Holden Introduces New 197HP Diesel and Manual Gearbox on 2014 Colorado and Colorado 7

Holden has announced some fresh technical and equipment updates for the 2014MY Colorado and Colorado 7 range in Australia. The most important additions are the new Duramax 2 diesel engine, a new six-speed manual gearbox, an all-new infotainment system plus added safety features.

When mated to the automatic transmission, the new 2.8-liter Duramax 2 diesel engine develops 197 hp (200PS) and a maximum 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque.

For the 2014 Colorado, Holden also introduces a new six-speed manual transmission that is standard across the Colorado truck range. When paired with the manual gearbox, the new diesel engine produces 197 hp (200 PS) and 440 Nm (324 lb-ft), available from 1,600 rpm to 2,800 rpm.

The 2014 Holden Colorado also introduces new chassis control systems such as Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist across the entire Colorado and Colorado 7 range, as well as a Descent Control System on all models except the DX trim.

In terms of safety, both the SUV and the truck now come with front side impact airbags as standard for all LX, LT and LTZ models and Rear Park Assist and a rear camera for all Colorado 7 models and the Colorado LTZ.

Another new addition is the 7-inch color touchscreen, which is standard across Colorado LX, LT and LTZ models and Colorado 7 range. Holden’s MyLink infotainment system allows drivers to connect to Bluetooth and access apps.

Holden also offers new genuine accessories for the two models, including an alloy SuperBar, steel bullbar, black nudge and sports bars.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Which One Would You Get: 577HP Holden HSV GTS or 355HP Mercedes CLA45 AMG?

There are many reasons for which imported cars (especially luxury models) are very expensive in Australia: it’s a remote country with a relatively small automobile market, it drives on the left side of the road and it has high import duties.

All these factors contribute to surreal prices. Take the Mercedes CLA45 AMG for example: it costs AU$86,900 (US$82,165) in Australia, compared to US$48,355 in the United States.

Following the price logic, the CLA45 AMG may be considered a rival for the Australian-made Holden HSV Gen-F GTS (related to the Chevrolet SS), which costs AU$95,490 (US$90,160). That’s despite the fact that the Holden has a 6.2-liter V8 engine developing 577 hp and 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) of torque, compared with the CLA45 AMG’s 355 hp and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque, courtesy of a high-tech 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

The RWD Holden may have a lot more horses running under its hood, but the CLA45 AMG is four-wheel drive and 322 kilograms (710 lbs) lighter. The folks at Australia's Drive magazine have set up a very interesting drag race indeed, which you can watch in the following video.

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

Holden Confirms Barina RS, will Launch in November

Holden announced on Friday that it will add a sportier RS model to the Chevrolet Sonic-based Barina small car range before the end of the year. The first pre-production Barina RS cars have already arrived in Australia.

Like the Chevrolet Sonic RS, the Holden Barina RS features a sports body kit incorporating a larger rear spoiler, front and rear sports fascias and side skirts, new 17-inch alloy wheels and the exclusive paint color Orange Rock. On the inside, the Barina RS comes with sports seats with RS branding and a flat bottomed steering wheel.

GM’s Australian division did local development work for Barina RS including an electric power steering tune. Holden’s team of engineers says it has performed "thousands of kilometers" of validation work and is currently doing tests on Australia’s public roads and at the Lang Lang proving ground.

The Holden Barina RS will go on sale in November, when full specifications and features, including powertrain options and pricing, will be announced. Like the Sonic RS, the Holden version will most likely be powered by GM’s 1.4-liter Ecotec turbocharged gasoline engine developing 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft (200 Nm) of torque. In the U.S. model, the unit is mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox, with a six-speed automatic being offered as an option.

The Sonic RS also features a 10mm (0.4in) lowered and stiffened suspension with performance-tuned dampers and four-wheel disc brakes.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Secret Semi-Official Holden Monaro VF Surfaces Online

The 2001 Holden Monaro V8 coupe was probably one of the best Australian cars of recent memory, and it found fans not only in its home market, but also in the US and UK, where it was sold as Pontiac and Vauxhall respectively. Sadly, in the current economic climate and packed state of the GM rage, particularly in the US, it would not be particularly lucrative to create another one, based on the new Commodore.

It was still done, though, after-hours by the Holden designers, who came up with the shape that you see below. However, the process of engineering and putting it into production is expensive, and GM hasn’t really been throwing cash around to get itself more sporty cars – it doesn’t need to, though, as it has what announces to be an excellent halo model, the Stingray.

The information comes courtesy of the Sydney Motoring Herald’s automotive section, and the source article also suggest the existence of the Camaro as another reason why this VF Commodore-based Monaro Coupe would not be a viable endeavor, as it would eat into the iconic sports/muscle car’s territory – at least in North America.

People would still like to see it materialize, as the poll at the bottom of the Australian report reveals unequivocally. It’s totally understandable, given the success of the Monaro, a car which has really achieved cult status by not only having a historically-significant name, but also being a solid performance model with plenty to like.

It looks good too, this new rendered one, and the fact that it has some Cadillac CTS coupe in its styling (at the back) is not a bad thing at all. Wouldn’t you agree?

By Andrei Nedelea

PHOTO GALLERY