2010 Holden Calais V SIDI Road Test Review

FROM ITS INTRODUCTION in 1984 the Calais has occupied the top tier of Holden’s Commodore range. Even doing a short stint as Holden’s headline act during the absence of the long wheelbase Statesman in the late 1980s.

It blends Aussie-big car engineering with levels of luxury and comfort not found in the fleet-focused volume models. As the name suggests, Holden, from day one, has had the Calais aimed straight across the bow of the Europeans.

While it has been a solid enough performer, the Calais has arguably fallen short of its intended goals and never really laid down the gauntlet to the 5 Series or the C Class. But perhaps now, with the updated and refined powertrains of the VE range, it may have taken a step closer to its Euro aspirations.

Thanks to a direct-injected V6, six-speed automatic transmission and serious interior refinement, the Calais, on paper at least, has both the power and luxury demanded of a range topping model.

How does that blend of space, sophistication and power equate on the road? TMR put its plutocratic bum behind the wheel to see if the Calais lives up to its executive-express aspirations.

Styling

For the 2010 upgrade, the VE Commodore range - and consequently the Calais - makes do without much in the way of styling upgrades.

Points of difference over previous VEs include SIDI badges mounted low on the front guards and boot lid, as well as a new one-piece Calais V badge on the rump.

Arguably the VE never really needed a styling revision, it stll looks sharp and contemporary after three years (if perhaps a little familiar).

On the Calais and Calais V there’s additional chromework framing the windows, a smoother front end with a chrome-topped grille and single-frame lower air-intake in the bumper.

Out back there’s a set of lightly smoked ridged tail-lights and on the Calais V a subtle lip-spoiler on the bootlid and chrome number-plate garnish.

The pumped-up guards sit over machined ten-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, which, in concert with the twin chrome exhaust outlets, add a slight edge of quiet menace to an otherwise stylish, if restrained, package.

Interior

Just as the outside wrapper sits mostly untouched, so to the interior.

Yet again, over-familiarity is perhaps the biggest stumbling block to overcome.

In daily use, the VE interior proves itself to be well laid out and easy to use, right down to little details like the more commonly-used audio buttons being closer to the driver.

As the range topper of the Commodore range, the Calais comes plushly trimmed with perforated leather seats teamed with alcantara on the door trims and lower dash, with metallic highlights straked throughout.

Seating for five is rarely a pinch with ample shoulder room in the rear and plenty of head and legroom on offer for all but the tallest of basketballers.

Front seats are impressively wide and generously padded. But while the more 'lardy' among us will appreciate the generous width between the bolsters, smaller drivers may perhaps find them a little too enveloping.

Finding a decent driving position is a relatively simple affair though, with eight way electrically adjustable seats and a three-position memory setting for the driver.

Cargo is also easily accommodated with a 496-litre boot, but it misses out on a proper split-folding rear seat (although it does have a ski-port for long items).

Equipment and features

If you’re toying with the idea of spending $56,790 on a Calais V, you’d want to be sure there were plenty of bells and whistles.

Luckily then, the V comes very well appointed.

Gearshift, steering wheel and seats are leather trimmed and the steering wheel features audio and trip computer controls.

Front seats are electrically adjustable and headlights and wipers are automatic. Bluetooth connectivity comes standard, as does cruise control.