Holden Sportwagon Concept (2007): first official pictures

By Damion Smy

First Official Pictures

15 October 2007 12:39

Sportwagon? Another marketing gimmick?

Somewhat. The final string in Holden’s VE Commodore bow, the long-wheelbase VE estate – wearing the Sportwagon moniker for the first time – aims to change perceptions of the traditional family wagon. So it's out with gaudy cargo carriers and instead, the VE Sportwagon shows off a swooping Chrysler 300C-esque roofline for a sporty look. Holden's boss Chris Gubbey reckoned that ‘practic-al has become practic-cool’. Oh dear.

It looks very smart, and with a V6-engined Commodore available for less than the equivalent of £18,000 Down Under, and knowing how big the VXR8 is, the Sportwagon will be very good value. Not that the concept was some poverty-spec model. Under the bonnet is a 6.0-litre Corvette engine, although it’s been sent on a 21st century crash diet. Released at a time when Australia’s large-car segment is declining, it’s tuned to run E85 bioethanol and boasts Active Fuel Management. Like Chrysler’s 300C, it shuts down cylinders under light loads to improve fuel economy.

By Damion Smy