KEY POINTS:
Holden's new model launches for motoring media are generally held in Australia and generally involve hundreds of kilometres of driving, quite a lot of it on dirt. As a driving experience, it's always a great insight into the "big car for a big country" mentality that has created generations of massive Aussie six-cylinder cars, as well as a valuable opportunity to do some really big skids. Which leads us neatly into the new Commodore-based Holden VE ute.
This is a big, tough two-door made to do huge distances in comfort, even if it's more tailored towards looking cool than actually carrying stuff. And out on the slippery stuff, you realise what a beautifully balanced and responsive machine this is.
It's easy to scoff at Holden's assertion that the flashier VE ute models are really two-door sports cars, but after a decent trip on the road surrounding the Murray River and a taster of tail-out driving, I reckon they're on to something.
The ute comes in entry $37,990 Omega, six-cylinder $42,990 SV6 and V8-powered SS and SS V specifications at $50,990 and $55,490 respectively.
When it comes to the grunty ones, I reckon the ute offers a superior driving experience to the equivalent Commodore models.
The V8 versions in particular are real road rockets. On paper, there shouldn't be a lot in it. The ute is only around 10kg lighter than the sedan and the weight distribution is very similar - a few per cent more evenly weighted in the two-door, but not enough to really make a difference.
And yet, the ute feels even more nimble, surefooted and responsive than the highly regarded SS sedan.
Why? Well, the ute has a significantly longer wheelbase than the four-door - it shares its 3009mm wheelbase measurement with the luxury Caprice - it rides 20mm higher and the body structure is somewhat different, given it has a compact two-seat cabin and long tray.
For whatever reason, the package gels beautifully into a proper driver's, er, ute. Slide out of the old Monaro coupe into one of these and you'll be stoked. Dirty talk will surely follow.
