Holden Colorado SuperUte revealed

HOLDEN has given the motorsport-loving public its first glimpse of the Colorado SuperUte, with an official rendering of the ute released today.

The Colorado SuperUte, currently under construction at Ross Stone Racing, will compete in the SuperUtes ECB Series in 2018. Replacing the current Holden v Ford V8 Ute Series, the SuperUte category will feature production-based dual- or twin-cab utes with turbocharged diesel engines and rear-wheel drive.

“SuperUtes is an exciting new racing series, and supporting Australian motorsport has been an important part of Holden’s heritage, so we are delighted to homologate Colorado for the series,” Emma Pinwill, GM Holden General Manager of Brand, Media and Sponsorship, said.

“Colorado has been engineered to handle anything thrown at it by our customers, from inner city and suburban roads to rural highways, dirt roads, and off-road. The racetrack is no different and we are confident Colorado will carry on Holden’s winning tradition.”

Supercars Australia has enforced strict regulations for the upcoming season to maintain an equal playing field. All engines are limited to outputs of 340bhp (254kW) and 500lb/ft (678Nm), and each model must weigh at least 1800kg.

Control extends to a range of components: CAMS-approved control roll-cage, pedal box, ECU, gearbox and ratios, rear axle assembly with control diff and ratio, brakes, tyres, wheels, springs and dampers.

2017 Holden Colorado out September 1

“Holden has been such an integral part of Supercars rich history, so it goes without saying that we are delighted to welcome it to the SuperUtes ECB Series,” Supercars Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, said. “The Holden Colorado is now officially homologated and will take on five different manufacturers in what is shaping up to be an outstanding series.

“With official testing having commenced last week and six models approved for racing, the SuperUtes Series will commence in 2018 with a very strong field in what will be great racing.”

The six confirmed utes are: Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-MAX, Holden Colorado and Mazda BT-50.

The eight-round provisional calendar will see the SuperUte Series head to Adelaide, Darwin, Townsville, Ipswich, Sydney, Bathurst, Gold Coast and Newcastle.