VF Holden

[Superoo]

Some nice improvements here, the largest being the interior/tech upgrades. The images certainly convey an effort to bring the interior up a few cogs in quality terms so will be good to see one in the flesh. The exterior has lost a lot of the original VE aggression but if exporting to the US was going to be a success, they had to consider how the design would translate to that market. The proportions carried over from VE are still a strong point compared to FG. Not totally convinced about the new front and rear ends. I like the lower half of the front end but for me, the headlight and grill design has a little too much height. The use of aluminium should improve both economy and handling considering the change in weight distribution. Sales figures are going to be interesting considering the retention of drivetrains. Guess we'll find out how much of the "lack of tech" in our locals has driven people away. Unfortunately I still think the general public concensus of SUV flexibility and the often misguided "gas guzzler" tag will be harder to shake. The 2014 falcon has a huge challenge. But so does VF really.

[PridenJoy]

I like it but i'm not wowed by it. The next Falcon i'm told WILL have that wow factor.

FU will blow it out of the water, technology or not.

[minheim]

The tech upgrades certainly are lifting the bar for a domestic product. It will be interesting to see what the price points for the range are on release. Depending on price it will certainly have potential to shake up the segment. Also if they can create a profitable niche and maintain exports, there might be a future for Commodore as a RWD vehicle beyond this upgrade.

This will certainly mean Ford and Toyota will need to compete harder; luckily for Ford they have some time to evaluate and meet the challenge with the 2014 falcon. Will be interesting to see what they were anticipating and have planned.

[Espec]

It does nothing for me exterior wise. rear end looks a camry. and i don't like the interior definitely wouldn't buy one

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Superoo

Some nice improvements here, the largest being the interior/tech upgrades. The images certainly convey an effort to bring the interior up a few cogs in quality terms so will be good to see one in the flesh. The exterior has lost a lot of the original VE aggression but if exporting to the US was going to be a success, they had to consider how the design would translate to that market. The proportions carried over from VE are still a strong point compared to FG. Not totally convinced about the new front and rear ends. I like the lower half of the front end but for me, the headlight and grill design has a little too much height. The use of aluminium should improve both economy and handling considering the change in weight distribution. Sales figures are going to be interesting considering the retention of drivetrains. Guess we'll find out how much of the "lack of tech" in our locals has driven people away. Unfortunately I still think the general public concensus of SUV flexibility and the often misguided "gas guzzler" tag will be harder to shake. The 2014 falcon has a huge challenge. But so does VF really.

I'm no sure how its lost its aggression. Keep in mind this is a Calais. The Calais has never been an aggressive looking car. I'm sure the SV6/SS and HSV variants will give it an edgier look.

I can't wait to see it in V8SC guise with the end plate wing design.

[1TUFFUTE]

EXTERIOR one thing that's a positive is it looks smaller on the exterior. Doesn't look to bad...but its the top of the line so it should look smick. Seeing the base model will be interesting. LOVE the wheels
INTERIOR Looks great...and seems to be a good step up in tech.....BUT SO IT SHOULD. And I see no reason in this day and age why the competition cant keep up with whats really a few simple additions (besides the obvious looks and quality of course). Really not a fan of the swede dash...or the cheap steering wheel buttons

OVERALL....very good but certainly not a hard benchmark for the competition. Could and probably will be make or break with the drivetrains.

[Brazen]

What size wheels are these? They look really big for a Calais.

[Revolver]

Originally Posted by Ryan

I'm no sure how its lost its aggression. Keep in mind this is a Calais. The Calais has never been an aggressive looking car. I'm sure the SV6/SS and HSV variants will give it an edgier look.

I can't wait to see it in V8SC guise with the end plate wing design.

Absolutely. If a Calais looks too agro it will let the SS range look like a fizzer & the owners & prospective buyers complain that it looks too much like the rest of them. Ala B series FPV owners back in the day.

Either way though its looks like a cruze. May be softening style to ease us into the future "commodrore".

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by Bobman

Already been mentioned that there is a fair amount of flack over the new design on various Holden forums.

I just had a look on LS1 and I would have said it was getting an overwhelming thumbs up. Any luke warm reaction has been over the rear styling.




I didn't like the exterior much when I first saw it but I feel it looks much better in the red and darker colours. The interior looks excellent in the dark trim.

Don't know if it has been posted, but more pics here...
http://theage.drive.com.au/photogall...210-2e64k.html

Has anyone noticed the old school door locks on the doors?

[Mighty Reds]

The pic above is the first one I have seen that doesn't look like a massaged VE, it actually looks like a new body shape.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by naddis01

I just had a look on LS1 and I would have said it was getting an overwhelming thumbs up. Any luke warm reaction has been over the rear end.

I didn't really like the rear end at first, but its growing on me. It makes the VE look old.

[stazza]

Originally Posted by Motorbreath310

Commodore has died imo. Just doesn't look like a 'Holden Commodore' anymore.

Huh? What do you mean it doesnt look like a commodore? It looks ****, like commodores have always looked, same-same.

The side-on picture someone posted looks HORRIBLE. VE doors and different front and rear end that just dont fit. No congruence with the styling. Crap.

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by Brazen

I didn't really like the rear end at first, but its growin in me. It's makes the VE look old.

image

Yes it looks much better in the red. The reveal colour seems to cater for the pipe and slippers crowd.

[fordnuttz]

G6E Turbo rims standard on Calais???

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Brazen

What size wheels are these? They look really big for a Calais.


image

They look like 20s to me.

EDIT: That above pic really illustrates how dated and bland the VE looks. I wasn't sure on the rear tail lights, but compared to the VE they look 150% better.

[Smoke Pursuit]

The red one is a v8 it has the lip spoiler! Very nice, I like the VF a lot.

[CSV_LS1]

Going by the SS in the background the SS-V will continue with clear taillights.

And notice the SS dash also.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Ryan

They look like 20s to me.

I would agree... Over kill if you ask me, especially on Qld roads lol.

Love the SS badge on the dash, takes me back to the days of my dads VS SS!

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by Brazen

I didn't really like the rear end at first, but its growing on me. It makes the VE look old.

image

image

To me it makes the Holden less distinctive, and more like many other newer cars that I see on the road.

I must admit that many cars these days I see on the road, I cannot easily identify because of the similar rear ends. This will be another.

[Bobman]

Originally Posted by Ryan

The Calais has never been an aggressive looking car.

I'd say the VL Calais was an aggressive looking car.

Originally Posted by stazza

The side-on picture someone posted looks HORRIBLE. VE doors and different front and rear end that just dont fit.

I recall people said the same thing about the BA.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Ryan

They look like 20s to me.

.

Yeah looks it, they are massive wheels. If this is standard (which i doubt) this is going to have some serious presence.

[DanielXR8]

Just noticed on the Holden site they have an edited video of todays reveal and they have added a fake applause track to the moment the VF is revealed. If you saw the live feed its apparent, especially when Mike speaks at the podium and the applause conveniently just mutes for him in a very unrealistic way. Sounds like they got another audio grab from a camera at the event, boosted it and layered it over the original sound track of what actually was going on. Apparently the audience wasn't suitably enthused enough!

They have also reframed the shot of the front rows in the audience when the car was revealed so you can't see as many of the audience and there reaction and if they are clapping and used a filter to make them more in profile. Now you cant see their arms or the fact the level of applause isn't coming from them. They have also muted Mike so you can't hear he was basically clapping on his own with just some polite and all too short applause and I think one or two whistles form the Holden guys in the crowd. I remember thinking it wasn't a great welcome from the crowd for such an important car to them. they have also added more fake applause that mutes all too suddenly when the designer is introduced (Andrew).

http://www.holden.com.au/pages/new-commodore

Some of the applause was in the video streamed, but it has definitely been "Holden enhanced to go better". Holden definitely know marketing. ;)

[T4ME]

88 members viewing a Holden thread on a Ford forum...still doesn't wow me as much as the new VF.

Looks to have some BMW/Mazda rear styling which I have always liked.

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Just noticed on the Holden site they have an edited video of todays reveal and they have added a fake applause track to the moment the VF is revealed. If you saw the live feed its apparent, especially when Mike speaks at the podium and the applause conveniently just mutes for him in a very unrealistic way. Sounds like they got another audio grab from a camera at the event, boosted it and layered it over the original sound track of what actually was going on. Apparently the audience wasn't suitably enthused enough!

They have also reframed the shot of the front rows in the audience when the car was revealed so you can't see as many of the audience and there reaction and if they are clapping and used a filter to make them more in profile. Now you cant see their arms or the fact the level of applause isn't coming from them. They have also muted Mike so you can't hear he was basically clapping on his own with just some polite and all too short applause and I think one or two whistles form the Holden guys in the crowd. I remember thinking it wasn't a great welcome from the crowd for such an important car to them. they have also added more fake applause that mutes all too suddenly when the designer is introduced (Andrew).

http://www.holden.com.au/pages/new-commodore

Some of the applause was in the video streamed, but it has definitely been "Holden enhanced to go better". Holden definitely know marketing. ;)

Over on LS1, they were saying the live stream started a little early and it had Mike in casual clothes saying that they should applaud and that the crowd should be encouraged to applaud as well.



Poll needs a 'not sold on exterior yet' option.

[Foylema]

True?

[XtRmn8]

I would say the 20" wheels will be a Calais V thing only, they may even be an option and not standard. Holden have a few optional 20" wheels which is something that us Ford fans are not used to having :|

The SS dash looks great. Wonder of the light section on the dash is still suede or leather? Looks like the top of dash cluster is leather with red stitching also.

VF looks very premium, hopefully they don't ask stupid money for them.

[I8hsv]

Doesn't do much for me but I've got that feeling it will crush the falcon this year!

[mik]

i like the rear end treatment, the old rear end sort of i always pictured the designers going "where will we put the tail lights"? " i know well just plonk them on the corners , it`s cheap that way".
all in all it looks a pretty effort on the new commy .

[TC200six]

Originally Posted by I8hsv

Doesn't do much for me but I've got that feeling it will crush the falcon this year!

Holden doesn't need to do much to stay ahead for Ford in sales. Why? It's a Holden.

[Chopped]

I read that the show car wheels are 20s. The real car (Calais V) will have 19s as standard. I also doubt that the real car will sit that low.
(They have stanced that show car very well IMO)

I'm liking the exterior more and more. Curious how the SS will look.