Commodore cut to $34,990: Model by model specs

IT’S official: Holden’s better-equipped, aluminium-clad VF Commodore will be no less than $5000 cheaper than the outgoing VE, with some higher-end versions getting price cuts of almost $10k.

News of the revised pricing leaked out last week, but it was not until today that the Lion brand confirmed one of the Australian automotive world’s worst-kept secrets.

Holden’s decision to take the scalpel to the bottom line of its Australian-made icon comes at a time when rival importers are capitalising on favourable exchange rates to sharpen their own pencils.

When it hits showrooms in June, the fleet-friendly entry level sedan – now called Evoke rather than Omega – will be priced from $34,990 plus on-road costs with standard six-speed automatic transmission.

Six-speed manual versions of the sportier SV6 will be available for only $1000 more at $35,990 ($2200 extra for the self-shifter) – $6800 less than the equivalent VE – while the luxury Calais cops an $8300 discount, starting at $39,990.

Six-cylinder versions of the flagship Calais V are now $46,990, while V8 versions will retail for $52,990. These new prices are, respectively, a mammoth $9800 and $9000 cheaper than before.

Holden claims the Calais now offers a genuine home-grown alternative to premium European competitors – see the lengthy spec list further down.

Finally, the performance-oriented SS V8 is cut back to $41,990 – hot hatch money – which is $5800 lower than before. The SS V performance leader is $45,490 (down $9800), while the flagship Redline version comes down to $51,490 – a $6300 discount.

The prices listed apply to sedan versions, with equivalent Sportwagons to cost $2000 more. ‘Prestige’ paint adds a further $550.

Not only will VF be easier on the wallet, but the addition of a host of in-cabin technology across all variants will, in Holden’s own words, make even the base Commodore an “aspirational vehicle” again, and a car that will “win over a new generation of Australians”.

The base Evoke – GM owns the trademark to the name, which is not to be confused with the rather conceptually different Range Rover Evoque – kicks off proceedings with a range of new technology nestled inside the radically redesigned cabin.

These include right-angle and parallel auto parking, front and rear sensors with rear-view camera, an eight-inch high-resolution touchscreen with MyLink app voice recognition and Siri integration, as well as built-in music streaming apps including Pandora and Stitcher.

Standard fare also now includes an electric parking brake, hill start assist with automatic release, Trailer Sway Control, 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and ISOFIX anchors.

Holden has also added a feature that can start the engine remotely via the key fob, allowing the owner to warm or cool the cabin. But don't worry – the doors remain locked, and the car cannot be driven beyond the key's short range." Power comes from the existing 3.0-litre SIDI V6 matched with a six-speed auto. Expect fuel savings of seven per cent or more thanks to the lighter kerb weight and new electric power steering.

Furthermore, despite the issues surrounding gas-tank maker CMI, GoAuto understands Holden will retain the LPG version as well.

Move up to the 3.6 V6 Calais and you get leather seats, chrome highlights, push-button start, DRLs, blind-spot monitoring, Reverse traffic Alert and a colour digital instrument display.

Over and above this, the Calais V gets the option of the carry-over 6.0-litre Gen 4 V8, plus razzle-dazzle such as an eight-way electric driver’s seat, 19-inch alloys, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, a heads-up display, nine-speaker BOSE system (sedan only), satellite navigation with traffic updates, rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, a sunroof (sedan only) and a DVD player.

On the sporty side of the ledger, the SV6 nets you (over the Evoke) 18-inch alloys, LED daytime running lights, blind-spot monitor and sporty side skirts and front spoiler. Power again comes from the VE’s 210kW/350Nm 3.5-litre V6.

The hot SS shares the SV6’s spec sheet, but adds the 260kW V8.

The hardcore SS-V will get a more potent version of the Gen 4, expected to produce 270kW and 530Nm, and packs a similar level of equipment to the Calais plus sat-nav, while the Redline versions add Brembo brakes with special forged alloys, FE3 sports suspension, a heads-up display, lane assist, Forward Collision Alert, and a sunroof.

VF Holden Commodore pricing*

Evoke (a)	$34,990 (-$5000)
SV6	$35,990 (-$6800)
SS	$41,990 (-$5800)
SS-V	$45,490 (-$9800)
SS-V Redline	$51,490 (-$6300)
Calais (a)	$39,990 (-$8300)
Calais V V6 (a)	$46,990 (-$9800)
Calais V V8 (a)	$52,990 (-$9000)

*Excludes on-road costs. Auto transmission $2000 extra on selected variants.

Evoke sedan and Sportwagon:
3.0L SIDI V6 engine
6 airbags
ECS, ABS & TCS
16” alloy wheels
Dual-zone climate control
Electric Power Steering
Auto Park Assist
Rear view camera
Front and Rear Park Assist
Automatic release electric park brake
Hill Hold Control and Hill Start Assist
Trailer Sway Control
ISOFIX child seat anchorage system
Remote vehicle start (automatic transmission only)
Enhanced multi-function display (one colour) with:
- Vehicle information menu
- Trip information menu
- Fuel economy menu
- Warning/messages
Holden MyLink Infotainment System with 8” high-resolution colour touch-screen display
Embedded Apps including Pandora® and Stitcher SmartRadio
Single CD player with MP3 capability
Full iPod® intergration including Siri Eyes Free and touch screen access for playlists, artist, albums, songs and genres
Enhanced voice recognition: phone calls, radio, navigation, smartphone/iPod®/MP3 or USB audio control
Bluetooth® audio streaming and auxiliary input jackSV6 and SS sedan and Sportwagon highlights over Evoke:
3.6L SIDI V6 engine (SV6) and 6.0-litre Gen IV V8 engine (SS)
Front & rear sports fascia
18” alloy wheels
LED daylight running lamps
Sportec/cloth sports seats
Lip spoiler (sedan only)
Blind Spot Alert (option on Evoke)
Reverse Traffic Alert (option on Evoke)
Sports styling: front and rear sports fascia, side skirts
Chrome exhaust tipSS V sedan and Sportwagon highlights over SS:
6.0-litre Gen IV V8 engine
Leather appointed seats
19” alloy wheels
Sensor key technology with push button start
Front fog lamps
Colour digital instrument display: vehicle information menu, trip information menu, fuel economy menu, warning/messages
Satellite Navigation with full colour mapping with live traffic updates, traffic management control and points of interest
Footwell lamps
Eight Speakers
DVD (playable when stationary)SS V Redline highlights over SS V:
Brembo brakes
Forged 19” alloy wheels
Colour Head-up Display
Forward Collision Alert
Lane Departure Warning
Updated FE3 sports tuned suspension
9-speaker Bose premium audio (sedan only) (option package on SS V with sunroof)
Sunroof (sedan only)Calais highlights over Evoke:
3.6L V6 SIDI engine
Leather appointed seats
18” alloy wheels
Chrome highlights
Sensor key technology with push button start
Colour digital instrument display
LED daylight running lamps
Blind Spot Alert (option on Evoke)
Reverse Traffic Alert (option on Evoke)
Premium styling: front and rear premium fascia, chrome side door accentsCalais V highlights over Calais:
6.0L Gen IV V8 engine (option)
8-way power driver seat
19” alloy wheels
Lane Departure Warning
Forward Collision Alert
Colour Head-up Display
9-speaker Bose premium audio (sedan only)
Satellite navigation with full colour mapping with live traffic updates, traffic management control and points of interest (option on Calais)
Rain sensing wipers
Heated front seats
Sunroof (sedan only)
DVD (playable stationary)