HSV Colorado SportsCat+: 2019 4x4 of the Year contender

THESE days you can’t get a Maloo ute or Commodore V8 from the showroom floor; in their place are showroom-stock performance-based dual cabs like the SportsCat and SportsCat+. We had the top-spec SportsCat+ along for the ride at this year’s comp.

In addition to a taller wheel and tyre package, beefier front springs, MTV dampers all around and braced front spring/damper strut top mounts, the SportsCat+ then adds larger brake rotors and four-piston AP Racing callipers up front, as well as a rear swaybar.

7

The 2.8-litre four-cylinder Colorado engine – 147kW and 500Nm – is aided by a six-speed auto and remains unchanged.

The SportsCat+ tow capacity remains at the same level as the Colorado (3500kg), while the lower payload capacity sits at 876kg. The 4x4 system implemented is dual-range, part-time. Our SportsCat+ had the optional sailplane and tub liner, to lift the overall cost from $68,900 to $70,500.

The SportsCat+ may be better than the Colorado, but does it keep up with the Ranger Raptor?

7