HOLDEN Special Vehicles (HSV) holds a special place in the hearts of Australian performance car enthusiasts and over 30 years has rightly earned an enviable reputation for designing, engineering and manufacturing a range of menacing lion-badged models – including the Commodore ute – that are specifically tailored to the Aussie market.

The best of these were built using Holden’s Australian-developed large-car architecture and a formula which included a soul-stirring V8 petrol engine, outstanding vehicle dynamics, advanced technology, aggressive styling and superb cabin accommodation.

In 2018, with only imports to work with now that the Aussie-bred rear-drive V8 Commodore has drawn its last breath, HSV has turned its attention to one of the most popular vehicle segments – one-tonne utilities – and the escalating interest in premium sports versions, creating its own unique vision of the Holden Colorado it dubs the SportsCat.

It is a natural choice, and a reason to celebrate. But after casting an admiring eye over the bodywork, HSV’s decision not to touch the Colorado’s standard diesel engine and to limit its handiwork to a few key areas has us wondering how well it stacks up against the best in class and whether it really deserves that badge with the roaring lion and racing helmet.

Time to find out…