GM Holden freely admit Commodore utility is Australia's top-selling sports car. It's a two-seater, two door sports machine and can come with with a thumping 6.0 litre V8. Sports editions of the iconic Aussie ute now account for more than 90 per cent of Holden ute sales, which, by the way, are booming
At the launch of the new 2010 Commodore Series II we were able to test drive two variants of the utility that has taken on cult status in recent years: Omega and top-of-the line SSV. The traditional Holden ute is still available as the no-frills Omega that is purchased by small business and tradies as a workhorse - the roots of the utility story.
Even this austere variant has come along way. In the latest upgrade the Omega gained Holden's i-Q multimedia system, dual zone airconditioning, a six speed automatic transmission and the 3.6 litre V6 has been ousted by the 3.0 litre SIDI V6, now with E85 ethanol-blend fuel capability. If you live in the bush and there's no E85 available locally don't worry, the SIDI engine also runs on unleaded and ethanol blends inbetween. The upgrade will set buyers back an extra $2000 with the Omega price tag now $35,490, before on-road costs.
We hopped behind the wheel of the Omega - which had been filled with E85 ethanol blend - for a 57 kilometre run into the Barossa Valley out of Adelaide. E85 gives a boost to engine performance and the 3.0 SIDI V6, linked to a six speed gearbox, unlike the 3.6 litre that had a four speed auto, feels more purposeful and free-revving. Holden claim the 3.0 litre SIDI (direct injection) engine will now get a combined economy of 9.1 litres/100 km, although on our brief 57 kilometre test - including some enthusiastic driving to get the feel of the engine and transmission - we only managed 13.7 litres/100 km. We look forward to a full road test in the near future where we will get a better idea of real-world economy.
From the Omega we jumped into an SSV ute powered by Holden's Gen IV 6.0 litre V8 hooked up to a six speed manual shifter. This is the vehicle at the top of Holden's current sports ute range and in the heartland of what has been a shift from workhorse-only, to sports car that also earns it's keep. A typical buyer is a self-employed plumber or business owner requiring a ute for light carrying duties. Many tow a trailer for the tools of trade, keeping the ute pristine for cruising and sports-related activities, like towing a jetski or boat.
It's in the V8-powered utes that it becomes clear why the once-unfashionable ute has taken on the mantle of Australia's favourite sports car. The straight-line performance is brutally quick and with Holden's rear wheel drive combined with superb suspension, the SSV at $47,490 - before on road costs - is in the bargain basement of high-performance vehicles. Our test car was no `shrinking violet' either, emphasised by the stunning paint selection - Poison Ivy.
Like the Omega, the SSV ute gains a host of new features, although the basic body shape remains the same. At the launch Holden managing director, Mike Devereux, said simply about the Commodore shape, `If it ain't broke, then don't fix it." Instead, the car was given a light facelift, with the majority of Holden's budget spent on a colour touch-screen system, called Holden i-Q. This includes a single CD player, MP3 compatability, USB input, auxillary input jack, integrated iPod support, enhanced Bluetooth with phone book display, touch screen dialling and Bluetooth audio streaming.
What is Bluetooth streaming? If you have a Bluetooth-enabled mobile with iPod and, say, 5000 songs stored, you simply use the Bluetooth connectivity to stream your music wirelessly via the Holden i-Q multimedia system. Like the Omega, the SSV was loaded with E85 ethanol and also surprisingly also returned 13.7 litres/100 km on out return trip to Adelaide airport from Birdswood, mostly a downhill run. Other changes to the SSV include new interior trim, upgrade to 19 inch alloy wheels and satellite navigation with live traffic updates. Like the V6 SIDI engine, the 6.0 litre V8 also runs on either E85 or unleaded and ethanol blends between.
The ute story does not end there with Holden's new `Redline Edition' including the ute which will see the SS V come immediately under the Redline Edition, which has a $2500 premium, although at launch it will carry an introductory $1500 price tag over and above SS V. The Redline cars have been developed for `enthusiast' drivers and include improved stopping power thanks to Brembro brakes and a track-tuned suspension.
COMMODORE UTILITY MODELS AND PRICING*
Omega $35,490
SV6 manual $38,490
SV6 auto $39,490
SS manual $42,490
SS auto $44,490
SS V Series manual $47,490
SS V Series auto $49,490
(*Pricing does not include dealer and government charges)
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