Official Holden Commodore Sportwagon thread

[mikeyb]

The Holden Commodore Sportwagon has broken cover a week ahead of its official reveal at the 2007 Sydney motor show, reports GLENN BUTLER.

Full details of the forthcoming Holden VE Commodore wagon have leaked days before its official reveal at the 2007 Sydney motor show. And it confirms Drive.com.au's August report that Holden has sexed up the VE Commodore wagon, making it more of a Euro-chic sports wagon than the fleet-friendly load lugger it used to be.

Holden also believes that reinventing the Sportwagon as a more affordable alternative to European wagons from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz will draw more buyers to the brand.

Officially, the VE-based Commodore wagon Holden will display at the Sydney motor show is a concept only, but, as the leaked pictures show, the Commodore Sportwagon is production ready. Expect only the 20-inch wheels to be dropped for the production model, which goes on sale early in 2008.

For the first time, the wagon will be built on the shorter of the Holden Commodore's two platforms. This should allow Holden the necessary scope to improve the Sportwagon's dynamic abilities to better match its name.
A full range of models will be offered, starting with the Omega – which will no doubt do the majority of the fleet business – through to the mid-level Berlina and topped by the luxury Calais and Calais V. Holden will also offer a full range of sporting models – SV6, SS and SS-V – for the first time (Commodore SS wagons have been available in the past, but never a range like this).

Each Commodore Sportwagon model will mirror the equipment and safety levels of the equivalent sedan. Pricing has not been disclosed, but the wagon is likely to carry a $2000 premium over the sedan, which starts around $35,000.

The change in focus for the Commodore wagon from fleet-machine to stylish family wagon necessitated changes to the wagon's load area. The tailgate's hinges have been pushed further back into the roof to allow a wider opening, and to make loading easier. It's not known whether Holden has lifted the aircraft-style runners/adjustable luggage tie-down system from Saab, another GM-owned brand.

Engines for the rear-wheel-drive Sportwagon are also lifted straight from the VE Commodore sedan. The Omega and Berlina Sportwagon will have a 180kW version of the 3.6-litre six-cylinder engine, offered with a four-speed automatic transmission. The Calais and SV6 models will get the same engine in a higher-performance 195kW, and teamed with a five-speed automatic gearbox.

Calais and Calais V buyers will be able to option the 270kW, 6.0-litre V8 engine that is standard in SS and SS-V sports models. All V8s will be available with a six-speed automatic transmission; S and SS-V buyers will have to pay extra to upgrade from the standard six-speed manual.
Holden Commodore Sportwagon models will also benefit from recent tweaks to the Holden line-up, including a six-speed transmission for V8 models that deletes the transmission's sport/power button for a more user-friendly shift-to-the-side power mode.

- Drive

 

[SuperStretch18]

I'd drive that. Australia FTW...

 

[mikeyb]

Beware Dodge Magnum.

 

[genericuser]

Fast 6spd manual wagon... I'm in love.

 

[Donas64]

MY pontiac G8 dreams might just have been put on hold. G8 Estate please!

DO IT NOW PONTIAC!!!!

 

[SilverBulletES]

In the words of Henry Rollins: gimme gimme gimme!

 

[genericuser]

In the words of Henry Rollins: gimme gimme gimme!

another rollins fan.. sweet.

 

[coolmazda5]

Beware Dodge Magnum.

Yummm, me likes any Commodore variation. Dodge Magnum, to keep things going, here is what you have to do for all the trims :

 

[Donas64]

The magnum wagon looks mean! It's butch but I'd rock it with a HEMI! (drive2)

 

[mikeyb]

The magnum wagon looks mean! It's butch but I'd rock it with a HEMI! (drive2)

The Magnum that coolmazda5 posted is a SRT-8. The funny thing is I test drove a Magnum SRT Hemi the other day. Which I really liked it.

I might that I drove a R/T Hemi but a SRT.

 

[mikeyb]

<HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1> <!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->

Making it's world debut today at the Australian International Motor Show, the New Holden VE Commodore Sportwagon, adding a new model to the VE Commodore's family of vehicles.

The New Sportwagon aims to put the “excitement back into practicality”, but unfortunately when Holden's chairman Chris Gubbey strikes us with the line “turns practi-cal into practi-cool”, I kinda find myself wanting to look away. However the car does itself justice featuring a sleek and striking design.
The front end styling is drawn straight from the sedan with the backend sporting a silhouette type look to give that extra sporty touch.
The Vehicle on display at the Australian Motor Show is only a production concept which incorporates a V8 engine with Active fuel Management and E85 flex fuel capabilities, showcasing General Motors aims to highlight their capabilities in propulsion advances. As you can expect this concept model has extra eye candy features such as 20 inch alloy wheels,chrome window trim and a unique interior colour scheme. Other additional features can be found in the interior including a roof mounted DVD player for all those who have screaming kids in the back as well as bluetooth capabilities.
The VE Commodore Sportwagon will hit Holden showrooms early next year.

<HR>Press Release

Luxury, Flexibility and Choice Reflect Holden's Motor Show Line Up

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.
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[BlackCherry06]

Well, I guess someone's gotta throw some competition at the Magnum.

 

[TinmanMS6]

This is going to own the Magnum. Maybe it will inspire Dodge to throw a 6MT in there. Not that I'd buy it anyway. Chrysler interiors FTL.

 

[altspace]

 

[Donas64]

I never thought I'd get close to my dream of an Audi RS4 Avant

Poor mans RS4 FTW!!!!

 

[genericuser]

I've loved the magnum since its introduction. I've never been a GM fan. However, for transmission reasons alone, I'd get this wagon over the magnum.
It is a crime that SRT-8 is hindered by an autotragic.

 

[TinmanMS6]

I've always hated GM, too, but lately, they've been coming out with some really nice stuff, and not just the stuff they're bringing over from other countries.

Chrysler's transmissions are the only thing they make that are worse than their interiors.

 

[mikeyb]

Rumors are flying around that Pontiac will be importing this sport wagon here as a G8 Sportwagon. We'll have to wait and see.

 

[TinmanMS6]

Rumors are flying around that Pontiac will be importing this sport wagon here as a G8 Sportwagon. We'll have to wait and see.

I am fully aroused right now.

 

[coolmazda5]

I am fully aroused right now.

(wow) Ewww! . Bringing it would be great, it may also encourage Mazda to bring its wagon back (OK OK, not the same idea, but I have a dream...)