IT’s official. You no longer need to skulk around if you drive a locally built Aussie big-six luxury car. The VE Calais has the goods and chassis dynamics that will give plenty of luxury European brands a good run for their money. It offers high levels of refinement, precise steering, exacting roadholding and an interior that looks and feels like a premium car. The folk at the golf club will be envious.

Holden VZ Calais
Released: August 2004
Ended: August 2006
Family Tree: CommodoreThe VZ Calais picked up all the new technology adopted at VZ Commodore time. That means it came as standard with the 190kW version of the Alloytec V6 as well as – providing you didn’t opt for the Gen III V8 – the new sequential-shifting five-speed automatic, ESP and electronic brake assist. Strangely, if you opted for the V8, you were denied the ESP and electronic brake assist, but gained a limited-slip differential and traction control. At the time the VZ Calais V6 was something of a showcase for all the technology Holden had to boast. It joined other 190kW Holdens as the part of the first group of local sedans to get electronic stability control. The firmer suspension tuning was welcomed and in no way upset the local luxury car’s on-road composure.
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