Happy birthday to Ute

HOLDEN is celebrating the 50th anniversary year of its Ute with the release in November of the limited edition SS Fifty.

Holden will produce 500 of the 5.7-litre V8-powered anniversary edition Utes, which are based on the Series II VU Ute SS.

Holden is claiming $2000 worth of extra value in the SS Fifty over the standard SS, while pushing the price up $1300, from $37,600 to $38,900.

The SS Fifty Ute is available in one exterior finish only - a combination of "Phantom Black" with side and rear highlights in "Quicksilver". Further differentiating features include an alloy sports bar, 17-inch alloy wheels, SS Fifty identification on the flush-fitting tonneau cover and SS Fifty badging.

The SS Fifty's passenger compartment includes sports seats trimmed in a unique combination of SS 'Code' fabric with leather bolsters in Hyper yellow. A colour-coded instrument panel and yellow instrument cluster match the seat trim.

The Ute's leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear shifter and handbrake are edged in yellow baseball stitching - and the doorhandles, handbrake and auto-shift button are highlighted in satin chrome.

Under the bonnet, there's a unique black engine cover with yellow accents. Holden has also announced a VX II edition of the Commodore Lumina, which is based on the Executive V6 automatic sedan and wagon.

Holden claims $4000 worth of extras over Executive in the Lumina package, for an increase of $1790 over normal pricing. The sedan retails for $32,490 and the wagon $34,360.

Sedans add a rear decklid spoiler with stop lamp while wagons have an integrated roof rack. Both feature 16-inch alloy wheels and 225/55 V-rated tyres, body-coloured exterior mirrors and grille highlights, bodyside mouldings, lower bumper fascia and rocker mouldings, a chrome exhaust extension and specific Lumina badging.

Passenger compartments are finished in a unique door and trim fabric - a geometric design in subtle grey tonings. Cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, air-conditioning and four power windows are included.

Holden has timed Lumina production to coincide with the holiday season and plans to build 4000 units.

Other limited edition action and offers recently announced include Mitsubishi: The Pajero Tanami will be available through dealerships until the end of November. Based on the popular Pajero GLS, the Tanami is named after one of Australia's most famous deserts.

Added to the GLS Pajero are side steps, heavy duty towbar, sports roof racks, tailored floor mats, rear dust deflector, vinyl spare wheel cover and "Tanami" badging. In NSW an in-dash 6 CD stacker is also included in the offer, while for other States an airbag compatible alloy bullbar is included.

Mitsubishi says either offer adds more than $2000 of extra value for no additional cost.

Recommended Retail Prices are $51,210 for the 3.5-litre V6 manual, and $53,990 for the auto. The 2.8-litre turbo-diesel sells for $53,490.

Toyota: Another batch of 2.2-litre four-cylinder Camry Intrigue sedans are being released at the recommended retail price of $29,990. That's up $720 on the manual Camry Conquest it is based on with a claimed $1860 worth of extras.

These include ABS, 15-inch alloy wheels, CD-radio-cassette sound system, three rear seat headrests and a unique radiator grille with body colour surround and grey centre.

Volkswagen: The Polo hasn't had any equipment changes, it's just that the price has been chopped by $2400 to $19,990. With the new Polo not due until mid-2002 you could call this a long - very long - run-out.