2013 Holden VF Commodore

2013 Holden VF Commodore Evoke sedan exterior front
Holden has significantly increased the value of Commodore with new features and reduced recommended retail prices across the VF sedan and Sportwagon range by between $5,000 and $9,800.

Launching a simplified line-up, Holden has created the Evoke nameplate to kick-start the range, redefining ‘entry level’ and making class-leading technology standard on Australia’s favourite family car.

With a recommended retail price (RRP) of just $34,990, Evoke comes standard with Auto Park Assist for parallel and right angle parking as well as front and rear parking sensors and a rear view camera. In addition to its premium new interior,
Evoke also brings a world of new technology to Australian drivers with:

2013 Holden VF Commodore Evoke sedan interior dash

enhanced voice recognition,
an eight-inch, high-resolution colour touch screen with Holden’s MyLink app-embedded technology including voice recognition and Siri Eyes Free integration*,
full iPod® integration and
built-in apps like Pandora® and Stitcher SmartRadio™.
Holden has added exceptional value to its range opener and reduced the RRP by $5,000. Powered by the 3.0L V6 SIDI engine, Evoke also includes other advanced vehicle features as standard including:

an electric park brake with automatic release,
Hill Hold Control and Hill Start Assist,
Trailer Sway Control and
remote vehicle start (automatic transmission only).
Holden Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Philip Brook, said Evoke would play an important role in changing perceptions of Commodore.

“Evoke is a great car that people will want to own, it will be an aspirational vehicle. The features we’ve made standard show Holden is serious about making world class technology accessible to all our customers,” he said.

“Starting with Evoke we have simplified Commodore’s pricing and value walk up with logical price and equipment increments and very strong sports and luxury identities.

“We think Commodore represents unbelievable value and will win over a new generation of Australians.”

Stepping up from Evoke, Holden’s Calais combines luxury features with VF’s cutting edge technology for under $40,000.

The high-end styling and features of Calais have made it one of Commodore’s most successful and long-running nameplates. Holden has wound back the Calais RRP by more than $8,000 to just $39,990.

Calais also gains Blind Spot Alert and Reverse Traffic Alert, sensor key and push button start technology in addition to the styling Calais drivers expect, including front and rear premium design features and chrome accents.

The luxurious high-end Calais V has an RRP $46,990 (reduced by $9,800) and Calais V is also available with the 6.0L Gen IV V8 engine for $52,990 (reduced by $9,000).

“Calais V embodies premium sports luxury – it’s become the flagship of the Commodore range. Calais V benefits from luxury craftsmanship and design and the highest levels of technology. We believe it rivals European competitors,” Mr Brook said.

Calais V gains advanced safety technologies including Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and a colour Head-up Display.

It also adds high-end luxury features such as heated front seats, electric eight-way adjustable driver seat and satellite navigation with full colour mapping with live traffic updates and traffic management control. Calais V sedan also gains the Bose® premium audio system and sunroof.

2013 Holden VF Commodore SSV sedan exterior rear ¾ - Fantale

Commodore’s performance variants – SV6 and SS – gain VF sophistication and retain the unique sporty character these models are famous for.

Holden has improved the value of the SV6, with a reduced RRP of $35,990 (down $6,800), and boosted the value of the iconic SS reducing its RRP by $5,800 to $41,990. SV6 is powered by the 3.6L SIDI V6 with the SS stepping up to the 6.0L Gen IV V8 engine, both are standard with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Building on Evoke specifications, SV6 and SS gain Blind Spot Alert and Reverse Traffic Alert technologies in addition to their bold front and rear sports styling, side skirts, lip spoiler (on sedan) and chrome exhaust tip. A wing spoiler is now available as a factory-fitted option on sedan for $500 on sports models.

“Holden sports models have a very clear performance identity within the Commodore line-up and they’re taking a huge leap forward with VF. They really are a class above the competitors with game-changing technology and Holden’s performance credentials,” Mr Brook said.

“Our enthusiast customers are our biggest fans and great supporters of the Holden brand. In the run-out of VE we’ve practically sold out of V8 models and dealers are reporting huge interest in the SS and other sports models.

“SS V-Series cranks up sports performance another notch and for just $3,500 customers can can gain new 19 inch alloys, leather appointed seats, satellite navigation, multi-function driver information display and sensor key technology with push button start.”

2013 Holden VF Commodore SSV sedan interior dash

The RRP for SS V is now under $50,000, reduced by $9,800 to $45,490. SS V Redline now starts at $51,490 for sedan, a roll back of $6,300. Redline adds Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Head-up Display on all body styles as well as the premium Bose® audio system and sunroof on sedan models.

SS V Redline is the ultimate in rear-wheel drive sports performance with Brembo® brakes, forged 19 inch alloys and an updated sports-tuned FE3 suspension package.

“The Holden engineering team is really proud of what they’ve been able to achieve with Redline. VF Redline also has wider rear wheels for extra traction and includes competition mode with launch control and track settings for the true enthusiasts who participate in track days,” Mr Brook said.

“We launched the Redline range at Series II and it’s been a huge success. Within two years it’s carved out a spot at the top of the ladder as the absolute best in luxury, sports performance.”

Mr Brook said Holden dealers could now take orders for VF Commodore models with the start of production later this month.

“Our goal with VF was to help customers find the car that suits them by simplifying our line-up – whether it’s a family, an enthusiast, or a luxury car buyer – which also makes it easier for dealers and helps reduce complexity in our manufacturing operations,” he said.

“VF Commodore has amazing, world-leading technology, sophisticated design and performance credentials that make it an incredible package. And what makes us most proud is that we designed, engineered and built Commodore in Australia.

“We have a new creative marketing direction for the Holden brand and we’re reasserting ourselves in an incredibly competitive market.

“For Commodore, we’re deliberately launching with a ‘wow’ pricing strategy that we think will make buying a Commodore a very easy decision and bring people back to the large car segment.”

Evoke sedan and Sportwagon highlights:

3.0L SIDI V6 engine
6 airbags
ECS, ABS & TCS
16” alloy wheels (4)
Dual-zone climate control
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Auto Park Assist
Rear view camera
Front and Rear Park Assist
Automatic release electric park brake
Hill Hold Control and Hill Start Assist
Trailer Sway Control
ISOFIX child seat anchorage system
Remote vehicle start (automatic transmission only)
Enhanced multi-function display (one colour) with:
o Vehicle information menu
o Trip information menu
o Fuel economy menu
o Warning/messages
Holden MyLink Infotainment System with 8” high-resolution colour touch-screen display
Embedded Apps including Pandora® and Stitcher SmartRadio™
Single CD player with MP3 capability
Full iPod® intergration including Siri Eyes Free* and touch screen access for playlists, artist, albums, songs and genres
Enhanced voice recognition: phone calls, radio, navigation, smartphone/iPod®/MP3 or USB audio control
Bluetooth® audio streaming and auxiliary input jack
SV6 and SS sedan and Sportwagon highlights over Evoke:

3.6L SIDI V6 engine (SV6) and 6.0-litre Gen IV V8 engine (SS)
Front & rear sports fascia
18” alloy wheels (4)
LED daylight running lamps
Sportec/cloth sports seats
Lip spoiler (sedan only)
Blind Spot Alert (option on Evoke)
Reverse Traffic Alert (option on Evoke)
Sports styling: front and rear sports fascia, side skirts
Chrome exhaust tip
SS V sedan and Sportwagon highlights over SS:

6.0-litre Gen IV V8 engine
Leather appointed seats
19” alloy wheels
Sensor key technology with push button start
Front fog lamps
Colour digital instrument display: vehicle information menu, trip information menu, fuel economy menu, warning/messages
Satellite Navigation with full colour mapping with live traffic updates, traffic management control and points of interest
Footwell lamps
Eight Speakers
DVD (playable when stationary)
SS V Redline highlights over SS V:

Brembo® brakes
Forged 19” alloy wheels (4)
Colour Head-up Display
Forward Collision Alert
Lane Departure Warning
Updated FE3 sports tuned suspension
9-speaker Bose® premium audio (sedan only) (option package on SS V with sunroof)
Sunroof (sedan only)

Calais highlights over Evoke:

3.6L V6 SIDI engine
Leather appointed seats
18” alloy wheels (4)
Chrome highlights
Sensor key technology with push button start
Colour digital instrument display
LED daylight running lamps
Blind Spot Alert (option on Evoke)
Reverse Traffic Alert (option on Evoke)
Premium styling: front and rear premium fascia, chrome side door accent
Calais V highlights over Calais:

6.0L Gen IV V8 engine (option)
8-way power driver seat
19” alloy wheels (4)
Lane Departure Warning
Forward Collision Alert
Colour Head-up Display
9-speaker Bose® premium audio (sedan only)
Satellite navigation with full colour mapping with live traffic updates, traffic management control and points of interest (option on Calais)
Rain sensing wipers
Heated front seats
Sunroof (sedan only)
DVD (playable stationary)

VF Commodore Sedan and Sportwagon Pricing

Recommended retail prices, excluding dealer delivery and government charges:

ModelVEVF pricingRollback
Evoke (auto only)39,990 (Omega) $34,990– $5,000
SV6 (manual)$42,790$35,990-$6,800
SS (manual)$47,790$41,990-$5,800
SS-V (manual)$55,290$45,490-$9,800
SS-V Redline (manual)$57,790$51,490-$6,300
Calais (auto only)$48,290$39,990-$8,300
Calais V V6 (auto only)$56,790$46,990-$9,800
Calais V V8 (auto only)$61,990$52,990-$9,000

Sportwagon body style adds $2,000 including GST (auto transmission only)
Automatic transmission adds $2,200 including GST (Sports models only)

Prestige paint adds $550 including GST

About Anthony Hood 125 Articles
Anthony Hood – Freelance Contributor Anthony is an avid motoring and photography enthusiast. His interests lie in 4WDriving and camping, performance cars, street rods, drag racing, burn out competitions, circuit racing and hill climbs. He is our resident hoon with heaps of experience.Married with three children and a qualified diesel mechanic and fitter, he has worked in the industry since leaving school over 16 years ago. His sheds are full of race cars and engines in various stages of working order.Anthony doesn’t get caught up in the marketing hype of the automotive industry and is fairly blunt. He brings a very laid back approach to reviewing vehicles.