First Drive: All New VE Commodore Range

[JoeT]

Behind The Wheel Of The VE Commodore

The Drive Team
2 August 2006
www.drive.com.au

After more than 1000km in every model in the Holden VE Commodore range, the Drive team delivers its verdict.

Over two days and more than 1000 kilometres of Victorian country roads (including Holden’s Lang Lang proving ground south of Melbourne) the drive.com.au team delivers its verdict on Holden’s new VE Commodore.

Read about every model, from the sporty SS V to the luxurious Calais and the volume-selling Omega.

More importantly, read why the VE Commodore is the best car ever to come out of Australia.

Just click on the links below to read about each model. Or read further down for the bits we like and the bits we don’t like on the VE Commodore.

Use the links below to view the full drive impressions

Holden Commodore Omega

Holden Commodore Berlina

Holden Calais

Holden Calais-V

Holden Commodore SV6

Holden Commodore SS

Holden Commodore SS-V

Video: Driving Holden's VE Commodore


The VE Commodore In A Nutshell

We Like

- Tight body that makes it feel more composed and able.
-Cabin is impressively quiet.
- Refinement has made huge leap forwards.
- V8 engines sound awesome and deliver plenty in the way of performance.
- Smart six-speed auto on V8 models.
- More progressive feel to accelerator pedal.
- Near 50-50 weight balance makes for confident (and sporty) road manners.
- ESP is standard on every model.
- More progressive and accurate steering.
- Attention to detail.
- Real metal used on door handles and dash strips of some luxury models.
- Quality action to things like the windscreen wipers.
- New easy-grab exterior door handles.
- The boot finally has hinges that don’t invade boot space.
- Visual differentiation between base/luxury/sports models.
- Improved shift action to six-speed manual on V8s.
- Price rises have been kept to a minimum.
- It’s the most complete-feeling Australian-made car to date.

We Don't Like

- Massive A-pillars obscure vision through corners.
- Four-speed auto is still not up to 2006 standards.
- You have to pay extra (albeit not much) for a full-size spare tyre. As someone pointed out, “that’s un-Australian”.
- Curtain airbags are still optional on base vehicles.
- Air-conditioning still listed as an option on base cars.
- Not enough mechanical differentiation between Calais/Calais V and SV/SS/SS V.
- SV6 doesn’t drive as good as it looks.
- Heavier bodies take their toll on V6 performance.
- Lighter steering not for everyone.
- Carryover indicator stalks are an unwanted reminder of VZ.
- Shiny plastics looks cheap in places, particularly on the SV6.
- Plastic fit on early production cars could be improved, especially the plastic strips on the inside of the windscreen.
- The obscure name game that’s seen things like Berlina replace Acclaim, SS replace SV8 and Calais replace Berlina.
- Split-fold rear seat is not available.
- Rear wing on sports models hinders rear vision.

[mbukukanyau]

The ausies are awake

[Martino_z]

Hopefully they havent stuffed the steering up. I really hate cars that have light steering, because to me it feels like somethings been taken away. One of the things I love about my power steeringless kingswood.

[redTT]

DRIVE IMPRESSIONS FROM CARSALES



VE DRIVEN: SS V (August 2006)



Words - Joe Kenwright

The new VE SS V is the Australian V8 muscle car that spells the end of the ‘lead-tipped arrow’

Australian Launch
Melbourne, August 2006

What we liked
>> Awesome performance
>> Huge braking and handling reserves
>> Complete safety package

And not so much
>> It needs a lot of road
>> Still thinking
>> Still thinking



There have been some good, even great Commodore V8 models, but few of them felt like they hadn’t reached the limits of the original design. Despite its massive performance the VE SS V does not feel even close to placing its VE platform under duress.

In terms of a local V8 muscle car, it drives like nothing else -- end of story.

It’s not overstating the point that all other icon Aussie performance models will be lumped together as those that appeared before the SS V and those that had to lift their game to even catch a glimpse of its handsome but fast disappearing rump. Simply Holden has moved the game on...

The secret, of course, is despite the big upgrades in engine, transmissions and rear axle, the VE clean sheet design has generated near perfect 50:50 weight distribution. It also has one of the best ESP systems ever on a muscle car which allows you hang it out at the hoary limits knowing there is a giant safety net ready to put you back in your place.

It also has upsized brakes that you can stomp on without the normal Commodore feeling that you might push the pedal and the firewall into the engine. The solidity of all the controls, the total lack of complaint or sign of any duress, no matter how hard you stoke the SS-V, is commendable.

Most importantly, while it is highly entertaining it can revert to a highly sophisticated, even soothing family tourer in an instant. Consumption is going to be at least 2.0-3.0lt/100km thirstier than the SV6 but if you’re set on owning the hottest Holden-badged VE you won’t sweat the details?

The SS V highlights everything that is right about the new VE series. Where the VE sixes don’t always have enough torque and can be a touch raucous, the L98 V8 feels like it was built for the job (Ed: it was, wasn’t it?). The power and torque generated by a generous six-litre capacity make a nonsense of any extra weight. It is also silky smooth with the rumble of distant thunder. The grip of 19-inch alloys, the biggest standard wheel every offered by Holden history, leaves nothing to chance.

It is also the first VE level where Holden removes its corporate grey coats and goes wild with cabin colours. If you order an SS V in Ignition Orange, you can specify orange dash sections, orange perforated leather inserts and orange instrument cluster. So what if it feels like you have stepped into a Griffith orange grove, it’s fun and alive.

If you order a black or silver SS-V, you can order the same parts in red or orange -- all at no extra cost.

The SS V has just about everything you need including projector head lights, 6.5-inch multi-function screen, curtain airbags, dual zone climate control, 230W sound system with sub-woofer, unique profile leather wrapped sports steering wheel, premium inner doors with grab handles, full leather trim and alloy pedals.

Its great value at $51,990 compared to the old SS at $51,790. Even if you do have to pay $250 more for a full-sized spare wheel!

You heard right, it’s just $200 more than the old SS. Even without the extra equipment and the choice of a totally re-engineered six-speed M10 manual or all-new six-speed auto, the experience of a fast V8 model that can hold a neutral line through corners at high speed even on broken surfaces are worth several times the piddling premium.

The big-hearted wallop that can be called up with a flick of the Active Select transmission lever is unprecedented in any Holden. So too is the total lack of driveline shunt or vibration. Nor is there a murmur from the rear end as it processes this pile driver force.

Indeed, the overall SS V package leaves its $51,330 XR8 rival in serious trouble when the Ford is thirstier, not as quick and front heavy in comparison to the new Holden.

Feature for feature the SS V also has the Falcon pinned to the canvas. Even if you argue the XR8’s six-speed auto is significantly better than the SS V transmission, the L98 V8 has such an even spread of torque and superior power output that it doesn’t matter. And the way an SS V buyer can differentiate their car from lesser SV6 (for more click here) and SS models will make XR8 owners red and orange with envy.

Where the XR8 can only boast a lonely power bulge over the base XR6 models, the SS V starts out as more differentiated over other Commodores then adds quad exhausts, different headlights, rocket launcher tail lights, 19-inch alloys with their own spoke pattern, larger rear spoiler with black support structure and V badging.

The SS V also leaves the top-shelf V8 Euros suddenly staring at the law of ever diminishing returns.

[AusCalais]

Well that's one very positive review!

The only negative is that the ZF 6 speed auto is better than the GM 6 speed...unfortunately they don't go into the shortcomings in any great detail.

[mikmak]

Its a nice change of pace to see Drive.com.au and CArsales.com.au say some positive things about Holden. It has been negative nancy for years. Of course, once the hype dies down, it will be back to whinging.

[Stéphane Dumas]

I wonder if a diesel VE Commodore will arrive soon? It could give an hidden ace for the Commodore.

[01cavalier]

Wow, great reviews. Makes me want to see them available in the US even more...

[tgagneguam]

Not surprisingly, I like the two top-of-the-line versions, the Calias-V V-8 and the SS V-8 both for their looks and their apparent performance (as described generally and favorably by the reviewer).

For those of you who stumble with power conversions like me, you can check out this site to determine more familiar hp and pound-feet of torque ratings for the Aussie Commodore engines (the output isn't exactly the same as the USA 6.0 V-8, for example).

[BBDOS CV8]

Holden gets the L98, almost the same engine as L76, to give HSV something to upsell - HSV's version of the LS2 for VE is tipped at 415-420hp.

[Univex]

The Drive Team, drive.com.au, 02/08/06
After more than 1000km in every model in the Holden VE Commodore range, the Drive team delivers its verdict.

Holden Commodore VE Omega

More on this car:

• Photo Gallery Photo Gallery

• Driving Holden's VE Commodore

Over two days and more than 1000 kilometres of Victorian country roads (including Holden’s Lang Lang proving ground south of Melbourne) the drive.com.au team delivers its verdict on Holden’s new VE Commodore.
Read about every model, from the sporty SS V to the luxurious Calais and the volume-selling Omega.
More importantly, read why the VE Commodore is the best car ever to come out of Australia.
Just click on the links below to read about each model. Or read further down for the bits we like and the bits we don’t like on the VE Commodore.
Use the links below to view the full drive impressions:
Holden Commodore Omega
Holden Commodore Berlina
Holden Calais
Holden Calais-V
Holden Commodore SV6
Holden Commodore SS
Holden Commodore SS-V

The VE Commodore in a nutshell:


We like

• Tight body that makes it feel more composed and able.
• Cabin is impressively quiet.
• Refinement has made huge leap forwards.
• V8 engines sound awesome and deliver plenty in the way of performance.
• Smart six-speed auto on V8 models.
• More progressive feel to accelerator pedal.
• Near 50-50 weight balance makes for confident (and sporty) road manners.
• ESP is standard on every model.
• More progressive and accurate steering.
• Attention to detail.
• Real metal used on door handles and dash strips of some luxury models.
• Quality action to things like the windscreen wipers.
• New easy-grab exterior door handles.
• The boot finally has hinges that don’t invade boot space.
• Visual differentiation between base/luxury/sports models.
• Improved shift action to six-speed manual on V8s.
• Price rises have been kept to a minimum.
• It’s the most complete-feeling Australian-made car to date.

We don't like

• Massive A-pillars obscure vision through corners.
• Four-speed auto is still not up to 2006 standards.
• You have to pay extra (albeit not much) for a full-size spare tyre. As someone pointed out, “that’s un-Australian”.
• Curtain airbags are still optional on base vehicles.
• Air-conditioning still listed as an option on base cars.
• Not enough mechanical differentiation between Calais/Calais V and SV6/SS/SS V.
• SV6 doesn’t drive as good as it looks.
• Heavier bodies take their toll on V6 performance.
• Lighter steering not for everyone.
• Carryover indicator stalks are an unwanted reminder of VZ.
• Shiny plastics looks cheap in places, particularly on the SV6.
• Plastic fit on early production cars could be improved, especially the plastic strips on the inside of the windscreen.
• The obscure name game that’s seen things like Berlina replace Acclaim, SS replace SV8 and Calais replace Berlina.
• Split-fold rear seat is not available.
• Rear wing on sports models hinders rear vision.

[MrMax]

Love that Calais V. I would actually love to see these brought to the states, with new fascias and called Pontiacs. They look good enough as is.

[JoeT]

I was just watching a video from www.drive.com.au with HRT's Todd Kelly show how Holden's new ESP feature works, both turned on and off. The system works well. Great powerslides.
http://media.drive.com.au/?rid=20846...te=271&flash=1

[demonv8]

GoAuto.com has praised the Omege entry level as well, even the old 4 speed is up to the task. I can see Sereis 2 with 5 speed Auto as standard on the Omega/Berlina, new headlights and more power for the V6 models and the full spare tyre a no cost option...these are the only negatives the journos are pointing out...

The website hinted that the SS-V is eaual of the BMW 5 series, but a third of the cost...we'll see!

[demonv8]

I saw a new Statesman on the road 2 nights ago...it has a real road presence, reminded me of a high level Euro barge......