The Car Showroom garage was recently graced for a week by a Commodore Omega sedan – without doubt one of the best value-for-money offerings in the local market.
Priced from $37,290 for a petrol version, the V6 Omega lineup includes a factory-fit LPG model priced from $39,690.
Standard features include a four-speed automatic transmission, air-conditioning, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with traction control and anti-lock brakes with brake-force distribution and brake assist., cruise control, power windows, 6-speaker CD sound system and dual-stage front and side driver and front passenger airbags and curtain airbags.
A choice of 18-inch, 19-inch and 20-inch alloy wheels and a body kit standout as desirable picks from the usual massive Holden options list.
For those keen on a new car that runs on LPG, The Commodore Omega LPG presents compelling credentials. For starters, the factory-fit LPG system has been designed and engineered from gestation by Holden and is backed by the company’s three year/100,000 kms warranty.
Rural buyers in particular will be impressed by the massive range provided by the dual fuel (petrol and LPG) arrangement. Cost savings over petrol at the pump have been well-documented and are not insignificant for drivers racking up high kilometres.
To be honest, our cars in recent months have all been imports so it had been a while since we put a Commodore through our testing regime.
And after a week, once again it was the robustness and downright purposefulness of the Commodore that left lasting impressions on us. The rear-drive platform mated to the 175kW V6 and well-rated suspension is – like the Ford Falcon – just so perfectly developed for Australian conditions that it’s hard not to hum a few bars of Advance Australia Fair every time you climb behind the wheel.
The nicely-finished interior and abundant interior space continue to be a strong reason behind Commodore’s sales success domestically and in international markets.
Equally the ride and handling, sharp turn-in and overall poise of the Omega - even during a wet run through our handling loop - reminded us just how proficient the Holden design and engineering teams are.
In fact that excellent engineering probably contributes to the impression that Holden’s V6 is getting a little noisy compared to some rival Japanese and European powerplants. The overall quietness and refinement of the Commodore may be exaggerating the induction noise under harsh acceleration.
But that is getting a little pedantic.
The Omega reinforces the overall competence of the current generation of Holden Commodores and is a great buy.
