The fourth generation of the Holden Commodore has arrived. The 2006 VE Commodore is Australia's first $1 billion car program and the most homegrown development project in almost 60 years of Holden vehicle production. The fourth generation Commodore is much safer, offers more technology and delivers more features and value than ever before. Interiors, exteriors and major mechanical features have been totally redesigned or upgraded, representing the most clean-sheet car program in Holden history.
Safety was a key factor in the new vehicle, with the acclaimed crash avoidance technology Electronic Stability Program (ESP) standard and curtain airbags available on the entire VE sedan range. The chassis was designed to accommodate a range of active and passive safety technologies, and more super-strength and high-strength steels have been used than ever before in Commodore's structure.
The model line-up has been revised, with the Omega to replace Executive and Acclaim, and the addition of the V Series, to highlight the top-of-the-line offerings, commencing with the SS V and Calais V.
The peak power of the advanced Alloytec V6 engines, which are made in Australia, has increased to 180 and 195 kilowatts respectively. The six-litre V8 has been improved with peak power and torque of 270 kilowatts and 530 Newton metres. A new six-speed automatic transmission has been introduced for V8 models.
All-new front and rear suspension systems have been introduced to provide outstanding handling without sacrificing ride comfort. The car's microprocessing capability has more than doubled which allows for new levels of safety and user-friendly features.
MY08 : April 2007:
MY08.5 : August 2007:
MY09 : March 2008: Holden has made six airbags and air conditioning standard across the whole Commodore sedan range. On the Omega alloy wheels are also now standard.
MY09.5 : November 2008: Holden has upgraded its Alloytec V6 engine on Omega and Berlina models, the improvement offers fuel savings of up to 0.4 litres per 100 kilometres for petrol models and 1.3 litres per 100 kilometres for LPG variants.
January 2009: Holden has introduced fuel saving Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology on all its V8 automatic models.
MY10 (VE Series II): September 2009: Major changes introduced with the Series II include:
Introduction of the 6.5-inch colour touch-screen Holden-iQ system with single CD player, MP3 compatible; USB input, auxiliary input jack; integrated iPod support; enhanced Bluetooth (phone book display, touch-screen dialling; Bluetooth audio streaming; the capacity to rip and store up to 15 CDs on an internal flash drive; and advanced satellite navigation features on selected models including live traffic condition alerts.
MY12 : September 2011: Major changes introduced with MY12 include:
Combined with on-going vehicle mass reduction, there were a number of enhancements to the V6 models to improve fuel economy, including that all automatic V6 models now feature an improved, more efficient transmission which reduces mechanical losses, the 3.0L V6 also benefits from a revised torque converter, and the air-conditioning system has also been re-engineered to improve efficiency and draw less operating power. All Commodores are now flex-fuel capable. Minor exterior and interior enhancements. The Holden iQ multimedia system has been updated for compatibility with the latest smartphones and offers improved Bluetooth functionality. The SS V Redline Editions now have the FE3 super sports suspension set-up standard across all three body styles - sedan, Sportwagon and Ute. The SS V-Series Redline Edition also gains new-look forged and polished 19-inch alloy wheels, to complement the Brembo 4-piston front and rear brake callipers, which are now painted in Holden red.
Full VE Unveiled Media Release
New Six-Speed Automatic Transmission For V8 Commodores Media Release
Sophisticated New Suspension System For Commodore Media Release
Safety The Priority For Commodore Development Media Release
User-Friendly Technology Takes Centre Stage Media Release
Media Release - Special Edition Commodore Lumina
Media Release - Six Airbags Standard Across Commodore Range
Media Release - Holden Launches Fuel Saving Technology For V8 Automatic Range
Media Release - Improved Fuel Efficiency for Commodore
Media Release - New Commodore Equipe is a Top Model
The VE Commodore / Calais Specifications page, with details on engines, suspension, gearboxes, etc.
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180kW Alloytec V6, 4 speed automatic transmission, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) which incorporates: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) and Traction Control System (TCS); security system, Independent Rear Suspension (IRS), 16x7 inch steel wheels, 17x4 inch steel spare wheel, driver's and passenger's airbags, multifunction steering wheel controls, multifunction driver display, priority key, trip computer, Cruise Control, speed dependent intermittent wipers, automatic headlamps, single disc CD player, 6 speakers, 4-way electrically adjustable seat, power windows, twin cup holders, auxiliary power socket in centre console.
From MY09, also added: Side Impact Airbags (SIAB), Curtain airbags, air conditioning, alloy wheels, body colour exterior door handles and mirror covers and an all-new grille.
From MY12, also added: New seven-spoke 16” alloy wheels, new chrome-highlighted lower outboard fascia inserts.
175kW Alloytec LPG V6, Side Impact Airbags (SIAB), Curtain airbags, Bluetooth wireless communications, Country Pack Suspension, Sports Suspension, Limited Slip Differential (LSD only available with sports suspension), full sized spare wheel, Satellite navigation, 6 disc in-dash CD player with MP3 compatibility, air conditioning, alloy wheels.
This was a limited edition in late 2006, based on Commodore Omega. It has the following additional features: Air Conditioning, 17 inch alloy wheels (steel spare), sports rear spoiler, body colour door handles and mirrors, special V Series badge. It was available in the following colours: Heron White, Redhot, Nickel, Impulse, Phantom.
This was a limited edition from June 2007. Based on Commodore Omega, it has the following additional features: Air Conditioning, 18 inch alloy wheels (steel spare), rear parking sensors, bluetooth phone connectivity, distinctive front grill, body colour door handles and mirrors, Lumina rear badge. It was available in the following colours: Heron White, Red Passion, Evoke, Nickel, Impulse, Sandstorm, Phantom. The recommended retail price was from $32,990.
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This was a limited edition run from October 2011. It was advertised as having $9,500 worth of additional features. Based on the Omega, with the following additional features: 18" alloy wheels (steel spare), Rear view camera, Rear park assist, Leather appointed seat trim, Leather-wrapped steering wheel, Front foglamps with chrome accent, Chrome accented front grille treatment, Chrome accented rings on instrument cluster, Decklid chrome eyebrow moulding (sedan only), Rear cargo blind (Sportwagon only), Equipe badge.
The recommended retail price was $36,990 for the sedan and $38,990 for the wagon.
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As for Omega, plus: Alloytec 195kW High Output V6, 6 speed manual transmission, Side Impact Airbags (SIAB), Bluetooth wireless communications, Sports Suspension, 18x8 inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, dual exhaust outlets, leather wrapped steering wheel, 7 speakers, air conditioning.
From MY09, also added: Curtain airbags.
From MY12, also added: New chrome-highlighted lower air dam and front grille surround, new interior silver stitching on seat and door trims with Razor/Onyx leather trim.
5 speed automatic transmission, Curtain airbags, Limited Slip Differential (LSD), full sized spare wheel, Satellite navigation, 6 disc in-dash CD player with MP3 compatibility.
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As for SV6, plus: 270kW 6.0L V8, Limited Slip Differential (LSD), quad exhaust outlets, 6 disc in-dash CD player with MP3 compatibility.
From MY09, also added: Curtain airbags.
From MY12, also added: New chrome-highlighted lower air dam and front grille surround, new interior silver stitching on seat and door trims with Razor/Onyx leather trim.
6 speed automatic transmission, Curtain airbags, full sized spare wheel, Satellite navigation.
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As for SS, plus: 19 inch alloy wheels, Curtain airbags, projector headlamps, alloy faced pedals, leather wrapped gear selector, colour coded instruments, 11 speakers including sub-woofers, dual zone climate control.
From MY12, also added: Additional chrome-accented lower outboard inserts, redhot interior stitching on seats and door trim for models featuring the Redhot interior trim (only available with Redhot, Phantom and Alto Grey exterior colours).
6 speed automatic transmission, 20 inch alloy wheels, full sized spare wheel, Satellite navigation.
As for SS V-Series, plus: FE3 super sports suspension (sedan only), exclusive forged and polished 19-inch alloy wheels, Brembo high-performance brakes with front brakes featuring four-piston, two-piece aluminium front calipers and 355mm rotors, chrome window surround (sedan only).
From MY12, also added: FE3 performance tuned-suspension added to Sportwagon and Ute - now available across all three Commodore body styles; new 10-spoke 19" polished and forged alloy wheels, new red-painted Brembo 4-piston front brakes and rear brake callipers.
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As for Omega, plus: Side Impact Airbags (SIAB), Bluetooth wireless communications, 17x7 inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, leather wrap steering wheel, Rear Park Assist, 6 disc in-dash CD player with MP3 compatibility, 7 speakers, dual zone electronic climate control.
From MY09, also added: Curtain airbags.
From MY12, also added: New unique chrome-highlighted fog lamp surrounds, new interior silver seat stitching to complement the Razor/Onyx leather fabric trim option.
270kW 6.0L V8 with 6 speed automatic transmission, Side Curtain airbags (with leather interior only), Sports Suspension, Limited Slip Differential (with sports suspension only), full sized spare wheel, rear seat overhead DVD player, Satellite navigation.
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As for Berlina, plus: Alloytec 195kW High Output V6, 5 speed automatic transmission, Curtain airbags, Sports Suspension, projector headlamps, dual exhaust, leather wrap gear selector, 9 speakers, 6.5" colour LCD multifunction display.
270kW 6.0L V8 with 6 speed automatic transmission, Limited Slip Differential (LSD), full sized spare wheel, rear seat overhead DVD player, Satellite navigation.
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As for Calais, plus: 18x8 inch alloy wheels, Front and Rear Park Assist, rain sensing wipers, 11 speakers including sub-woofers, rear seat overhead DVD player.
From MY12, also added: New sedan lip spoiler.
270kW 6.0L V8 with 6 speed automatic transmission, Limited Slip Differential (LSD), full sized spare wheel, Satellite navigation.
As for Calais V-Series, plus: FE3 super sports suspension (sedan only), exclusive forged and polished 19-inch alloy wheels, Brembo high-performance brakes with front brakes featuring four-piston, two-piece aluminium front callipers and 355mm rotors, chrome window surround (sedan only).
Above is a Victorian Police Highway Patrol Commodore SS.
Above is a Northern Territory Police Commodore SS.
The VE Commodore / Calais Specifications page, with details on engines, suspension, gearboxes, etc.
Return to Unofficial Holden Commodore Main Page.
Last modified: 9 June 2013.
