CARS SCOOP & BIKES SCOOP: Holden

After traveling all around the world in concept format, the new 2012 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck has entered the final testing phase in Thailand before the introduction of the production model that will go on sale towards the end of the year.

Today, General Motors released some new photos showing the prototype models being put through their paces as the company prepares to produce the midsize pickup in its Rayong assembly plant in Thailand.

The Detroit automaker said the Rayong manufacturing facility has undergone a $300 million upgrade, including a retooling of the entire vehicle assembly line, to build the new pickup truck.

“The hard work for this program has been done, and we are incredibly pleased with the results,” said Chevrolet Colorado Chief Engineer, Roberto Rempel. “This is a world-class truck that will appeal to buyers not just in the heavily concentrated truck markets of Southeast Asia, but around the world.

GM says that the new Colorado will be sold in markets across Asia Pacific including Australia where Holden showed its own concept model, Africa, the Middle East and South America. Thailand will be the first market to receive the Colorado. No word if GM's future plans include the North American region.

While these photos don't reveal much about the appearance of the final production version of the Colorado, a completely undisguised prototype of the pickup truck was recently spotted unguarded at a parking lot in Thailand (click here to check out the photos).

At least for the Asia Pacific region, the new 2012 Chevrolet Colorado will be offered with newly developed 2.5-liter and 2.8-liter turbocharged diesel engines that will also be produced at an adjacent GM plant in Thailand.

PHOTO GALLERY

Blue MY12 SS V1

While Holden's engineering team is working hard on the development of the new generation Commodore dubbed VF, which is expected to launch within the next two to three years, the company's designers took some time off to spiff up the current model.

For the 2012 model year, Australia's homegrown Commodore VE (sold as the Pontiac G8 in the States before the brand was axed) receives some minor exterior and interior enhancements, plus the introduction of the track-inspired FE3 sports suspension on the Redline series.

On the outside, select models receive chrome accents up front, while the Omega gains new 16-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels, the Calais V a new lip spoiler and the SS V-Series Redline Edition new-look forged and polished 19-inch alloy wheels plus rear brake calipers.

Holden also introduces two new exterior colors named Perfect Blue and Chlorophyll. The blue hue pays homage to Australian motorsport icon Peter Brock and his famous Formula Blue HDT Group A VK SS Commodore that was launched back in 1985.

“We wanted the colour to express that unique connection Holden had with Peter, who was an incredibly talented man and a fine ambassador for Holden," said Holden Chief Designer Sharon Gauci. "Peter left a lasting impression on Holden and our company heritage so Perfect Blue is our way of celebrating his achievements,” she added.

Inside, Holden has added silver stitching to the optional Onyx and Razor leather interior trims, while also updating the iQ multimedia system to be compatible with the latest smartphones.

Finally, Holden’s previously optional FE3 super sports suspension set-up is now standard across all three body styles of the SS V Redline Edition series including the sedan, Sportwagon and Ute.

Interior and exterior design enhancements across the range include:
Omega
•New seven-spoke 16” alloy wheels
•New chrome-highlighted lower outboard fascia inserts
Berlina
Builds on Omega features with –
•New unique chrome-highlighted fog lamp surrounds
•New interior silver seat stitching to complement the Razor/Onyx leather fabric trim option
Calais
No change
Calais V-Series
•New sedan lip spoiler
(also available as an accessory across the remaining sedan line-up)
Commodore SV6 and SS
•New chrome-highlighted lower air dam and front grille surround
•New interior silver stitching on seat and door trims with Razor/Onyx leather trim
Commodore SS V-Series
Builds on SV6 and SS features with –
•Additional chrome-accented lower outboard inserts
•Redhot interior stitching on seats and door trim for models featuring the Redhot interior trim (only available with Redhot, Phantom and Alto Grey exterior colours)

Redline
Builds on SS V only, with -
•FE3 performance tuned-suspension added to Sportwagon and Ute – now available across all three Commodore body styles
•New 10-spoke 19” polished and forged alloy wheels
•New red-painted Brembo 4-piston front brakes and rear brake callipers
The VE MY12 colour palette features 11 choices, including two new colours. The new colours are:
•Perfect Blue – a bright solid blue based on Brock’s Formula Blue
•Chlorophyll – a metallic teal
Carryover colors include:
•Alto Grey –mid-toned grey with silver highlights
•Hazard – head turning bright solid yellow
•Mirage Glow – a light, soft and luxurious beige
•Sizzle – bright metallic red
•Heron – solid white
•Karma – an architectural blue with metallic highlights
•Nitrate – a classic silver metallic
•Phantom – metallic black with silver highlights
•Red Hot – highly chromatic solid red