Holden Commodore Omega (VE Series II)
The revised Commodore features a new touchscreen entertainment system and E85-capable engines across the range. iPod connectivity, climate control, reversing camera, and Bluetooth hands-free and streaming are also standard.
In brief
Holden has released photos and limited details about its second significant update to the VE Commodore range, and the first since the car's 2006 debut to feature styling changes.
The updated Commodore range features seven trim levels: the entry-level Omega; the luxury-themed Berlina, Calais and Calais V-Series; and the sporty SV6, SS and SS-V. Body choices include a sedan, wagon and ute, although availability of each depends on the trim specification.
Outward visual changes may be limited to lightly modified headlights, bumpers, grilles, alloy wheel designs and boot lid, but Holden has given all Series II VE Commodores updated dashboards, with specific design themes employed for the entry-level, luxury and sports variants.
Up-to-date tech
Standard across the range is a new entertainment system, dubbed Holden-iQ, that features a 6.5-inch touchscreen mounted high up on the dashboard. All Holden-iQ units have a CD player, auxiliary jack and a USB port with iPod support, as well as a reversing camera (not available on the ute), and Bluetooth for both hands-free and streaming audio.
Every model except the entry-level Omega also comes with 1GB of flash memory to store ripped CDs. Holden-iQ units on the SS-V and Calais V-Series models feature an updated navigation system with live traffic information, 3D map view and speed alerts.
Flex it
Three engines will be offered in the revised VE Commodore line-up: 3-litre and 3.6-litre V6s, and a 6-litre V8. The 3-litre V6 and 6-litre V8 have the capability to run on any blend of unleaded fuel running from standard (91RON) and premium (95RON and 98RON) to ethanol blends, like the commonly available E10 (10 per cent ethanol mixed with unleaded) to the rare E85 (85 per cent ethanol).
A bunch of aerodynamic modifications help to bring down fuel economy on petrol-sipping cars, with figures ranging from 9.1L/100km for the 3-litre V6 to 9.8L/100km for the 3.6-litre V6 and 12.3L/100km for the 6-litre V8. Buyers can also opt for a 3.6-litre V6 that drinks LPG at the rate of 13.4L/100km.
Outlook
Holden has so far released feature lists, fuel economy numbers and a limited number of photos, but has yet to reveal pricing and engine outputs. We expect more details to be released in the lead up to the car's public unveiling at this year's Sydney Motor Show in October.