Top XNUMX Cars We'd Like to See at Holden
Content
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup could be just what Holden needs to capitalize on growing Australian interest.
General Motors (GM) still clearly cares about Australia if they send us a new Chevrolet Corvette.
While this is great news for Holden, and should help boost the brand's image and credibility in sports cars, it will join the rest of the lineup as imports from the GM empire - be it the Acadia or GMC's Chevrolet Trax.
However, there are plenty of other GM vehicles we'd love to see on the Holden showroom floor that could draw attention to the once-top car brand.
Note that we haven't tested the numbers in any of these photos, so it's hard to say if they're even possible from an engineering or economic standpoint, but these models could solidify the Holden brand.
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
It is understood that HSV has considered importing and converting the American Colorado ZR2.
The most obvious candidate is the American Colorado. The ZR2 was supposed to be Holden's answer to the successful Ford Ranger Raptor.
Powered by a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and fitted with custom shock absorbers built by Multimatic (the same Canadian engineers behind the Ford GT), the ZR2 is a serious off-road machine.
It is understood that HSV considered importing and converting the American Colorado ZR2, but was unable to match the numbers. The next-generation Colorado is believed to be a global offering (Currently, Holden's Colorado is the Thailand-built version), so it's hoped one day it will arrive.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
HSV is already converting the Silverado 2500 and 3500 pickups to right-hand drive.
Unlike the ZR2, HSV has already managed to make a case for converting the larger Silverado 2500 and 3500 pickups to RHD. He does it at the same Melbourne plant where Ram Australia builds the increasingly popular 1500.
It would then make sense for Holden and HSV to offer the smaller Silverado 1500 (which is still bigger than the Colorado) to cash in on the growing American-style pickup market as an alternative to the double cab. cliff.
Chevrolet Suburb
The Suburban will compete with the Toyota LandCruiser in terms of size and space.
Those with long memories will remember that Holden previously offered the Suburban in the 1990s. Perhaps it was the right car at the wrong time. Back in the 90s it was considered too big for Australian families and was instead bought mainly by TV companies as mobile broadcasters.
Fast forward to 2019 and it seems like Aussies are in love with seven seater SUVs and something like the Suburban (or its slightly shorter sibling the Tahoe) would be perfect.
It will surpass the Toyota LandCruiser in size and space, and put other seven-seat SUVs to shame with their large third-row seats.
Since it's built on pretty much the same fundamentals as the Silverado 1500, it's possible Holden and HSV could work together to add up the numbers.
Chevrolet trail blazer
A sleek-looking SUV could neatly fill a gap in Holden's product.
It's not just the big SUVs that Australians love and Holden needs. The all-new Chevy Trailblazer (not to be confused with the Thai Trailblazer from Colorado currently on offer here) is a new small SUV that sits in between the aging Trax and the midsize Equinox.
With the latest Chevy styling and new turbocharged three-cylinder engines, the Trailblazer (it would need a new name) could give Holden a rival to the likes of the new Mazda CX-30 and Kia Seltos.
Chevrolet Blazer
The Blazer is available in the US in both a luxury-inclined version and Camaro-inspired RS form.
Looks like modern car companies can't get enough SUVs these days. So the addition of the overtly sporty Blazer would be another possible boost for Holden.
Sandwiched between the Equinox and Acadia, the Blazer is available in the US in both a deluxe version and a Camaro-inspired RS version.
The success of powerful crossovers in the luxury market (think Audi SQ5, BMW X4 and even Porsche Macan) suggests that there are buyers who will really appreciate a sport utility vehicle.
With no major brand currently offering something suitable (the Ford Escape ST Line is just a cosmetic update), Holden could take the lead with a Blazer RS with a 230kW V6 engine.
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
The king of Corvettes will reportedly get a twin-turbocharged V8 with hybrid all-wheel drive.
While the standard Corvette C8 Stingray is showroom lock for Holden, no one at Holden or GM has made any commitment to the expected Z06 and ZR1 versions.
Hopefully it's just a matter of time before both are confirmed because the ZR1 hero rumors have been overwhelming this week. The King of Corvettes is reportedly getting a twin-turbocharged V8 and supercharged all-wheel drive hybrid.
While it will almost certainly be the most expensive car to ever sit on Holden's showroom floor, it's also likely to be the most powerful, with a claimed 671kW.
It's the kind of power and performance that some hypercars might worry about… imagine buying them from your local Holden dealer.
Chevrolet Bolt
The Bolt was not the hit that Chevy expected in America.
The Chevrolet Bolt electric subcompact car (similar in size to the Barina) was a continuation of the Volt plug-in hybrid which was actually sold in Australia with the Holden badge.
Like the Suburban, the Volt may have been the right car at the wrong time (although that didn't help its $60 price tag), offering cutting-edge technology in a compact package.
The Bolt wasn't the hit Chevy expected in America, but given the expanding market for electric vehicles, Holden could do well to get back in the game.
Small in size and using the latest GM battery technology, it boasts a range of over 400 km, which is very competitive in today's electric vehicle market.
Cadillacs
It's more of a new brand than a specific model, but the timing seems better than ever for the iconic American luxury division.
Breaking into the Australian market is not easy, as Infiniti has proven, although Cadillac does have a bit more heritage than the Nissan-owned brand.
For the past five years, people at GM or Cadillac have downplayed the prospect of its expansion in Australia, saying that the sedan lineup was wrong given the explosive popularity of SUVs.
Only now there are a few Caddy SUVs - the XT4, XT5, XT6 and the jacked-up Suburban known as the Escalade.
Throw in the Statesman-like CT6 and CT6-V sport sedans that loyal Holden Commodore buyers will love, and you have the makings of a productive spin-off of Holden.
