8 February 2011
Before you ask, no, Holden's marketers haven't gone batty when they suggest the new VE Ute makes for an ideal two door sportscar.
True, with the deletion of the beloved Monaro from the line up, it could be argued the range topping SS V Ute is the closest thing to a true sportscar Holden now offer.
But marketing pomp it's not.
Sure it doesn't conform to the traditional ideals of sportscar design. It wasn't designed by a walking Prada commercial, called Ferdinand, or Georgio.
Instead, it was designed by some Aussie bloke... named Warrack.
Calling the surface language "sultry" would be pressing things and matching, hand stitched driving gloves aren't considered mandatory to ownership.
None of that matters to the target demographic of predominantly male buyers though. The work hard, play hard types, who watch footy and aren't likely to ever buy a Porsche Boxster, despite being able to comfortably afford one.
Sharing the running gear and suspension with the VE sedan range, with a slightly higher ride height and the WM Statesman/Caprice's long wheelbase, even the base V6 Omega variant impressed with it's composure over gravel and tarmac.
Weight distribution is more even than the VU predecessor, and it shows.
The VU on gravel felt skittish and light in the rear, the VE however with a 53/47 (percent) weight split between front and rear feels equally as poised as its sedan counterpart. If not more, thanks to the added body rigidity the two door configuration.
The weight distribution is actually equivalent to a Nissan 350Z...which is - if you're not aware - a sportscar.
On tarmac the Ute is refined, which sounds like an oxymoron but is indeed true. The standard soft tonnau cover has been cleverly designed not to buffet about at motorway speeds, and as regular checks in the rear view confirmed, it remained taut and noiseless. Spring rates differ from the sedan to accommodate the tray's payload; while firm, the ride is still more supple than class rivals. The rigidity of the chassis and suspension package actually make for a more enjoyable steer than the sedan in our opinion.
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) standard across the range keeps unexpected moments of oversteer in check. With either 180kW @ 6000 rpm (Omega) or 195kW @ 6500 (SV6) delivered from the choice of V6 engines, we advise this safety feature is left activated.
That goes double for anyone contemplating either of the V8 grunt factories on offer in SS or SSV guise, developing a massive 270kW @ 5700 rpm and a tyre blistering 530Nm of torque.
The performance on offer is certainly more akin to sportscar realms than workhorse.
You have to pay top dollar for a manual version as it's only available on the SSV, this reaffirms Holden's sportscar standpoint and it's a decision based on VU sales. Only three-percent were manual, the majority of which were the performance models.
It comes as a disappointment though. As slick as the SV6's five-speed or V8's six-speed automatic are, a manual SV6 or SS that could undercut the auto on price would in our opinion provide an attractive and affordable entry into what is a much more sporty vehicle.
For those who mix business with driving pleasure, there's a standard tray liner - moulded to accommodate dividers and with four steel tie down points, a sliding 'superbox' option allows for a durable tool caddy and the tonnau can be replaced with a lockable and illuminated hard cover.
The long wheelbase also allows for plenty of stowage area and legroom in the cabin; carry-on luggage slots effortlessly behind the seat with still plenty of adjustment left for driver or passenger. Something most 'conventional' sportscars could learn from.
Starting at $37,990 for the Omega the VE Ute offers the best of both worlds, excellent drivability and far better practicality. The popular SV6 model with 5-spd auto comes in at $42,990. But throwing in stonking V8 performance from the SS ($50,990) and SSV ($55,990 manual/auto) is when Holden's rational makes the most sense.
What once started out as a farmer's work wagon has evolved into a genuinely engaging drive.
Like Aussie's other example of non-conformist sporting greatness - Shane Warne, put the VE Ute alongside the stereotypical sportster and it looks like it should ease up on the pork rinds a bit and tuck itself in once in a while. But in its element, it surprises with its level of athleticism.