VE Day: All-new Commodore

Put away the camera phones, quit hiding outside Holden offices and factories and forget about trawling the net for 'scoop' pictures...

Today is VE Day and with much fanfare (see NineMSN's exclusive webcast

Holden has released details and pictures of its long-awaited and much vaunted new Commodore.

The first all-new Holden design since the HQ... The first all-Aussie Commodore... Arguably the most important local large car ever... However you label the new VE Commodore, it's not overstating the case that its success is crucial to the survival of the Aussie large car as we know it.

Designed from a near-blank sheet of paper (or more correctly computer screen) in a program that has cost Holden over $1billion, the seeds of the VE were planted in 1997 soon after the launch of the VT Commodore.

And the launch of the car looks like it will stretch almost as long! Wheels magazine will publish the full story behind the new Commodore in its August issue, on sale July 26. In the meantime, the motoring media and public will be treated to a sequence of briefings and unveilings as Holden highlights every detail, design facet and development process behind the new VE range.

The unprecedented and heavily embargoed launch program will culminate in a drive of the new cars in the first weeks of August. And you'll read about all of it first at Wheelsmag.com.au and its web partner CarPoint.

We can't tell you the exact dimensions of the new Commodore, nor can we confirm exactly what's under its undeniably handsome new skin. But Holden has already stated that the entire VE range gets ESP (electronic stability program). And though we're not supposed to know this just yet, Wheels understands that the car's been benchmarked against premium German marques such as BMW, as well as the best GM products worldwide.

What we can reveal for the first time, are details of the foundation VE model line-up, along with some details of key models within the seven cars that make up the range.

There's no pricing information yet, but the spectrum of trim and equipment levels are here -- from the newly-created entry level Omega through to the new short-wheelbase flagship, the Calais V.

>> Omega: A new base
For photos of the Commodore Omega click

The Omega is Holden's new entry-level Commodore. Replacing the Executive and Acclaim, like all VE models the Omega comes standard with ESP.

Engine is a version of the 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 already installed in a range of Holden vehicles. The 'new' base Alloytec is rated at 180kW.

Transmission is a four-speed auto. Like all VE models there's provision for a full-size spare wheel.

>> Berlina: The next step
For photos of the new Berlina click

Speculation suggested Berlina would be dropped from the VE range but it's back with an emphasis on comfort and function.

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

Just one V8 will be offered across the Holden range -- a 270kW 6.0-litre unit. 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.

>> SV6: A sporty six
For photos of the new Commodore SV6 click

The sole six-cylinder 'performance' model at launch, the SV6 shares the aggressive bodywork of its sporty V8 siblings captured in spy shots in recent months.

Packing a 195kW version of the Alloytec 3.6-litre V6, the naturally aspirated SV6 delivers a choice of five-speed auto or six-speed manual transmissions.

The 195kW powertrain gets twin exhausts. And not just on the SV6 -- look for the twin pipes on the V6 Calais as well.

>> SS: It's an eight, mate
For photos of the new Commodore SS click

The base sporting V8 -- taking over from the outgoing SV8 -- the SS shares much of its spec with the SV6, but (of course) is powered by a 'proper' bent eight. The 270kW six-litre can be had with either a manual or automatic transmission -- both six-speeders.

>> SS V: The real SS deal
For photos of the new SS V click

The new V model (a designation borrowed from Cadillac's 'hotties') is the new top level SS. More equipment, more goodies but no more grunt -- remember just one spec of V8, a 270kW 6.0-litre engine that breathes through AMG-style quad-piped exhausts.

The SS V will offer the choice of both manual and auto six-speed transmissions and gets 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and (we believe) a brake upgrade over the 'standard' SS.

The SS V dash features a dominant centre 'stack' with colour-coded dash and 'afterburner' style instrument clusters.

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The lower level of two luxury offerings, the Calais comes standard with 195kW premium Alloytec V6 and five-speed auto. An auto-equipped 270kW V8 is optional.

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The new Calais V can be thought of as the Calais Plus -- one with the lot! Though V6 is standard, expect most Calais V models to score the optional 270kW V8 and six-speed auto. No manual transmission will be offered on the luxury-spec VEs.

The Calais V does get 18-inch seven-spoke alloys and like its simpler luxury sibling, a high-line luxury interior with high quality horizontal 'beltline' that sets it apart from the sports interior of the SS V.

As the photographs you've seen hereabouts show, the VE is a damned good-looking car -- distinctly Australian with restrained and honest surfacing and detailing. It's a design that should age well.

It's impossible to tell until we've driven the VE in all its variety whether Holden's engineers have succeeded as spectacularly as their designer colleagues. New cars sometimes add up to something less than the sum of their improved parts, but the VE Commodore seems unlikely to be one of these.

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.