Part of the family

By DAVID LINKLATER

They're approaching it in different ways, but Holden and Ford agree that off-road-style 4WDs will play a big part in the future of the Australian-built family car.

This week Holden released the first official pictures of its Commodore-based 4WD wagon, called the Adventra. The design of the jacked-up wagon sticks closely to the donor car, but gains more macho looks thanks to the extra ride height, strategically placed plastic cladding - including a thick black garnish next to the C-pillar - and a chunky new alloy wheel design.

Also evident in the factory photographs is a new tailgate design, featuring a separate top-hinged, opening rear window.

Holden remains characteristically tight-lipped about the new car, but has confirmed that it will be launched only with the 5.7-litre V8 engine. However, it is likely that the model will pick up a version of General Motors' new Australian-built HFV6 engine later next year, probably in 3.8-litre form.

Expect to see the Adventra in New Zealand within six months - if not before Christmas, then certainly early next year.

Ford won't be able to match Holden's V8 power with its forthcoming Territory 4WD, nor will it be able to upset its arch rival's launch timing. The Blue Oval says the Territory's engine bay isn't able to accept anything larger than the present 4-litre six. The new car is not expected in New Zealand showrooms until the middle of next year.

But Ford claims it will be worth the wait, because it has taken the crossover concept even further. The Territory is a totally Australian project based on the running gear of the BA Falcon, but features unique styling inside and out (it is shorter than a Falcon sedan), modified suspension, a purpose-designed 4WD system and the option of a third seating row, bringing the total passenger-carrying count to seven. It is intended to be less a wagon than a seamless blend of off-roader and people-mover.

Details on the car's cabin configuration are still secret, but the Territory is likely to feature a number of novel people-mover-type packaging tricks, including flexible load-carrying capabilities and a split tailgate (as with the Adventra).

The Territory made a surprise visit to New Zealand last week in prototype form for a media event. But there was no driving to be done, the new interior was hidden behind blacked-out windows and the car's time in Kiwiland was brief. It is now on its way back to Australia for more development work.

The Adventra and the Territory are just the start of a trend towards Aussie-made 4WD vehicles. Holden in particular plans several lifestyle vehicles using its 4WD system, which is designed to fit into every chassis in the carmaker's range. In the short term, expect to see a brace of high-riding utes - a two-door and a four-door version in the spirit of the company's Cross8 concept.