GM Unveils Holden VE Sportwagon in Melbourne

GM unveiled the production-ready Holden VE Sportwagon yesterday at the Melbourne International Auto Show. The VE Sportwagon is the wagon variant of the popular Commodore sedan.

The VE Sportwagon can be equipped with a wealth of different engines, including a 3.6-liter V-6 and a 6.0-liter V-8. The engines output ranges from 240 horsepower on the V-6 to 360 horsepower on the 6.0-liter V-8. The Sportwagon has the option of a four-speed, five-speed, or six-speed automatic transmission, depending, obviously, on the engine option. A six-speed manual is available on a few of the engine choices.

(Click on the thumbnails to view the gallery. Press release after the jump)

PRESS RELEASE:

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 Model and Powertrain Line-up:

* Omega

Alloytec V6 with 4 speed auto transmission

* Berlina

Alloytec V6 with 4 speed auto transmission

* SV6

High Output Alloytec V6 with 5 speed auto transmission

* SS

Gen 4 V8 with 6 speed manual transmission -or-
Gen 4 V8 with 6 speed auto transmission (optional)

* SS V-Series

Gen 4 V8 with 6 speed manual transmission -or-
Gen 4 V8 with 6 speed auto transmission (optional)

* Calais

High Output Alloytec V6 with 5 speed auto transmission

* Calais V-Series

High Output Alloytec V6 with 5 speed auto transmission -or-
Gen 4 V8 with 6 speed auto transmission (optional)

# RRP – excludes dealer delivery and Government charges

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
* As on sedan, two V6 engine versions will be available: an Alloytec 3.6 litre V6 with single exhaust; and the Alloytec High Output 3.6 litre V6 with dual exhaust
* 6.0 litre Generation 4 Alloy V8 coupled with a six-speed manual transmission, or optional six-speed automatic transmission

Omega
Standard features on Omega include:

* 3.6L Alloytec V6, peak power 180kW, peak torque 330Nm*, four-speed automatic
* Electronic Stability Program (ESP ® ) including Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Electronic Brake Assist and Traction Control
* Four 16-inch alloy wheels
* Multifunction steering wheel
* Multifunction driver display
* Cruise control
* Rear Park Assist
* Automatic headlamp mode
* Single disc CD player
* Dual stage front airbags; side and curtain impact airbags

Omega $37,790
Executive $38,240
Berlina $41,290
Berlina V6 $46,890
SV6 $42,290
SS (6spd manual) $46,290
SS (6spd auto) $48,290
SS V (6spd manual) $53,790
SS V (6spd auto) $55,790
Calais $46,790
Calais V V6 (5spd auto) $55,290
Calais V V8 (6spd auto) $60,290

Berlina
Berlina has all Omega standard features and in addition:

* Four 17-inch alloy wheels
* Front fog lamps
* Leather wrap steering wheel
* Trip computer with triple display
* Bluetooth ® connectivity for compatible mobile phones
* Six-disc in-dash CD player, MP3 compatible
* Four-way electric adjustment of driver’s seat
* Dual zone electronic climate control
* Six-inch multifunction display screen

SV6
SV6 features include:

* 3.6L High Output Alloytec V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm*, five-speed automatic with Active Select
* Sports suspension
* Four 18-inch alloy wheels
* Leather wrap steering wheel
* Bluetooth ® connectivity for compatible mobile phones
* Single disc CD player
* Sports interior
* Sports body kit
* Dual exhaust
* Chrome highlights
* Rear Park Assist

SS
SS features include:

* 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm ** , six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic with Active Select
* Limited Slip Differential
* Sports suspension
* Four 18-inch alloy wheels
* Bluetooth ® connectivity for compatible mobile phones
* Six-disc in-dash CD player, MP3 compatible
* Sports front seats
* Rear Park Assist

SS V
SS V has all SS standard features and in addition:

* Projector headlamps
* Alloy faced pedals
* Four 19-inch alloy wheels
* Leather wrap gear selector
* Leather wrap sports profile steering wheel
* Leather seat inserts
* Dual zone electronic climate control
* 6.5-inch multi-function display screen
* Zone based Rear Park Assist

Calais
Calais features include:

* 3.6L High Output Alloytec V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm*, five-speed automatic with Active Select
* Four 17-inch alloy wheels
* Leather wrap gear selector
* Leather wrap steering wheel
* Trip computer with triple display
* Bluetooth ® connectivity for compatible mobile phones
* Projector headlamps
* Six-disc in-dash CD player, MP3 compatible
* Six-way electric adjustment of driver’s seat
* Dual zone electronic climate control
* 6.5-inch multi-function display screen
* Zone based Rear Park Assist

Calais V
Calais V has all Calais standard features and in addition:

* Four 18-inch alloy wheels
* Chrome finish body side mouldings
* Chrome highlights on exterior door handles
* Leather wrap sports profile steering wheel
* Zone based Front and Rear Park Assist
* Rain Sensing Wipers
* Rear overhead DVD
* Eight-way driver and front passenger seat
* Leather seat trim
* Memory settings for driver seat & exterior mirrors

2008 Holden VE Sportwagon factory options pricing

RRP
Leather seat inserts (Berlina, Calais, SV6, SS)

$2,500
Six-disc CD stacker (Omega, SV6)

$595
Satellite Navigation, turn-by-turn

$1,290
Satellite Navigation, Full colour mapping

$1,990
Full-size spare wheel and tyre (Omega, Berlina, SV6, SS, SS V, Calais, Calais V)

$250
Leather trim, eight-way front seats ( Calais)

$3,000
FE2 Sports suspension (Omega, Berlina, Calais, Calais V) - mandatory fit LSD

$330
Limited Slip Diff – mandatory fit FE2 sports suspension

$360
Overhead DVD player (all models except Omega. Standard on Calais V)

$1,290
Metallic paint
$400

ESP® is a registered trademark of Daimler Chrysler AG
Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG Inc
*Power and torque figures as per ECE regulations
** Figures quoted using 98 RON (PULP)