VE now from 33

GM HOLDEN has effectively slashed $2000 from the entry-level price of its new VE Commodore sedan by offering a special-edition Lumina variant for $32,990.

The Omega-based Lumina, which represents the second limited-edition version of the Commodore offered by Holden since the VE was launched in August last year, is priced $1500 below the VE sedan’s base launch price of $34,490.

It is also $2000 below the V-Series special-edition launched last year at a price of $34,990, which added air-conditioning, a spoiler and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Available only to private (not fleet) buyers, the auto-only Lumina is effectively a V-Series with larger wheels, parking sensors and badging, for $2000 less.

It features air-conditioning, four 18-inch alloys (the space-saver spare is steel), rear parking sensors, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a unique front grille, body-colour door-handles and mirrors, and a rear Lumina badge.



Metallic paint remains a $400 option and the Lumina can be had in just one solid paint colour – Heron White. Six metallic exterior colours are on offer: Red Passion, Evoke, Nickel, Impulse, Sandstorm and Phantom.

Like the VE Berlina sedan, the Omega/Lumina is powered by a 180kW/330Nm version of Holden’s Port Melbourne-built 3.6-litre Alloytec V6, mated exclusively to a four-speed automatic transmission.

Other standard equipment includes electronic stability and traction control, electronic brake assist and distribution, dual-stage twin front airbags, cruise control, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, a four-way power driver's seat, a five-inch multi-function display with trip computer and power windows/mirrors.

* In other GM Holden news, Holden’s wild Effigy hot-rod concept has been named the 2007 North American Concept Car of the Year by the South East Automotive Media Organization (SEAMO) in the US.

Described as the 21st Century reincarnation of Australia’s most famous model, the 1953 FJ Holden, the Efijy was presented the award in a special ceremony at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan on Friday (June 22).

Styled by GM Holden chief designer and Efijy project leader Richard Ferlazzo, the Efijy was chosen - by a jury consisting of professional automotive journalists - from 33 concept vehicles and 11 production preview vehicles that made a North American motor show debut this year. The Efijy first wowed fans at the 2005 Sydney motor show.

Another GM brand, Chevrolet, claimed both the 2007 North American Specialty Concept Vehicle of the Year and the Most Significant Concept Vehicle of the Year award – thanks to its Volt electric vehicle concept. The Volt debuted at Detroit in January and GM announced a fuel cell variant of it at China’s Shanghai motor show in April.



“It is particularly gratifying for the car to be recognised in this way in the US, which is historically the home of flamboyant automotive design,” said Mr Ferlazzo, a self-confessed hot-rod fan. “It’s nice to know that there is still a place in the concept car arena for a purely expressive design.”