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Holden has boosted the appeal of its new VE Commodore-based ute range by adding a sporty SS V model to the line-up.
"We introduced the new V Series on VE sedan as a way of offering customers extra value and features normally only available on special editions," says Holden's executive marketing director Alan Batey.
"The response from the market was overwhelmingly positive, so we've decided to extend the V Series to the ute range.
"Sports models traditionally account for the major percentage of Holden's sales in this segment so we have increased our mix for VE from two to three sports variants, starting with the SV6 and moving up through to SS and now the new SS V.
"Each model takes a step up in terms of features and performance with the new SS V the ultimate hero of our ute range."
The SS V ute is priced here at around $54,000. It is powered by a 6-litre V8 engine delivering 270kW (360bhp) and 530Nm of torque and mated to the choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearboxes. Features include 19-inch alloy wheels, projector headlamps, Bluetooth phone connectivity and a 150 Watt premium audio system.
Holden says it is the first Australian-built ute to offer an electronic stability control system. Other highlights include sports car cockpit-style interiors, with rear T-panel, colour-keyed instrument panel and cluster, centre console sports gauges, large colour screen multi-function display, full map satellite navigation availability, leather-faced seat trim and sports profile leather wrap steering wheel.
The standard VE ute starts in price from around $37,000. It uses the carmaker 3.6-litre V6 engine, which puts out 195kW and 340Nm and drives the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic.
The VE carry-all is Holden's first new ute design since the VU series in 2000. The company says it offers more features, more useable interior space, greater storage flexibility and more performance than any of its predecessors. Holden says it invested an extra US$105 million on top of its US$1 billion VE Commodore sedan programme and carried out more than 650,000km of reliability testing on the new VE ute.
While the new ute takes many of its design and styling cues from the VE sedan, its body structure has more than 60 unique panels, says the company.
The rear structure has been reinforced to accommodate the load-carrying capacity and robustness required for a light commercial vehicle.
The cargo area is more functional and versatile. A heavy duty moulded cargo liner is now standard and helps to protect the tray space and load materials from damage.
Floor corrugations allow water run-off and easy cleaning.
VE Ute incorporates more standard safety features than its predecessor and benefits from the largest crash modelling programme Holden has undertaken.
Holden says 70 per cent of VE Ute's structure is advanced strength steel.
