Don't underestimate the power of competition.
This is just speculative silliness of course, but it's funny to note how rapidly the ute world down here reacted to Ford's launch of their Ranger Raptor.
Just a few days after its explosive launch in Thailand, Toyota put their hand up shouting 'me too, me too!' with the launch of their range-topping Hilux SR5 Cruiser. And now we have Holden and HSV, who have confirmed the pricing of the SportsCat and SportsCat+ utes.
As per the headline, pricing begins at $73,990 for the 'base' manual-equipped SportsCat model. The base SportsCat+ chimes in with a start price of $80,990.
Another two grand on either model gets you the automatic transmission, and the SportsCat+ model's optional newfangled SupaShock suspension set-up and 'sail plane' rear sports bar garnish will set buyers back another $4000 and $1500 respectively.
So where do those prices place the SportsCat. Well, in its cheapest form it's $9000 more than the current top-spec Colorado (the Z71), and $6350 more than the current range-topping Ford Ranger (the Wildtrak).
Another amusing comparison is that the top of the range SportsCat+, hypothetically optioned out with SupaShocks and an automatic transmission (to a total price of $86,990) is ten grand more than a VF Commodore SSV Redline, and just $12,000 less than a 30th Anniversary Maloo R8.
Yes yes, I know. Those are different vehicles from a different market. But, these are (were?) the vehicles being bought up by Holden and HSV's enthusiast fanbase, and in that context perhaps it's a worthy comparison.
We drove pre-production versions of the SportsCat late last year on the Gold Coast, and were very impressed with its track chops and off-road expertise. Will it impress the buying public when it lands, too?
We'll have to wait and see.