The SV6 takes the Lion's share of Commodore
sales. Key to its popularity is sporty styling. It looks exactly like the SS,
but is powered by a V6, which keeps company accountants happy. SV6 follows the
same recipe in VF guise, and so is again expected to carry the sales for the
range. It's the second rung on the variant ladder and costs the same as the old
model, at $55,490.
Whether the new styling is any better is
another thing. The softer front and rear ends rob the assertiveness of the old
design, and it needs bigger wheels. A downsized rear wing is an improvement
though. The new interior shows progress, both in appearance and tactility,
though the Likes of the Mazda6 and Accord are made better still. It's encouraging
that features like front and rear sensors, a reversing camera and blind spot
monitoring are standard, especially with those small, carryover wing mirrors.
The
Holden Commodore SV6 is a visual standout from every angle, inside and out
The Commodore remains a big car, handy if
you need the space. SV6's boot is huge, swallowing chilly bins, big push
chairs, and overnight kit without thought to orderly packing, while five adults
fit with ease too. Not in the boot silly, in the cabin, where there is now
provision for three lsofix-spec child seats.
Holden didn't do much underneath that new
aluminium bonnet with the 3.6-litre V6 left at 210kW and 350Nm. Wonder if we'll
ever get the 241kW/377Nm version available in the Camaro? It still has a
six-speed auto too, but with the weight saving programme knocking 40kg off the
SV6, and (we guess) some re-cal work and the new electronic architecture, this
SV6 is quicker than the VE Series II, the 0-100km/h time falling from 6. 7 to
6.3sec.
Step
inside and the spacious, high quality interior of the Holden Commodore SV6
still impresses
The V6 suits the sporting Commodore. It
will spin when need be, but has enough low- to mid-range torque for commuting.
The six-auto is still a little slow acting, though responds well to manual
inputs via the lever. Pity no shift paddles were added this time round. The SV6
is fitted with FE2 sports suspension, Potenza rubber and there's a Sport tune
for the electric power steering. Don't be put off by the sports-tuned springs
though as the new car rides comfortably round town, much better than the old
model, and is quieter too. And it's still quite enjoyable to steer through a
few bends, as only a rear drive layout can deliver. There's nothing to corrupt
the steering, the VF filtering out shock but not killing feel, while it's
nicely balanced and compliant over bumps too.
The
3.6-litre direct-injected V6 produces 210kW of power and 350Nm of torque
Also from the V6 range, we sampled the more
premium $66,790 Calais V version. It shares the same running gear as the SV6
but Calais models are tuned more towards comfort. To that end it gets FE1
suspension, ride optimised Bridgestone Turanza rubber and a Touring tune for
the steering. As you'd expect, Calais rides in plush fashion, especially in the
city, and is quieter too on road. The difference in the steering feel isn't too
noticeable around town, but is more easily detected in bends where both
weighting and feedback are lighter. There's more body roll happening too and
with tyres optimised for comfort over grip, the front end slips away more
readily when pressed. But the Calais isn't completely isolated from the road.
Like the SV6, you can drive it right up to the edge of adhesion quite easily,
when it will let you know that it is nearing the limit, and that's a nice
quality to have in a car.
Not
only is the cabin room ample, the boot space is huge
The Calais with its extra shine and bigger
wheels looks 'choice', and helps justify the price premium but it's the added
features which raise the price of the V models. They get the full suite of
driver safety aids with a head-up display, Jane departure warning, forward
collision alert and also sat nav, Bose audio, and heated leather seats. The
warning systems only give off the odd false alert, but it's the blind spot
monitor you'll find most useful.
While the Calais is not a luxury car- it's
still not built well enough for that- there is certainly a more premium feel to
it compared with the SV6. Whether or not it is worth an extra $11k is another
thing.
