2007 Holden Commodore VE Ute Spied – Again
July 10, 2007 by Paul Maric
Literally days after our exclusive spy pictures of Holden’s new Commodore Ute, more photos have appeared of the exact same vehicle pictured in our initial post. In fact, not only is it the same vehicle, it’s parked in the exact same location – if not the exact same parking space.
It would be rude of us to suggest that Holden is deliberately leaving these vehicles hanging around in highly populated shopping centres to take the limelight away from Ford’s new Orion Utility – which has been posing for a select few of our spy photographers.
Photos courtesy of ‘gameover’ from LS1 forums.
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Hey Bev, just askin, did ya get a look at any small details on the new Comm, like the exhaust pipe or door handles???
Hey everyone, breaking news (its old actually) the new Falcon Piece of Shit sucks. The VE Comm will shit all over it!!!
Since when does a base model ford or holden ute look good anyway?
Wish all you 15 year olds bitching about fords and holdens go back and play with your matchbox cars
Hey what the?, i may be under 15, but i stopped playing wiv toy cars when i was 6. Just becoz were not adults yet, doesnt mean were babies!!!
hey K-dog
the photos on CGI that you posted arent for real are they?
the ute trays on them look so awkward
I think most of them are computer made by CGI, Andy.M
Yes being 15 year old does make you babys!.. When your still on the tit.
Anyway you can see fuck all here so anyone that thinks they know what it is must be superman with x-ray vision or something.
i herd holden is going to bring out a 1700kw stock in there ute is that true
napolian did u mean 170kw? I mean, 1700kw would be good but its a bit too powerful, isnt it???
K-dog, im a ford fan but im not here to cause trouble, but honestly the only one on CGI worth getting excited about would be the maloo (minus the ugly tray of course, but im sure it wont look like that)
Hey, Andy.M, if you think that only the Maloo looks good, you don’t know what a good car looks like. The wagons and SS utes look great, even if they are computer generated!!!
K-dog i think the roofline on the wagons runs off too quick. from the front they look like hatch backs.
i doubt the back end will look like that though. surely they wouldnt be silly enough to have a tail gate that narrow aswell
To Azza firstly,
Ford fans thought back in 1997 that the AU (Awfully Ugly) would beat the (Very Tantalising/Tasty/Terific) VT Commodore which we all know now was far from the result and I very much doubt that a New Falcon which is still using all the same details as the 1997 AU except for the body and as we have heard recently V6. Try and tell me that suspension setup etc is totally new and that the platform is new. The Commodores Zeta platform is all new as is the rest of the car. Also in relation to the Headlights remember that the Toyota Corolla of 2 generations back had the front that the BA/BF Falcon have now as did the last model Hyundai Elantra which was out well before the BA Falcon. So who is copying who. Just because all modern cars have round projector style headlights does not mean there is copying. Just remember that Ford will have a 1997 platform for their Falcon for at least another generation of the Falcon and possibly the last generation of it unless they get a substantial export program going. Ford better pull their finger out if Fords remaining Australian employees are to have future employment.
Oh forgot to mention then when Ford do release the new Falcon, there will be a series 2 VE very close to release with from what I hear will have a Turbo Diesel V6 motor and displacement on demand for the V8. Thats just to name a few of the many changes to keep it one step in front of the Falcon. Ford will always be playing catch up to the Holden. Oh also a new 6 speed auto and manual is close for the base model Commodore as is a new version of the 3.6Ltr V6 which will have a minimum 205kw for the base models and higher for the high output V6 for SV6 and Calais?Statesman/Caprice.
john,holden are playing catch up as for the gts manual its ruff as guts and fords 6 speed trans is silky smooth i used to like holden before the gen 3. I lost faith in hsv after that 6.0 is a slick unit but the trans no way and i like autos and the holden just dont do it for me.So i spent 52k on a xr8 instead and thats the goods.
Oh ant the new hsv auto is not even close to fords,hsv have to play catch up ther wouldnt you agree?dont kid your self all holden drivers admit this.
Ford has copied Holden more than Holden has Ford. Holden were the first to include: ABS SRS EBD ESP TC on an Australian Built Family sized Car. The Series 2 VE V8 will have Xenon Headlights; Displacement on Demand – another first for Holden.
However; Ford were the first with a 6 Speed Auto..
From reports Ford haven’t included a ute as part of the Orion project. Whereas Holden planned to make the Zeta platform – used under the VE as flexible and versatile as possible allowing them to make a wide range of cars both RWD and AWD.
If Ford do make a Ute with the new platform they will have to drop the leaf spring suspension and replace it with an independent system which the Holden ute has had for years.
I hope HSV make the Maloo look similar to the HRT/LE Concept from a couple of years ago.
As for the VE Wagon, I like it. In profile its similar to the Audi Allroad Wagon.. it could have a tailgate similar to that of the Chrysler 300C/Magnum which is hinged in the roof behind the passenger seat for easier access.
hey gyse i baught a hsv the other day its ausem its got heeps of power. im very inprest with the ve they look geat and they preform grate. befor i baught the ve i test drove gtp falcon thats a very good car to but the ve is a more modernized car not saying the the gtp is bad it beat my hsv in a race. but im happy with the ve
gee its sad we cant get away from the who copied who thing.
i was happy to sit back and read until i see a lot of wrong facts out there…….
John, you have just shown you know nothing about the AU falcon. the AU was a far better car than the VT VX bar the looks. handling, power, drivetrain, the list goes on. just because the VE platform is newer doesnt mean it is better. all that shows is that holden were sooo far behing in that department.
yes a lot of headlights look similar but what more can you do with a rectangular plastic thing? really.
but i must say (not that it matters) the BA/VE headlight is one of the closest i have seen and because they are close competitors, it will stand out like anything.
also you might want to read up on ford before you critisize them. they are doing a ute check out the spyshots. unlike holden ford will release the ute at the same time.
Wheelnut,
mate if you dont know dont say anything.
i believe holden are the ones playing catch up.
ford had these first……….
remote locking
remote boot release
airbag
passenger airbag
ABS
EBD and ESP i believe came around the same time
16″ wheels
panic alarm
locking that tells you when the doors arent shut
power,power and power
handling (keep in mind that the VE is now only on a par with the falcon in this area)thats right this “shit AU chassis you guys go on about, well holden has only just been able to match it.
it is totally unfair to say ford is always playing catch up.
as for the ute, yes it is coming at the same time and it does appear to be on leafs (well the stock ones anyway dont know about the GT’s yet)
whats wrong with leafs??? they are a ute arent they?? made for carrying weight???
the idea of dumping 1 ton on delicate suspension doesnt seem to good to me, well thats if they can get a 1ton rating out of it on coils.
and just for the record and i know you will say it but ill get in first and have you know that ford can, and have gotten a ute on leafs to handle better than a commy on coils FACT
jee andrew M you always have heeps good combacks u always shut the other gye up lol good on ya champ
dan the man,
well its not hard when there are obviously wrong facts being posted.
i mean i reckon i know more about holdens than most holden fans because i research both makes.
99% of holden fans dont know anything about fords yet they always critisize ford.
i do not say bad things about holden unless i hear people bagging out ford, then i set em straight
I also research both Ford and Holden from various sources. I’m prepared to criticise and congratulate both marques when they build quality/crap cars or introduce new things. Hey if it wasn’t for Ford [who created the Ute] we wouldn’t be having this discussion.
I believe that given the size of the Australian Market the resources and budgets both companies have to work with overall both of them do a pretty good job.
I understand that a car on leafs can handle as well as a car on coils in the same way that a 4 or 6 cylinder can produce as much power or even more than a V8 – its all about the engineering.
However; Ford is apparently looking at independent springs for the FPV utes because of all the criticism it got in [MOTOR] magazines when they were compared to their HSV rivals. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Anyway these days more and more people buying either Ford or Holden utes are buying them as show ponies not work horses.. those who are after a work vehicle are opting for either a Hilux a Rodeo or a BT-50
Which is why the XR8 and SS utes [and above] now have luxury items such as leather interior; premium brakes etc.. virtually turning them into a 2 door Fairmont/Calais with a big boot.
This new VE Ute is bigger,better, wider and tougher that any other ute on the road.I have now taken my third order, all are subject to being happy with the new shape, and rest assured the new colours and different model options are all great.For anyone that would like to own one, and not just dream about owning one, then simply send me an email amd will be happy to assist.Cheers. brads@baycityholden.com.au
Brad of course you will say that, you are trying to sell them. oh and check your dimensions…are they really wider, bigger and better. better not be a bit of false advertising going on!!!!
anyway,
ok wheel nut so do you think it was unfair and incorrect to say this before…….
“Ford has copied Holden more than Holden has Ford.”???
yeah it wouldnt surprise me if they put coils in the FPV’s etc but only due to the critisism. a lot of people think just because leafs are older they are worse. thats not true.
look at the v8 utes series… the 5.4L leaf falcons have no problem out muscling the 6.0L coil sprung holdens, and thats prob the real test i suppose
you would also be surprised that people that want utes for work are still going for the falcon #1 seller. prob cause it still has leafs and ford actually still do cater for the trades unlike holden.
yeah you are nut bad wheel nut put your first comments upset me. your last post was a bit fairer
I realize that this comment has little to no relevance to this thread, but I find it quite amusing that Holden sport a Daewoo and several Opals in their line up. Can’t they engineer their own cars?
This months Wheels Magazine has an article on the new FPVs including the 320Kw GTP. It says that apart from the XR6T all Falcons will “finally” be more powerful than the Holden/HSVs.
In the same issue there’s a report that in a couple of years Ford will ditch the DOHC V8 and revert to a Pushrod V8.. which Holden/HSV have been using for years.
Many people criticised Holden for this but just like old leaf springs they do the job and can handle a lot more.
As for Ford copying Holden [vice versa] it’s hard to say who copied who.
I mean there hasn’t really been an original idea in the Automotive industry for years. Sure Mercedes have infra-red vision on the new S series but that was adapted from Jet Fighters.
If a competitor comes out with a new look or a new feature on one of their products and it turns out to be popular of course the other companies are going to make their product look similar or add the same feature to their products and call it something slightly different. It’s the way the iindustry works
you know wats a joke? how long it has taken to make a shity VE ute least ford has the brains to design a ute with the sedan and not have to copy the body shape unlike holden did with the model before the the VE holdens suck FORDS rule
The reason its taken so long for Holden to release the VE Ute is because unlike Ford; Holden exports cars [Commodore]to the USA Middle East UK and plans to go into Europe. Ford don’t export half as many cars [or engines] as Holden therefore they are able to launch the Sedan and the Ute at the same time.. and they no longer have the LWB Fairlane/LTD to worry about
The launch the Statesman was brought forward to the same time as the sedan inorder to meet overseas demand and the launch of the ute was delayed until next month – it’s usually the other way round.
The design of the ute was always part of the VE project It’s expected that Holden will export the ute to the States where it will be classified as a Pick-up after a few modifications have been made.
HSV pushed hard for Holden to include the VE ute from the start as the Maloo is HSVs second most popular car after the Clubbie. But there are no plans for Holden to make a VE Crewman.. a Sandman.. Maybe?
Holden has just been declared [by Bob Lutz] as the Research and Development centre for GMs RWD cars. Holden has also been doing work on other projects like the 08 Camaro which could lead to yet another Monaro. Holden is also developing a more compact car similar to the Torana TT-36 Concept car which it also plans to export.
I don’t mean to bag Ford; It’s good that they will be making small cars here soon; [Hopefully Holden will make an Aussie Astra]. However; Since the launch of the VE Holden has been focussing more on exports.
I also hear that Ford Oz could become teh RWD centre and maybe even build the next generation Mustang
wheel nut,
yeah dead right, ford are setting up to do the same thing for their mother company in the states. it must be something about aussie platforms.
well holden arent on to it yet either. their exports havent really taken off yet and somehow i think they were sending them over before they were ready just to get some recognition going before ford really comes.
i mean what they were sending over there was pretty much return to sender stuff. the chassis and most that went with it came from there so it wasnt interesting.
holden exports motors???????
well do they??????? what motors do they export cause what they have here is imported.
i dont think ute launch dates has much to do with exports tying them up. id say they extra people to deal with that. besides the same thing happened with the launch of the VS-VU ute.
ok so if maloo is 2nd highest HSV seller what is 3rd?
astra? wouldnt be hard to beat that in sales. (im not having a go at the maloo either)
if the ute was to go to the states it would have to toughen up a lot otherwise it would be seen as the proton jumbuck of utes in our terms
The V8 is imported but the current V6 engine is built here. However they mainly export both 4 and 6 cylinder engines to other companies mainly GM subs. but there are a few exceptions the V6 in the Alfoa Romeo Brera
is apparently from here I’m trying to find out more about that.
Sire the V8 and Gearbox on the GTO came from the USA but the chassis of the VT-VX commodores was an Opel platform which modified by Holden to take a bigger engine New IRS etc [as were the other previous models]. The suspension in the old Commodores was based on the RTS system developed by Peter Hannenberger whilst he was an engineer at Holden in the VB-VK era. However the main point was the specifications and the fit and finish compared to the US built cars.
The Zeta platform under the Current VE is an all Australian design as are a number of the sub assemblies such as the compact suspension units.
GM wanted Holden to use the Sigma from Pontiac however Holden Engineers found that it wouldn’t be Suitable for Australia.
The other reason that Both Ford and Holden are becoming RWD Cntres is because GM and Ford in the States are looking for cheaper means of Production and with their high employee health costs they’re now looking at gradually getting out of the States. Iconic cars like the Camaro will be built in Canada and the Mustang here.. that would be unheard of years ago
Holden may also become one of GMs major design studios
along with Opel in Europe
When the Ute is exported to the States it will remain pretty much the same size as its not intended to compete with the Tundra of F-series
as of 2010 ford will be expoting the ford falcons to america and 2008 fpv f6 typhoon will have over 300kw wich isnt that bad for a turbo charged 6
What dose holden have that can produce that out of a 6 cylinder engine WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANSWER THAT
300Kw from a 6 cylinder is a brilliant effort. I reckon if an Aftermarket Performance Workshop modifies the air intake; the exhaust or the ECU a bit more they could easily reach 320Kw [same as the GT-P]. I’m sure CAPA will give it a go. I’d seriously consider one.
As yet Holden don’t have a Turbo 6 but there are reports of them releasing a twin turbo V6 model in 2010; similar to the TT-36 concept car
The New Turbo 6 [Torana] will use either the 3.6 litre from the Commodore However Holden are apparently planning a completely new, lightweight engine which will replace the current engine which is based on the old VN V6. The TT-36 produced 280Kw and Holden are aiming at around the 300kw mark as well.
Because the TT-36 was built on a modified Zeta [VE] Platform; theres the possibility that the Torana could possibly be turned into a compact AWD. Wait and See..
Hello,
BUY A LEXUS YOU WONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANY OF THIS BECAUSE SOPHISTICATED WOMEN WILL WANT YOU MORE THAN THE EASY GIRLS WHO GO FOR GUYS IN UTES WHO LIKE TO SHOW OIFF THE SIZE OF THEIR, ER……. ENGINE
IF YOU OWN A HEAP OF INVESTMENT PROPERTIES LIKE I DO AND YOUR ONLY 25, A COMMODRE WITH COP WHEELS IS THE WAY TO GO – It makes the renters feel that you are struggling like them.
IF YOU WANT A CAR TO DRIVE AROUND AUSTRALIA GET A FORD FAIRMONT GHIA V8
If you want a car that is reliable, and will still drive like it should in 7 years, buy a Lexus.
if you wana get laid in the backseat, Use the Falcon or Commodore, THEIR IS BUGGER ALL ROOM IN THE LEXUS
The Mighty VN commodore with several different coloured body panels makes rental tennants feel comfortable when you do an inspection
and what car should we get iff we want to shut you up
Why are we arguing about whether or not Ford or Holden is better? Isnt this space for comments about the ve ute???
yea your rite mate
i recon the holden ssv in the ute version would look ausem. what do use think
Oy, mini, u seen the computer generated image of da ssv ute on http://www.cgiautomotive.com??? if u havent u should check it out, its hell cool!!!
It also has the wagons as well, and some HSVs…
Man this is ugly, why bother paying hard earned money to buy garbage it dosen’t inspire anybody, certainly not me, I would feel like a bitch in a dog box driving this bucket of loose bolts.
I mean for a start, holden are really only reckonized by one race the v8 supercars and had to cheat last year to win it (KELLY THE WANKER), but for ford they are in everything and do very well. so who would be more inspired to drive holden, your just ass wipes.
dam k dogg that ssv ute is ausem thanks for the link man
no worries mini.
Hey wz, ur a dumbass. Ford cheats hell worse than Holden. At Eastern Creek in ‘03, Ingall spun Skaifey into the wall so Ambrose colud win the series, and in ‘05 at Barbagallo Ambrose just turned into Skaifey for no reason and ruined his weekend. Last year, Lowndes hit Ingall across the first chicane at Surfers to overtake him, and didn’t even readdress the move and then had a go at the stewards saying ‘the championship was rigged’! What a load of crap!
does any one no when the holden utes are coming out
K-dog,
it depends which side you barrick for how you see it espaecially when no blame is laid on anyone.
1. eastern creek 03 the ford fans can also say skaife pushed ingall off the track first which he did, he left him no room. when ingalls left rear dropped over the ripple strip the front end kicked back on to the track and it had nothing to do with ambrose winning the series.
2. ‘05 ambrose in to skaify….racing incident. it was also one of skaifys worst years anyhow. the luck he was having, if he wasnt hit, the engine wouldnt have made it to the end.
3. surfers….. lowndes V ingall. Lowndes did re-address. the thing is he waited until the safest part of the track to do it (the back straight) only the officials were too quick to act. yep and the other day skaife was at fault and he readressed, but it wasnt straight away either. he like lowndes waited until it was safe to do so.
any how the last race of last year was a little different. tander also tried to slow lowndes cause he clearly had a faster car than rick. and when rick punted lowndes off he was found guilty of reckless driving. sad thing for lowndes is his car was stuffed so no amount of drive through penalties would match the damage he inflicted on lowndes.
mily, i think the utes & wagons are coming out late 2007 or early 2008 ; )
All people who would like to see the new Holden ute go to http://www.cgiautomotive.com it also has the wagons, HSVs and some other cool stuff.
Check it out!
All people who would like to see the new Holden ute go to http://www.cgiautomotive.com it also has the wagons, HSVs and some other cool stuff.
Check it out! (if u havent seen it already) ; )
Sorry, my com glitched. =P