International chance for select few

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

Holden is to launch a limited-edition version of the Calais, its premium model Commodore.

Production of the International will be restricted to 350 vehicles. Only a handful will be available in this country.

The International, in a blue metallic paint with contrasting grey leather trim, is based on the topline 5.7-litre V8 Calais.

Exterior features include 17-inch six-spoke alloy wheels and special badging. Inside, the cockpit fascia and console are finished in grey, the instruments echo the blue theme and the steering wheel is covered in two-tone leather.

No official price yet but expect the International to cost about $68,000, roughly a couple of thousand dollars more than the topline Calais.

The new model celebrates the success of the Commodore in Australia and New Zealand.

The VT and updated VX range has been the bestselling car in New Zealand for nine months. Last year it had 36.6 per cent of the large car market. So far this year it has more than 40 per cent.

More than 111,000 Commodores have been sold since the launch of the first VB model in 1979. It is the second-bestselling car in New Zealand behind the Toyota Corolla.