Calais: Luxury entry

ALERT: for Holden's just-announced pricing and spec details on new VE click

For the VE Calais, Holden has created extra distance from the Berlina while still leaving enough space above for the even sportier new Calais V. The Calais is a tempting blend of luxury and performance with two premium engines and their top shelf auto transmissions.

The VE Calais displays a clever blend of SS aggression in the grille combined with a wider, more horizontal look in the lower intake. Instead of the dual centre grille bars of the Berlina, the Calais has an aggressive open design filled with diamond cross-hatch mesh and capped with a chrome header. The full width lower intake insert provides a contrast for the jewel-like chromed fog light surrounds. The other big appearance upgrade is the projector lens headlights with gloss black surrounds.

At the rear, the super-sized tail lights with their smoked over clear lenses and fluted red inner lenses distinguish the Calais from lesser models. The prominent five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels in silver are as wild as any design seen on a sports model yet do not compromise the ride. Because of its premium engines, the Calais comes with dual exhausts with chrome tips highlighted by a black centre panel in the lower rear fascia. The V6 features a large single outlet in each corner while the optional V8 has two sets of dual outlets. They make a bold statement about the improved performance. Rear park assist is there for more mundane driving.

Interior equipment goes up several notches with the premium dash and seat design. The design reverts to the horizontal aspect of the Omega dash with a cleaner, less cluttered look when all the functions are consolidated in a large 6.5 inch single screen below the centre vents. The instrument panel has a large supplementary display that replicates most functions without requiring the driver to look away from the straight ahead. 

The gear selector gains leather trim, there is a nine speaker six-stacker sound system boosted to 150 watts over the 80 watt systems of lesser models, cloth seat trim with leather bolsters with full leather option, six-way electric adjustment for both front seats, express up and down for both front windows, front centre sliding armrest trimmed in leather, illuminated sunvisor vanity mirrors with covers, side and curtain airbags as well as active head restraints. And to remind you that you are heading towards top shelf European motoring, the Calais gets a flip key.

Mechnically, there is a choice of the High Output 195kW V6 with five-speed auto or the latest L98 270kW V8 with six-speed auto, both with the latest Active Select manual change function. The Calais features Sports suspension with reduced ride height and firmer springs. 

Fuel consumption drops for the V6 from 11.4litres/100km for the VZ Calais down to 11.3. The V8’s fuel consumption rises from the previous 14 litres/100km to 14.3 although the six speed auto should deliver better in some driving conditions.