2006 Holden VE Commodore

To tell the full story would require many pages, so this issue we present the new models, prices and some of the features. The VE Commodore has been a $1 billion program and is perhaps the most Australian car of any in the long Commodore history. For the first time the VE is not a restyled Opel, but a new from the ground up vehicle that uses a new rear-wheel drive platform, called Zeta, its engineering, calibration, interior and body styles all being creations of GM Holden Australia.

While the V6 engine is also produced locally, other engines and transmissions are imported. From an early stage Holden set the bar high for VE and, while we won't have driven the car until next issue, it is a well proportioned and good looking car. The new base model VE is the Omega which while kicking in at $34,490, doesn't include air conditioning which is a $2,000 option. Notwithstanding it is a safer car with ESP now standard on all VE Commodores as well as Statesman and Caprice. VE Commodore models are larger than the VZ and wheels are placed at the corners for greater stability, and stance. VE is stronger, safer, better equipped than the outgoing model. Fuel consumption figures supplied by Holden indicate some small savings but are generally no worse than the existing Commodore range. All V6s have improved economy (except Calais), while V8s are slightly up.

VE Commodore/WM Statesman & Caprice ranges pricing (Outgoing VZ/WL models in brackets).
Omega $34,490 ($33,990 - Executive);
Berlina V6 $39,990 ($43,890);
Berlina V8 $44,990 ($48,590);
SV6 manual $39,990 ($39,990),
SV6 auto $40,990 ($39,990);
SS manual $44,990 ($51,790);
SS V manual $51,990 (no previous model);
SS V auto $53,990 (no previous model);
Calais V6 $45,490 ($53,890);
Calais V8 $50,490 ($58,590);
Calais V V6 $53,490 (no previous model);
Calais V V8 $58,490 (no previous model);
Statesman V6 $58,990 ($56,990);
Statesman V8 $62,990 ($61,690);
Caprice V6 $65,990 ($70,690);
Caprice V8 $69,990 ($75,390).

Plus on road costs on all models.

2006 VE COMMODORE

OMEGA
New base model that replaces Executive and Acclaim.
Engine: 3.6L Alloytec V6
Power: 180kW at 6000 rpm
Torque: 330Nm at 2600 rpm
Transmission: Four-speed automatic
Price: $34,490

BERLINA
Engine: 3.6L Alloytec V6
Power: 180kW at 6000 rpm
Torque: 330Nm at 2600 rpm
Transmission: Four-speed auto, six- speed manual.
Price: $39,990

SV6
Engine: 3.6L high output Alloytec V6
Power: 196kW at 6500 rpm
Torque: 340Nm at 2600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed auto, six-speed manual.
Price: From $39,990

SS
Engine: 6.0L Gen IV V8
Power: 270kW at 5700 rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 4400 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed auto, six-speed manual.
Price: From $44,990

CALAIS
Engine: 3.6L high output Alloytec V6, 6.0L Gen IV V8
Power: 195kW at 6500 rpm, 270kW at 5700 rpm
Torque: 340Nm at 2600rpm, 530Nm at 4400 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed auto, six-speed auto (V8 only)
Price: From $45,490