Holden Commodore News

The sales success of the new Holden Commodore rests on the shoulders of mums and dads across Australia. Holden is targeting family buyers over fleets with the new model due in showrooms next month.Confidential dealer bulletins reveal Holden is offering bigger discounts to private customers than it is to fleets as it tries to revive interest in the Commodore, which was Australia’s top selling car for 15 years in a row but has slipped outside the top 10 in recent months.Government and fleet sales typically account for more than seven out of every 10 Commodores sold, but with the new model Holden is aiming for a 50:50 split with private buyers.“We’re not going to walk away from fleet sales but we do want to increase our share of private sales,” said Holden’s executive director of sales and marketing Philip Brook, speaking at a media preview in Canberra overnight.Fleet customers will still pay marginally less than private customers for each model, but the discounts are much smaller than before.A bulletin seen by News Limited shows the hidden discounts on secret pricing offered to fleets have been cut from $3500 to $1500, whereas the savings to private buyers are between $5000 and $10,000 off the RRP, depending on the model.The new Commodore range starts at $34,990, about $5000 less than before, but luxury and sports models have been slashed by up to $9800. Holden is hoping Commodore buyers will be attracted by the sharper prices, extra technology and improved fuel economy.As exclusively revealed by News Limited earlier this month, the new Holden Commodore V6 uses less fuel (8.3L/100km) than most versions of the four-cylinder Ford Falcon (8.5L/100km) and is almost as frugal as the Toyota Camry (7.8L/100km).The new VF Commodore, an extensive update of the “billion-dollar” VE Commodore released in 2006, is expected to be the last home-grown model. It is due to be replaced by a globally-developed front-drive sedan in 2016.Holden will attempt to tug on patriotic heartstrings and focus on the Commodore’s export to the US as a Chevrolet in advertising. But the company says it is not going to “guilt” people into buying a new Commodore just because it is made in Australia.“What we’re trying to do is reconnect people emotionally with the Holden brand and try to reignite passion in Australian consumers,” said Holden boss Mike Devereux at a media preview in Canberra overnight.“We want to … challenge people to think a little differently about Holden and change a lot of pre-conceptions about our brand. It is not about guilting people into buying Australian. It’s about … making people feel proud of what we can do in this country.”Holden expects sales of the Commodore to recover with the arrival of the new model, but stopped short of predicting whether it will ever regain its top-seller status.“We expect to sell more Commodores in the second half of the year,” said Brook. “But the market will determine how many we sell.”Holden says it has flexibility to increase production at the Elizabeth car factory if there is a rush on orders, even though output will be cut from 400 cars a day to 335 cars a day from August.The news comes as the new Holden Commodore was yesterday awarded five stars for safety even though the Australian version comes with six airbags, while the US export version will be equipped with eight. The knee airbags for the driver and front passenger are not available in Australia.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling 

The final VE, an SS Z-Series, was completed amid the first examples of its VF replacement and early build examples of the VF-based Chevrolet SS export cars.The “chlorophyll” green SS V Z-Series automatic sports sedan, which retails for a list price of $49,790 and is destined for a Northern Territory dealer, is the last of more than 350,000 sold locally since it started production in July 2006.The car Holden dubbed its “billion-dollar baby” is soon to be replaced by the VF Commodore on sale next month, the latest in a Commodore line-up of 15 models that number more than 2.9 million produced.Holden executive director of manufacturing Richard Phillips said the VE was a landmark achievement for Holden and yesterday's end to production of the model was a bitter-sweet moment.“The company's first true ‘clean-sheet’ design allowed our team to show the world what Holden was capable of and the result was, and remains, a stunning car,” he said.“It's been such a great product for us but at the same time we're excited about the future and the entire Holden team is energised by the imminent launch of the fantastic new VF Commodore.”"The VF is the most advanced car ever created in this country, a car that takes the winning values and trademark driving dynamics of the VE and elevates it to a new level of luxury, technology and sophistication,” he said.The final VE made its journey through the General Assembly plant yesterday, sharing the line with VF pre-production cars including the first pilot-build examples of the Chevrolet SS - many of the workers involved were part of the team that completed the Elizabeth plant transformation for the model when it began in 2006.Andrew Shaw, 40, has worked for Holden at Elizabeth since 2002 and was hired as part of the VE preparation. “To be part of the VE launch and follow it right through and then end up in here watching it come off the line for the last time, it was a bit of a spinout and good to be part of ... it's been a real buzz for the last few months. “One chapter finishes and another one begins, this one is so important to get our domestic sales back to where they need to be - there's a lot of faith in this car and we're very proud of it,” he said.Scott Connelly, 38, has been at Elizabeth since 1998, was at the plant throughout VE and was sorry to see it go. “I am sorry to see it go but I'm excited about the VF - it's a better car and looks great, we have Chevrolet SS pilot cars coming through now as well, it's sad to see VE go but it's exciting to see something new,” he said.Chris Aistrope, 27, has been at Holden just over 10 years and was a little sad to farewell the VE Commodore. “I'm sorry to see it go but I'm looking forward to VF, all the new technology in it, the feeling in here is good, seeing the Chevrolet SS come through now as well,” he said.Holden has made more than 520,000 VE vehicles for domestic and export markets since it went on sale in late 2006.Around 170,000 were exported to six continents, including the Middle East, South-east Asia and the US, where it was sold as a Pontiac G8 sedan - it returns to the US later this year.The VF Commodore was revealed earlier this year in Calais and SS V forms, as well as debuting as the exterior for the Chevrolet SS Daytona racecar ahead of its appearance as the Chevrolet SS sports sedan on the US market later this year.The VE Calais V was Carsguide's Car Of The Year in 2006 and motoring magazine Wheels recently named the VE Commodore as the best Australian-made car yet.Holden Commodore timeline:1978 - Holden celebrates 25 years of overall market leadership and launches the VB Commodore, priced from $6513, in October.1979 - Holden VB Commodore scores 1-2-3 victory in the Repco Round Australia Rally in August1988 - The VN Commodore is launched in August and is built exclusively at the Elizabeth (SA) plant.1990 - The 5 millionth Holden, a red VN Calais, is produced, at Elizabeth, S.A.1997 - Holden's new VT Commodore model range is introduced in September, representing a $600 million investment.1999 - Holden gives the green light for a Commodore coupe and the Series II VT Commodore range is launched.2000 - Holden confirms that the Commodore coupe will carry the Monaro nameplate.2001 - The 6 millionth Holden is produced at Elizabeth. Holden wins total market leadership for 2001 and Commodore is the Australia's top-selling car for the 6th consecutive year.2002 - Holden first US export program is announced - the Monaro-based Pontiac GTO.2006 - Holden launches its billion-dollar baby, the all-new VE Commodore, in July, after $532 million upgrade to the Vehicle Operations plant at Elizabeth, SA. The VE wins Carsguide’s Car Of The Year.2007 - VE Commodore awarded 2006 Wheels Car of the Year. New export market for VE sedans announced SS Commodore to be sold in the US as Pontiac G8.2008 - Holden celebrates 50 years at Elizabeth, its 60th anniversary and announces exports Pontiac G8 sedan and ute range to North America. GM Holden builds its seven millionth vehicle - a 60th Anniversary Commodore - and Commodore marks 30 years on Australian roads.2009 - Holden announces it will build Chevrolet-badged Caprice Police Cars for the US market, but loses Pontiac G8 export program.2011 - Commodore marks 15 years as top car in Australia and the Cruze rolls off the Elizabeth production line in February.2012 - Commodore loses top spot to Mazda3, Commodore and Cruze both finish 2011 in top five.2013 - Holden unveils the heavily-revised VF Commodore and says it will not be the last to wear the nameplate, despite continued sales shrinkage.Production figures:1978 Commodore VB Total built: 95,9061980 Commodore VC Total built: 121,8071981 Commodore VH Total built: 141,0181984 Commodore VK Total built: 135,7051986 Commodore VL Total built: 151,8011988 Commodore VN Total built: 215,1801991 Commodore VP Total built: 111,7701993 Commodore VR Total built: 165,2621995 Commodore VS Total built: 277,7741997 Commodore VT Total built: 303,8952000 Commodore VX Total built: 207,3392002 Commodore VY Total built: 241,9092004 Commodore VZ Total built: 228,7882006 Commodore VE Total built: 520,000Total 2.92 millionThe last VE:SS Z-Series sedan in “Chlorophyll” greenList price: $49,790Engine: a 6-litre 90-deg V8 with Active Fuel Management (AFM) technologyTransmission: 6-speed automatic, rear wheel drivePower: 260kW @ 5600rpmTorque: 517Nm @ 4400rpmFuel economy: 12.3l/100km combined-cycle, 292g/km 

The new Holden Commodore goes on sale in Australia today ahead of its showroom debut next month. As exclusively revealed by News Limited last weekend the sharp new pricing rolls back the cost of a new Commodore by more than a decade.The base model -- now called Evoke -- starts at $34,990 plus on-road costs, $5000 less than the outgoing Omega. The biggest savings are on the sports and luxury models, whose prices have been slashed by almost $10,000.The new pricing reflects the actual transaction prices Commodores have been selling for over the past few years, but now everyone will get a fairer deal, not just those inclined to haggle.The equipment list shows that every model -- including all sedans, wagons and utes -- will come with a rear view camera, front and rear sensors, self-parking technology, and Pandora and Stitcher apps embedded into the sound system, making it the best equipped vehicle line-up ever produced in Australia.Top models will also get a heads-up display which reflects the vehicle speed and other information into the driver’s line of sight, blind-zone warning, forward crash alert and a raft of other features.Holden says it has been able to cut the cost of the new VF Commodore because it is cheaper to build. It uses more parts sourced from General Motors’ global suppliers (primarily the electronic “platform” which runs the car, and key components such as steering wheels, indicator and wiper stalks and other interior items).The top-line Calais and SS models are available with a premium Bose sound system for the first time (it was previously exclusive to the Caprice). However, given that it was developed primarily for the US export version of the Commodore, the premium sound is not available on wagon or ute.In anticipation of new rules allowing the use of world-class ISOFIX child restraints in Australia, all Commodore sedans and wagons will come ready-fitted with the latch points (three across the back seat).Meanwhile Holden has reached a new low when it comes to the Commodore’s fuel consumption. Every model uses less fuel than its predecessor, largely thanks to an average weight loss of 43kg (due to the aluminium bonnet, boot and other parts) which brought each variant into a more favourable category for the Federal Government’s fuel economy test, which is done in laboratory conditions.According to dealer sources the new VF Commodore fuel economy sees the base model Evoke average 8.3L/100km, which is 23 per cent less than the VE Commodore Omega’s 10.9L/100km of seven years ago -- and only 0.3 L/100km more than its four-cylinder Malibu mid-size sedan.The new Commodore sedan is also more slippery through the air (to 0.31cD) thanks to the less pronounced wheel arches on the front fenders, and a more tapered rear end (which in fact makes the VF slightly longer than the VE on which it is based). The rear ends of the wagon and ute -- bumpers, tailgates and tail-lights -- are unchanged.Other subtle changes that helped economy on the base model Evoke sedan included the switch to an electric power steering system, a smaller differential, low friction oils and a recalibration of the engine’s fuel injection system. The 3.0-litre V6 has 5kW less power than before but it has more grunt from lower revs, which helps save fuel in commuter driving, in lieu of a stop-start idle system.The power and torque outputs of the 3.6-litre V6 and 6.0-litre V8 engines remain unchanged (as do the gearboxes and final drive ratios), but they have slightly lower fuel consumption figures in all models because of the weight reduction.Holden in fact cut 72.5kg from the sedan’s body but the net result was a 43kg saving because of the extra technology and features that were added, including extra noise-deadening material between the engine and the cabin, and felt lining in the wheel arches to reduce the noise of water spray on wet roads.Other highlights: all automatic models can be started remotely, before you get into the car. Introduced on the US export version of the Commodore in 2008, it’s designed to warm the cabin in winter or cool it in summer. Another simple innovation: the bootlid (now lighter as it’s made from aluminium) will spring all the way open at the press of a button, without the need for expensive electronics.The only thing the VF Commodore lacks that the US model gains is a seventh, knee airbag. As before, all Holden Commodores will come with six airbags. Holden says the seventh airbag was needed to meet US requirements, where some states still don’t mandate seatbelt use. To make it easy to follow all the key changes, Carsguide has compiled a walk-up of the full model range, including sedan, wagon and ute.Holden VF Commodore: the line-upEvoke3.0-litre V6 engine6 airbagsStability control16-inch alloy wheels (sedan and wagon only)Dual-zone air-conditioning8-inch colour touchscreen6-speaker sound system with Pandora and Stitcher embedded appsElectric power steeringElectric park brakeRear view cameraFront and rear parking sensorsSelf parking technologyCalais (same equipment as Evoke, plus…)3.6-litre V6 engineLeather seats8-way electric adjustment on driver’s seat18-inch alloy wheelsChrome window trimDaytime running lightsColour driver information screen8-speaker sound systemKeyless entrySide blind-zone alertReverse Traffic AlertOption: NavigationCalais V (same equipment as Calais, plus…)Rain sensing wipers8-way electric adjustment on passenger seat19-inch alloy wheelsHeated front seatsLane departure warningForward Collision AlertHeads-Up DisplayNavigationBose sound system (sedan only)Sunroof (sedan only)Option: V8 engineSV6 (same equipment as Evoke, plus…)3.6-litre V6 engineFront and rear sports bumpers18-inch alloy wheelsDaytime running lightsCloth sports seatsBootlid spoilerSide blind-zone alertReverse Traffic AlertOptions: Navigation, sunroof (sedan only), wing spoiler (sedan only), leather upholsterySS (same equipment as SV6, plus…)V8 engineOptions: Navigation, sunroof (sedan only), wing spoiler (sedan only), leather upholsterySS-V (same equipment as SS, plus…)Leather upholstery19-inch alloys wheelsNavigationSensor keyFront Fog lampsColour driver information screen8-speaker sound systemFootwell lampsOptions: Wing spoiler (sedan only), sunroof (sedan only), Bose sound system (sedan only)SS-V Redline (same as SS-V, plus…)Brembo brakes19-inch forged alloy wheelsHeads-up displayForward Collision AlertLane Departure WarningFE3 suspensionBose sound system (sedan only)Sunroof (sedan only)Option: Wing spoiler (sedan only)

As exclusively revealed by News Limited last weekend the sharp new pricing rolls back the cost of a new Commodore by more than a decade. The base model -- now called Evoke -- starts at $34,990 plus on-road costs, $5000 less than the outgoing Omega. The biggest savings are on the sports and luxury models, whose prices have been slashed by almost $10,000.Holden is so confident about the new model it has confirmed it will increase Commodore production in the second half of this year.The details on the best equipped and most technically-advanced Commodore ever made were released as online bookmaker Sportsbet opened up betting on whether Holden will stay inside the Top Three sellers this year.Holden was knocked off the podium for the first time ever, by Nissan in February and Hyundai in March, but returned to third place year-to-date in April behind Toyota and Mazda. Sportsbet is paying $1.50 for Holden to finish the year in second place, $2.50 to finish third, $6 for fourth, and $13 for fifth or lower.For the true diehards, the bookie is offering $26 if Holden knocks off Toyota, market leader for the past 10 years in a row and which last month outsold second and third-place manufacturers combined.“It appears unlikely that Holden will boot Toyota from the top spot, priced as a $26 long shot,” says a Sportsbet statement. But it adds that Holden is likely to recover later in the year with the arrival of the sharper priced VF Commodore, the Trax compact SUV and other models.“Currently holding on to third position, Holden’s sales are expected to accelerate with an aggressive new pricing strategy and finish second in the ranks, priced as the $1.50 market favourite. With sizeable price cuts set to be introduced on new Holden models, the market suggests that prospective car buyers will stay loyal to the Aussie carmaker, and boost Holden’s ranking to second.”The new pricing reflects the actual transaction prices Commodores have been selling for over the past few years, but now everyone will get a fairer deal, not just those inclined to haggle.The equipment list shows that every model -- including all sedans, wagons and utes -- will come with a rear view camera, front and rear sensors, self parking technology, and Pandora and Stitcher apps embedded into the sound system, making it the best equipped vehicle line-up ever produced in Australia.Top models will also get a heads-up display which reflects the vehicle speed and other information into the driver’s line of sight, blind-zone warning, forward crash alert and a raft of other features.Holden says it has been able to cut the cost of the new VF Commodore because it is cheaper to build. It uses more parts sourced from General Motors’ global suppliers (primarily the electronic “platform” which runs the car, and key components such as steering wheels, indicator and wiper stalks and other interior items).In anticipation of new rules allowing the use of world-class ISOFIX child restraints in Australia, all Commodore sedans and wagons will come ready-fitted with the latch points (three across the back seat). Meanwhile Holden has reached a new low when it comes to the Commodore’s fuel consumption. Every model uses less fuel than its predecessor.The base model VF Commodore Evoke averages 8.3L/100km, which is 23 per cent less than the VE Commodore Omega’s 10.9L/100km of seven years ago -- and only 0.3 L/100km more than its four-cylinder Malibu mid-size sedan.Other highlights: all automatic models can be started remotely, before you get into the car. It’s designed to warm the cabin in winter or cool it in summer.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling 

Online bookmaker Sportsbet is having another dabble at predicting the unpredictable tastes of Australian new-car buyers. After last year opening the betting for Australia’s top-selling car, it has now turned its attention to top-selling car brands. At the centre of the latest campaign is whether Holden will still be inside the top three sellers by the end of 2013 -- after it was knocked off the podium for the first time ever, by Nissan in February and Hyundai in March. Holden returned to the top three sellers in April, ranking second behind Toyota and ahead of Mazda, but it is third when the year-to-date tally is calculated. Sportsbet is paying $1.50 for Holden to finish second, $2.50 to finish third, $6 for fourth, and $13 for fifth or lower. For the true diehards, the bookie is offering $26 if Holden knocks off Toyota, market leader for the past 10 years in a row and which last month outsold second and third-place manufacturers combined. “It appears unlikely that Holden will boot Toyota from the top spot, priced as a $26 long shot,” says a statement from Sportsbet. But it adds that Holden is likely to recover later in the year with the arrival of the sharper priced VF Commodore, the Trax compact SUV and other models. “Currently holding on to third position, Holden’s sales are expected to accelerate with an aggressive new pricing strategy and finish second in the ranks, priced as the $1.50 market favourite. With sizeable price cuts set to be introduced on new Holden models, the market suggests that prospective car buyers will stay loyal to the Aussie carmaker, and boost Holden’s ranking to second.” This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling  

Holden will cut the cost of a new Commodore by almost $10,000 when the new model arrives in June, in the process rolling back prices by more than a decade. The new VF Commodore line-up will start at $34,990 plus on-road costs with a new family and fleet model called the Evoke, which merges the old Omega and Berlina variants. The last time the RRP of a base model Commodore dipped below $35,000 was 14 years ago, in 1999. Holden’s 226-strong dealer network was delivered the good news in a conference last Friday ahead of a cruise on Sydney Harbour hosted by Holden boss Mike Devereux. The night on the water also celebrated Holden’s return to the sales podium in April after an unprecedented two months outside the top three sellers. In a new low-point for the brand it was beaten by importers Nissan and Hyundai in February and March. In March and April the Commodore was pushed outside the top 10 selling cars for the first time in its 35-year history. The Commodore’s record 15-year run as Australia’s favourite car ended two years ago when it was overtaken by the Mazda3. But Holden is fighting back against the odds, hoping that buyers who’ve moved away from large cars may give the Commodore one last chance before the homegrown model bows out in 2016, to make way for a four-cylinder front-drive sedan. To give it the best chance of success Holden has loaded the VF Commodore with the works: even the base model will be anything but basic. The entire range will come standard with self parking technology, and a rear view camera, as well as the usual mod-cons. The new pricing is in fact close to what customers have been paying for a new Commodore over the past few years. But rather than offering big discounts to those prepared to haggle, the new RRPs level the playing field and give all buyers a fairer go, regardless of their negotiating skills. The new pricing structure is also a dramatic response to increased competition from imported cars, which now represent 90 per cent of all new vehicles sold. Twenty years ago imports represented about half the new-car market. The biggest savings on the new Commodore range are on sports and luxury models, with price cuts of up to $9800. The Caprice V limousine (a longer version of the Commodore and the same type of car the Prime Minister travels in) has been slashed by a neat $10,000 to $59,990. The luxury Calais sneaks under the $40,000 mark for the first time in more than a decade, at $39,990 (an $8300 saving) while the popular SV6 sports sedan comes in at $35,990, previously only a promotional price. There is a catch in the fine print, however. Metallic paint still adds $550, among the dearest of the mainstream brands. And automatic transmission (the most popular choice) is $2200 extra on most models. V8 fans will be pleased to know that the price of the SS sedan has gone down by up to $9800, depending on the model. The SS sedan starts at $41,990 (similar to Volkswagen Golf GTI and Subaru WRX money), while the SS-V with leather and other luxuries kicks off at $45,490. The last time the RRP of a V8 Commodore SS was close to $41,990 was 18 years ago, in 1995, when the VS SS started at $41,910. The news isn’t quite so good for ute buyers, however, with only modest price cuts across the workhorse and show-pony range. The base model V6 auto ute starts at $32,990 plus on-road costs (down $2500), which is the same price as an SV6 ute with six-speed manual transmission. The favourite among cashed-up tradies and miners, the SS ute, starts at $38,990 -- a $3000 saving. This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling   Holden VF Commodore sedan prices Evoke V6: $34,990 ($5000 off) SV6 manual: $35,990 ($6800 off) SV6 auto: $38,190 ($5600 off) Calais V6: $39,990 ($8300 off) Calais V V6: $46,990 ($9800 off) Calais V V8: $52,990 ($9000 off) SS manual: $41,990 ($5800 off) SS auto: $44,190 ($5600 off) SS-V manual: $45,490 ($9800 off) SS-V auto: $47,690 ($9600 off) Redline manual: $51,490 ($5800 off) Redline auto: $53,690 ($5600 off) Caprice V: $59,990 ($10,000 off) Source: Holden dealers

Anthony Fera was quick to get his phone camera rolling when he spotted a convoy of the new Holden VF Commodores in Wollongong yesterday. "I was standing at the top of Crown St Mall in Wollongong waiting to cross the lights when I spotted a new black car that stood out from behind the bus," Fera says. "First I noticed the new the new slot vent behind the front wheel which made it look like a Jaguar. Then i noticed some more similar cars at the back of the bus and thought I'd better grab some video --  this is a convoy of new VF Commodores. "This all happened in a few seconds but as a HSV owner I was aware of the new VF look and know the cars are out and about testing." Fera says he is impressed with the new look of the VF. "It's more upmarket and does stand out on the road. I know there has been some criticism that it looks like too much like the VE -- but really, you still want a Holden to look like a Holden," he says. Anthony's sighting comes nearly a month ahead of the VF's June official launch, and the Sedan, Sportswagon, and Ute body styles will arrive simultaneously for the first time since the VZ model in 2004. The VF represents a significant restyle to the historic Commodore nameplate, with only the doors, roof and glasshouse carrying over from the current VE. An all-new interior also features, with Auto Park Assist standard on all models, and features like head-up display, blind spot monitor, forward collision alert and lane departure warning will be available for the first time. Full details and pricing of the new VF range will be announced at the start of June. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

A mega-dollar marketing stunt for the Holden ute at the world-famous Nurburgring race circuit appears to have backfired.Holden took a new VF Commodore SS ute to the high temple of horsepower in Germany a fortnight ago so it could become the fastest ute to lap the perilous 21km circuit known as “green hell”, and then use the achievement in advertisements.But despite its V8 grunt and new lightweight materials the SS-V Redline edition was slower than a Renault hot hatch, which has a less powerful engine and is cheaper to buy than Holden’s hero car. The new VF Holden SS-V Redline ute is understood to cost more than $48,000, while the Renault’s RRP is $42,640.Two years ago Renault’s Megane RS became the fastest front-drive production car to ever lap the Nurburgring, setting a time of 8 minutes and 7.97 seconds in June 2011.The new Holden ute set a more leisurely time of 8 minutes and 21 seconds on its first day of testingt, putting it only a few seconds ahead of a Hyundai V6 Coupe, and slower than the Chevrolet Camaro with which it shares its underpinnings. Carsguide understands it may have done a marginally quicker time on the second day of testing.When Holden was quizzed about the ute’s Nurburgring campaign, the company said the vehicle was there for routine testing. But Carsguide has learned Holden filmed the hot-laps at a considerable cost for an upcoming marketing campaign.Former Holden boss Mark Reuss, who is now the boss of General Motors North America, was behind the wheel for the mammoth exercise. Reuss, formerly an engineer for the company, is one of the few General Motors employees qualified to drive on the Nurburgring.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowlingHolden SS-V Redline uteRenault Megane RS265 

Spied lapping the German circuit with disguised Chevrolet C7 Corvette, Camaro ZL1and Z/28 development mules, the right-hand-drive SS V Ute looks to be undergoing final evaluation ahead of its launch in June.Curiously, no VF Commodore Sedan or Sportswagon variants were sighted, despite Holden’s pledge to launch all body styles simultaneously.Holden, with parent company General Motors, has used the 20.8km Nordschleife circuit extensively for chassis tuning and evaluation since developing the VE/VF Commodore and fifth-generation Camaro’s shared Zeta platform in the early noughties.Several other manufacturers have taken advantage of the spring weather at the circuit in recent weeks, but this Holden/Chevrolet convoy was captured by Dale Lomas of Bridge to Gantry.

I didn't know until this week that Lang Lang is at the heart of asparagus growing in Australia. For me, it's always been about new Holdens. I've been trekking south from Melbourne to the Holden proving ground for more than 30 years to get behind the wheel of the red lion's latest and greatest, from the very first Commodore - which one colleague managed to plant on its roof - through to what is now looking like the very last. I can still remember my surprise when I first took to the ride-and-handling course and discovered a piece of long, straight, undulating road that felt strangely familiar. "It should feel familiar. It's the Federal Highway into Canberra," laughed the then-spokesman for Holden, Marc McInnes. "That hairpin down there is out the back of Fishermans Bend. When the engineers find something they like, they survey it and bring it back here." All the best proving grounds have a direct connection to the real world, like the Lexus facility in Japan that has the actual piece of cobblestoned Belgian road discovered by engineers searching for the ultimate suspension test. It was ripped up, one numbered piece at a time, before being shipped to Hokkaido and re-assembled like a giant jigsaw. In the case of Lang Lang, Holden has built a network of roads that runs from a bone jarring ‘shaker' course through long stretches of slippery gravel to the high-speed bowl where I once cracked 300km/h in a hotrod Porsche 911. But that's another story. I've ridden the roads with some great drivers, from Peter Brock and Larry Perkins to Holden's guru test driver Rob Trubiani, and always learned something new. In the case of the VB Commodore, I learned - as the Holden engineers did, soon afterwards - that tuning the car just to conquer Lang Lang made it way too wayward for the real world outside the front gates. It was made less edgy in double-quick time. This time around, I cannot talk yet about the latest chapter in the Commodore story. But I can tell you I wasn't thinking about asparagus as I slipped behind the wheel of the VF for the first time. This reporter is on Twitter @paulwardgover