New MOTOR mag with VE info and REAL PICS!!

[Citric GT]

Originally Posted by Barry_v

The AU looked nearly identical to an upmarket european car.

Yeah right:

[8pAc]

Originally Posted by Citric XR6

Yeah right:

cough... JAG cough...

[MethodX]

cough...Taurus... cough?

[loxxr6]

the BA doesnt look euro... what drugs are you on?

It was meant to be audi like....which isn't a bad thing.

The AU looked nearly identical to an upmarket european car.

Hmmm "AU Merc"

[smoo]

No the AU has inspired an upmarket Euro to copy it... Benz CLS

Well, anything has to be better than the VZ. VX was the best looking so far, but I still don't like the odd proportions on the current VT-VZ shape, short bonnet, sloping front, high ****.
Aussie makers need a timeless shape, or one that will age well, and I think the AU will prob be the most successful in that regard so far.

[Citric GT]

Originally Posted by smoo

Aussie makers need a timeless shape.

E series man!

[Biggoggs]

Originally Posted by loxxr6

Hmmm "AU Merc"

Wow, and I thought it was just my imagination;

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Citric XR6

E series man!

Yea I was thinking EF/L when I was typing that, Fairmonts and XRs. Suppose time will tell with the AU. The BA will age quicker than AU imo.

[Citric GT]

That Merc looks horrible. I think I'll have to look after my EL...last of the good looking cars...

[Hawk]

I don't mind that VE. First impressions were certainly very Euro in the look of it. Definately a lot of Vectra in it, and the rear is definately Audi.

Overall it is reasonably nice, but you can't really tell by pictures only. Still looks to be pretty good though.

Just looking at the roofline of the car though, I wonder if there will be a cramped head-room issue with it.

[loxxr6]

Wow, and I thought it was just my imagination;

Nope, I walk past one in a Merc dealership on my way to work....

They reckon the AU shape will be more appreciated in future generations. Its a bit ahead of current styling's time.

[Bossxr8]

These computer generations are totally useless in highlighting what a new model will look like bar the basic shape, especially when its all guess work. Any car will look OK when it is drawn with big wheels, low suspension, dual exhausts, dark windows etc. Its what the car looks like 100% standard in base model form with high suspension and hubcaps that will really decide if it looks good or not. I remember seeing design sketches of the AU in Motor when it was released with ground scrapping ride height, huge wheels etc and it looked awesome, absolutely nothing like an AU Forte in the metal. I'll reserve my judgement until its released but if it ends up looking like a Vectra or Astra i'll hate it.

[Decadentia]

There's all kinds of cues in that picture on page one. Roof line and door glass looks very BMW-ish, front end and headlights - if you kinda blank out the grille and part of the bonnet - looks like current shaped camry, back end just looks like a rework of the current magna-dore job. Suppose it doesn't look too bad overall, but there's really nothing about it that's throwing me back in my seat

[BlueRaven]

Wow, Ford fans go into a frenzy!

My thoughts: I like it. I agree, the badge is big, but its a big grill too. I think it will do well. Yes the boot is small, but its the way sedans are designed these days.

The new Falcon: Will look similar to this. We have already been told that it has audi/european styling cues.

In fact, Fiesta, Focus....well hang on, they came from europe didn't they? Why wouldnt the sedan follow the same look?

[need psi]

being a holdens worker i cant say ive seen it before, but seeing these pics is what i imaginied to be by what i was told by others who have beeen in the pilot room. i dont like the look of the rear its very ugly to me, the front isnt too bad but looks like astra/vectra to me, this is just my opinion, like all the holdens products it takes time for me to like things, i hated the vx when it came out now i dont mind the look, doesnt ever mean id own one.

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

If they can make it look like that for around the same price as it is now then it looks like your getting more than what your paying for if anyone gets what i mean. I really dont care how it was designed or where it was built aslong as it looks good. Im sure the majority of the public doesnt care about origin of design or where it was built aslong as it is good and is of reasonable cost.

i dont care where it was designed either, i mean general motors holdens hasnt ever really designed anything, the vb was based on a opel, so was the vt, the motors vl's were jap rb30's, vn - vy 3.8 buick fwd crap, then the new v6 3.6 was based on a saab or bmw motor, another pretty sure fwd shit too. i care where it was built because if there nt going to be built here im out of a job and so are 5500+ employees at the elizabeth plant alone, then 100's of other smaller companies, the engine plant in melbourne, you'd be surprised how much holden's, mitsubishi's and fords puts into our economy. so in a sense i dont care if it does sell better then the falcon or not as long as it does sell.

Originally Posted by Walkinshaw

With regards to comments relating to the rim sizes, word was that stock exectutive rims were to be 17", up market models (berline etc) to have 18/19's and SS's to have 20's just to fill the guards.

How accurate this is is yet to be seen.

dan - im sure i could find out these specs on tuesday at work. ill post these up asap.

i know that the twin turbo motor which was released in the torana will be in the VE2. whcih wont beuntil 2007/2008. the VE will be a very well engineered car, they have invested millions upon millions of dollars to upgrade the production line to build the VE, the VE will have a shorter build time because its that much easier to build. everything has been placed for easy access ie steering knuckle and rear brake lines can be connected and done up through the wheel arch no longer reaching around axles or exhausts which saves time, these simple things will save holdens about 20 production workers in general assembly alone, across 3 shifts that 60 people, thats in just one section.

hate it or love thats your opinion, but look past the cover of the book and have a read before you make your final decision.

[The Mighty Red]

Whats with the magna door handles?

[red_october]

Hope they fix up the rear wheels & shockies - I remember seeing some of them splaying out like legs on a rude girl when there's a load in the boot....

Seriously, I'd like to see if they come out with a wagon version, though.

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by red_october

Hope they fix up the rear wheels & shockies - I remember seeing some of them splaying out like legs on a rude girl when there's a load in the boot....

I think most of that was fixed up with the rear camber kit on the VXII's ..

I don't like the look for the VE. But I said the same thing about AU Falcons and VY Commodores .. and now I own both!?

[highlander_69r]

ill have one for sure anybody want my vy ss

[Chucky]

Must admit I think it looks the goods. As will thousands of fleet user choosers over the models life cycle.
The only question I have is the final weight figure. Numbers being rumoured are 200+ kgs on the current VZ which will do the performance models no help.
As with most things.. We'll have to wait until launch to know the truth...

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by highlander_69r

ill have one for sure anybody want my vy ss

Yeah, I'll take it. Make sure you wash it before you hand me the keys though!

[highlander_69r]

Originally Posted by Rodp

Yeah, I'll take it. Make sure you wash it before you hand me the keys though!

ha well its in the shed now washed and polished and the keys on the hook

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by highlander_69r

ill have one for sure anybody want my vy ss

yeah ud prob have to give it away on here lol

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by MrSparkle

So there are those here who hate this, but love the BA, and love the Focus. In summary, you say :

1. Euro looking BA = good and only because it has a Ford badge and Ford bigotry
2. Euro looking Focus = I'm not sure, I think it will grow on me. I'll give it a chance because it is a Ford after all.
3. Euro looking VE = bad because it is a Holden. I don't care what it looks like really.

How many of you who hate it, still like the BA? Hmm? Well if that is you, then you are a brand bigot and there is NOTHING about the styling that is in your criteria. You couldn't care if it looked like a molested ape or an upended bar fridge, if it doesn't have a Ford badge then it is crap. You people are the Blue Oval equivalent of the VN P plate driving, Street Commodores buying, knuckle-dragging society.

pffft well this is FORD FORUMS go over to comoodore club then though i love my fords it doesnt look to bad all though i dont like the euro styling

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by Chucky

Must admit I think it looks the goods. As will thousands of fleet user choosers over the models life cycle.
The only question I have is the final weight figure. Numbers being rumoured are 200+ kgs on the current VZ which will do the performance models no help.
As with most things.. We'll have to wait until launch to know the truth...

It will be very interesting if this is the case, it will bring the two performance brand's closer togehter.

[INJECTED_250]

They have to be joking... loose the euro way of things..... It looks like it should be powered by a 4 potter, HEy not the first time for a commodore.
I so hope this is what they realease.. They must be smoking some good quality stuff in the holden drafting room :>:>
Did the guys that designed the AU go to work there.....

[niko]

come on it is a nice design, just not for the right model lol

au was compared to this. im talking base model.

[loxxr6]

Did the guys that designed the AU go to work there.....

Hey, watch the AU comments there ! :nutsycuck

[FPVWEPN]

it looks really small

[xr8gn3]

I dont like the front end or the rear styling, the bumper looks like its been ripped off a camry.

It looks a lot wider then the VY-VZ too, this might indicate more wieght?

The side view looks the best.