VE Calais options

[Azza]

Have heard work around the traps that the VE calais will be AWD optional and, turbo optional with the alloytec donk. Anyone else heard the same?

[M&Ms]

First i hear of it...would be cool if it were true

[Ghia351]

Have heard work around the traps that the VE calais will be AWD optional and, turbo optional with the alloytec donk. Anyone else heard the same?

Its been reported that the VE chassis is designed for 2WD & AWD and that work on a turbo HFV6 version for European cars already developed so all is possible for VE Commodore.

[Phido]

AWD sounds reasonable enough, there are plenty of AWD luxury cars, and any premium would be affordable by calais customers. It would also help the cost of developing more HSV AWD models. I think Holden and HSV have made some pretty loud noises, that AWD will become optional on more and more models.

Turbo I don't know. I thought Holden wasn't going to use the turbo. It is possible but they belive it wasn't what customers really wanted (V8's are better).

But if Ford ever gets off there stupid fat butts and put the XR6 Turbo mechanicals into a Fairmont Ghia, it would be a strong case for Holden to put a turbo engine into the Calais.

Ford has claimed that for marketing reasons they won't but the Turbo engine into the Ghia. Which is disapointing at the very least. Ghia has become very soft in recent times, and is really starting to look like a cardigan car in comparison with a Calais. Long gone are the days where you got LSD, high output XR6 engine and mechanicals, big wheels, the latest braking technology, all the luxurys in a nice stuble body.

Holden may resist the Turbo engine as well. But for the type of luxury sports car Calais and Ghias are, they make a great deal of sense.

You could imagine a V6 turbo Calais with the 5 speed auto with all the electronic esp, CBC, EBA etc would be a pretty sweet package. Fast, refined, balanced, easy to drive, sleeper etc. Not to mention bring the words "Turbo" and "Calais" together once again.

Holden is quite fond of "special runs", I wouldn't be suprised if Holden did a limited run of say 500 Turbo Calais for VE to test the waters and gain a lot of media attention. Perhaps becoming a permant model lineup later.

[chevypower]

I hope AWD will only ever be optional and not standard, as i dont intend to be in an identical situation to the Magna commercial... Anyone here happened to be on a dirt road and come across two V8 RWDs and had to beat them while they slid off in to the trees? AWD is better for traction in acceleration in the wet and dirt roads and snow, but I don't like the way they tend to drive in some other situations. Personal oppinion, don't rebuke me for it :-)

[Red CV8 R]

Having owned two VL Calais turbos I really hope we see the return of this car very soon!

[dvx]

a worthy contendor for teh awd supercharged jag...well almost :D

[Knight Phlier]

I would think IMO that a Turbo Alloytech V6 would be a logical replacement for the current Supercharged V6.

[slickholden]

I seen on a ford forum holden had a alloytech twin turbo 300KW engine that they were trying to keep quite because it was so detunned @ 300KW they were afraid it could hurt there V8 sale's since they are V8 biased. :::)
They said while gen3 is being used it won't be made, But Gen4 might bring it out but this guy said they are not finnished with supercharging just yet. And have a 250-260KW one :) Anyone hear about this before ?