Holden VZ Ute: First Look

By Feann Torr

On sale now and starting at $26,290 for the 175kW VZ ute, Holden will be hoping to take yet more of the light commercial market from Ford, who has traditionally led the sales race in recent years.

With the advent of the new 3.6-litre 175kW Alloytec engines in the VZ range, the rear-wheel drive Holden Commodore-based utes can now compete against the 182kW entry-level engine that is supplied with Ford's Falcon ute.

Interestingly however, none of the high-output 190kW engines are being offered with the Holden ute range, saved instead for Statesman, SV6 and possibly the next generation 6-cylinder Adventra.

Beyond the power game, Holden has seen to it that its new 2005 model VZ ute can cut the mustard, including that impressive entry-level price point, which undercuts Ford by just $85 (@ $26,375).

Other new features for Holden's workhorse range include the new front end, new alloy wheels and a premium application 6-speed manual transmission, which will be available across the V6 Ute, Crewman and One Tonner range.

According to Holden, the new 6-slot manual gearbox will help to increase maximum V6 towing capacity by around 30 per cent. Not bad eh?

The 4-speed automatic transmission also benefits from electronic upgrades like in the sedan, and ABS-equipped models will offer improved braking performance while all models are now standard with power windows,
'drive by wire' electronic throttle control and cruise control - a $660 option on some Ford utes.

Like their sedan counterparts, the 2004 VZ range of utes (which includes Crewman, One Tonner and Ute) are set apart by distinctive front end styling, characterised by new grille treatments, more compact headlamps and deep fascias integrated with a dynamic new bonnet form.

The Gen III V8-powered Crewman SS and Ute SS models have smart chrome fender vents and projector headlamps also distinguish them as range-topping load luggers.

As well as making sure it undercuts Fords current pricing policy, not to mention adding a number of very welcome standard features, Holden has also spent time honing the ride and handling aspect of its light commercial range.

The Holden whitecoats covered hundreds of thousands of test kilometres to make sure the new VZ utes "retained their reputation for 'driver's car' chassis dynamics and passenger car ride comfort".

In other words, it means that minor refinements have been made to the suspension, steering and braking systems.

Holden has a car-based ute (not including One Tonner and Crewman models), Ford has a more traditional cab-chassis two-piece body, and purchasing choices will depend on what you intend to use your ute for.

And with the new price war bringing Holden and Ford closer than ever, it's going to be an interesting sales race for what is a very lucrative market segment in Australia. And it's no surprise really, as utes are the dogs bollocks -- tough but sporty.

Holden has even given the new VZ range of utes a more direct off-centre feel for the steering wheel to appease buyers who thought the steering was a little askew.

Talking about it's take on the updated ute range, Holden's executive director of marketing, Ross McKenzie, had this to say: "It's a matter of listening to your customers and
giving them what they want, which in essence means you offer a wider range of options to meet diverse needs and you present them better than anybody else.

"Our reborn One Tonner goes from strength to strength because it does what it does better than its direct competitors – namely carry more payload with better driving dynamics. And the Ute is a very smart workhorse – more like a two-door sports car with plenty of space to carry your gear," stated Mr. McKenzie.

On the topic of a two-door sports car, the range-topping SS Ute retails for $40,640 for either the 4-speed auto or the recently upgraded 6-speed manual gearbox. We'll be testing the SS Ute and V8-powered One Tonner with the flashy new 6-speed in the coming months, so stay tuned for a hands on report.

The freshly tuned 5.7-litre 16-valve V8 makes now produces 250kW (335hp) of power and 470Nm of torque, which is a rise of 5kW and 5Nm respectively. Power output on Crewman SS and V8-optioned One Tonner S models rises to 235kW and torque to 460Nm.

As far as the 6-cylinder models go, Holden has now included the more powerful lightweight, fuel-efficient 175kW (235hp) Alloytec V6, which operates with advanced dual overhead camshafts and 4-valves per cylinder. It out performs its predecessor (the 3.8-litre 152kW ECOTEC V6) both in terms of power and torque. On the One Tonner and Crewman models, peak torque of 320Nm is delivered @ just 2400rpm, while normal utes peak @ a less tractable, but sportier 2800rpm.

Peak power for all V6 models is 175kW @ 6000rpm, and it's interesting to note that 90 per cent of torque is available between just 1630rpm and 5460rpm, thanks to the application of advanced technologies like continuously variable cam phasing, which basically optimises camshaft position to match engine speed and torque load.

Alloytec V6-powered models are fitted with the latest-generation Bosch ABS system and a new brake booster and master cylinder, which help optimise stopping distance with faster, surer braking. ABS-equipped models also have a Brake Assist feature, which senses how hard and fast a driver hits the brake pedal and gives extra braking assistance if required. In addition, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) is also offered, which makes sense on a light commercial vehicle, as it controls rear brake pressure (in addition to front) under all load conditions and road surfaces.

Utes hold a special place in the Australian motoring landscape, and have done so for many decades, and the fight between Holden and Ford to become the leader in this field was very close in 2004, yet in 2005 it will be even more intense as Holden's One Tonne, Crewman and Cross8 range builds momentum, where Ford has just the RTV ute to pique the interest of hybrid/crossover buyers.

It must be said that the bulk of sales lie with the 6-cylinder entry level models however, and seeing that Holden has a solid new case to convince Ford buyers to switch, what with its new powertrain package, Ford may have to respond with something dramatic, something new in the short to mid term in order to counter this new product offensive.

Pricing:

Ute
Ute V6 Manual $28,540*
Ute V6 Automatic $29,310*
(*includes air conditioning)
S Ute V6 Manual $32,620
S Ute V6 Automatic $33,390
SS Ute V8 Manual $40,640
SS Ute V8 Automatic $40,640

One Tonner
Chassis Cab V6 Manual $28,540*
Chassis Cab V6 Automatic $29,310*
(*includes air conditioning)
S Chassis Cab V6 Manual $32,120
S Chassis Cab V6 Automatic $32,890
S Chassis Cab V8 Manual $37,120
S Chassis Cab V8 Automatic $37,120

Crewman
Crew Cab V6 Manual $34,540*
Crew Cab V6 Automatic $35,310*
(*includes air conditioning)
S Crew Cab V6 Manual $38,620
S Crew Cab V6 Automatic $39,390
SS Crew Cab V8 Manual $46,890
SS Crew Cab V8 Automatic $46,890

Value Packages:

• Ute
  Air conditioning, passenger airbag, ABS $3,780
  S Passenger airbag $495
  SS Leather trim in Anthracite,
  Single zone electronic climate control,
  Dash-mounted cupholders,
  top cap storage compartment $1,490

• One Tonner
  Air conditioning $2,250
  Air conditioning, passenger airbag, ABS $3,780
  Passenger airbag $495

• Crewman
  Air conditioning, passenger airbag, ABS, $3780
  Side impact airbag $520
  SS Leather trim in Anthracite,
  Single zone electronic climate control
  Dash-mounted cupholders,
  top cap storage compartment $2,490

• Option Highlights
  LPG (V6 auto only) $330 (plus HBD fitment cost $1,985)
  Six stacker CD $595
  Metallic paint $315
  Passenger airbag (One Tonner S) $495
  Side impact airbag (Crewman S) $520
  Air conditioning (Ute, Crewman) $2,250