Raptor Vs Sports Cat: Showroom Customs

Any Ute Can Be Improved From Stock, But Why Do It Yourself When You Can Buy Pre-enhanced Units Like This Duo?

- Fraser Stronach

DUAL-CAB 4x4 utes are designed for a wide variety of potential roles including as a work truck, farm vehicle, family transport, tow rig or recreational 4x4. The fact today’s dualcab utes can fulfil so many roles is the key reason why they are the top sellers in today’s new-car market. At the same time, this ‘allthings-to-all people’ approach means there’s always compromise in dual-cab design as manufacturers try to build one ute that can do everything. Many ute buyers address this multipurpose, compromised approach by adding accessories or modifying their vehicle so it’s better at what they want it to do. This is what Ford Performance and Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) have done here, namely built a ute that’s more specialised in its design intent.

Both of these utes can loosely be called ‘sports’ utes, but the sporty bit is nothing to do with engine performance, rather chassis enhancement. Ford’s Raptor is unashamedly designed for superior off-road performance, while HSV’s SportsCat is all about improving off-road performance and on-road dynamics. In many ways they are quite different, but at the same time similar, so how do they compare? Or is it a matter of contrast? We line them up to find out.

HSV COLORADO SPORTS CAT

More than meets the eye

IN CREATING THE SPORTSCAT, HSV’S ENGINEERS HAVE DONE MUCH MORE THAN JUST ADD NEW WHEELS, BIGGER TYRES AND A SUSPENSION LIFT.