Holden's Not Lion Down: Malibu to Debut With VF Commodore
Holden’s all-new mid-size car, the Malibu has been awarded a maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating ahead of its showroom debut next month.
Holden Malibu’s standard safety features include six airbags, a rear view camera and rear parking sensors and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) incorporating Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), brake assist, electronic brake distribution and traction control.
Ensuring safer transport for children, Malibu also includes the ISOFIX child seat anchorage system, an international system for attaching child restraints to vehicles that assists in correct seat fitment. An Australian standard for ISOFIX seats is anticipated shortly.
Holden’s Manager for Vehicle Structure & Safety Integration, Steve Curtis said a five star safety rating was an important feature for new car buyers.
“Holden Malibu was designed to achieve the highest level of real-world safety and a five star rating offers important peace of mind for drivers and their passengers.
“As a global vehicle, Malibu has achieved maximum safety ratings in several overseas markets including the US, Europe and South Korea.”
In the event of a crash, Malibu provides a strong structure that comprises high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels, 
full-length frame rails, a reinforced safety cage and impact-absorbing crush zones. This structure is designed to absorb the energy created in a crash and help preserve the structural integrity of the occupant compartment.
Further, to meet global standards for protecting pedestrians against head injuries in the event of a crash, Holden Malibu uses energy-absorbing materials in the bonnet. Other energy-absorbing techniques for protecting pedestrians in the event of a collision include the strategic use of air space between the hood and hard objects underneath – such as the battery and engine – that could injure pedestrians.
And with the Commodore, Holden has significantly increased the value of Commodore with new features and reduced recommended retail prices across the VF sedan and Sportwagon range by between $5,000 and $9,800.
Launching a simplified line-up, Holden has created the Evoke nameplate to kick-start the range, redefining ‘entry level’ and making class-leading technology standard on Australia’s favourite family car.
With a recommended retail price (RRP) of just $34,990, Evoke comes standard with Auto Park Assist for parallel and right angle parking as well as front and rear parking sensors and a rear view camera. In addition to its premium new interior, Evoke also brings a world of new technology to Australian drivers with:
enhanced voice recognition, an eight-inch, high-resolution colour touch screen with Holden’s MyLink app-embedded technology including voice recognition and Siri Eyes Free integration*, full iPod® integration and built-in apps like Pandora® and Stitcher SmartRadio™.
Holden has added exceptional value to its range opener and reduced the RRP by $5,000. Powered by the 3.0L V6 SIDI engine, Evoke also includes other advanced vehicle features as standard including:
an electric park brake with automatic release, Hill Hold Control and Hill Start Assist, Trailer Sway Control and
remote vehicle start (automatic transmission only).
Holden Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Philip Brook, said Evoke would play an important role in changing perceptions of Commodore.
“Evoke is a great car that people will want to own, it will be an aspirational vehicle. The features we’ve made standard show Holden is serious about making world class technology accessible to all our customers,” he said.
“Starting with Evoke we have simplified Commodore’s pricing and value walk up with logical price and equipment increments and very strong sports and luxury identities.
“We think Commodore represents unbelievable value and will win over a new generation of Australians.”
Stepping up from Evoke, Holden’s Calais combines luxury features with VF’s cutting edge technology for under $40,000.
The high-end styling and features of Calais have made it one of Commodore’s most successful and long-running nameplates. Holden has wound back the Calais RRP by more than $8,000 to just $39,990.
Calais also gains Blind Spot Alert and Reverse Traffic Alert, sensor key and push button start technology in addition to
the styling Calais drivers expect, including front and rear premium design features and chrome accents.
The luxurious high-end Calais V has an RRP $46,990 (reduced by $9,800) and Calais V is also available with the 6.0L Gen IV V8 engine for $52,990 (reduced by $9,000).
“Calais V embodies premium sports luxury – it’s become the flagship of the Commodore range. Calais V benefits from luxury craftsmanship and design and the highest levels of technology. We believe it rivals European competitors,” Mr Brook said.
Calais V gains advanced safety technologies including Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and a colour Head-up Display.
It also adds high-end luxury features such as heated front seats, electric eight-way adjustable driver seat and satellite navigation with full colour mapping with live traffic updates and traffic management control. Calais V sedan also gains Holden VF Calais interiorthe Bose® premium audio system and sunroof.
Commodore’s performance variants – SV6 and SS – gain VF sophistication and retain the unique sporty character these models are famous for.
Holden has improved the value of the SV6, with a reduced RRP of $35,990 (down $6,800), and boosted the value of the iconic SS reducing its RRP by $5,800 to $41,990. SV6 is powered by the 3.6L SIDI V6 with the SS stepping up to the 6.0L Gen IV V8 engine, both are standard with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Building on Evoke specifications, SV6 and SS gain Blind Spot Alert and Reverse Traffic Alert technologies in addition to their bold front and rear sports styling, side skirts, lip spoiler (on sedan) and chrome exhaust tip. A wing spoiler is now available as a factory-fitted option on sedan for $500 on sports models.
“Holden sports models have a very clear performance identity within the Commodore line-up and they’re taking a huge leap forward with VF. They really are a class above the competitors with game-changing technology and Holden’s performance credentials,” Mr Brook said.
“Our enthusiast customers are our biggest fans and great supporters of the Holden brand. In the run-out of VE we’ve practically sold out of V8 models and dealers are reporting huge interest in the SS and other sports models.
“SS V-Series cranks up sports performance another notch and for just $3,500 customers can can gain new 19 inch alloys, leather appointed seats, satellite navigation, multi-function driver information display and sensor key technology with Holden VF SS-Vpush button start.”
The RRP for SS V is now under $50,000, reduced by $9,800 to $45,490. SS V Redline now starts at $51,490 for sedan, a roll back of $6,300. Redline adds Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Head-up Display on all body styles as well as the premium Bose® audio system and sunroof on sedan models.
SS V Redline is the ultimate in rear-wheel drive sports performance with Brembo® brakes, forged 19 inch alloys and an updated sports-tuned FE3 suspension package.
“The Holden engineering team is really proud of what they’ve been able to achieve with Redline. VF Redline also has wider rear wheels for extra traction and includes competition mode with launch control and track settings for the true enthusiasts who participate in track days,” Mr Brook said.
“We launched the Redline range at Series II and it’s been a huge success. Within two years it’s carved out a spot at the top of the ladder as the absolute best in luxury, sports performance.”
Mr Brook said Holden dealers could now take orders for VF Commodore models with the start of production later this month.
“Our goal with VF was to help customers find the car that suits them by simplifying our line-up – whether it’s a family, an enthusiast, or a luxury car buyer – which also makes it easier for dealers and helps reduce complexity in our manufacturing operations,” he said.
“VF Commodore has amazing, world-leading technology, sophisticated design and performance credentials that make it an incredible package. And what makes us most proud is that we designed, engineered and built Commodore in Australia.
“We have a new creative marketing direction for the Holden brand and we’re reasserting ourselves in an incredibly competitive market.
“For Commodore, we’re deliberately launching with a ‘wow’ pricing strategy that we think will make buying a Commodore a very easy decision and bring people back to the large car segment.”
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