Holden's New Head-turner

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday September 19, 2008

Susan Bredow

It has stylish good looks and packs plenty of punch.

I'm at home at my computer when a noisy distraction prompts me to look out the window. On the driveway is a late-model black Ferrari, it's cold engine revving at wake-the-dead pitch while the driver negotiates a minor dip near the gateway. The car poised across the entrance edges its way forward, then clear of the obstruction, takes off at light speed up the road.

That hump needs to be approached with respect but no car I've driven over it has scraped. But I feel slight envy for the Ferrari driver's problem. It's a lovely car and this Sunday is perfect for being out and about in it.

My outing - and I'm saving it until later - is a trip to the shops. I won't be driving a Ferrari and I know for sure there will be no risk of leaving my Holden Calais V Sportwagon's front end on the driveway.

I'll get more in the back, too, even though the cargo space in the Sportwagon isn't what it used to be. It's nothing like the old days when, as the tennis coach put it, there was enough room for an orgy. That sounds ideal, though, for celebrating politicians, now office parties at the NSW Parliament have been curtailed.

Rear space in the new car is still good in terms of modern wagons and if you need more you fold down the back seats, opening up 2000 litres to throw things into.

Style is the critical word in the new Sportwagon. And with sloping rear flanks and thick rear pillars instead of the spindly old style, it has plenty. The old models used to have a wide view out the big back windows, too, but these days we need to make better use of side mirrors.

Far more than a plain, practical workhorse, the new Sportwagon stands out for distinct good looks not shared by its forebears. There are fat 18-inch wheels to keep the car tracking well even on bumpy country roads, flared guards and, on the Calais V, four exhausts.

For many people, the decision to buy a Holden is as much about emotion as it is about making a practical or economical choice. Loyalty towards the company is strong. Most of us want to see it not only survive but to thrive. But the bond is not so strong as to lead people to buy just plain bad cars. Thus the delight when they see the Sportwagon on the road.

We take the car to the country where the locals are openly impressed by its fabulous looks. It turns plenty of heads in the city but they positively swivel when it lobs into a rural town.

About one-third of the 4814 Commodores sold in August - the first full month of sales for the new models - were Sportwagons. Commodore had been without a wagon since it stopped making the last version towards the end of last year. But that's not why sales for the new model are the highest for a Commodore wagon since 1991. The really good thing is families can get into the entry level Omega with a 3.6-litre V6 for less than $38,000. It makes it an excellent option over a bulky 4WD.

The Calais V Sportwagon is nice to drive, especially over long distances. It's quiet with minimum engine noise from the indulgent big V8. That is until you floor it. Then it roars. But you don't hear that for long though because you reach the speed limit at a breathtaking pace.

I like the interior, which is calm and tasteful, although the former footballer felt it a little "plain Jane" to use his words. He would have liked more pizazz in the top of the range of seven variants.

Families will enjoy the DVD in the back, with a shared screen that drops down from the roof and individual headsets. And there's plenty of space back there for everyone to spread out, especially those with longer legs.

For $5000 less you get the Calais V Sportwagon with a V6. But why not get the V8? With fuel efficiency on the open road of about 10.7 litres/100km, you won't need to worry about your hip pocket too much.

HOLDEN CALAIS V SPORTWAGON

Price $60,490.

Extras Colour satellite navigation, $1990; metallic paint, $400; full-sized spare, $250.

Engine 6.0-litre V8.

Power and torque 270kW, 539Nm.

Transmission Six-speed automatic.

Fuel consumption 13.8-litres/100km combined city-country.

Safety Stability control, front and rear parking sensors, six airbags.

Brakes Ventilated discs front and rear with electronic brake assist and brake-force distribution.