by Unique pickup prototype with a V8 engine
A factory prototype, created in a single specimen, is equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 LT1 engine from the Corvette. It was built by Walkinshaw as a competitor to the Ford Ranger Raptor, but the project was closed along with the closure of Holden. This vehicle is currently offered for sale in Australia at a price of 299,990 Australian dollars.
Although fans very much wanted this, General Motors never offered a V8 version for the Chevrolet Colorado or its twin, the GMC Canyon. The same was true for Holden in Australia. However, the company was very close to doing so. Holden Special Vehicles, the brand’s performance division founded in 1987 through a joint venture with the Walkinshaw Group, created a production-ready prototype with a powerful V8 engine before the project was shut down.
Seven years later, this one-of-a-kind specimen has been put up for sale in Australia. Whoever purchases it will acquire a competitor to the Ford Ranger Raptor that never made it to series production.
Prototype details and its value
The prototype is named HSV Colorado SportsCat V8. It was put up for sale by Young Timers Garage (YTG) at a high price of 299,000 Australian dollars (approximately 211,200 US dollars at the current exchange rate) before taxes. This makes it one of the most expensive pickups currently available in Australia, although it is still cheaper than modified imported Ford F-350 and Chevy Silverado HD trucks. The SportsCat last changed hands in 2021 when Walkinshaw sold it at auction for 205,000 Australian dollars (144,800 US dollars).
What makes it special?
The SportsCat V8 debuted in 2019. Unlike the standard Colorado SportsCat, which was equipped with a standard 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine, this one received a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 from General Motors. The LT1 powertrain is the same engine used in the C7 Corvette and the sixth-generation Camaro. It is claimed to produce 469 horsepower (350 kW / 476 PS) and 650 Nm of torque.
Installing a small V8 into a mid-size pickup required serious work. According to CarExpert, Walkinshaw manufactured custom engine mounts, an air filter, a fuel system, an electronic control unit, new wiring, propeller shafts, and a modified 4×4 transfer case taken from the Chevy Silverado.
In addition to the engine swap, the vehicle features a special chassis with unique remote-reservoir shock absorbers, a 1-inch lift kit, reinforced anti-sway bars, front strut reinforcements, and a rear stabilizer bar. The braking system was also upgraded with larger AP Racing brakes.
Exterior and interior
Visually, the pickup is painted in Panorama Silver and features the SportsCat body kit, which includes special bumpers and a radiator grille, a body-colored underbody protection, wide fender flares, a hood scoop, a sport bar, and a hard tonneau cover. The 18-inch forged alloy wheels are shod with special off-road tires.
Inside, the vehicle has Alcantara and black leather upholstery with red stitching, a pair of sports seats, HSV logos, and a special plaque on the center console. The odometer reads 25,100 km (16,600 miles), so this prototype hasn’t just been sitting on a display stand. The vehicle also comes with promotional license plates reading SV8CAT, original books, manuals, and memorabilia items.
Why was the project cancelled?
Although the HSV Colorado SportsCat V8 was being developed for series production, the plans were cancelled in early 2020 when General Motors decided to close Holden and sell the Thai factory where the base pickup was produced.
This means the prototype became the last HSV with a V8 engine ever developed, making it even more special for Australian collectors. Whether someone will pay 300,000 Australian dollars for the privilege of owning a one-off specimen of a cancelled project remains to be seen.
This prototype stands as a testament to the engineering thought and ambition that existed in Australia before the closure of Holden. It combines the practicality of a pickup with the power of a sports car, making it a unique phenomenon in the market. The high price likely reflects not only its rarity but also its historical value as the last representative of the V8 era from HSV, which may interest serious collectors seeking something truly exclusive for their garage.
