The pickup segment in the local auto industry has become much more dynamic beginning this year, thanks to the full tax exemption granted on this vehicle type by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act. If you need clear proof of this statement, you only have to take note of the local launch of the Ford Ranger Raptor (which is actually today, September 21st).

And because the Ranger Raptor is currently the talk of our pickup-loving town, Ford’s competitors need to somehow soften the blow which their respective trucks are expected to receive in the coming days, weeks, even months. One such rival is Chevrolet, which is doing exactly that by bringing in the Colorado High Country Storm, which was previously only available in other markets in the region.

This special-edition Colorado is more an exercise in aesthetic enhancement than it is in performance upgrade, but Chevrolet Philippines is hoping that the cosmetic tweaks are enough to capture the attention of Filipino buyers who are now mostly fixated on the Blue Oval’s mean machine.

To be fair to the Colorado, its powerplant doesn’t really need improving. The 2.8-liter four-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel produces 200hp and 500Nm—almost the same numbers as those of the Ranger Raptor (210hp and 500Nm). Clearly, the Colorado isn’t lacking in sheer brawn. It’s in the exterior appearance that Chevy’s truck needs to catch up with Ford’s alpha pickup.

To this end, Chevrolet gave the Colorado High Country Storm the following styling features: black hood and body decals; black 18-inch alloy wheels; black side mirrors; black door and tailgate handles; black rear sports bar lining the cargo bed; and black anthracite rear bumper.

Inside, the Colorado High Country Storm boasts an eight-inch multimedia touchscreen with the latest Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system (compatible with Apple CarPlay and includes Bluetooth connectivity and voice recognition software).

On the safety front, this Colorado comes equipped with antilock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, front airbags, cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision alert, tire pressure monitor, traction control, hill-start assist, hill descent control, trailer sway control, electronic stability control, front and rear parking assist, and rear camera.

The Colorado High Country Storm is available in just one variant—4×4 and with a six-speed automatic transmission. The price: P1,638,888.

This pickup may not match the Ranger Raptor in overall desirability, but it’s still a tempting proposition. It’s always good to have many options, you know.