VZ Adventra

Holden didn’t release a VY II Adventra in six-cylinder guise because its two-valve pushrod 3.8-litre V6 was on its last legs, so it released V8-only models to a cool response.

But the VZ Commodore program was essentially centred on the release of Holden’s Global V6 powerplant – and so the VZ Adventra’s big news was the inclusion of a 3.6-litre V6.

The Alloytec 190 was the 190kW/340Nm 3.6-litre V6 matched to a sequential-shift five-speed automatic gearbox.

Meanwhile the VZ Adventra V8 was also dealt improvements, with a smoother four-speed automatic shifter and noticeably better responsive and power delivery through its electronic throttle.

There was no dual-range transmission or traditional manual shift gate: instead the mid-spec CX6 gained intuitive shift paddles on the steering wheel, providing full manual control.

The VZ V6 also gained a hill descent control function, reducing the need for low-ratio gearing in many situations, as well as a Bosch 8.0 stability control and an electronic brake-assist system.

With 62 per cent rear-biased drive, the VZ Adventra consequently lost little of its Commodore donor’s rear-wheel driving experience, especially off-road.

But sales still remained flat in a buoyant market, with Holden discontinuing the Adventra V8 models in late 2005, leaving the Alloytec V6 models to contend with the top-selling Territory.