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Holden Ute History, 1951-2007

HOLDEN'S ALL NEW VE UTE RAISES THE BAR

GM Holden today unveiled its all new VE Ute range - the latest iconic model in a line-up that spans almost 60 years of Australian motoring.

VE Ute is Holden's first completely new ute design since the VU series in 2000. It offers more features, more useable interior space, greater storage flexibility and more performance than any of its predecessors.

Holden invested an extra $105 million on top of its $1 billion VE Commodore sedan program and carried out more than 650,000kms of reliability testing on the new VE Ute.

Launching the new range in Melbourne today, GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Chris Gubbey said almost 60 years of history had established the Holden Ute as a true Australian icon.

"The ute's development tells the story of Australia. Today's ute is about working hard, playing hard and enjoying an active lifestyle," Mr Gubbey said.

"VE Ute raises the bar in this segment and sets new standards in safety, comfort, flexibility and performance, and all at the great value price you'd expect from Holden."

Holden's world-class design and engineering expertise has created a vehicle that successfully integrates sports car performance, ride and handling and workhorse practicality.

Sharing the same genetic make-up as the multi-award winning VE Commodore sedan, the all new VE Ute was designed, engineered and built in Australia.

It will be the first locally produced ute to offer the acclaimed Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) crash avoidance safety technology standard across the range. High levels of safety carry through to the vehicle's structure which incorporates the same high-strength steels introduced in VE sedan.

VE Ute's interior offers increased cabin comfort and significantly increased storage space. The tray has a new cargo liner fitted as standard.

Performance is stepped up and there are wider wheel and tyre combinations across all models. A new-to-the-range SS V model marries 270kW of V8 power with high-level features.

These include 19-inch wheels, dual zone electronic climate control, Bluetooth phone connectivity, alloy pedals and a premium audio system, setting a new standard in the ute segment.

Introduced in July 2006, Holden's VE range has won a host of accolades including Wheels Car of the Year, News Ltd's Car Of The Year, MOTOR's Bang For Your Bucks and Drive.com People's Choice Award.

Design Overview

Holden designers captured the dual role of today's ute as a practical workhorse with recreational sports car credentials. A priority was to create more practical cabin space and storage flexibility.

Like its sedan sibling, VE Ute has authoritative stance and poise. The signature raked bodyside and distinctive flared wheel arches feature prominently.

The silhouette features a coupe-like integrated roof-line and retains the classic Holden Ute proportional trait with the tray perfectly balanced above the rear wheels.

The clean presentation is aided by the use of a single piece body side outer which runs from the A pillar to the tailgate. The new one-piece side structure delivers significant quality improvements through dimensional stability and repeatability.

There are unique wrap-around tail lamps and tailgate hinges are now fully concealed. Dual and quad exhaust systems enhance the VE Ute's sports car appeal.

Interior Features

VE Ute introduces several design solutions that increase interior storage space, improve rear compartment access and add more convenience features.

The cabin interior draws on the award-winning VE sedan, with individual treatments increasing buyer choice.

Specific centre stack features, mouldings, displays and illumination colours create maximum differentiation between variants.

The aggressive quality standards applied to VE sedan were also applied to ute, with critical areas such as part-to-part fit, material surfaces, storage openings and other treatments reviewed to the tiniest detail.

Rear seat access has been opened up with a quick release seat latch now standard. Storage volume behind the seats is now 245 litres, a significant increase over VZ Ute's 90 litre space.

There are two storage compartments beneath the load floor and all models except Omega and SV6 have dual cargo nets in the rear panel. A new rear centre T-panel provides a striking visual element.

Exterior Features

While the new ute takes many of its design and styling cues from the successful VE sedan, its body structure has more than 60 unique panels.

The rear structure has been significantly reinforced to accommodate the load-carrying capacity and robustness required for a light commercial vehicle.

The cargo area is more functional and versatile. A heavy duty moulded cargo liner is now standard fitment.

It helps protect the tray space and load materials from damage. Floor corrugations allow water run-off and easy cleaning.

The flush-fitting soft tonneau cover (all models except Omega) features Holden's unique 'snap lock' clipping system. The six cargo tie-down hooks have been redesigned for improved functionality.

Safety Technology

VE Ute incorporates more standard safety features than its predecessor and benefits from the largest crash modelling program Holden has undertaken.

The focus was on crash avoidance and providing optimum occupant protection should a crash occur.

Safety technologies were benchmarked against the world's leading brands and major engineering programs delivered a stiffer body structure and significantly increased usage of advanced strength steels. Seventy seven per cent of VE Ute's structure is advanced strength steel.

Load path strategies established for VE sedan have been adapted for VE Ute with a focus on side and rear impact. Structurally optimised crush zones help absorb crash energy.

VE is the first locally produced ute equipped with the acclaimed Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) safety technology standard across the range. This integrates traction control, anti-lock braking systems, electronic brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution to help prevent skidding in critical driving situations by applying corrective braking to different wheels and reducing engine torque.

New dual-stage driver and passenger front airbags, which inflate in two stages according to impact severity and respective seating positions, further enhance occupant safety.

Other protection features include a steering column ride-down mechanism and breakaway brake pedal.

Performance

The new VE Ute is all about performance, whether as a day-to-day commercial workhorse or a two-door sports car in its own right.

The Omega Ute offers a four-speed automatic transmission paired with Holden's locally built 3.6 litre V6 Alloytec engine, delivering 180kW of peak power and 330Nm of peak torque.

The six-speed manual Omega has the more powerful High Output V6 Alloytec, delivering peak power of 195kW and peak torque of 340Nm, with dual exhausts added.

SV6 utilises the same combination of High Output V6 engine, six-speed manual transmission and dual exhausts but adds sports suspension. Five-speed automatic transmission with Active Select is optional.

The SS and new high-end SS V Ute models are powered by Holden's 6.0 litre Gen IV V8, which delivers 270kW of peak power and 530Nm of peak torque. It is matched to a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select.

Wheel and tyre packages are larger across the range. The entry level Omega ute moves from 15-inch to 16-inch steel wheels. At the performance end, SV6 and SS utes move from 17-inch to 18-inch alloys as standard and the new SS V boasts 19-inch alloy wheels.

Quad exhausts add to the performance package on SS and SS V models.

Ride and handling

Holden's chassis engineers have translated the luxury smoothness, great linear handling and steering feel of VE sedan into the ute driving experience.

At the same time, they have maintained the ride comfort characteristics and sporting appeal of the successful VZ Ute. The result is a balance between passenger car comfort, sporty handling and the practical requirements of a load-bearing commercial vehicle.

Rear suspension was a primary focus for change and the new ute delivers even greater lateral grip and linear response during cornering. VE Ute also benefits from larger fade resistant brakes and larger wheel and tyre packages.

Further Feature Highlights

• All-new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system - 20 fan speeds
• High quality instrument clusters with larger dials and displays, night mode dash illumination, 16 personalisation options, multifunction driver display
• All models satellite navigation and telematics capable
• Blaupunkt audio systems
• Six disc CD player (SS and SS V)
• Sports-contoured seats (SS and SS V)
• Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity
• Euro-style flat blade wipers
• Locking fuel filler door
• One touch lane change indicator
• LED high-mounted stop lamp (SS and SS V)
• Dual zone electronic climate control (SS V)
• Projector headlamps (SS V)
• Alloy faced pedals (SS V)

Accessories include:

• Super Box
• Hard tonneau cover
• Cargo tie-down rails
• Sports bar
• Ladder and roof rack
• Sports decal kit
• Interior luggage organiser

Colour selection

A varied and expressive colour palette emphasises ute's sports persona. Three exciting new colours - Atomic, Crunch and K-Pow - are included in a total of nine exterior colour choices.

Available on all models
Heron White - solid white
Phantom - metallic black with silver highlights
Redhot - highly chromatic solid red metallic
Nickel - mechanical dark silver with coarse metallic highlight
*K-Pow - highly chromatic metallic blue with purple undertones

Additional colours available on SV6, SS and SSV
Ignition - chromatic red orange metallic with fine mica gold highlight
*Atomic - metallic green, bright and packed with chroma
*Crunch - a green-biased metallic yellow
Morpheous - purple metallic
* denotes new colours

Holden VE Ute Range:

Omega (new) - 3.6L V6, peak power 180kW, peak torque 330Nm, four-speed automatic and 3.6L V6 195kW peak torque 340Nm six-speed manual;
SV6 - 3.6L V6 195kW peak torque 340Nm five-speed automatic and six-speed manual;
SS - 6.0L V8 270kW, peak torque 530Nm six-speed automatic and six-speed manual;
SS V (new) - 6.0L V8 270kW, peak torque 530Nm six-speed automatic and six-speed manual;

Fuel Economy

Omega (auto) - 11.3 L/km - (21mpg)
Omega (manual) - 11.4 L/km - (21mpg)
SV6 (auto) - 11.6 L/km - (20mpg)
SV6 (manual) - 11.4 L/km - (21mpg)
SS & SS V (auto) - 14.0 L/km - (17mpg)
SS & SS V (manual) - 14.5 L/km - (16mpg)

Recommended Retail Pricing (Australian)

(Excluding delivery and government charges)

Omega (6-speed manual) V6 - $30,990 with air conditioning
Omega (4-speed automatic) V6 - $30,990 with air conditioning

SV6 (6-speed manual) V6 - $35,990
SV6 (5-speed automatic) V6 - $36,990

SS (6-speed manual) V8 - $39,990
SS (6-speed automatic) V8 - $41,990

SS V (6-speed manual) V8 - $44,990
SS V (6-speed automatic) V8 - $46,990

Leather smart pack (SV6 and SS) - $1,250

On Sale:

October 2007

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I found some pics of the new Ute on car spy shots.

Here's the link

Official Holden Ute Pics

More Ute Pics

Even more Ute Pics

Edited August 22, 200718 yr by Flybrian

See, told you! Take a VE cut the back off!

Its all about the back, you fool! :AH-HA_wink:

I'll take one in blue, please.

kinda fond of that retina seering green myself... prolly the only one too...

I want the purple one!

Cool, even if it's not really for me. One thing is for sure, that's the best interior that has ever been in any vehicle with a bed.

kind of fun, not sure if it'd sell here. but man, talk about 'car like handling' compared to the dumb ridgeline......wait, there's no 'trunk the bed'.....LOL

warning... stupid question ahead.

why do they cost so freakin much down under? its right up there with the buicks in china.

Its impolite to ask me how much junk I got in the trunk of my Ute. I'll take mine my SS-V in Phantom metallic

warning... stupid question ahead.

why do they cost so freakin much down under? its right up there with the buicks in china.

AUD is weaker than USD. $1.00 AUD is equivalent to about $0.80 USD.

I love these cars, but I'm a bit disappointed the exteriors are all relatively the same (other than the base model)...The only noticeable difference (other than wheels) are the projectors on the SS-V.

That's a very handsome vehicle. LOVE the vibrant colors. I would drive a Holden Ute, easily. I see the "Pontiac" G8 GT wheels on a couple of those.

One of these, built in North America with a Chevy front clip, interior and wheels would be totally awesome.

I think a new El Camino would go over so well here in the states.

If there ever was a time; it is now.

This thing would plant the honda crapline six feet under.

I'm already trying to decide if I want to buy a first year car or not.

AUD is weaker than USD. $1.00 AUD is equivalent to about $0.80 USD.

Also in Australia, the Trade Practices Act imposes obligations to implicitly include a 10% GST (tax) in the quoted price.

Similarily if you go to a department store or supermarket in Australia, all prices listed on the shelves already include the GST, so that's what you pay at the cash register.

Man that vehicle looks almost like the one in your signature.

Well I want one SS-V with six speed.

Any clean interior shots?

Man that vehicle looks almost like the one in your signature.

Well I want one SS-V with six speed.

Any clean interior shots?

Thanks, The Underground Chevelle Project was close to the mark.

I am wondering that Holden stole the underground project by constantly visiting our website.

A+ predictable but very nice nonetheless.

kinda fond of that retina seering green myself... prolly the only one too...

Me too. It's like "Chernobil Grass Green", or "Ghostbusters Slime Green"

I'd take one if it had a GMC emblem on the front and a Denali package.

I'm loving it! Now for the HSV versions...... Camino, i'll reserve one at the HSV factory for you in LHD mate! lol

Edited August 22, 200718 yr by cyclonic

Now that's what I'm talking about!!! Make my blue. NOW!!!

where's the Crewman?

This thing is NICE! But all of these Oz-mobiles look the same to me. Really, it looks the same as the old one to me. I wish they would change it up a bit more. I'm tired of seeing Holdens, Buicks, Pontiacs, Foreign Chevys, utes, coupes, and different sized sedans ALL look alike.

This thing is NICE! But all of these Oz-mobiles look the same to me. Really, it looks the same as the old one to me. I wish they would change it up a bit more. I'm tired of seeing Holdens, Buicks, Pontiacs, Foreign Chevys, utes, coupes, and different sized sedans ALL look alike.

where's the Crewman?

I concur, does anyone have any information about the VE Crewman? Will it be debuted after the wagon? With two kids, one still at home, and two huge dogs, this is the one that has a spot in my garage.

Mmm...Redhot is hot. I'd love to own one.

And once again we see that GM 'gets it' in other markets, but keeps foisting mediocre crap on the rest of us.

If they are building it there, then why do they not import it here? Like, yesterday!

I'm loving it! Now for the HSV versions...... Camino, i'll reserve one at the HSV factory for you in LHD mate! lol

You're my new best friend!

A trip to Australia sounds awesome. I think it would be cool if there was an Australian delivery program for vehicles sold in the USA that were made in Australia. I'd consider something like that.

I concur, does anyone have any information about the VE Crewman? Will it be debuted after the wagon? With two kids, one still at home, and two huge dogs, this is the one that has a spot in my garage.

My brother works at Holden and he says it's not going to happen!

Oh well, a man can dream. Maybe there is a customizer out there who can take care of that for me.

My brother works at Holden and he says it's not going to happen!

Welcome to C&G! :AH-HA_wink:

Looks great. I think they got the model range just right, great to see an SSV. In 6 months these will be everywhere.

warning... stupid question ahead.

why do they cost so freakin much down under? its right up there with the buicks in china.

AUD is weaker than USD. $1.00 AUD is equivalent to about $0.80 USD.

I love these cars, but I'm a bit disappointed the exteriors are all relatively the same (other than the base model)...The only noticeable difference (other than wheels) are the projectors on the SS-V.

Also in Australia, the Trade Practices Act imposes obligations to implicitly include a 10% GST (tax) in the quoted price.

Similarily if you go to a department store or supermarket in Australia, all prices listed on the shelves already include the GST, so that's what you pay at the cash register.

To make it easier for everyone:

1. $30,995 Aussie dollars equals about $25,200 Us dollars

2. The 10% tax is indeed included. Remove it, and the base price for a V6 6 speed comes in at around $23,000.

If you REALLY want to put this into perspective, Starting with a $39,900 Holden Ute SS, adjust the Aussie dollars into American dollars (which becomes $32,400) and remove the 10% sales tax that's included into the price & that $39,900AUS LS2 powered, 6 speed SS comes in around $29,000.

Hardly a bad deal considering what you get.

Edited August 24, 200718 yr by guionM

To make it easier for everyone:

1. $30,995 Aussie dollars equals about $25,200 Us dollars

2. The 10% tax is indeed included. Remove it, and the base price for a V6 6 speed comes in at around $23,000.

If you REALLY want to put this into perspective, Starting with a $39,900 Holden Ute SS, adjust the Aussie dollars into American dollars (which becomes $32,400) and remove the 10% sales tax that's included into the price & that $39,900AUS LS2 powered, 6 speed SS comes in around $29,000.

Hardly a bad deal considering what you get.

Right on the mark for me.

Ill take one in green.... hey camino.... looks like i should just scrap the car buying for now

Ill take one in green.... hey camino.... looks like i should just scrap the car buying for now

To make it easier for everyone:

1. $30,995 Aussie dollars equals about $25,200 Us dollars

2. The 10% tax is indeed included. Remove it, and the base price for a V6 6 speed comes in at around $23,000.

If you REALLY want to put this into perspective, Starting with a $39,900 Holden Ute SS, adjust the Aussie dollars into American dollars (which becomes $32,400) and remove the 10% sales tax that's included into the price & that $39,900AUS LS2 powered, 6 speed SS comes in around $29,000.

Hardly a bad deal considering what you get.

Excellent assessment, well done!

A trip to Australia sounds awesome. I think it would be cool if there was an Australian delivery program for vehicles sold in the USA that were made in Australia. I'd consider something like that.

HSV has got that for their vehicles, in that you can do a tour of their premises and see the cars being built. Be kinda nice to go watch your new HSV-modded El Camino coming to life...

I think a trip down under is in order then.

HSV has got that for their vehicles, in that you can do a tour of their premises and see the cars being built. Be kinda nice to go watch your new HSV-modded El Camino coming to life...

I would love to be able to do that!