Holden has released a new limited-edition flagship version of its Thai-built Colorado one-tonne ute, dubbed the Z71 Xtreme and equipped with a host of additional equipment to boost its off-road credentials.

Following in the muddy footsteps of Toyota’s HiLux Rugged X and now able to access the most difficult of job sites, the Z71 Xtreme is based on an Australian-designed concept of the same name shown at the Bangkok motor show a couple of years ago, and carries into production many of the accessories used on the show special.

Priced at $69,990 driveaway, the Xtreme doesn’t come cheap, but Holden claims it has more than $19,000 worth of extra equipment and genuine accessories that justify the increase in price over the donor Colorado Z71 dual cab, which tops out at $57,190 plus on-road costs.

These include what Holden is claiming is a best-in-class winch – fully integrated with winch bar and heavy-duty bash plate, and offering a 10,000lb load capacity and 30m synthetic line – along with upgraded front suspension, high-performance LED front light bar, vehicle recovery kit and 18-inch (265/60 R18) Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tyres.

There is a roof tray kit, rear steel step built into the bumper, full towing package (offering up to 3.5t braked capacity), soft tonneau cover and, of a more cosmetic nature, black grille, bonnet bulge, fender flares, black tubular side steps, black extended sports bar, Colorado branding on the tailgate and Xtreme decals on the rear flanks.

The powertrain remains unchanged, with the 2.8-litre ‘Duramax’ four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel remaining in service with 147kW of power on offer (from 3600rpm) and, given this is only available with an automatic gearbox, 500Nm of torque (from 2000-2200rpm).

The transmission in question is the familiar six-speed auto with ‘Active Select’ sequential manual gear selection, driving through a part-time four-wheel-drive system.

Holden has advised that the extra components add about 150kg to the vehicle, giving a useable payload of around 850kg. The Xtreme’s GVM (3150kg) and maximum front (1450kg) and rear axle mass (1850kg) remain the same as a Z71.

Other headline features common to high-series (LTZ/Z71) Colorado variants include a MyLink infotainment system with 8.0-inch colour touchscreen, satellite navigation and premium audio, remote vehicle start, climate-control air-conditioning, leather upholstery and electric/heated front seats.

All Colorados come with seven airbags as standard, and as a crew cab the Xtreme includes rear park assist and a reversing camera.

Other safety features include automatic headlights, an electronic stability control system that incorporates various other headline items (ABS brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, rollover mitigation, traction control, hill start assist, hill descent control and trailer sway control), while top-end variants such as this one add more technology such as front park assist, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, tyre pressure monitoring and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.