Holden VE Calais V 60th Anniversary Special Edition
May 28, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
Holden has upped the ante with a new VE Calais V 60th Anniversary Special Edition. The car comes just at the right time to compete against Ford’s new luxury Falcon range.
The special edition comes with an array of additional features, most noteworthy being the electric sunroof and 19-inch SuperSport Alloy wheels.
“The Calais V 60th Anniversary Special Edition is the perfect vehicle for the individual or family looking for something extra special, along with the drive capabilities, safety and performance of the award winning VE Commodore.” GM Holden’s Director of Marketing, Philip Brook.
On top of the features available in the standard VE Calais V, the 60th Anniversary Special Edition adds: onyx / Light Urban interior trim combination; alloy faced pedals; chrome surround exterior door handles; silver highlights on leather steering wheel spokes; ‘60th anniversary’ floor mats; ‘60th anniversary’ rear badge.
The Calais will be available in just three metallic colours, Karma (teal), Evoke (dark grey) and Phantom (black). Holden has no specified just how many of these SE models will be made, suggesting they are produced to meet demand.
The car is on sale now priced from $56,790 for the V6 automatic and $61,790 for the V8 automatic.
Print it: 
^Opps! Sorry for the two g’s in G6ET :-)
DRUMROLL PLEASE!………………………………………………….
……………………………………..
…………The answer to the winner between the Ford Falcon G6ET V Holden Commodore Calais V (V8)is………………………………..4 and a half stars for the falcon and for the commodore is……………………………4 stars.
So the winner is the FG FORD FALCON G6ET between the two!
Not by much though! :)
Results from WHEELS mag June.
Watto_Cobra, have you found out yet?
I am thinking of buying a VE-V V8 calais I will definetly put it on Injected LPG, What you reckon guys?
yes the G6 Turbo is good as turbos can be very fuel efficient compared to bigger engines like the Gen 6.0.
I really like the interior it cuts up all the black so not to dark its something different aswell. Also looks more stylish I don’t like all cream matched like you normally get in the Calais V its to bright. On another note those who like black don’t need to get burnt in summer with black leather the cream ones help alot
nice looking car, ive read about half of the many comments and unless it has been mentioned in a later comment then i’d like to say, i’m confused as to why all this talk about interior, and less on specs :S
Especially performance figures, normally in forums theres bitching on which one is faster, and i haven’t read anything yet on this.
weird lol.
Final word, The VE is over 2 years old, and the FG is fresh as, so all you people saying the FG is better,then go figure!
Although i admire the Ford turbo’s, i still think ford should work on there V8’s.
This is Australia, V8 territory.
Fair enough if the FG XR6T turbo is a bit faster than the VE SS, but hey it doesn’t beat a V8’s sound.
Lol all this talk on interior and colour matching, queer comes to mind.
Both are nice cars, if you want the 6 then get the ford, if you want the 8 then get a Holden, nuff said.
Just bought an MY09.5 Calais V with AFM. Yes it’s supposedly down 10kW on power but it’s smooth as silk and easily (and less ceremoniuosly) passes cars on the highway. Had a friend with a BA XR6T and he had no end of dramas with it. Computer, water pump, diff, etc…etc I stopped listening to him after then ‘cos I thought the list was long enough.. LOL! Plus he said it was absolutely shocking on fuel. I haven’t done any economy tests yet since it’s still running in but AFM definitely works according to the trip computer.
The old Manual VX Gen 3 SS I had did spectacularly well on the highway though. I regularly got less than 8 l/100km out of it and this was measured by the old way (fill to the brim then fill to the brim at destination).
Can’t say i tried the G6ET as I wanted a RWD V8 (and Ford’s V8 is not as good in any way in my opinion) but I would expect it to be a nice car. I would also expect it to cost more to run without AFM and based on what others have told me. Price wise you’ve never had a better choice. Falcodores are better than they have ever been and sh1t on new euro or jap offerings for the same money. Plus Holden (and no doubt Ford) are offering huge $ off especially V8s since they’re environmentally unfriendly.
I think it’s a cheap trick to take the LSD out of the Calais though (when did they do that?). That should be standard.
The VX was excellent as far as reliability went for the 8 years I had it since new. Standard engine rebuild to fix the piston slap issue and I broke the diff playing on a track (both fixed under warranty). That was pretty much it. Yes they are major but unlike the XR6T they were fixed under warranty early on it it’s life. The BA continued to fail. He may have got a bad one and I may have got a good one but I can only go by what I know. It was fun to drive though (as was the SS).
If you need a big car the question is only really going to be Holden or Ford. Otherwise you’ll end up with a small car. 2 kid seats just don’t fit on the back of anything smaller with room for an adult in the middle. I know ‘cos I wanted a Passat R36 (or at least looked seriously at one).
Competition improves the breed (except with the AU). The newer car should always be better and if it isn’t something’s wrong. Therefore the G6ET should be better than the Calais V.
That doesn’t work with the GT-P vs the GTS but that’s another story.
I have read recently that Holden will be releasing a new V6 with 224kw and 363nm that will be more fuel efficent
It doesn’t matter what Holden bring out or upgrade, their philosophy is simple. Cubic Inches or literage rather than technology, and it might be good for short term but what about long term, if they keep going they will be shoe-horning truck engines in their cars…all they need to do is find a supplier, coz everyone knows that Holden haven’t made an engine of their own since the ‘Black’ I6 in the VK.
The VE was an ugly car from the get-go, big lumpy rounded car, with tiny 4 cylinder car like tail lights and a flat arse end which looks like it’s been rear ended by a bus… YUK.
The FG is a brilliant car, in every way, design and technology, Holden have been playing catch up since BA was released and I think they will be playing catch up for a long time to come. And I’m not talking about sales figures, because clearly Australian consumers have their heads in the sand. I know one person who bought a Commodore simply because (in his mind) it was Australian… poor mislead individual.
Hello I’ve heard the new (in Australia) Holden V8 AFM
system drives from Melbourne to Sydney without refuelling.
We are about to renew our Caprice (with a LSD option!)has anyone done the fuel stats around town when the AFM is working? Nothing against AFM but who would buy a large V8 and be interested in getting 8L per 100KM in place of 9?
You buy a nice car like a Caprice 1890kgs dry LWBase with a large V8 for reasons other that being great on fuel they are great value for money, and Aussie built. Back to my question 15, 20 and even 25L per 100km if your GPS puts you behind a tram! with AFM not working in first or second what are the around town per 100km fuel stats? I’m guessing you do end up saving 2 or 3 L per 100km driving across town. In ending I plan to remove the spare and run my new car on Gas, taxi drivers say the engine needs a new top end after 200,000km i guess the third or four owner will find out if that is true. Happy motoring whatever you drive. Andrew.
From Holden’s website, today, Ref yesterdays September pre launch.
‘Five-Star Safety for Locally Built Passenger Cars
For the first time ever, Holden’s entire range of locally manufactured passenger cars have been awarded the maximum five-star Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) rating.
The five-star rated Model Year 10 (MY10) range – Commodore sedans, Sportwagon, Statesman and Caprice – will be launched next month.
The result reflects the long list of safety features found standard across Holden’s VE and WM range. Features include six airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which incorporates Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) and Traction Control System (TCS).
The MY10 range includes a steering column shroud energy absorber that helps to reduce driver knee injuries and a front passenger seat belt reminder.
Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Alan Batey said the result provided further assurance to Commodore, Statesman and Caprice buyers.
“We’ve always been very confident in these vehicles’ real world safety capabilities but even so, it is rewarding to receive this third party endorsement,” Mr Batey said.
“The five-star result reflects our rigorous approach to all aspects of vehicle safety.
“We are committed to a policy of continuous improvement which is highlighted with the launch of this exciting range.”
VE Commodore sedans and special edition International sedans that are converted to dual fuel LPG also receive the five star safety rating.
CONTACT(S):
Kate Lonsdale – Holden’….
Next month means Holden fans will be driving their new 10 series next week. Can’t wait heaps of room, power and great value for money, thanks Holden Australia.
PS to those that say holden leather seats are not good enough, you have not sat in a WM Caprice!