Holden today released pricing for the all-new 2006 series of Holden Commodore, highlighting several significant reductions compared with equivalent models in the previous generation.

Prices were also announced for the upcoming WM Statesman and Caprice, with Caprice moving under the $70,000-mark and the V8 flagship version priced at less than the previous V6 model.

Holden released the information after briefing almost 300 Holden dealers at a national event in Queensland today.

The VE and WM pricing schedule reflects the revised model lineup for the all-new Commodore and represents outstanding value in every model. They include the new Omega model and flagship V-Series models, plans for which were announced at Holden’s VE reveal event on Sunday.

Buyers are now able to purchase SS performance or Calais luxury for $6800 and $8400 less respectively than their VZ equivalents.

The 2006 Holden Commodore series will be priced from a recommended retail price of $34,490 for Omega. This is a price increase of just $500 or 1.5 per cent while offering all the structural and technological advances of the new generation Commodores.

Pricing for the new Berlina has been rolled back $3900 to a recommended retail price of $39,990 despite offering more prestige, technology and value.

Holden also announced plans for a special model for private buyers, the Commodore V-Series, to be offered from September to celebrate the release of the fourth generation Commodore family.

Holden’s Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alan Batey, said Holden had designed a model structure which offered compelling choice at every level of purchase.

Batey said the pricing left no doubt about Holden’s intent in Australia.

“Commodore has always represented exceptional value for money and Holden has added even more value with the all-new models,” Mr Batey said.

“Almost 40 passenger car brands are competing for market share and we need to consider more competitors than ever before in setting our pricing structure.

“Our model lineup enables us to make SS and Calais more accessible to buyers, while allowing room for differentiation with the new V-Series variants.”

He said Holden had defined the practice of regular special edition releases and Commodore V-Series was the best possible way to mark the company’s biggest milestone for many years.

“Special edition models have long been a part of our plan. Commodore V-Series is designed for private buyers to celebrate the arrival of VE and recognise Commodore’s compelling value,” Mr Batey said.

“The Commodore V-Series will be on sale for the rest of this year and we expect there will be strong demand.”

Based on the Omega model, the Commodore V-Series includes air conditioning, 17-inch alloys, rear spoiler, body color mirrors and door handles. The Commodore V-Series is for sale to private buyers only.

“The consultation process has been extremely valuable,” he said.

“We have put together a package which continues to represent strong value for fleets with specification level and key price points meeting the needs of diverse fleet policies.

“The pricing and model repositioning strategy will support long term value in these vehicles and ultimately maintain a strong residual value position over its competitors.”

Mr Batey said corporate buyers had shown particular interest in key safety features, including the standard provision of Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) and the availability of side impact and curtain airbags in all models.

“We have put in what is important to our biggest customers in each model,” he said. The 2006 Holden Commodore range will go on sale across Australia in August 2006. The Commodore V-Series special model will go on sale in September.

A full list of features for the WM Statesman and Caprice will be released closer to the start of sales in September 2006.

2006 VE Commodore Range Features - Highlights

Holden’s Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alan Batey, said the 2006 VE Commodore range established a clear identity for each model.

“Each car has a stand-alone position in the market, a unique set of features over the model below and logical price gaps around its position,” Batey said.

“Holden buyers know they can buy a VE Commodore with advanced safety and technology built into every car, along with Euro-style looks and a major focus on exterior and interior quality.

“They also have defined choices about where in the range they wish to purchase and whether they are seeking prestige or performance.” Key features for each model are as follows -

“Omega is also high on comfort which provides significant incentive for fleet, lease and private buyers alike. The replacement of two models with one has created a great first step into the allnew Commodore range.”

Standard features on Omega include -

• 3.6L V6, peak power 180kW, peak torque 330Nm, four-speed automatic
• Electronic Stability Program, Electronic Brake Assist, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• 16-inch steel wheels
• Dual stage front airbags; side and curtain impact airbags optional with active head restraints
• Cruise control
• Single disc CD player with MP3 compatibility
• Four-way power drivers seat
• Multi-function display with trip computer – five-inch screen
• Power windows front and rear

Berlina has all Omega standard features in addition to -

• Optional 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Additional cluster displays
• Six-inch multi-function display screen
• Side impact airbags; curtain airbags optional with leather trim seats
• Rear Park Assist
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Six-disc in-dash CD player, MP3 compatible
• Leather wrap steering wheel
• Dual zone climate control

“The High Output Alloytec V6 engine and choice of two highly regarded transmissions has equal appeal to retail and corporate customers. It rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and features dual exhausts, sport suspension and rear spoiler.

“SV6 really looks the part and has the V6 performance to compete with anything in the market. We have delivered one of Holden’s most impressive six-cylinder sports models in recent years.”

• 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, six-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic with Active Select
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Dual stage front airbags, side impact airbags; curtain airbags optional with leather trim seats
• Sports suspension
• Sports fascia, body kit and rear spoiler
• Front fog lamps
• Body color mirrors and door handles
• Dual exhaust with chrome tips
• Leather wrap steering wheel
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Power windows

“It has 270 kilowatts of peak power and six-speed automatic and manual transmissions which are shared with the Chevrolet Corvette. We have rolled back the price of this car almost $7000 and made quality performance more affordable and value-packed than ever.”

• 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed manual with optional six-speed automatic with Active Select
• Quad exhaust with chrome tips
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Dual stage front airbags, side impact airbags; curtain airbags optional with leather trim seats
• Sports fascia, body kit and larger rear spoiler
• Sport suspension
• Sports seats
• Unique SS seat trim and logo
• Six-disc in-dash CD player with MP3 compatibility
• Leather wrap steering wheel

SS V has all SS features in addition to –

• Projector headlamps
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• 6.5-inch multi-function display
• Curtain airbags
• Dual zone climate control
• 230 watt audio system with sub-woofer
• Color coded instrument cluster
• Sports gauges
• Sports profile leather wrap steering wheel
• Leather seat trim
• Alloy pedals

• 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic
• Sport suspension
• Projector headlamps
• Chrome bonnet header
• Dual exhaust with chrome tips
• Curtain air bags
• Six-way power driver’s seat and passenger seat with leather bolsters
• 6.5-inch full color multi-function display
• Leather grip on gear shift
• Rear seat centre armrest

“We believe it is the classiest Calais we have ever delivered. It offers 18-inch alloy wheels, luxurious leather trim seats and premium stereo system. It has useful technology such as rainsensing wipers and a first for an Australian-built vehicle in zoned front and rear park assist.”

Calais V has all Calais features in addition to -

• Zoned front and rear park assist
• Rain sensing wipers
• External mirror puddle lamps
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Leather seat trim
• Single screen roof-mounted DVD
• 230-watt audio system with sub-woofer
• Priority seat and mirror memory
• Eight-way power front seats
• Sliding centre armrest

2006 Holden VE Commodore V-Series special model RRP

2006 Holden VE Commodore options pricing RRP

Air conditioning (Omega) $2000

Side Protection Pack – side and curtain airbags, active head restraints (Omega) $2000

Leather trim seats and curtain airbags (Berlina, SV6, SS) $2500

Six-disc CD stacker (Omega, SV6) $595

Bluetooth (Omega) $390

Full-size spare wheel and tyre (Omega) $100

Full-size spare wheel and tyre (Berlina, SV6, SS, SS V, Calais, Calais V) $250

Leather trim, eight-way front seats with memory, heated mirrors (Calais) $3000

Country pack suspension (Omega – not available with LPG) $330

Sports suspension (Omega, Berlina) $695

Electric tilt and slide sunroof $1690

Overhead DVD player (all models except standard on Calais V) $1290

Metallic paint $375

Overhead DVD player (Statesman) $1290

2006 VE Commodore, WM Statesman and Caprice Pricing