STEERING is probably the single biggest mechanical change for VY Commodore, the vastly improved rack being instantly recognisable to anyone who has driven a new one in the past five years.

It combines with the Control-Link IRS introduced for the VXII update last year to lift Commodore's dynamic abilities substantially.

Featuring increased torsion bar stiffness and changes to valving, the steering rack's new power assistance curve reduces the amount of driver input required for any given deviation from a straight line. That is, the same amount of effort at the steering wheel produces a greater change in direction.

More precise while offering a little more feedback, the new steering set-up gives Commodore a new-found level of steering control, particularly on-centre.

There's a reduced need for constant correction to maintain a straight line and initial turn-in precision has improved markedly - although this is also aided by the move to larger, 18-inch wheels and tyres.

Enthusiastic Commodore drivers will revel in the VY steering's more accurate nature - finally there's some indication of where the front wheels are pointing - and, while feedback is also improved, it still falls short of Falcon's more communicative tiller.

It's also a little under-assisted at parking speeds too, requiring plenty of elbow grease to perform full-lock manoeuvres.

The height and reach adjustable steering wheel itself is of a new design, the SS following other VY models' new four-spoke design but adding silver-finished spokes and a thicker leather-wrapped rim with perforated hide at top and bottom. Its rim is now made from lighter magnesium.