Category: Holden

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HOLDEN EPICA 2007 – 2011

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2009 Holden Epica

Holden’s medium-large Epica wasn’t a sales success during its time on the new-car market that began in March 2007, with the car being quietly slipped off the new-car price list in February 2011. The Epica was relatively expensive and had a sedan body in a class that favours hatchbacks. Its South Korean heritage didn’t do it any favours either, though there was some Holden input in the design and mechanical setup. The result is poor resale value that makes the Holden Epica a real bargain on the used-car front. Epica… Read more

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HOTTEST COMMODORE AT THE REDLINE

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Holden Commodore Redline range

The word ‘redline’ in motorsport refers to an engine spinning at its maximum revs, or drivers pushing themselves and their machines to the limit. Holden has used the Redline tag before, but never in a car like the track-ready VF Commodore SS-V Redline. Though a 6.0-litre V8 engine capable of delivering up to 270 kilowatts of power and 530 Newton metres of torque is the first thing enthusiasts want to talk about, the really clever things in this car are the suspension and steering, not to forget trick electronics that… Read more

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VF COMMODORE SPORTWAGON

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Commodore SV6 Sportwagon has looks that seem sure to appeal

It somehow seemed appropriate that our first extended VF Commodore test in our home area should be a station wagon, or a Sportwagon to use Holden’s title. Commodore was king of the family car market for 15 years before many buyers moved to either smaller cars or medium SUVs. So it’s likely the big VF station wagons could draw those who strayed from Commodore back into the fold again. There’s something distinctly Aussie about the way the VF Commodore feels on the road, particularly in country driving. It lopes along… Read more

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HOLDEN MALIBU ROAD TEST

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The Holden Malibu is made to measure for the spot between the Cruze and VF Commodore

Conservative in its shape, the new Holden Malibu will appeal to buyers looking for value in a family car Here’s a radical thought: if Holden was to build the Malibu in Australia, put Commodore badges on it and add a bit more pep to the engines it might sell up a storm. Australian car buyers have made it clear they no longer want large family cars, now preferring medium SUVs or small cars. The Holden Malibu, which is sold as a family car by Chevrolet in the USA, is a… Read more

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HOLDEN MALIBU ARRIVES IN AUSTRALIA

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The Holden Malibu is made to measure for the spot between the Cruze and VF Commodore

With the dark clouds of Ford’s folding and Volkswagen’s safety issues hovering over the Australian automobile industry, it has been left to Holden to make a break with the launch of the Malibu, a sunny mid-size sedan. Named after the famous California surfing beach – the car is already sold as the Chevrolet Malibu outside Australasia – the Holden Malibu comes in two trim levels, CD and CDX, with either a 2.4-litre DOHC petrol engine or 2.0-litre common-rail turbo-diesel, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select manual mode…. Read more

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HSV’S GEN-F, DETAILS REVEALED

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Bold frontal styling is a major feature of the new range of all HSV models

HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) has released full details of its exciting new Gen-F range of vehicles. Production of the vehicle will start towards the end of May, with the exception of the ultra-hot GTS that won’t commence build until late August. With the obvious exception of the GTS the new high-performance Commodores are scheduled to arrive in HSV showrooms Australia-wide midway through June. First a word on the change in naming strategy. The current range of HSV vehicles, based on the VE Commodore took the usual naming convention of E-Series… Read more

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HOLDEN’S VF UTE REVIEW

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Styling of the new VF Commodore ute is bang up to date

Holden has added many high-tech items, as well as other features to its soon to be launched VF ute, yet has reduced the recommended retail prices by as much as $5500, with price cuts across the complete range. The new ute range begins with the 3.6-litre V6 automatic at just $32,990, a drop of $2500. It comes with many of the premium features Holden has introduced in the VF Commodore sedan and wagon range. These include Auto Park Assist, front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera and remote… Read more

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HOLDEN CAPTIVA 2006 – 2012

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Holden Captiva is a medium-large SUV that has a lot of Australian input in its design and engineering teams. Holden Captiva is available in two slightly different body styles, with the MaXX having a sporty look and five seats, while the other body type can be purchased as a five- or seven-seater. The third row seats are larger than those in many of Captiva’s seven-seat competitors and, while still better suited to children than adults, can carry the grownups in reasonable comfort. Storage space when all seven seats are in… Read more

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NEW COMMODORE: ADVANCED DETAILS

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Holden Commodore SSV

Following secret information on the new VF Commodore being leaked, probably after a harbour cruise for Holden dealers hosted by the company’s chairman Mike Devereux, Holden has put out a press release on the vehicle. Detailing major price cuts, backed up by increased levels of equipment, the release gives a wide range of information on the VF Commodore. Cuts in recommended retail prices of the VF Commodore are huge – ranging from $5000 to $9800. Holden has introduced a new name for the lowest cost model – the Commodore Evoke…. Read more

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HOLDEN VF CAPRICE OFFERS ASTONISHING VALUE

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Relatively conservative styling is well suited to a car in the upmarket class of the Holden Caprice

For many years we have been saying that the topline Holden models, Caprice and at one stage the Statesman, offer astonishing value for money in their class. Compare the big long-wheelbase Holdens with the high end models from the big name German marques. The Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class have similar spaciousness and performance to the Holden but cost upwards of three times the price. Of course all this is overly simplistic, people who can afford upwards of $150,000 do so because of the image and prestige… Read more