Sydney Motor Show: 16 New Holden's On Display

[JoeT]

Holden Displays 16 New Releases At Australian International Motor Show

GM Media
26 October 2006
www.media.gm.com

Holden’s historic year of new car launches has culminated at the Australian International Motor Show with 16 cars appearing for the first time at an Australian show.

Headline models include Australia’s best selling car range, the all-new VE Commodore, WM Statesman and Caprice long-wheelbase cars and the all-new Captiva SUV launched earlier this month.

Holden provided a glimpse of the future with two new additions to the AH Astra range. The Astra TwinTop hard top convertible and Astra SRi hatch, both to be launched later this year, strengthen one of the most comprehensive small vehicle ranges in Australia.

Holden’s Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alan Batey, said the Holden show stand reflected the company’s largest ever year of vehicle launches encompassing local production and import sources from across General Motors.

“This has been a massive year for Holden and we have an exciting new product portfolio ready to present to the Sydney public for the first time,” Mr Batey said.

“Our VE and WM models represent a new era for Holden. They were an enormous commitment aimed at evolving and growing the Holden brand.

“Our new Captiva SUV range and Astra additions also mean there’s something for everyone on this stand.”

VE and WM

Launched in July, Holden’s $1 billion VE Commodore program represented the company’s largest ever vehicle development program.

Described by Holden’s Executive Director of Engineering, Tony Hyde, as “the car we always wanted to build”, VE Commodore has more power, torque and refinement than any previous Holden sedan range.

A strong focus was placed on active and passive safety with features such as Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) now standard on all models.

The Holden stand features a range of VE Commodores including the limited edition Commodore V Series, sporty SV6 and SS V and prestige Calais and Calais V, as well as a petrol-LPG dual-fuel Berlina.

The top-of-the-range WM Statesman and Caprice models are also on show, offering more differentiation from their short wheelbase siblings than ever before.

Major aspects of the interior design, including the instrument pad, cluster, centre console, seating, door trims, fabrics and finishes, are exclusive.

Detail highlights include signature LED repeater lamps in the fender vents, striking LED tail lamps and bright chrome accents. The jewelled headlamp design is also unique.

Captiva

Holden’s all new Captiva SUV range will be on display including the five-seater SX, the seven-seater LX and the sporty five-seater MaXX.

The choice of five and seven seats delivers a flexible and highly specified range that will appeal to the medium and compact-sized SUV market.

Powered by the high-performance Australian-built Alloytec 3.2-litre V6 engine, Captiva produces 169kW of peak power and 297Nm of peak torque in the SX, CX and LX models. Captiva MaXX generates 167kW of peak power and the same peak torque as other Captiva models.

The intelligent active all-wheel drive system found on all models contributes to Captiva’s versatile appeal and is fully integrated into the ESP and ABS systems, improving vehicle control and active safety.

Astra

Holden’s second biggest selling carline, Astra, welcomes three new additions to the already extensive range.

The Astra TwinTop retractable hard top convertible and sporty SRi three-door coupe and five-door hatch variants further enhance the AH Astra line-up.

All are driven by the powerful 2.2-litre direct injection four cylinder ECOTEC engine, producing 110kW of peak power and 215Nm of peak torque.

The new models are highly specified with features including 17-inch alloy wheels, Electronic Stability Program, a sports chassis pack and leather trim seats. The Astra TwinTop and SRi five-door hatch will be on display.

The complete small car range

The two new Astra offerings are displayed next to two other stable mates introduced this year.

The sporty AH Astra SRi turbo coupe, with its sleek silhouette and lowered stance, is alongside the Astra turbo diesel five-door hatch which delivers outstanding performance and improved fuel economy.

To complement the small car range, the Viva hatch and Barina three and five-door models will also be on display. These variants have been tailored for Australian driving conditions by Holden engineers offering outstanding levels of standard equipment and value for money.

The Tigra cabriolet completes the small car line-up. The sporty two-seater roadster was the first hardtop convertible to wear the Holden badge and was crowned "Cabrio of the Year 2004" at the Geneva Motor Show.

Thunder Ute special edition and SV6 Ute

Holden has released a special edition SS Thunder Ute which features Holden’s Gen IV, 6.0-litre V8 engine and offers more than $3,000 extra value.

The special edition ute signifies outstanding value by offering key features including 18-inch alloy wheels, twin aero form hard tonneau cover, red painted brake calipers with a Holden logo on the front brakes and leather faced seat and door trim.

The SV6 Ute is a new addition to Holden’s LCV portfolio and now comes with the option of a five-speed automatic transmission.

It is powered by the High Output Alloytec V6 engine which produces peak power of 190kW at 6500rpm (automatic transmission) and 187kW at 6000rpm (manual transmission) and 335Nm of peak torque at 3200rpm.

Holden Vehicle Display – Australian International Motor Show 2006:

VE Commodore V Series
VE Commodore SV6
VE Commodore SS V
VE Commodore Berlina LPG
VE Commodore Calais
VE Commodore Calais V
WM Statesman V6
WM Caprice V8
Captiva MaXX
Captiva LX
Captiva SX
AH Astra SRi turbo
AH Astra CDTi
AH Astra SRi Hatch
AH Astra TwinTop
TK Barina 3 Door
TK Barina 5 Door Hatch
JF Viva 5 Door Hatch
XC Tigra
VZ SV6 Ute
VZ SS Thunder Ute
RA Rodeo LT Crew Cab V6

The Australian International Motor Show 2006 is at the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, and runs from 26 October to 5 November 2006.

ESP® is a registered trademark of Daimler Chrysler AG
Power and torque figures as per ECE regulations

Astra TwinTop and Hummer H3

[hq308]

I'm a little disappointed that they don't have a cool concept car on display this year. I guess we got spoiled with Efijy last year.

[paul8488]

So are just the hot Astra coupes coming? I thought the old Astra (aka Barina) was replaced with the GMDAT Lacetti/Optra due top cost, and that the Astra range wasn't going to Australia.

[AusCalais]

Originally Posted by hq308

I'm a little disappointed that they don't have a cool concept car on display this year. I guess we got spoiled with Efijy last year.

Geez, isn't 16 new vehicles enough for you?....if they had a concept it might take attention off the new ones.

It would be interesting to see how busy the Ford stand is...I don't think there's much going over there. I remember being at Sydney MS when Commodore Coupe (Monaro) concept was released and Melbourne MS with release of Cross 8 /HSV Avalanche....Holden/HSV stands crowded...Ford stand had tumbleweeds drifting by.

[JoeT]

I dare say we'll see the VE based Ute at next years Melbourne Motor Show.

[Rick_VT]

Originally Posted by paul8488

So are just the hot Astra coupes coming? I thought the old Astra (aka Barina) was replaced with the GMDAT Lacetti/Optra due top cost, and that the Astra range wasn't going to Australia.

The Astra and Barina are 2 diff cars mate, the euro barina was replaced with the daewoo lacetti which Chev also sells, the Astra has been on sale here for quite a while

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by Rick_VT

The Astra and Barina are 2 diff cars mate, the euro barina was replaced with the daewoo lacetti which Chev also sells, the Astra has been on sale here for quite a while

The Daewoo Lacetti and the Barina are also two different cars. Daewoo Lacetti replaced the market position of the Astra Classic after the new model Astra had been introduced, as they had been selling alongside each other for a while. The old (oz) Barina has replaced by the old Daewoo Kalos....or was that new?

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by AusCalais

Geez, isn't 16 new vehicles enough for you?....if they had a concept it might take attention off the new ones.

It would be interesting to see how busy the Ford stand is...I don't think there's much going over there. I remember being at Sydney MS when Commodore Coupe (Monaro) concept was released and Melbourne MS with release of Cross 8 /HSV Avalanche....Holden/HSV stands crowded...Ford stand had tumbleweeds drifting by.

The Holden stand at Brisbane was exactly like that just 6 months ago. Only the Efijy was attracting any attention. The Captiva certainly wasn't.

[BigAls87Z28]

Um, did I read that right? Direct Injected 2.2 Ecotec motor in the Astra? Power conversions put right near the 2.2 Ecotec in the US. I wonder if it also includes variable valve timing or not. I would like to see gas milage on the 2.2 DI motor in the Astra, and see if there is any major gain.

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

Um, did I read that right? Direct Injected 2.2 Ecotec motor in the Astra? Power conversions put right near the 2.2 Ecotec in the US. I wonder if it also includes variable valve timing or not. I would like to see gas milage on the 2.2 DI motor in the Astra, and see if there is any major gain.

You would hope so considering the power and torque gains are tiny (6 KW and 7 nm) over my 2000 2.2 Ecotec Vectra. Mind you it is probably Euro IV compliant which normally robs a bit of grunt.

[Black AH CDX]

Originally Posted by paul8488

So are just the hot Astra coupes coming? I thought the old Astra (aka Barina) was replaced with the GMDAT Lacetti/Optra due top cost, and that the Astra range wasn't going to Australia.

The Astra G range was replaced in Australia by the Lacetti/Viva, whilst the Astra H range continues in a more upmarket position.

[AusCalais]

Interesting that there is no Epica on display...supposed to be released in December....

[JoeT]

Thats a good point. I had totally forgotten about the Epica.

[samkung]

so what will happen to the epica?

[hq308]

Originally Posted by AusCalais

Geez, isn't 16 new vehicles enough for you?....if they had a concept it might take attention off the new ones.

It would be interesting to see how busy the Ford stand is...I don't think there's much going over there. I remember being at Sydney MS when Commodore Coupe (Monaro) concept was released and Melbourne MS with release of Cross 8 /HSV Avalanche....Holden/HSV stands crowded...Ford stand had tumbleweeds drifting by.

16 new vehicles I'll be able to see at my local Holden dealer!
You obviously see my point though, the concept vehicles are what bring people to the show and to Holden's stand and while they are there they look at the other Holdens and possibly choose to buy one. This is the first time in a long time that I can remember Holden turning up without some sort of concept. Last year they had the Efijy show car as well as the concept SUV (can't remember what they called it) that has become Captiva.
I had actually planned to go to the Motor Show but I'm not paying the admission just to see cars I can see at my local dealer.