Holden VE Commodore SS V Ute (2007) Review

By: David Berthon

Date: 05.09.2012

2007 Holden VE Commodore SS V Ute

2007 Holden VE Commodore SS V Ute

2007 Holden VE Commodore SS V Ute

2007 Holden VE Commodore SS V Ute

2007 Holden VE Commodore SS V Ute

2007 Holden VE Commodore SS V Ute

Holden SS V Ute. You may not see too many VE utes at local building sites.

2007 Holden VE Commodore SS V Ute

2007 Holden VE Commodore SS V Ute

[Oct 2007] Utilities are meant to be workhorses - yeah right! Not the new Holden VE. In fact, Holden claim their real challenge was to design a recreational sports car without comprising its credentials as a practical workhorse.

So it's no surprise that the cab-chassis 'one-tonne' workhorse is no longer. From the original FX model of 1951 the Holden utility has slowly evolved from a basic load carrier to a style and performance machine. For this reason Holden expects 75 percent of VE buyers will choose the sporty SV6 and SS and SS V models.

Available in four model lines, Omega, SV6, SS and SS V with a choice of V6 and V8 engines and five transmissions the new ute gets all of the benefits of the new VE sedan with added safety, performance, much needed interior room and a more muscular and stylish exterior.

Standard electronic stability control is the big safety story. Irrespective of model the electronic stability programme (ESP), which integrates traction control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake assist and brakeforce distribution, is an absolute boon on an unsealed road especially when unladen.

The SS V is the hero model in every respect - and there's no better example of the benefits of stability control than this sporty 6.0-litre V8. One only has to switch off this safety aid on this the heaviest and most powerful version to realise its immediate benefits.

Whether in six-speed manual or six-speed auto with Active Select manual function the SS V really offers full-on muscle performance or it can be driven in a very docile manner just by tapping its massive torque.

Sitting on an all-coil suspension, courtesy of the long wheelbase Statesman platform, and with 19inch alloys shod with 245x40-series R-rated tyres the SS V stamps its footprint on the road, irrespective of surface, with aplomb.

The all-coil set-up obviously favours ride and handling over load carrying but with such a large proportion of recreational buyers it's the practical choice.

In fact, the very low profile tyres limit load carrying on the SS V automatic ute to just 508kg, down from the 775kg load capacity on the base Omega.

Interior-wise the SS V is a knockout. It has far more room behind the leather-clad seats - enough room for several overnight bags - while the choice of matched finishes and textures really purvey a luxury feel.

Biggest disappointment is the red LCD illumination of the instrumentation on all sporty VEs, which is simply unreadable, especially for quick reference in bright sunlight.

SPECIFICATIONS

2007 VE Commodore SS V UTE

BODY:  two-door utility

WEIGHT:  1786kg (manual)

ENGINE: 6.0-litre V8

DRIVETRAIN:  front engine, RWD

TRANSMISSION: six-speed manual, six-speed auto

POWER/TORQUE:  270kW/530Nm

PRICE: $44,950 (manual)

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