In the almost two years since Holden launched the VE Commodore, the automotive world has continued its frenetic pace of development. As a result, our 2006 Wheels Car of the Year has been reeled in by the box-fresh Falcon.
This was inevitable, given that the Omega and Berlina’s V6 and four-speed auto combination was judged the least convincing of the VE’s three drivetrain combinations at launch.
In the battle of the spec sheets, the Berlina is on the back foot from the outset. Its 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 punches out just 180kW, ceding 15 and 20kW to the Falcon and Aurion respectively. Moreover, for a globally-deployed engine that commanded a serious wedge of GM capital during development, the V6 is not as sophisticated as it should be. Some might even describe it as coarse, or thrashy, but it’s the engine note that’s the real problem. Smaller versions of the same engine fitted to Saab and Alfa Romeo models sound, and feel, far more pleasant.
The Berlina’s case is not aided by the four-speed 4L60 auto. This unit started life as a truck transmission long before the VE was on a drawing board, and it’s now well past retirement age.
On the road the auto is clunky and unintuitive, with overly large gaps between gears translating at times to crude kickdowns, and at other times a determined reluctance to kickdown.
Predictably, the combination of less engine power and fewer cogs in its auto transmission saw Berlina run flat last down the strip. Unfortunately, the same factors also saw Commodore consume the most fuel of our test trio.
If, about here, you’re wondering how the Berlina came to be ahead of the Aurion, with its best-in-class performance and economy, read on.
Fortunately for Holden, the VE remains deeply impressive in the way that it rides and handles. The steering is excellent — crisp, direct and feelsome, ensuring the driver feels hardwired to the car. And the chassis is sweetly balanced, with just the right amount of safety-first understeer dialled in. There’s plenty of rear-end grip, and the VE generally is possessed of a litheness that, even after two years familiarity, still surprises in such a large car. It’s a real drivers’ car that shrink-wraps around you and inspires confidence.
In the ride stakes, the Berlina, on its 225/55R17 rubber, doesn’t glide over patched tarmac quite as smoothly as the G6, but its well- disciplined suspension deals with big hits, dips and divots with comfortable ease.
Dished out almost as liberally as potholes is the gory, roadside slaughterhouse of ‘roos, emus and other feathered or furry critters. The carcasses are graphic reminders of the need for good brakes and effective ESP, which the Berlina covers well. Its brakes have the most rewarding pedal feel of our three contenders, while the ESP system works with near seamless efficacy.
So, unlike a fine wine the VE hasn’t improved with age, and its shortcomings are thrown into sharp relief by the Falcon and Aurion. It’s still a fine car, with steering and dynamics to mix it with the best, but for now there’s a new king on the six-cylinder road.