A legendary Holden nameplate entered a new era today with the launch of the all wheel drive (AWD) One Tonner Cross 6.

An Australian-made first, the AWD One Tonner Cross 6 is a ute capable of carrying a load and providing off-road capabilities.

One Tonner Cross 6 has a higher ground clearance than its One Tonner stablemate and features Cross Trac - Holden's permanent AWD system specifically designed for rugged Australian conditions.

Holden Chairman and Managing Director Denny Mooney said One Tonner Cross 6 would broaden Holden's extensive LCV range.

"One Tonner Cross 6 does the job on the toughest worksites in the city or the bush. It provides passenger car comfort and goes many places a traditional light truck couldn't."

Mr Mooney said One Tonner Cross 6 was aimed at tradesmen and rural buyers and would be introduced early in the second quarter of 2005.

Features
The One Tonner Cross 6 has a high ground clearance that helps it take on muddy terrain, loose, broken surfaces and steep gradients typical of many work sites, access roads and tracks.

The extra grip provided by Cross Trac traction control-based AWD improves safety and handling in a range of everyday driving situations.

One Tonner Cross 6 rides on a high load-rated all-terrain type 16-inch steel wheel/tyre combination and is powered by Holden's torquey 3.6 litre Alloytec V6, which produces load-pulling peak torque of 320Nm at 3600rpm and peak power of 175kW at 6000rpm. An upgraded four-speed automatic transmission gives improved launch feel and shift consistency under all operating conditions.

An improved, fast-response braking system with new brake booster and master cylinder is complemented by the latest Bosch 8 ABS, which uses automatic brake differential and electronic brake force distribution software to optimise traction across all wheels on differing road surfaces and vehicle load conditions.

Another active safety feature, brake assist, gives extra braking support when drivers hit the brake pedal hard and fast.

Specification
Minimum ground clearance at Kerb Load is 235 mm (101mm higher than the One Tonner).

The One Tonner Cross 6 ramp break over angle is 17 degrees at GVM and 19.5 degrees at Kerb Load. The approach angle is 21 degrees at GVM and 20 degrees at Kerb Load and the departure angle is 15 degrees at GVM and 20 degrees at Kerb Load.

After allowances for fuel, occupants and accessories, the One Tonner Cross 6 has a maximum carrying capacity of 828 kg (payload is 1016kg) in typical work situations.

It offers the light commercial functionality of a rear multi-spring suspension and a live rear axle, rated to 1460 kg. Front axle loading is 1230 kg; Gross vehicle Mass is 2685 kg; braked towing power is rated to 2100 kg with Holden towing package.

Style, Comfort, Features
Apart from a higher ground clearance, flared wheel arches and wider stance, the One Tonner Cross 6 is identified by a front facia with sedan-style integrated lower air intake, prominent black undertray mouldings and horizontal facia cut-outs.

Like its rear wheel drive relative, the One Tonner Cross 6 is equipped with passenger car-style comfort and convenience features. The cabin is finished in Gable neutral pewter fabric trim.

Standard items include power windows, cruise control, CD player, electric remote control exterior mirrors, driver airbag (although, sadly, a passenger airbag is optional rather than standard), four-way electric driver's seat, auto on/off headlamps and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

There is a choice of just four exterior colours: Heron white, Redhot, Phantom and Quicksilver.

Strength and Durability
The One Tonner part monocoque and part chassis frame construction incorporates a torque arm system. Two vertical uprights at the front of the chassis frame bolt to the back of the cab, each secured top and bottom and stabilised to make a rigid connection, stronger and more durable than welded 'torque box' systems.

The torsional rigidity of this chassis frame link improves driving dynamics and translates into passenger car-style ride comfort.

Key components are engineered to cope with all-road applications. They include front and rear 'bash plate' undertrays, heavy-duty engine cradle, front strut bracing, reinforced front and rear suspension, heavy duty brake and cooling systems.

The modified transmission is mounted on a two-piece system that doubles as an extra body brace and acts to improve safety performance in side impact crashes. Front strut bracing gives extra rigidity across the chassis and the exhaust system is packaged higher for rough track applications. An engine and underbody transmission protection plate is optional.

Cross Trac
Holden's all wheel drive Cross Trac system provides high levels of traction on a wide range of surfaces. It uses automatic brake differential (ABD) software and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) to achieve desired levels of traction across all wheels.

The rear wheel drive-biased torque split is 38 per cent front and 62 per cent rear for maximum flexibility and stability.

Cross Trac software is calibrated to cope with the sand, gravel and loose dirt surfaces that make up 65 per cent of Australian roads. Thousands of variables determine the amount of torque split required for maximum traction.

Flexibility
The One Tonner configuration lends itself to a broad range of custom body styles. Tray options include a general-purpose alloy tray and a dropside tray with removable sides, side ladder step and a contoured header board. Top of the range is a hardwood tray with colour-coded steel combing and load board.

Options
The list includes air conditioning; six disc in-dash CD changer; power antenna auto up/down; passenger airbag; towing equipment (2100 kg) and metallic paint.

On Sale:
April 2005.