Calais V: Holden builds a Beemer
The new Calais V is rumoured to have been benchmarked against BMW's 5 SeriesALERT: for Holden's just-announced pricing and spec details on new VE click
One of just four models chosen by Holden to spearhead the introduction of the VE range, the Calais V is the most luxurious short-wheelbase Holden ever.
At this morning's launch of the VE range -- Holden's most expensive development program ever -- Holden chief Denny Mooney called the car "sport and prestige blended into one irresistible combination."
Though understated alongside its extrovert SS V stablemate, at first glance the Calais V wants for little. Indeed, in creating the Calais V, Holden has essentially added a new trim and equipment level to the Australian-built large car marketplace.
Traditionally, Holden has pitched Acclaim v Futura, Berlina up against Ford’s Fairmont and the Calais took on the Fairmont Ghia. In the Calais V it appears Holden has moved the game on – it’s not hunting local meat but rather is gunning for the Euros. Hence the tongue-in-cheek headline.
Holden’s staged release of the VE range and its strict embargoes mean that we can’t give you chapter and verse on the Calais V. Yet! Watch this space.
What we can confirm is the car sits at the very top of the VE range -- above the Calais (as the SS V tops the SS).
It's not a brawn over brains story, however. Contrary to the pre-release scuttlebutt, the Calais V will be available in both 195kW 3.6-litre V6 and 270kW 6.0-litre V8 versions. The differentiator will be equipment – extra goodies like the standard front and rear park sensors that you can see on the pictures hereabouts and the upgraded interior include rear overhead entertainment centre including DVD.
As is the case with the SS V (see more
), the Calais V’s extra consonant is borrowed from Cadillac’s performance models. General Motors’ premium brand uses the V to distinguish its high performance variants. In Cadillac-speak it means a sportier suspension tune, more power and a general chassis upgrade.Finding out whether this will be the case with the Calais V will have to wait until Holden’s engineering briefings and the VE media drive program later this month and in early August. We do know the car pictured rolls on 18-inch wheels as opposed the SS V’s 19-inch rubber. One Calais V appeared sporting 20-inch wheels at the reveal -- a marked contrast to its understated lines and classy interior.
Like its SS V stablemate, the Calais V gets high-spec Xenon headlamps and standard underbumper front fogs. The V8-powered model (pictured) gets quad pipes.
Unlike the SS V, the Calais V is auto only. A look at the interior shows the new six-speeder is equipped with a steptronic sequential shift option. The same 6L80E gearbox is used in Cadillac's STS-V and auto versions of the Corvette.
The Calais V interior shot also shows the high-line luxury interior with high quality horizontal ‘beltline’ that sets it apart from the sports interior of the SS V. Check out the perforated leather facings to the sporty profiled front buckets.
Keep an eye on
and CarPoint in the coming days for more updates on the whole of the new VE Commodore range…And don’t forget the August issue of Wheels (on sale July 26) which features the full and exclusive behind-the-scenes story on the development of the VE Commodore.
To visit NineMSN’s exclusive webcast of the VE unveiling click
.
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