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SVZ treatment for VZ Commodore wagon and ute

Last hurrah: SVZ wagon and ute offerings mark the start of the VZ run-out.

Holden rolls out a special-edition VZ Commodore wagon and ute before the VEs arrive

BT-50

14 May 2007

By TERRY MARTIN

IN A predictable move, Holden this week rolled out SVZ versions of its VZ Commodore-based station wagon and utility, both of which are in their last throes before new-generation VE series models arrive.

As was the case with last year’s SVZ sedan and wagon, the limited-editions are aimed at maintaining the sales momentum of vehicles that date back to the 1997 VT Commodore.

The all-new VE utility is due on sale by October, while the wagon is not scheduled for release until early next year.

There is no drive-away pricing for the SVZs this time around, although the wagon’s $32,490 starting price is $2000 lower than the 2006 edition. The SVZ ute, which was not part of last year’s offer, is priced from $29,990 for the six-speed manual. (A five-speed auto on the ute adds $1000).

As before, additional equipment on the "Executive"-spec wagon includes popular options such as 17-inch alloy wheels (the spare wheel remains steel), air-conditioning, an in-dash six-CD player, front foglights, a roof rack and rear wind deflector.

The "FE1.5" luxury sports suspension tune returns, as do higher-series cosmetic treatments such as a revised grille, chrome exhaust extension, body-coloured mirror scalps and black-bezel headlights.

The cabin also includes Anthracite cloth seat trim with leather bolsters, front and rear electric-powered windows, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel, T-bar and handbrake lever.

A selection of new colours from the VE sedan range can be ordered, including "Provence", "Sandstorm", "Red Passion", "Nickel", "Evoke", "Vespers Blue", "Impulse", "Phantom" and "Heron White". Metallic paint costs $400 extra.

The SVZ ute gets the sort of treatment seen on Thunder versions of the high-performance S and SS models (and Storm special-editions before that).

Over the SV6, the Z-branded workhorse gets 18-inch alloy wheels – as seen on the Monaro CV8-R – with a full-size alloy spare, along with a performance braking package (with red-painted callipers), "Onyx" leather seats and door trims (with SVZ branding on the seat faces), and SVZ exterior decals.

As with the wagon, there are a number of VE colours to choose from, including the new "Morpheous" metallic available on Commodore sports sedans.

The SVZ ute is powered by the "High Output" version of Holden’s 3.6-litre Alloytec V6, which produces 190kW at 6500rpm with the automatic gearbox and 187kW at 6000rpm with the manual. Both produce 335Nm of torque at 3200rpm. The wagon gets the standard 172kW/320Nm Alloytec engine.