2009 Holden Ute news, pictures, and information

HOLDEN'S ALL NEW VE UTE RAISES THE BAR

Holden designers captured the dual role of today's ute as a practical workhorse wîth recreational sports car credentials. A priority was to create more practical cabin space and storage flexibility.

Like its sedan sibling, VE Úte has authoritative stance and poise. The signature raked bodyside and distinctive flared wheel arches feature prominently.

The silhouette features a coupe-like integrated roof-line and retains the classic Holden Úte proportional trait wîth the tray perfectly balanced above the rear wheels.

The clean presentation is aided by the use of a single piece body side outer which runs from the A pillar to the tailgate. The new one-piece side structure delivers significant quality improvements through dimensional stability and repeatability.

There are unique wrap-around tail lamps and tailgate hinges are now fully concealed. Dual and quad exhaust systems enhance the VE Úte's sports car appeal.

Interior Features

VE Úte introduces several design solutions that increase interior storage space, improve rear compartment access and add more convenience features.

The cabin interior draws on the award-winning VE sedan, wîth individual treatments increasing buyer choice.

Specific centre stack features, mouldings, displays and illumination colours create maximum differentiation between variants.

The aggressive quality standards applied to VE sedan were also applied to ute, wîth critical areas such as part-to-part fit, material surfaces, storage openings and other treatments reviewed to the tiniest detail.

Rear seat access has been opened up wîth a quick release seat latch now standard. Storage volume behind the seats is now 245 litres, a significant increase over VZ Úte's 90 litre space.

There are two storage compartments beneath the load floor and all models except Omega and SV6 have dual cargo nets in the rear panel. A new rear centre T-panel provides a striking visual element.

Exterior Features

While the new ute takes many of its design and styling cues from the successful VE sedan, its body structure has more than 60 unique panels.

The rear structure has been significantly reinforced to accommodate the load-carrying capacity and robustness required for a light commercial vehicle.

The cargo area is more functional and versatile. A heavy duty moulded cargo liner is now standard fitment.

It helps protect the tray space and load materials from damage. Floor corrugations allow water run-off and easy cleaning.

The flush-fitting soft tonneau cover (all models except Omega) features Holden's unique 'snap lock' clipping system. The six cargo tie-down hooks have been redesigned for improved functionality.

Safety Technology

VE Úte incorporates more standard safety features than its predecessor and benefits from the largest crash modelling program Holden has undertaken.

The focus was on crash avoidance and providing optimum occupant protection should a crash occur.

Safety technologies were benchmarked against the world's leading brands and major engineering programs delivered a stiffer body structure and significantly increased usage of advanced strength steels. Seventy seven per cent of VE Úte's structure is advanced strength steel.

Load path strategies established for VE sedan have been adapted for VE Úte wîth a focus on side and rear impact. Structurally optimised crush zones help absorb crash energy.

VE is the first locally produced ute equipped wîth the acclaimed Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) safety technology standard across the range. This integrates traction control, anti-lock braking systems, electronic brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution to help prevent skidding in critical driving situations by applying corrective braking to different wheels and reducing engine torque.

New dual-stage driver and passenger front airbags, which inflate in two stages according to impact severity and respective seating positions, further enhance occupant safety.

Other protection features include a §teering column ride-down mechanism and breakaway brake pedal.

Performance

	Vital Stats
Engine : 3.6 L., 6-cylinder Power: 241 hp Torque: 243 ft-lbs Engine : 3.6 L., 6-cylinder Power: 262 hp Torque: 251 ft-lbs Engine : 6.0 L., 8-cylinder Power: 362 hp Torque: 391 ft-lbs
4-speed Automatic, 6-speed Manual, 5-speed Automatic, 6-speed Automatic

The new VE Úte is all about performance, whether as a day-to-day commercial workhorse or a two-door sports car in its own right.

The Omega Úte offers a four-speed automatic transmission paired wîth Holden's locally built 3.6 litre V6 Alloytec engine, delivering 180kW of peak power and 330Nm of peak torque.

The six-speed manual Omega has the more powerful High Output V6 Alloytec, delivering peak power of 195kW and peak torque of 340Nm, wîth dual exhausts added.

SV6 utilises the same combination of High Output V6 engine, six-speed manual transmission and dual exhausts but adds sports suspension. Five-speed automatic transmission wîth Active Select is optional.

The SS and new high-end SS V Úte models are powered by Holden's 6.0 litre Gen IV V8, which delivers 270kW of peak power and 530Nm of peak torque. It is matched to a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission wîth Active Select.

Wheel and tyre packages are larger across the range. The entry level Omega ute moves from 15-inch to 16-inch steel wheels. At the performance end, SV6 and SS utes move from 17-inch to 18-inch alloys as standard and the new SS V boasts 19-inch alloy wheels.

Quad exhausts add to the performance package on SS and SS V models.

Ride and handling

HOLDEN'S AWARD-WINNING VE SS UTE MAKES IT TWO IN A ROW

Holden's Award-Winning VE SS Ute Makes it Two in a Row