Holden has announced the prices of its refreshed VF Commodore Sedan and Sportwagon, while simplifying the lineup. Prices (in Australian Dollars) for all three body variants are down compared to the outgoing VE range, providing more value to customers, while adding new features and technology.
As mentioned previously, the lower prices aren’t likely to trickle down to consumers as savings. Instead, they will decrease the amount of haggling in dealer showrooms, thereby creating a price floor for Holden and its dealer body.
Evoke
As rumored, the new base trim level is called Evoke. It replaces the Barina and Omega equipment groups, and is priced at $34,990 — a full $5,000 less than the range-opener of the VE Commodore.
The Evoke is powered by GM’s 3.0L V6 SIDI engine (LFW) engine, and comes standard with Auto Park Assist for parallel and right angle parking as well as front and rear parking sensors and a rear view camera, along with its new interior and a host of new technology features, including enhanced voice recognition eight-inch, high-resolution color touch screen with MyLink app-embedded infotainment including voice recognition and Siri Eyes Free integration, full iPod integration and built-in apps like Pandora and Stitcher SmartRadio. Other features include electric park brake with automatic release, Hill Hold Control and Hill Start Assist, Trailer Sway Control and remote vehicle start (for vehicles with automatic transmissions).
Calais
Stepping up from Evoke is the Calais — which delivers more luxury and technology. The base price of the VF Commodore Calais is $39,990 — or $8,000 less than the VE range.
The Calais gains Blind Spot Alert and Reverse Traffic Alert, keyless entry and push button start technology, along with differentiated styling that includes front and rear premium design features and chrome accents.
The flagship of the VF Commodore range is the premium sports-luxury Calais V. It has a starting price of $46,990 — $9,800 lower than the VE Commodore Calais and is available with the 6.0L V8 (L77) engine for $52,990 — a decrease of $9,000.
The Calais V features advanced safety technologies including Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and a color Head-up Display, along with high-end luxury features such as heated front seats, electric eight-way adjustable driver seat and satellite navigation with full color mapping with live traffic updates and traffic management control, as well as the Bose premium audio system and sunroof.
Performance Variants
Adding a healthy dose of performance to the VF Commodore range are the SV6 and SS variants.
The SV6 has a starting price of $35,990, which is $6,800 less than the VE range SV6. Meanwhile, the SS is priced at $41,990, down $5,800 from VE levels.
The SV6 is powered by GM’s excellent 3.6L SIDI V6 (LFX), while the SS gains the 6.0L V8. Both models come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, and build on the specifications of the base Evoke by adding Blind Spot Alert and Reverse Traffic Alert, in addition to their bold front and rear sports styling, side skirts, lip spoiler (sedan only), and chrome exhaust tip. A wing spoiler is now available as a factory-installed option (sedan only) for $500.
One step up from the SS is the SS V, which is now priced under $45,490 — down $9,800. SS V Redline is now $51,490, down $6,300. Redline gains Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Head-up Display as well as the premium Bose audio system and sunroof.
The range-topping performance-oriented VF Commodore is the SS V Redline. It features Brembo brakes, forged 19 inch alloys, and an updated sports-tuned FE3 suspension package.
“For Commodore, we’re deliberately launching with a ‘wow’ pricing strategy that we think will make buying a Commodore a very easy decision and bring people back to the large car segment”, said Holden Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Philip Brook. He added that Holden dealers could now take orders for VF Commodore models with the start of production later in May.
Meanwhile, pricing for the U.S.-market Chevrolet SS has yet to be announced.
Evoke sedan and Sportwagon highlights:
- 3.0L SIDI V6 engine
- 6 airbags
- ECS, ABS & TCS
- 16″ alloy wheels (4)
- Dual-zone climate control
- Electric Power Steering (EPS)
- Auto Park Assist
- Rear view camera
- Front and Rear Park Assist
- Automatic release electric park brake
- Hill Hold Control and Hill Start Assist
- Trailer Sway Control
- ISOFIX child seat anchorage system
- Remote vehicle start (automatic transmission only)
- Enhanced multi-function display (one color) with:
- Vehicle information menu
- Trip information menu
- Fuel economy menu
- Warning/messages
- Holden MyLink Infotainment System with 8″ high-resolution color touch-screen display
- Embedded Apps including Pandora and Stitcher SmartRadio
- Single CD player with MP3 capability
- Full iPod integration including Siri Eyes Free and touch screen access for playlists, artist, albums, songs and genres
- Enhanced voice recognition: phone calls, radio, navigation, smartphone/iPod/MP3 or USB audio control
- Bluetooth audio streaming and auxiliary input jack
SV6 and SS sedan and Sportwagon highlights over Evoke:
- 3.6L SIDI V6 engine (SV6) and 6.0-litre Gen IV V8 engine (SS)
- Front & rear sports fascia
- 18″ alloy wheels (4)
- LED daylight running lamps
- Sportec/cloth sports seats
- Lip spoiler (sedan only)
- Blind Spot Alert (option on Evoke)
- Reverse Traffic Alert (option on Evoke)
- Sports styling: front and rear sports fascia, side skirts
- Chrome exhaust tip
SS V sedan and Sportwagon highlights over SS:
- 6.0-litre Gen IV V8 engine
- Leather appointed seats
- 19″ alloy wheels
- Sensor key technology with push button start
- Front fog lamps
- Color digital instrument display: vehicle information menu, trip information menu, fuel economy menu, warning/messages
- Satellite Navigation with full color mapping with live traffic updates, traffic management control and points of interest
- Footwell lamps
- Eight Speakers
- DVD (playable when stationary)
SS V Redline highlights over SS V:
- Brembo brakes
- Forged 19″ alloy wheels (4)
- Color Head-up Display
- Forward Collision Alert
- Lane Departure Warning
- Updated FE3 sports tuned suspension
- 9-speaker Bose®premium audio (sedan only) (option package on SS V with sunroof)
- Sunroof (sedan only)
Calais highlights over Evoke:
- 3.6L V6 SIDI engine
- Leather appointed seats
- 18″ alloy wheels (4)
- Chrome highlights
- Sensor key technology with push button start
- Color digital instrument display
- LED daylight running lamps
- Blind Spot Alert (option on Evoke)
- Reverse Traffic Alert (option on Evoke)
- Premium styling: front and rear premium fascia, chrome side door accent
Calais V highlights over Calais:
- 6.0L Gen IV V8 engine (option)
- 8-way power driver seat
- 19″ alloy wheels (4)
- Lane Departure Warning
- Forward Collision Alert
- Color Head-up Display
- 9-speaker Bose® premium audio (sedan only)
- Satellite navigation with full color mapping with live traffic updates, traffic management control and points of interest (option on Calais)
- Rain sensing wipers
- Heated front seats
- Sunroof (sedan only)
- DVD (playable stationary)
Model | VE | VF | Change |
---|---|---|---|
Evoke (auto only) | 39,990 (Omega) | $34,990 | ($5,000) |
SV6 (manual) | $42,790 | $35,990 | ($6,800) |
SS (manual) | $47,790 | $41,990 | ($5,800) |
SS-V (manual) | $55,290 | $45,490 | ($9,800) |
SS-V Redline (manual) | $57,790 | $51,490 | ($6,300) |
Calais (auto only) | $48,290 | $39,990 | ($8,300) |
Calais V V6 (auto only) | $56,790 | $46,990 | ($9,800) |
Calais V V8 (auto only) | $61,990 | $52,990 | ($9,000) |
Comments
Big improvement from Holden as a big complaint was the over pricing of the Commodore. Hopefully dealers won’t mark it up too much. Probably, if you hassle them a bit they’ll do the “Wait, my managers going to kill me but if you buy one now, I’ll throw in this, and lower the cost by this….”
Why don’t Holden just price them at $1000 more than cost price? Holden need to generate sales, and this is the only way to go. Once enough units have been shifted, then go back to RRP. The VE suffered because of age. Not because it wasn’t a fantastic car. The VE was on sale from 2006-2013 without any major cosmetic alterations. This is why sales dropped dramatically in 2012. People want a new car that looks newer than a six year old model. In 2012, the VE couldn’t offer that. For the VF to succeed, Holden needs to shift 60,000 units in its debut year. The only way to do this is to slash the prices further. The car is an amazing achievement , but if not enough people get to sit inside one, who will know? More importantly, those that do get to sit in one or drive one, those people tell others which in turn gets more people who wouldn’t normally look at a Holden into a dealership.