.jpg)
Yet there is still no clue to a release date. To keep the pot boiling GM Holden announced this week that there will be seven models of the sleek wagon with the choice of three engines — a pair of V6s and a V8.
The model line-up correlates closely with the VE sedan range with Omega, Berlina, Calais, Calais-V, SV6, SS and SS-V — more than double the number of model variants the previous wagon was available in.
While they are not going to get a look at the production cars until the Melbourne motor show at the end of February, buyers now know that they can get the standard 3.6-litre V6, still with the ageing four-speed automatic, a more powerful tune of the same V6 with a five-speed auto and the 6.0-litre V8 coupled to either a six-speed manual or automatic.
Holden says the specification levels of the Sportwagon will be similar to the corresponding models in the VE sedan range.
That will include stability control and four airbags across the range while it is expected that curtains bags will be offered as an option.
Also confirmed this week is the news that there is no future for the Sportwagon in the US. Sales of the Pontiac G8-badged VE are about to begin but GM product boss Bob Lutz ruled out a follow-up with the Sportwagon.
“We looked at that, but the amount of change for US regulations was going to be quite a lot of money. I reluctantly gave up on that one,” Lutz says.
“And the sad truth is, as much as some of us like sport wagons, they just don't sell in the US. Lutz says BMW and Mercedes also struggle to sell their sedan-based wagons in America against four-wheel drive wagons.
However, he did not quash hopes of a place for the VE Ute in America.
“It's something that's under consideration ... can't be confirmed right now,” he says.
The only real drama is finding the right home for the ute, as it would be a natural fit with the working-class Chevrolet brand, as Pontiac already has the VE G8.
