HOLDEN’S VF UTE REVIEW

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 vehicle start, the latter only on those with automatic transmission.

There’s an electric park brake with automatic release, Hill Start Assist, and Trailer Sway Control.

Holden’s MyLink infotainment system comes with an eight-inch, high-res colour touch screen, the MyLink system features enhanced voice recognition, iPod integration including Siri Eyes Free integration. It also has embedded app technology including Pandora and Stitcher SmartRadio.

Holden is well aware a ute is now much more than a working vehicle, many see it as a status symbol. For performance car nuts the ute has become Holden’s two-door sports machine.

So it’s no surprise that Holden Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Philip Brook, said VF’s design and technology made the Holden ute anything but utilitarian, “VF offers the sort of world-class user technology that will redefine what it means to drive a ‘tool of trade’ vehicle.

“The ute is so much more than its humble beginnings – it’s become an incredible vehicle by any definition,” Brooks said with a knowing smile.

Holden stats show half the buyers chose a V8 with the outgoing VE Commodore model.

The first sports model in the VF Commodore ute range is the SV6 manual with an RRP of $32,990. Standard with a manual transmission, the SV6 ute is powered by the 3.6-litre V6 with significantly more features. It has had a price reduction of $5500.

Over the equipment fitted to the standard ute, the VF SV6 gains FE2 sports suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and chrome exhaust tip, and limited slip differential (manual only) and sports seats.

Safety items include Blind Spot Alert, Reverse Traffic Alert, projector headlamps, and LED daylight running lights.

The VF Commodore SS ute adds the powerful 6.0-litre Gen IV V8 engine and comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission. Its RRP of $38,990 is down $3500 on the previous VE SS ute.

The RRP for SS V-Series has been cut by $5000 to $42,490. It has 19-inch alloy wheels, leather trimmed seats, satellite navigation, colour multi-function driver information display and passive entry sensor key technology with push button start.

Holden’s hot SS V Redline is at the top of the performance range. With its RRP price trimmed by $1500, the price for the manual SS V Redline ute is $48,490. Redline has the sporting FE3 suspension package, Brembo brakes, forged 19-inch alloy wheels and competition mode with launch control and track settings.

As well as the SS V-Series safety features, the Redline adds Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Head-up Display driver safety technology.

Holden dealers are now taking orders for VF ute models and are anticipating a rush in the early days, particularly on the sports versions, so it might be an idea to get your order in as soon as possible.