NOWHERE in the range is there more pressure on the scaled-down, slender European physique of the new ZB-generation Holden Commodore than with the flagship VXR model grade.

Holden insists that this all-wheel-drive, V6-powered five-door liftback is not a direct replacement for its Australian-made, V8-engined SS-V Redline predecessor, despite the old and new costing virtually the same coin. With increased traction and sophisticated technology, in lieu of sheer speed and outright brutishness, the new Commodore flagship is indeed in every sense a fresh top model.

The new Commodore VXR also directly competes with a greater number of competitors than before, trading out the dearly departed Ford Falcon XR8 and slow-selling Chrysler 300 for a trio of new-age liftbacks including the Kia Stinger, Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Arteon.

So, in the words of the iconic John Farnham, let us take the pressure down on this new Holden. Here it must conquer not the past, but present rivals, lest it could – as with that local immortal artist – be a nameplate ready for a last-time tour…