2016 Holden Colorado ute update previewed in Bangkok

This Chevrolet concept from Bangkok Motor Show is next Holden Colorado.

Australia, your new Holden Colorado ute is almost ready.

This Chevrolet concept ute -- built by Holden in Australia for this week's Bangkok motor show -- is the clearest look yet at the face-lifted Colorado due in local showrooms in August.

It can't come soon enough, with sales of the Colorado failing to meet expectations -- or leave a dent on the competition.

To clear stock Holden has recently discounted the Colorado by up to $8000 on certain models.

But Holden hopes the updated model will boost sales and close the gap to the four-door 4WD versions of the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara -- all of which outsell the Colorado.

While the high-riding concept vehicle with orange highlights points to a possible rival to the flagship Ford Ranger Wildtrak -- which is sold out for six months -- the big news is behind the new nose and under the skin.

Holden is said to have given the Colorado a major mechanical overhaul to make it drive better, with much needed local tuning of the steering and suspension.

The updated model is also likely to be the most high-tech version of the Colorado to date

It's also said to be much quieter, with improvements to noise insulation in the cabin.

Meanwhile the interior is said to have been given a makeover, with better quality materials, bigger door pockets and Apple CarPlay and Android apps in the audio touchscreen.

It is unclear, however, if Holden will ditch the Colorado's unpopular navigation app which uses mobile phone data and instead replace it with a more conventional design.

Joining the Toyota HiLux which set the benchmark for back-up safety, a rear-view camera is likely to be standard on most if not all new versions of the Colorado.

The updated model is also likely to be the most high-tech version of the Colorado to date; spy photos of the car being tested during development show tiny cameras in the windscreen that can alert the driver of an impending crash -- but the car doesn't automatically brake.

Fully autonomous braking is not yet available on any workhorse ute but several brands are expected to offer it in the coming years.

The updated Ford Ranger ute released last year was first in class with the option of radar cruise control and lane-keeping technology, and the latest Toyota HiLux has been photographed while doing tests in Europe to detect -- and automatically brake for -- pedestrians.

Meanwhile, the Colorado7 seven-seat four-wheel-drive is also expected to the get the same styling upgrades as the ute, and the name may be changed to Trailblazer, as it is known in Thailand and other Asian markets.

The 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine used on both models is expected to be unchanged.

Meanwhile the towing capacities of both vehicles are likely to remain at 3500kg for the Colorado ute and 3000kg for the Colorado7/Trailblazer.

Check out this behind-the-scenes look at how Holden put the Chevrolet Colorado ute concept together: