Up, not out: New Commodore Berlina

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

Speculation suggesting Berlina would be dropped upon the introduction of the VE was wide of the mark. The model nameplate is back and was unveiled alongside its Omega entry-level stablemate late this afternoon.

Holden hopes Berlina will be a key anchor in its pursuit of lucrative private sales as well as the burgeoning new group of ‘company car’ drivers – the salary sacrificers. It may be a significant step above the Omega in finish and equipment ‘extras’ but when the prices are finally announced (see more re pricing in CarPoint’s Omega story

Positioned as the higher level of the VE’s two-car ‘Functional’ segment, the Berlina builds on the interior themes of the base-model Omega, but adds a higher level of finishes and equipment. In the cabin there are reprofiled seats (with optional leather), and a fresh centre dash section with large colour screen.

In place of the Omega’s ‘dark silver’ horizontal fascia moulding is a striking timber-style accent. Requiring special attention in terms of Holden’s ongoing fabric and interior design element choice, the timber ‘spear’ is unique to the Berlina. It’s not our cup of tea, but…

Auto climate control is standard and there’s a multi-disc in-dash CD player that’s MP3 compatible – as in all levels of VE. Steering wheel controls, centre dash trip-computer screen and basic instruments echo its lower-spec stablemate but the Berlina also sports ancillary electronic data panels on the lower quadrant of its speedo and tacho. It shares this feature with the Calais and long wheelbase WMs only.

The exterior too gets a higher level of finish – from the twin-bladed chrome grille elements and standard fog lamps to the inclusion of 17-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels and body colour mirrors and door handles. At the rear there’s a more elaborate tail lamp design and a lower valance insert that adds some drama.

Though sharing its 180kW V6 drivetrain with the Omega, the Berlina offers optional V8 horsepower.

Just one V8 will be offered across the Holden VE range -- a 270kW 6.0-litre unit as revealed in our Calais V and SS V (see more

The V8 will be offered coupled to a new six-speed automatic transmission or an improved version of the current six-speed manual. No manual V8 will be offered in the Berlina -- that privilege is reserved for the sportier VEs.

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.