The hottest utes coming to Motorama

Posted by Motorama in Buyer Advice

Utes are big business, and high-end utes are even more of a draw to potential buyers.

We took a look at some of the luxury performance utes coming soon.

Ford Ranger Raptor

The regular Ranger has an upmarket version in the Wildtrak that sits above the regular top-of-the-range XLT, and is already a best seller among cashed up families looking for a tough truck that can double down on the school run.

Building on the success of the current Ranger range, Ford will open up the taps even further with a high-performance Raptor – a beefed up ultra off-roader in the style of Dakar Rally or Baja desert racers, only with a lot more gadgets on the inside.

The Raptor will add more to the current Wildtrak, with tweaks required to the suspension, engine and electronics (including the 4X4 Terrain Management System); not to mention the new styling cues for the hi-po offroader.

Toyota Hilux TRD

While Toyota’s regular vehicles dominated sales charts in Australia, their performance arm (Toyota Racing Development) flailed in the late-2000s attempt to take on the better recognised HSV and FPV offerings with a TRD Aurion and Hilux.

In 2017, the TRD team came back to release a version (pictured) of the Hilux styled differently, but mechanically the same as the top-of-range SR5. It was very well received, so Toyota is considering allowing the TRD engineers at the Hilux again in 2018 for a proper bash at the mechanical parts.

This would mean heavier duty brakes, performance suspension and some tweaks to the panels to make it look tougher than a regular out-of-the-box Hilux. The 2.8L diesel would expect to find a home under the bonnet, after the current 4.0L V6 engine is discontinued.

Holden Colorado x HSV/Walkinshaw

When Australian production of the Commodore stopped – many wondered what the next step was for HSV’s retail future, as their entire catalogue was essentially discontinued.

Well, the HSV team went back to Holden and took the Colorado, one of their best-selling models, back to their labs to produce a high-performance version. Walkinshaw Performance will look at improving ride and handling which will lead to on- and off-road luxury, while HSV has already submitted designs for tough new styling which will beef up the Colorado further away from it’s Holden origins.

Expected to build on the current flagship Colorado Z71 (pictured), the HSV-Walkinshaw Colorado will sit above that in both price and specification - with custom engineered body panels already trademarked for the hot ute from Holden.

To stay up to date with all the new models arriving, and to be one of the first to take them for a test drive, make sure you get in touch with the friendly team at Motorama.