Holden's Sharp New VY UTE

With the launch of a striking new VY model line-up, Holden continues to finesse the formula that has made Commodore Australia’s number one choice for five years straight.

The VY range sets a strong new styling direction and is expanded to include a new SV8 sports sedan. Refinements to body structure, powertrain and chassis dynamics deliver appreciable improvements in performance, ride and handling, safety and build quality.

Replacing Holden’s chart-topping VX Commodore and VU Ute Series II models, the VY went on sale early in October 2002.

Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Peter Hanenberger, says the new-look VY sedans, wagons and utes follow a dynamic blueprint based on superior design, driver’s car performance, technological innovation and a close understanding of customer preferences.

“VY demonstrates our dedication to developing cars to the level buyers have come to expect from a company that listens to its customers. It is the logical evolution of a model that already possesses excellent credentials. We have built on the strengths which make Commodore Australia’s number one car,” Mr Hanenberger said.

“Holden is looking to the world from a very strong base in Australia, and our vision for this new niche manufacturing era begins with the introduction today of this expanded VY range.

“It brings precision, refinement and quality to a new level, to ensure that the passion we have for designing, engineering and building such cars is shared by the people who drive them,” Mr Hanenberger concluded.

With its stronger ‘face’, more angular lines and sharper rear end detailing, the updated VY offers a fresh take on Commodore’s award-winning styling themes. Smart interior treatments are highlighted by an all-new instrument panel with binnacle-style cluster featuring multi-function digital displays, new centre console and steering wheel.

Revised steering systems which provide a precise feel and better driver feedback contribute to better-than-ever chassis dynamics. The Commodore SS, new SV8 and Ute SS are powered by a high output, 235kW version of Holden’s Generation III V8 engine, teamed with a specially tuned twin exhaust system. Eighteen inch alloy wheels are now standard on Commodore SS sedan and the sporty SV8 features 17-inch alloys.

Standard features include ‘twilight sentinel’ automatic headlamp control, headlamps off programmable time delay, high feature Blaupunkt audio systems, road-speed sensitive intermittent wipers (all VY models); passenger airbags (sedans, wagons, SS Ute) and front spot reading lamps (all sedans and wagons except Executive).

Berlina, Calais and SS (sedan and Ute) offer a six disc in-dash CD player, and a new Rear Park Assist audible feature is standard on Calais. The Holden Assist 24-hour satellite security and support system is also optional across the VY range.

Styling
Significant sculptural changes to front and rear surfaces give VY sedans a more aggressive, hard-edged road presence, the sharper tail accentuating Commodore’s characteristic nose-down profile and contributing to improved aerodynamic performance.

All lines run towards the strong trapezoidal grille, dominated by a chiselled lion symbol and bisected by a sports bar on performance models. A bolder, wider air intake reinforces the Holden graphic design theme first evident on Monaro.

Differentiation between model levels is more pronounced than ever. Distinguishing features include individual grille treatments and specific headlamp designs up front. Variations on VY sedan’s clean rear end styling are achieved through bumper surface treatments and the design of its distinctive jewelled tail lamps. The sports stance of the SS Ute is enhanced by new rocker mouldings and an exclusive rear bumper; wagons also score re-styled rear bumpers.

Three metallic exterior finishes – Martini, Turbine and Berry – make their debut with VY. The brilliant Hothouse green finish that was introduced with Monaro can now be specified on Commodore SS and S. Stylish ‘technical’ spoked wheel designs feature across the range.

Inside, the view from the driver’s seat is transformed and the cockpit feel is emphasised by a totally re-designed instrument panel, centre console and steering wheel. The aesthetic is precise and technical, the layout simplified and intuitively functional.

Highlights include a compact binnacle, multi-function digital display, updated controls and graphics, smoothly integrated radio facia with large-screen readout, metallic detailing, colour-coded instrument cluster (SS), new-design transmission shifter and handbrake, neat small item storage solutions.

A carefully co-ordinated range of seat and door trim fabrics in velour knit, woven jacquard and soft-feel sueded velour – all new for VY – complement background colours. Subtle tones and monochromatic patterning feature in Executive, Acclaim, Berlina and Calais. Commodore S and SS sport triangular geometrics, colour co-ordinated with exterior finishes; trim for the new SV8 is a unique pop-art spiral design. Calais and SS (sedan and ute) buyers have a choice of leather trim options that are colour-keyed to exterior finishes.

Further design detailing includes highlight stitching on leather-trimmed steering wheel, park brake and gearshift surround (Calais, colour-keyed on SS); satin chrome highlights on steering wheel, gearshift, handbrake and door handles (Calais and SS); colour-keyed, metallised console facia surrounds, alloy pedals (SS sedan and ute); red instrument cluster (SV8).

Vehicle Dynamics, Performance and Safety
A hallmark of VY performance is an improved all-round drive character that translates into a smoother, quieter ride experience and underlines Commodore’s reputation as a true driver’s car.

This new measure of refinement results from the largest and most intensive vehicle engineering program undertaken by Holden since it developed the game-changing VT model Commodore, introduced late in 1997.

In evolving VY, Holden engineers built on the strengths of its predecessors and applied leading edge technology to achieve significant advances in chassis dynamics, build precision, powertrain, safety and aerodynamic performance.

The new models benefit from a new steering package that delivers a precise feel through more positive feedback and improved on-centre definition.

A High Output Generation III 5.7 litre V8 engine – standard on the new Commodore SV8 and SS sedan and Ute models – offers an extra 10kW of peak power (235kW) and 5Nm more torque (465 Nm). Its signature V8 base note ‘burble’ comes courtesy of a new, full-length twin exhaust system.

Eighteen-inch and 17-inch wheel and high performance tyre combinations are available on SS and SV8 sedans respectively; Acclaim models are now equipped with wider 15x7-inch alloy wheels and Berlina has larger 16x7-inch alloy wheels.

Recalibrations and shift revisions improve the performance of automatic transmission systems and V8 automatic transmissions have been upgraded for greater durability. Service intervals for V6 engines have been extended to 15,000km from 10,000km.

Body structural stiffness has been further optimised using Finite Element Analysis and makes a major contribution to VY drive character and build quality.

Occupant safety is enhanced by the standard fitment of passenger airbags on all sedans and wagons, new load-limiting seat belt retractors, re-optimised front airbags and structural reinforcements which reduce the risk of lower limb injury. Traction control is standard on SV8 and anti-lock braking is now standard on Ute S.

Features
Commodore’s high-quality new instrument cluster features a large multi-function digital display (single or triple-window, depending on model) developed to satisfy driver preferences for more ‘customised’ information settings. These include radio station display and PRNDL ‘gear selected’ indicator, trip computer with stopwatch function, service reminders and a help facility.

Well-integrated Blaupunkt audio systems include such upgraded features as road speed-dependent volume levels which are adjusted through the instrument cluster, a security link which does not require PIN number re-entry after servicing and an auxiliary input to enable phone and Holden Assist audio to be fed through the speaker system.

Rear Park Assist, standard on Holden Calais and optional on all sedans, is enabled automatically when reverse gear is selected. Four ultrasonic sensors mounted in the rear bumper trigger audible beeps which increase in frequency as the vehicle gets closer to obstacles behind it, alerting the driver to their presence and proximity.

Berlina and Calais models feature Monaro-style projector headlamp technology, which improves low-beam pattern spread and improves safety performance by reducing glare to oncoming vehicles.

A new mobile phone power outlet under the centre console armrest powers the phone charger, out of sight, leaving a second socket to power other items. Calais has an extra lidded compartment for mobile phone and other small item storage.

All sedans now feature a shadeband across the top of the rear windscreen; Calais and Berlina are equipped with two additional cupholders which pop out from the dash and spin into position, as well as a sunglasses holder mounted above the rear view mirror.