WE’VE ALL GOT A DREAM, deep within. The sad reality is we didn’t get to be rockstars, or marry Heidi Klum.

As for that ball-tearing V8 coupe that was supposed to be parked in the driveway… well, 2.5 kids and a labrador took care of that.

Thankfully, Holden understands. That’s why it has given us the VE Sportwagon SS. And that’s why this car throws the cat amongst the pigeons.

Not only does the package shun the box-on-back look of yesteryear’s wagons, but in SS guise there’s a sinful 270kW 6.0 litre V8 on tap. In our test car this was tied to a nicely matched ‘row your own’ six-speed manual.

Better still, behind the rear seats there’s room aplenty for carrying whatever you need to carry. And the kids? There doesn’t seem to be one on the planet who doesn’t love the looks and sound of the Sportwagon SS.

Styling

Gone are the days when fleet customers dictated the form of Holden’s wagon. Chief Designer Richard Ferlazzo and his team on the crayons at Holden have come up with a decidedly new form for the Sportwagon.

This one is pitched straight at the lifestyle conscious buyer; someone who needs a little added versatility but who’d like to maintain a degree of style, not possible in an SUV.

For that reason the shorter sedan wheelbase appears under the Sportwagon, helping to maintain its proportional purity. Also gone is the hearse-like profile of past wagons, with a chopped low-roofed taking its place.

At the rear, the Sportwagon is forced to share the same tail-light lenses and tailgate garnishes across the range, unlike the sedans that wear individual lamps dependent on specification. (Seeing as it’s the nicest rear to appear on an Aussie wagon for a long time it’s a forgivable act.)

The VE’s hallmark styling traits are still in place, including the vented side repeater lamps, rising beltline, gently curved window line and pumped up, muscle-bound wheel arches.

In SS guise, the Sportwagon also carries a deep-chin front bar with deep mesh-filled intakes, machined-face 18-inch alloy wheels, deeper side skirts and a venturi styled rear bumper punctuated on each side by dual-outlet exhaust tips.

Interior

On the inside the Sportwagon SS gives up none of its visual aggression. Open the driver’s door and instantly you are greeted by a black interior filled with body-hugging sports seats and glowing with red-illuminated dials.

However, the Commodore’s interior architecture is starting to show its age. While ergonomically it still works well, the polish of Ford’s newer FG Falcon puts the big Holden in the shade.

There’s still plenty to like though, deep set instruments for the driver, a multi-function steering wheel, brushed aluminium trim across the dash and a spacious centre stack with large, easy-to-read controls.

Front seats are wide and supportive with an astonishing array of adjustment to suit the very tall, way down to the very short. The heavily-bolstered front seats provide great support through corners without ever becoming too grippy for relaxed cruising.

In the rear, even behind taller front occupants, there’s plenty of room to stretch out - rear seat travellers are never going to feel short-changed. The rear bench is even lightly sculpted into a twin-bucket arrangement so that no one misses out on the sporting feel.

One thing those in the rear may not enjoy so much is the rising window line, which puts a large section of door trim into the sight line of kids in particular.

On the plus, there are full lap/sash seatbelts in all three rear positions as well as a slide-out cup holder and folding centre armrest. But none of the seat belts are height adjustable, and the rear seat has two positions: up or down, with no backrest angle adjustment.

Equipment and Features

One of the things that makes the Sportwagon SS so compelling is its affordable price tag.

For $49,790 it sits as the cheapest way into a V8-powered wagon and looks great value against the $41,290 base model auto-only Omega. It’s a steal compared to the more lavish, but mechanically identical SS-V at $57,290.

Surprisingly though, it’s no stripped out dollar-dodger. Included in the package are six airbags, Electronic Stability Control, ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist.

Inside there’s a seven-speaker six-disc MP3 compatible CD player, multi-funtion trip computer, sports seats with lumbar support and electric tilt and height adjustment for the driver, and a leather wrapped steering wheel.

For convenience sake, automatic headlights, reverse park sensors and cruise control are also included.