REPLACING both the Omega and Berlina, the Evoke aims to bring a bit of up-market pizzazz at a base Commodore price.
Brandishing a unique grille treatment to differentiate it from the other VF front fascias, the 1622kg Evoke sedan (Sportwagon: 1717kg) still gains their weight-saving measures and hot metal stamping techniques for a 43kg saving compared to the VE Omega sedan equivalent, while gaining extra strength.
Losing weight in order to cut fuel consumption has been central to the VF program, with aluminium used for the first time in the bonnet, boot lid and some suspension components.
Improved aerodynamics (by seven per cent for the drag co-efficient rating) also benefits economy.
The revised 3.0-litre SIDI direct-injection twin-cam V6 petrol engine delivers 185kW of power at 6700rpm and an identical 290Nm of torque at 2600rpm to the rear wheels, via a six-speed automatic transmission.
It demonstrates a substantial 6.7 per cent economy boost compared to the Omega version, for 8.3 litres per 100km.
Moving to the heavier 3.6-litre SIDI vapour-injection LPG model, it pumps out the same 180kW at 6000rpm and 320Nm at 2000rpm as before, and also uses a six-speed auto gearbox.
Using the FE1 suspension tune with MacPherson struts up front and an independent multi-link arrangement for the rear axle, Holden says it optimised the Evoke’s ride and handling for refinement, security and response.
Calibrated for comfort, the ‘Touring’ electric rack and pinion steering system is speed-variable. Like all VFs, the Evoke has also undergone a substantial noise/vibration/harshness reduction drive. On the tech front there is right-angle as well as parallel automatic parking complete with rear-view camera and front and rear sensors (dubbed ‘Auto Park Assist’), an eight-inch touchscreen with MyLink app voice recognition, ‘Siri’ voice-control integration, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and audio streaming.
Every five-star ANCAP-rated Evoke also includes improved stability and traction control tech (Bosch System 9), ABS anti-lock brakes, six airbags, power windows, electric mirrors, remote central locking, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The rest of the VF Commodore line-up consisted of the SV6, SS, SS-V, SS-V Redline, Calais and Calais V variants.
