Holden Sportwagon: Get Up and Go Wagon Motoring Channel Staff - 12/October/2007 | 
Holden Sportwagon
This is the 'concept' version but Holden
assures us the final version will be similar
The Biofuel V8 with cylinder deactivation
could be a clever way to reduce emissions
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Sydney, Australia —
GM Holden premiered its new VE Commodore Sportwagon at the
Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) in Sydney, to
add more functionality, room and storage flexibility to its
range. According to GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director,
Chris Gubbey, the new arrival is targeted at families who want both
practicaility and good looks. "The new VE Commodore Sportwagon
puts the excitement back into practicality. This is a car for families
with a 'get-up-and-go' attitude," claims Gubbey. "The VE
Sportwagon turns practi-'cal' into practi-'cool," he says.
At
present still a production-based concept vehicle, the VE Commodore
Sportwagon is scheduled to hit Holden showrooms in the first half of
2008. It draws on VE sedan design cues at the front, with a swagon
silhouette built on the standard VE wheelbase. At the
rear, the forward-placed tailgate hinge and vertical
opening tailgatehave created a wider opening than usual, and
the higher cargo floor makes loading easier when the 60:40
split rear seating row is folded flat.
The concept model
includes a roof mounted DVD player, Bluetooth capability,
multi-function driver information display system and zone-based front
and rear park assist systems - all standard on the VE Calais
V-Series sedan. Pricing, model line-up and powertrain combinations will
be confirmed closer to launch date, but expect to see a similar type of
strategy to VE sedan, with entry level cars, sports models and luxury
models ranging up to the luxurious VE Calais V-Series. The concept model on display at the Australian International Motor Show
also incorporates a V8 engine featuring Active Fuel Management (AFM)
and E85 flex fuel capability. Active Fuel Management allows cylinders
to turn off under light load conditions to improve fuel economy. Holden
says the Sportwagon will offer transport that's equally at home as
a working tool or a desirable
family car. Holden executive director sales, marketing and aftersales,
Alan Batey, says the Sportwagon breaks the mould for Holden.
"We've added important safety features such as ESP® as standard,
and luxury versions will be incorporated into the range to
further increase its appeal to families," he adds.
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