Change of heart

I speak of Australia's favourite car – the Holden Commodore – and the new V6 engine which has pumped fresh life into this Aussie classic.

The old Ecotec V6 engine was a faithful servant to almost a million Australians during its 16-year lifespan – the only engine some drivers have known for the better part of their adult lives.

So injecting a new heartbeat into the great Aussie sedan was no small undertaking for Holden. Fortunately, they've got it mostly right with their new lightweight 3.6 litre Alloytec V6.

The Alloytec is a significant technological advance across the Holden range – bringing more power, greater efficiency and increased flexibility for a variety of models.

In the Statesman and Calais, its upgraded electronics have allowed Holden to offer Electronic Stability Programs for the first time on Australian-built passenger cars.

In other models, like the new SV6 sedan we tested, the Alloytec 190 high-performance engine comes coupled to a new five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.

And it's an impressive thing. The new V6 feels more robust, more torquey, more beefy than the previous Ecotec device. It spins more willingly than the old engine and is less inclined to become breathless once the tacho slips past 4500-5000 rpm.

And we found it to be pleasingly frugal – a very acceptable 13.5 l /100km around town, much of that in stop-start traffic and well down into single figures in cruising mode.

The new six-speed manual transmission is slick and precise, with a shortish throw and a nice, supple clutch.

The SV6 replaces the largely unloved Commodore "S" in the VZ Holden range. With the higher-output Alloytec 190, it's a serious new contender in the "performance sedan" market.

At $38,990 it slots into the range beneath the sporty SV8, lining up in direct competition to Ford's popular Falcon XR6.

While the Commodore SS and Falcon XR8 and XR6 Turbo are the undisputed heroes of this sector, the slightly tamer six-cylinder models have a major role to play, slotting in under the important $40,000 barrier for both brands.

The SV6 is $3000 cheaper than its SV8 sibling and, significantly, undercuts the SS Commodore by $12,000 – despite having a similarly sporty appearance. And, considering it costs only $3000 more than a base-model Commodore Executive, which has the milder Alloytec 170 engine, the SV6 represents perhaps the best buying in the new VZ range.

As we've come to expect from Holden, the SV6 is a well-balanced, nicely-finished family sedan with ample room for two adults, three kids and all their belongings.

Air, cruise control, electric windows all round, a decent single-CD stereo and good trip computer make it easy to live with.

Handling is precise and ride is compliant without ever losing a nice feel for the road.

The SV6 offers enough performance to satisfy all but the most fervent petrol-heads and, at last, the Holden six provides some punch to back up the wolf's clothing.

Perhaps the major shortfall is in the braking department, where the four-wheel discs are adequate but not spectacular.

In all, though, it's a really pleasant and pleasing car to drive. It's quick enough, quiet enough, smooth enough and smart enough to fulfil just about every requirement of the modern family – and look good while doing it.