Sportswagon lines up

GM HOLDEN has announced details of its VE Sportwagon range, which has been substantially expanded over the VZ wagon line-up.

While the VZ wagon was only offered as three models, the VE Sportwagon will be offered in seven variants.

The new Commodore wagon will be shown in production form at the Melbourne International Motor Show from February 29 and go on sale before July.

Pricing is yet to be announced, but Holden has revealed both the models line-up and specifications of the vehicle.

The VE Sportwagon will be available as an Omega, Berlina, Calais, SV6 and SS.

Holden is pitching higher with its new wagon, also offering luxurious V versions of both the Calais and SS.



VE wagons come with the same specification as their sedan equivalents, except that all of the wagons come with rear-parking assistance which is not standard on the lower end Commodore sedans.

Holden is hoping the dramatically-styled model will draw more private customers, who may have been put-off by the staid image of the segment in the past.

"This exciting vehicle will appeal to a whole new generation of private and user-chooser customers, while remaining a fleet favourite," said GM Holden marketing director, Phillip Brook.

"Sportwagon is the perfect addition to the VE Commodore range and will put excitement back into this traditionally conservative segment." The Sportwagon is built off the same base as the $1billion VE Commodore and uses the suspension system including the new multi-link independent rear suspension.

As with previous Commodore wagons, the new VE Sportwagon uses coil-springs at the rear, as opposed to the leaf springs used by the Ford Falcon rival.

The VE Sportwagon, which is a five-seater only, features a 60/40 split-fold rear seat unlike its sedan equivalent which uses a fixed rear seat.

It uses a higher cargo floor for easy loading and features a flexible cargo cover.

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