Omega: the new face of base

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

Out with Executive and Acclaim and in with Omega. Holden's new entry-level Commodore, the Omega replaces the thrifty twins and in the process ushers in a higher level of base model to the car maker.

Ironically (given the model name – Omega is the last letter in the ancient Greek alphabet) the Omega was the very first of the new VEs to roll off the drawing board. As the base model it defines the new model range from terms of design – both interior and exterior – and engineering.

Holden unveiled the new volume Commodore officially this afternoon (Monday, July 17) as part of its marathon media release of the VE range. Oh, and for the record the Omega is one of only three cars in the new VE range to get a Commodore badge.

Aimed largely at corporate buyers – an estimated 80 per cent of Omegas are sold into fleets – the car is frugal in its appointments though a far cry of the vinyl-seated rubber mat 'strippers' of only a decade or so ago.

Holden has not talked pricing for the Omega (nor any other VE models) though with the company unveiling the range to its dealers on the Gold Coast tomorrow (July 18) we don't expect the public announcement to be far away.

Holden chief Denny Mooney has already gone on record saying he believes the car will deliver “excellent value.” Company sources have suggested the increase will be “nominal” over the VZ despite the fact the Omega (and the rest of the VE range) will come standard with ESP.

The pricing of base model cars is critical. Mitsubishi was recently forced to rejig its 380 pricing after the public shunned its opening pricing gambit.

Full model-by-model specifications of the VE range are also still to be released (expect those details next week) so many details are cloudy. The information published to date has been gleaned from individual display cars or via Holden's 'drip feed' and as such will inevitably include some inconsistencies.

What is clearly defined is the Omega's mechanical spec -- namely a 180kW/330Nm version of the Alloytec V6 mated to GM's own 4L60E four-speed automatic gearbox. No other powertrain options are offered on this model. Side and curtain airbags will be available as option as will cruise control and a text-based navigation suite.

The car rolls on 16 x 7-inch steel wheels (with conventional wheel covers) and 225-section 60-series radials. Braking, like all VEs, is four-wheel disc with ABS brakes standard. As noted above ESP is also standard.

Though provision is made for a full-sized spare wheel, it now looks likely Holden will launch the VE range with a space-saver spare as standard. Purchasers will have to option up to full-size spare across the range. The cost will differ from model to model.

At the pointy end, the Omega's auto-on headlamps are conventional reflector style twin element lamps with a black bezel. The grille gets a single 'aero' blade with large Holden badging. There are no fogs but the bumper and sill panels are body colour. Wing vents are present on all VEs and are decorative only.

The VE range gets 'wet' wiper blades, that is the windscreen washers distribute fluid at the actual wiper arm.

The Omega's rear lamps are relatively simple 'duplex' units without the 'jewelry' of higher-spec models and the car makes do with a single exhaust outlet. The signature centre-mounted whip aerial adds some 'speed' to the basic car.

VE heralded a new matrix approach to design differentiation without rolling out a multitude of parts and finishes across the various model grades' interiors. Kicking off with 'Functional' and rolling though 'Performance' and 'Luxury', the grades build up what the maker terms its Flex Vision Strategy.

The Omega is one of two VE models in the 'Functional' grouping of new VE variants (along with Berlina).

In real terms this translates to cloth seats and a simple, horizontally oriented dash in Omega. As can be seen form the photos of the interior hereabouts, brightwork is minimized, but features like a trip computer and new integrated HVAC (heating ventilation air conditioning) and audio controls present a very clean look.

A Verde (green) illuminated 5.5-inch centre display gets pride of place in the centre of the fascia.

There's no leather on the steering wheel, but just like on the higher-spec models there are steering wheel controls with Euro-style scroll wheels.

Only the V-series and WM long-wheelbase cars get the top-end niceties mentioned at yesterday's launch such as the hinged door bins. The Omega gets conventional open-topped bins (the fronts large enough to take a bottle of wine). Flashy Euro-style folding ignition keys are also the domain of the highline models (SS V and above) only.

Key elements help differentiate the Berlina as a higher level model although it shares many design aspects with the Omega. The Performance (SV6, SS and SS V) feature a different dash and centre stack treatment among other key changes. The Luxury group (Calais and Calais V) differ again.

It's a logical progression of interiors and exterior flourishes that Holden believes its customers and dealers will readily understand.

Keep an eye on

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.