is also now on board, bringing the total
airbag count up to seven.
Styling changes are apparent both inside and out, cabin comfort
has gone up a notch and a host of new accessories have been
developed for the vehicle. However, the other key area in which
Colorado has lifted its game is with infotainment technology.
This comes courtesy of a new MyLink system delivered through
a colour touch screen and featuring DAB+ digital radio, Apple
CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and embedded satellite
navigation and voice recognition.
Functionality and screen size (7” or 8”) varies according to the
model variant, but there is no doubt that – any way you look at it –
the Holden-based workhorse has taken a major step forward.
There is even now a remote window activation feature that
allows the owner to lower the windows from outside the vehicle
via the key fob.
One of the only areas in which Colorado hasn’t changed is
engine performance, with the 2.8l Duramax donk continuing
to develop 147kW of power and 500Nm of torque in the auto –
detuned to 440Nm in the manual.
It does, however, now meet the Euro 5 emissions standard
required of all new vehicles from November 1.
Holden
Holden Colorado