Holden VE Commodore Sportwagon
October 16, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
If there was one concept at the Sydney Motor Show that captured the imagination of all visitors, it was GM Holden’s sleek new VE Commodore Sportwagon. There is something special about a big aussie wagon and Holden has delivered the goods.
Although this VE Commodore Sportwagon is just a production-based concept vehicle, it does give us a reasonable insight at just how good the VE Wagon can look. Holden still has a few more months for fine tuning before the production model hits showrooms in the first half of 2008.
Based on the same platform as the VE Commodore Sedan, from the front, the wagon will look identical to its small brother, but with a sleek and sporty silhouette at the back, it is arguably the best looking Commodore wagon yet.
The Sportwagon seats five adults with a 60:40 split in the rear seating row allowing for greater storage. Holden 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 concept at the Motor Show was of the higher spec Calais series which came with a roof mounted DVD player, Bluetooth capability, multi-function driver information display system and zone-based front and rear park assist systems.
Features that most likely won’t make it into production include the massive 20-inch alloy wheels, chrome window trim and unique interior colour combination.
Holden says the VE VE Commodore Sportwagon lineup will be similar to the VE sedan, suggesting there is a good chance of an V8 SS variant.
The concept is actually powered by a V8 engine featuring Active Fuel Management (AFM) and E85 flex fuel capability, meaning it can run on an 85 Ethanol /15 Petrol mix. Additionally, Active Fuel Management allows cylinders to turn off under light load conditions to improve fuel economy.
Interestingly, the environmentally friendly V8 uses the same spark ignition, with fuelling matched to the same equivalence ratio as Holden’s current production V8 engine. Holden says it has been designed to match the power and torque outputs of its petrol rival.
The next six months should prove to be an exciting period for Holden and Ford, with the all-new Falcon set for release early next year, the Blue Oval and the General are once again about to go head to head, and if the look on Tom Gorman’s face is anything to go buy, Holden are on a winner.
.jpg "Holden VE Commodore Sportwagon")
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Not a fan of Holden but I have to admit it looks very nice.
looks like a chrysler 300c from the side and back…the front looks very awkward.
I agree, it’s the best looking commodore wagon to ever be made…but we have seen only the top spec version with huge shiny alloys!
I want to see what the base and mid level models will look like.
It also has a smaller cargo section than the outgoing VZ wagon. Holden claims they want more private sales and less fleet sales with this new wagon…hmmm thats why they decided to do a jacked up VZ wagon called the adventra and not do a clean sheet design like Ford did with territory.
The adventra flopped.
I guess time will tell if this plan works for Holden, nice effort though!
Anyone else get the impression the VE range is great, while the rest of Holdens range doesn’t match the quality and driving enjoyment of VE?
Please.. as if that question hasnt been raised in these forums enough already. If i see another twat commenting ‘holden-woo’ thinking hes the cleverest bloke around i think ill go insane
Ok…!
I’m not bagging Daewoos, im simply making the assumption that Holden had a great product in VE, yet that cohesive nature doesn’t flow through the entire product range, unlike most mainstream auto brands.
Sorry!
thats a lovely looking saab wagon…. i mena holden wagon
tonyn ur a crack up! adam you’re spot on…and snags…breathe…
yeah i reckon the only respectable cars in the current holden range are either the aussie or euro models [ie: commodore and astra range].
the rest is not up to scratch…its true korean brands are advancing…but once they get to the average of today…the average of today will be 10 years ahead…
friends of mine who drive holdens are sick and tired of the lion playing them for fools…one especially who bought a vectra is sickened that he has to buy an epica to upgrade…he’s told me his next car is a mondeo.
I have to agree with Tonyn. The Saab 9-3 Wagon was close by on the SAAB stand at the Sydney Motor Show and it looked very very similar. About the only design difference was the tail lights, which on the SAAB bracket the rear windscreen, whereas on the Holden they are in the more traditional location. Not bad though, but still too big for my liking.
However, on a funny note, the sign next to the wagon said that it had a ‘higher loading lip for easier loading’ or words to that effect. I don’t know if its just me, but I seem to recall that lower loading heights were for easier loading…
On the subject of the show, did anyone else notice that the mid size Holden -I can’t even recall its name – was hidden way up the back, with only two models (both in refrigirator white if I recall correctly). Ford, on the other hand, was trumpeting its Mondeo range as loudly as it could, with the words ‘German engineering’ and ‘kinetic design’ used as often as possible. Does this mean that Ford actually want to sell it this time around?
Agree guys…yes i think Ford does want to sell the mondeo this time around.
its either ford wants to sell the mondeo and holden is beginning to see the error of its ways…have you guys seen the new vectra and astra? as a ford man i find it that they could threaten the focus and mondeo…hello holden? can you hear this?
Tommo617 said…..However, on a funny note, the sign next to the wagon said that it had a ‘higher loading lip for easier loading’ or words to that effect. I don’t know if its just me, but I seem to recall that lower loading heights were for easier loading…
Depends how tall you are I guess and strong?
Chicks with Prams may find it harder!oh and the dog jumping in the back too !
Good photos guys…….starting to appeal to me ,weird!!! lol
The interior shot looks great. Exterior, well I’ll have to wait and see a base model first. It looks great in its Calais guise, but without the big alloys, quad pipes, nicer tail lights of the Calais, I’m not so sure.
well the astra is the same thats on sale here and now, the new vectra looks like a big leap forward like the new mondeo…i’d consider buying one if it was made available here too.
The new corsa or our old barina is a stunner…
hey adam…im actually glad holden didnt bring the far superior product from europe…its so ford can clean up their old link to korea and build a base of loyal customers who buy ford for quality european design and build.
John…LOL well thats a point…but be careful…snages might get upset…we have discussed this no end remember!
Nice as, but hey look how narrow back window is and pillars at rear – will be a nightmare to see out of.
i agree, trouble is pick a new car today, particuarly in a hatch that IS easy too see out off!
Most are much harder than any older cars.
As I have said in otherposts.. Holdens New CEO; Chris Gubbey is apparently very much in favour of importing more new Opels isntead of Daewoos in an attempt to not only improve sales and but also Holden’s image which Denny Mooney ruined.
He; unlike Mooney; obviously realises that the standards and the level of “specifications” etc on offer in the hatchback market had improved since the days when the [$14,990] drive-away deals started. Customers want more than just a tin can with seats and a steering wheel.
– Basic features should now include air-conditioning.
I don’t particularly mind the two-tone interior. It amkes the cabin appear brighter and roomier.. I mean just imagine how dark/depressing it’d be with Black On Black. At least it’s one way of distinguishing the Luxury Models [Calais / SS] from the Basic Wagon
The only other feature Holden could have included would be a Bosster seat [Volvo XC70] which would be great for those who have kids
Hi snags. Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!! Holden-woo!!!
Face it snags, except for VE and Astra, Holden are just Daewoo SHIT and mean NOTHING to Australia. It hurts you, doesn’t it? Oh yeah baby. Be happy with your nasty, cheap, Korean coffin on wheels.
Hey Wheelnut……..I am hearing you on that booster seat.V 70S also had them!
My beautiful daughter used it for years when I had one! Great idea……she is now 7 !
@Reaper
At no stage did I say I was a holden fan, and im not. Im just sick of dickhead posts, like the one you just did
So you’re in the closet then? How about coming out, lol.
But seriously, not everyon who tags holden with the “woo” tag are dickheads. Call me that if you like, i don’t care. I think holden are a big sell out. MEANS A LOT TO KOREA!!!!!
Light years better than previous wagons. The entire car looks a lot more upmarket inside and out. Flex engine looks interesting too.
I’d also like to see the base models.
good points being raised, it is important to see the base models to get a better idea. upper spec models always look better. hey even the AU xr’s looked hot.
in this form it definately looks good though. i would be surprised if ford went down this path too. ford reserves the territory for families that want to move in style and the wagon will prob remain a practical thing. now that holden has moved completely out of the practical categories ford would have to be totally silly to move out too now there is less competition.
Ummmm, for the uneducated, Holdens are built all around the world, just like Toyotas, Fords, blah blah blah……
Build origins are:-
HOLDEN
Barina – Korea
Viva – Korea
Astra range – Belguim
Astra Twin-top – Germany
Epica – Korea
Commodore – Australia
Statesman/Caprice – Australia
Ute – Australia
Rodeo – Thailand
Combo – Spain
Captiva – Thailand
Hummer – South Africa
Firstly:- 3 out of 12 does not make “everything” made in Korea except Commodore
Secondly:- The Captiva is a run-away best seller for Holden, they are struggling to keep up with demand on this model.
Next years “all-new” Viva will be built off the same platform as the “all-new” European Astra. Don’t tell me this won’t be the best thing to come out of Korea, get set for Euorpean quality at a Korean price !!!!!
.
Aus means jack to holden, for if this car goes into production it will be just like the crapodore, made overseas and assembled here.
I thought we had seen the death of the Adventra and now they reveal a dumped VE Adventra Hearse!!!!
What is this crap about an enviro V8? Now what red neck holden lover can u see buying a V8 where the cylinders turn off? I suppose it will have Holdens great quality and only take 5 minutes for the cylinders to kick back in, just enough time for the owner to beat his defacto. lol.
If people want the fuel economy of a small 6 they will buy an Epica! pigs ass!!!!!!!!!! Even Holden fans Cant be that dumb or could they?
Ghandi, mate do you know were images of cars coming out of Korea can locate (heard further down track they go the better it is? Epica or Viva are meant to be significantly better). Any thoughts???
Yeah it must be hard for half a dozen people in a shed with a glue gun to keep up with the demand of the craptiva. A Thai hooker gets more sales in a month then the craptiva!!!!!!!!!!!
captiva sells well purely on price. and then holden tries to put down the territory in their commercials.
the only way they can make the captiva look good is by trying to make the territory look bad
The Epica is not efficient, it’s slightly worse on the road than the Vectra, despite looking better on paper – it’s a rather heavy car.
Also, what’s weird is you have two choices of engine, 2.0L at like 120kw, and the 2.5L at like 125kw. A 5kw increase in power for .5L is a bit perplexing. Quality wise, I think the Epica is greater than the Viva. Plastics feel better, don’t know why that is just is.
Hey Ghandi, so what is your position at holden? If the next Viva is made off the Astra platform then that means the death of the Astra in Aust. Just because it will have the same platform does not mean it is a decent car!
P.S. Please refrain from putting Keoran and quality in the same sentence or u r just kidding yourself and putting yourself in a position where u look like an ass!
ALBORZ… would you have photos of rear door showing close up of how it looks underside and from above as looks like hinge point goes way back around rear seat headrests? Could you please comment or upload pics???
thanks for the laugh Mark. i laughed my butt off when i read your posts. totally agree about Daewoo rubbish.
quote from mark = “Yeah it must be hard for half a dozen people in a shed with a glue gun to keep up with the demand of the craptiva. A Thai hooker gets more sales in a month then the craptiva!!!!!!!!!!!”
Haha, that is good stuff mate.
^^ Ford fan, by any chance?
WOW, a VE station wagon with mags.
this post is getting funnier by the minute…
what’s holden’s current slogan? it used to be…”holden means a great deal to australia…”
oh hang on…it’s “go”…go where? go to korea for cheap imports? or go downhill and build one quality car, import one more and reap profits from cheaper imports and fool the aussie driving public that they care about safety, quality and reliability.
and ghandi captiva is korean…
Hmmn, isn’t this supposed to be about the new Commodore Wagon?
Lets face it, at least the local manufacturers (even if they are owned by overseas companies, so aren’t really truly Australian anyway, but I digress) are still trying to come up with new products that they might be able to flog overseas (as a Pontiac G8 variant apparently) so that we can maintain a manufacturing base in Australia.
Otherwise, if we lose that, we will end up importing all our cars…and both Holden and Ford will most likely source these from the cheapest source, which means South East Asia. Lets not forget that we have a free trade agreement with Thailand (Captivas, various Hondas…)
I seem to recall that by exporting cars, manufacturers earn credits with which they can bring in imported cars at lower prices.
As for where your car is built, there are very few manufacturers that solely source their cars from where you would think. These include Ferrari, Maserati (Italy obviously) and, believe it or not, Subaru (Japan is the sole source). Even Porsche uses a factory in Finland. BMW and Merc have factories in the US. Toyotas, GM and Ford are built pretty much everywhere.
ghandi hummer is hummer…not holden…whatever gave you that idea…holden had no input into it…just like saab didn’t want their cars to be rebadged as holdens…because they don’t to dumb down their cars…
Tommo617, Everyone thinks the Holdenwoo is the only Austrailan car and think the Ford Falcon’s arn’t when they more Aussie than any Holdenwoo.
FOR THE SAKE OF ARSEHOLES THAT SAY “HOLDEN IS AUSTRALIAN FORD AIN’T”, It’s no more Australian than a Ford Falcon or Ford Territory. Infact, they are even more Aussie than any Holden woo, ok!!! Also, because Holdenwoo fans have no answer to this, they have nothing better to say than “I don’t care” or “I am an arsehole and I don’t give a ****”. Ha,Ha. Dumb arses, LOL!
Thommo, subaru make cars in the US in a shared plant with Toyota. I think you are refering to Suzuki. I think. Commodores are not made in Aust, they are assembled here. more then half of the parts are sourced from overseas, thats how much aust means to Holden. In fact the best holden ever made was the Nova as it was made by someone else!!!!!!!!!!!
VE wagon is good to see, just a pity it’s so short in the back. 3rd row seat option doesn’t seem to be high on the agenda for all of the large family’s who can’t bring themselves to buy a van/ tarago. Please make a third row seat HSVi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark The reason the majority of parts of both the Commodore and the Falcon [current and upcoming] come from overseas is merely a matter of economics.
Because the Australian market is so small when compared to the rest of the world. If Holden and Ford wanted to make all their own compontnts it would cost a hell of a lot more as a result the cars would cost more.. and the life cycle of a car would be greater than it is now
It would also be unlikely that the current Commodore or Falcon would have SRS; or ABS due to the high initial set up costs and the time it would take to recover the costs
Fact of the Matter is both Holden and Ford rely on external; specialist suppliers..and it’s not up to the car manufacturers to dictate where their suppliers set up their factories. The suppliers are so good at what they do that they can make the parts cheaper than we ever could.
I’m all for an All Australian Made Car However I doubt that very few people would be prepared to pay $60;000 for a basic Falcon or Commodore.. Not even the die-hard fans
hey adam…give the adventra a break, it was a good car that deserves respect…just because the territory sold a few more cars because it was cheaper and used less petrol dosnt mean the adventra was a bad car…our family owns a adventra and its great, yes it may use over 16L per 100k, but atleast it’ll get you to your destination in style and you’ll have a great ride. You’ll also be able to go practicly anywhere a big 4wd will be able to go.
Henaz,
the main problem with the adventura was it was basically a commy wagon with a lot of after thought items tacked on to it.
maybe it didnt sell aswell cause people werent keen to fork out the extra for what was a commy with stuck on flares.
the territory was far more innovative and fresh compared to anything else that was on offer hence it sold well
cant wait to trade in my adventra and buy the ssv wagon it has more of a european look and no doubt it will have street cred also
Hey,
I work near the Holden plant in Adelaide (Elizabeth) and saw two new Sportwagons on the road today – out for a drive straight off the production line – no plates. Looked very nice, though I only saw them for a few seconds. From the front look just like a regular VE, but the side and rear profile looks good on the road.
Hey Duck – FYI the Holden VE Sportwagon was released on July 1.. I saw one [A Phantom Black Calais-V; 6 Speed Manual] this morning at my Local Holden Dealership – Looks awesome!
^Damn………..I can’t wait to see them at my local dealer!