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Holden is set to replace the Colorado 7 nameplate with the Trailblazer moniker worn by the ute-based seven-seat SUV in America.
Strong clues of the updated model were shown in the Colorado Xtreme (utility) and Trailblazer Premier (SUV) revealed at last month’s Bangkok motor show.
The one-off concepts were prepared at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne by GM Australia Design at Holden, using the upcoming production Series II of both vehicles as bases.
Part of the shift from Colorado 7 to Trailblazer is to separate the SUV from a marketing perspective from the ute it’s based on. That’s even more important in an era when competition on the off-road-focused seven-seat SUV market has ramped up with the recent arrival of the Ford Everest (based on the Ranger ute), Toyota Fortuner (based on the Hilux ute) and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (based on the Triton ute).
While the facelifts for both models were designed at the RG-series Colorado’s global homeroom in Brazil, the show vehicles’ detailing – along with their presentation – was carried out by Holden.
What mechanical changes are coming later in the year, beyond an update of the current models’ 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, isn’t known, though there will be significant improvements to on-road dynamics and overall refinement.
Meanwhile, Holden has also created accessories that will soon appear on the Colorado and Trailblazer options list, as the company attempts to carve a larger slice of the ever-growing personalisation market.
These include a newly integrated bull bar, a Safari bar, snorkel, sports bar, roof basket with an LED light bar, side steps, rear-step tow bar, and wheel arch flares.
“We want to expand the genuine accessories market, that’s marketed and sold by Holden. We’ve been missing out in the past.”
Holden has designed or built a number of high-profile concept vehicles over the past few years, among them the Buick Avenir from the 2015 Detroit auto show and this year’s Opel GT from Geneva.
