Holden drives towards a new-look future

Just recently we got to have a close inspection of Ford's new R7. It's an all-wheel drive, seven seater recreational vehicle that hints at the future path for both Ford and the new Falcon.

But what about Holden? Well, how's this: it has just unvealed a new prototype four-wheel drive recreational vehicle that hints at the future path for both Holden and the new Commodore.

Wow, deja vu central.

We could go into detail about the Holden vs Ford debacle, the General vs FoMoCo issue and how similar the Cross8 is to Ford's R5 utility concept unveiled a year ago, but instead, we'll just take a look at the merits of this new and very forward-looking Holden - the Cross8.

The name is supposed to evoke an image of a vehicle with offroad durability but at the same time having the soul of a performance V8 sportscar. Even so, without even hearing the name, just one look at the new beast tells you enough about its purpose. Indeed, the new Holden has plenty of visual impact - just what the company needs.

The sports recreational vehicle fits into the ever expanding 'crossover' category that, in all seriousness, is ripe to become the dominant segment in a decade or so.

Holden will release the new Cross8 in 2003, adding to an already healthy line-up of cars. Not just a prototype, but a production prototype - this baby's on it's way! The only difference here is that this vehicle, like the VU ute, Monaro and VX Commodore, is an Aussie design, unlike the Euro-styling of the Vectra, Barina, Astra and others.

And on that topic, you can almost see the new VY Commodore wanting to break cover. Of course, it's all speculation, but the new look Cross8's front end is very pleasing nonetheless.

With less curvy headlights than the VX and incorpating those oh-so-chic xenon globes and a different grille, the new look face of Holden is promising. The bonnet looks great, with funky vents built into the sides - though this groovy design cue probably won't make it to production.

The rear-end is more familiar, with the tail-lights looking very VU ute-ish. The wheel arches appear to have been slightly updated and, all-in-all, this a terrific looking new-fangled crossover vehicle.

But unlike Ford's all-new R7, the Cross8 uses quite a few of the Commodore's underpinnings, even a few panels. This allowed Holden to quickly and efficiently create a new model using advanced computer aided design, or CAD. The production model Monaro was also conceived in this manner, and Holden big cheese, Peter Hanenberger, says that you can expect many more new models to be realised using similar methods.

One of the most important aspects of this new vehicle is all-wheel drive (AWD). Interestingly, the new Cross8 will be available in rear-wheel drive too, as local passion for traditional utes is massive at present.

Though Holden isn't giving away any secrets about what is going under the bonnet of the new Cross8 come 2003, the version on display at the Melbourne Motor Show was packing the oft-used 5.7-litre Gen III, pushrod V8.

This excellent eight-cylinder mill provides a tractable 225kW of power @ 5200rpm and 460Nm of torque @ 4400rpm, but Holden has stated that both V6 and V8 versions will be available upon launch.

The Cross8's Gen III powerplant is mated to the 4L60 automatic gearbox, which provides four forward and one reverse ratio. Together with traction controls, power steering and ABS, the Cross8 concept is fitted with front, rear and centre open differentials, signifying that although this isn't a hardcore offroader, it will still enjoy getting dirty.

Holden front man Peter Hanenberger had this to say about the introduction of the Cross8 into Holden's vehicle range: "Like the Monaro, the Cross8 is built from the same flexible platform as our top-selling V-car series - and it is an equally well packaged vehicle.

"As the name implies, this is a crossover car - a four door, all-wheel drive, which can accommodate five people in sedan comfort, carry a light duty load and deliver trademark V8 performance.

"With its all-wheel driveability, the Cross8 will also handle a wide range of surface and off-road conditions with ease. It previews a new model range that Holden will be releasing early next year - and I can tell you that the all-wheel drive factor is a forerunner of more good things to come.

"The Cross8 provides further proof of Holden's ability to anticipate trends and transform concept cars into production vehicles much faster and more cost-effectively than ever before," Hanenberger concluded.

We would hazard a guess that when Hanenberger says there's "... more good things to come..." in terms of the AWD vehicles, he is referring to the new 4WD Commodore. The plot thickens...

The interior of the new Cross8 also hints at what the new VY Commodore will look like on the inside and, if first impressions are anything to go by, it is certainly more pleasing than the current crop of Commodores. The major dials are surrounded by elegant chrome and the sports seats are trimmed in ochre leather. Nice.

The Cross8 on display also had groovy perforated alloy brake/accelerator pedals, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with black inserts, a leather-wrapped handbrake and gearshift knob and plenty of silver detailing on all over the place. Tailor-made for a sports/recreational lifestyle, the Cross8 advertises its performance credentials and all-wheel-driveability with a wide track stance, extended wheel arches over 18-inch AWD sports wheels, hood and fender vents, integrated sports bar and streamlined, remote release decklid.

At the end of it all, you'd have to say that Holden has knocked up a rather fancy AWD crossover vehicle that is more than just an overpriced king-cab. And talking of overpricing, we can't offer much in the way of credible numbers, as Holden is very good at being 'hush-hush' when it comes to pricing. Chances are it will slot in between the entry-level Commodore and the more expensive SS model, but we'll have to wait until 2003 to wittle the figure down.

Is Holden mirroring Ford? What about Ford copying Holden? Who cares. As long as vehicles like Holden's Cross8 and Ford's R7 make it into showrooms, we'll be happy.