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Revealed - All-New Holden Commodore Sportwagon

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Old 02-28-2008, 09:33 PM
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Thumbs up Revealed - All-New Holden Commodore Sportwagon

Holden's New Sportwagon Puts Excitement Back Into Practicality







GM Holden's sleek new VE Commodore Sportwagon made its world debut today at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.

The new family vehicle takes VE Commodore's award-winning sporty design and engineering advances and integrates them into a stylish and practical wagon.

The result is a desirable and functional addition to the VE range, offering a new level of comfort, safety and styling in a Holden wagon.

GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Chris Gubbey said, "The new VE Commodore Sportwagon puts the excitement back into practicality. This is a car for families with a 'get-up-and-go' attitude.

"The generous interior space, combined with sleeker, sportier styling, makes this a wagon that people will want to own as a year-round family car, or for family and business use.

"Holden's new VE Sportwagon turns practi-'cal' into practi-'cool'," said Gubbey.

The VE Commodore Sportwagon unveiled in Sydney today is a production-based concept vehicle. It is the first glimpse of the planned production model scheduled to hit Holden showrooms in the first half of 2008.

The vehicle draws on VE sedan at the front with a sleek and sporty silhouette at the back and is built on the same VE wheelbase. It is the third VE derivative after sedan and the newly released ute range.

Features

At the rear, Holden's designers have cleverly created a wider opening by positioning the tailgate hinge well forward into the roof line. This has created a more vertical opening movement for the tailgate and reduces opening space required around the car.

The higher cargo floor makes loading easier and a flexible cargo cover provides extra security for items stored in the back.

VE Sportwagon seats five adults in comfort and a 60:40 split in the rear seating row can be folded flat for storing larger items.

The motor show display model includes a roof mounted DVD player, Bluetooth capability, multi-function driver information display system and zone-based front and rear park assist systems - all currently standard on the VE Calais V-Series sedan. Features on the vehicle unique to the motor show include 20-inch alloy wheels, chrome window trim and unique interior colour combination.

VE Commodore Sportwagon's pricing, model line-up and powertrain combinations will be confirmed closer to the on-sale date, but expect to see a similar type of strategy to VE sedan, with entry level cars, sports models and luxury models ranging up to the luxurious VE Calais V-Series.

Leading safety technology features such as ESP® will be standard across the range.

Holden's Executive Director Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alan Batey, said, "Sportwagon breaks the mould for Holden wagons. It's got great style, performance and practicality for families, businesses or both.

"Customers will get a car that's equally at home as a working tool or a desirable family car - with all the storage advantages that come with a wagon.

"We've added important safety features such as ESP® as standard, and more luxury versions will be incorporated into the range to further increase its appeal to families.

"This is a vehicle that people will desire for its looks as well as its convenience over a sedan or an SUV," he said.

Technology





The concept model on display at the Australian International Motor Show also incorporates a V8 engine featuring Active Fuel Management (AFM) and E85 flex fuel capability. Active Fuel Management allows cylinders to turn off under light load conditions to improve fuel economy.

The engine on show runs the same spark ignition, with fuelling matched to the same equivalence ratio as Holden's current production V8 engine. It is designed to match the power and torque outputs of its petrol equivalent. The use of AFM and E85 technologies in this motor show vehicle aims to highlight General Motors' capabilities in new propulsion advances.

Chris Gubbey explains, "Showcasing an E85 fuel system in this vehicle makes a powerful statement about Holden and GM's commitment to developing alternative energy sources that reduce our dependence on petroleum-based products.

"It also demonstrates that drivers of alternative fuel vehicles don't have to sacrifice performance.

"Our sister brand Saab has led the way in promoting bio fuel technology to advance the public, political and commercial debate in this area. We want to add our voice to that debate whilst simultaneously looking at ways to further reduce fuel consumption in our existing engines."

The current VE sedan range of vehicles on sale in Australia are all E10 compatible with Holden's V6 engine built in Melbourne also converted to E24 in Commodores exported to Brazil.





VE Sportwagon Offers Great Value And Choice





GM Holden released pricing for the all-new VE Sportwagon at the Melbourne International Motor Show today, adding great value to its list of attractive features.

The 2008 VE Sportwagon range starts from as little as $37,790 # for Omega, with each of the seven models only $1,000 more than their VE sedan equivalent.

At $41,290 #, the new VE Sportwagon Berlina is an amazing $5,600 less than its VZ wagon equivalent whilst offering a range of engineering advances and safety features including Electronic Stability Program (ESP ® ) , Rear Park Assist and six airbags which are standard across the range.

Having more than doubled the model range from three in VZ to seven in VE, the new Sportwagon offers buyers more choice and more features to further enhance its appeal to both private and business customers.

GM Holden’s Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alan Batey, said value and choice would be key features that would attract buyers to the new VE Sportwagon.

“The Australian market is becoming increasingly challenging and at Holden we believe the VE Sportwagon’s pricing, sedan-like handling and stylish design will ensure it has the competitive edge it needs to succeed in its segment.

“The extended VE range offers real choices in practicality and flexibility to both the business buyer and Aussie families.

“With safety features such as ESP and six airbags as standard across the range, many potential buyers will see this as a great value car which ticks all the right boxes,” Mr Batey said.

VE Sportwagon Highlights





Overview:

Great style, performance and practicality
All the storage advantages that comes with a wagon
Seats 5 adults in comfort
Higher cargo floor making it easier to load items into the cargo area
Flexible cargo cover for security, with innovative D-pillar tracks for added functionality
60:40 split 2nd row seat which can be folded flat for storage of larger items
Innovative opening tailgate which requires less opening space
Safety

Electronic Stability Program (ESP ® ) standard on all models
Driver, front passenger and side impact airbags standard on all models
Curtain airbags standard on all models
Occupant protection system designed for the real world driving environment
Ultra-stiff body structure, multiple load path strategy and structurally optimised front & rear deformation zones
Technology

Rear Park Assist standard on all models
Roof-mounted DVD system available on selected models
Integrated navigation system available on all models
Multi-function driver information display system
Performance

The multi-link Linear Control Suspension system is the most advanced suspension design ever under a Holden
Large, fade-resistant brake systems help reduce stopping distances
Increased diameter wheel and tyre packages for braking and cornering control.





Old 02-29-2008, 12:21 AM
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I'd pimp that b4 any SUV.
Old 02-29-2008, 11:37 AM
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Indeed. I wish GM would have not axed the idea of bringing the wagon over here.
Idiots.
Old 02-29-2008, 12:04 PM
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Wow! That is the first "wagon" I have ever liked Very cool.
Old 02-29-2008, 12:58 PM
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Only old folks drive wagons. I know I have one. Jake thought I needed one in 2004 so I got a Mazda 6 wagon. 18" and dark windows later it made the cover of Mazda's publication setting in front of the Mazda Revolution Store. Then the two big dogs at the farm wouldn't leave the bull alone, so they had to came home. Three dogs and this car isn't big enough to carry the dogs in. Today Mazda has quit making the wagon. It was even offered with a 6 speed. The dealership closed in a little over a year after I quit.

Ford made a wagon it's gone. Toyota and Honda made wagons they are gone. Some high end wagons have made it. I think Dodge has dropped their wagon.

A grumpy sometimes angry old man his dogs and the 505 hp. coach.



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