VE Pricing To Hurt VZ Secondhand.

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PRICING IN MORE DETAIL
As noted above, V-Series special edition aside, Omega kicks off the range at $36,490 with air and ESP. A Side Protection Pack with side and curtain airbags and active front head restraints is also available as an option on Omega priced at $2000. A full-size spare will cost you another $100. Other options listed include Bluetooth preparation ($390) and a six-disc stacker at $595.

Berlina starts at $39,990 with the V6 or $44,990 for the 6.0-litre V8 with six-speed auto, and gets 17-inch alloy wheels, multi-function display screen, side impact airbags (curtain airbags optional with leather trim seats at $2500), rear park assist, bluetooth connectivity, MP3-compatible six-disc in-dash CD player, leather wrap steering wheel and dual-zone climate control.

In comparison the VZ Berlina was priced from $43,890 and $48,590 for the V6 and V8 models respectively.

Holden's sports-oriented Commodores start with the SV6, equipped with the 3.6-litre V6 (rated at 195kW/340Nm) and six-speed manual for $39,990. Optional five-speed automatic with Active Select will cost you another $1000 and both versions get 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-stage front airbags, side impact airbags (curtain airbags optional with leather trim seats – see Berlina above), sports suspension, sports fascia, body kit and rear spoiler, front fog lamps, body-coloured mirrors and door handles, dual exhaust with chrome tips, leather wrap steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity and power windows.

Next in the ring, the 6.0-litre V8 270kW/530Nm six-speed manual SS is priced at $44,990 – a saving, says Holden, of $6800 over the equivalent VZ. The optional six-speed auto will cost you $2000 more and standard SS features include quad exhaust, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-stage front airbags, side impact airbags (curtain airbags optional with leather trim seats – see Berlina above), sports suspension, sports body kit, sports seats, MP3-compatible six-disc in-dash CD player and leather wrap steering wheel.

The 'V'-treated SS V model starts at $51,990 ($200 more than the old SS) with six-speed manual and has all SS features plus projector headlamps, 19-inch alloy wheels, multi-function display, curtain airbags, dual-zone climate control, 230-watt audio system with sub-woofer, colour-coded instrument cluster, sports gauges, sports profile leather wrap steering wheel, leather seat trim and alloy pedals. Auto will cost you $2000 more.

Luxury-level Calais is more affordable starting at $45,490 for the 195kW V6 and five-speed automatic or $50,490 with V8 and six-speed auto. Standard spec features build on the Berlina spec plus sport suspension, projector headlamps, chrome bonnet header, dual exhaust (quad on V6) with chrome tips, curtain air bags, six-way power driver's seat and passenger seat with leather bolsters, full color multi-function display, leather grip on gear shift and rear seat centre armrest.

Calais V, for $53,490 with V6 or $58,490 with V8, has all Calais features plus zoned front and rear park assist, rain sensing wipers, external mirror puddle lamps, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seat trim, single screen roof-mounted DVD, 230-watt audio system with sub-woofer, priority seat and mirror memory, eight-way power front seats and sliding centre armrest.

With the new VE priced lower than the VZ, trade in prices and secondhand sales will fall. Not a nice thought for people who bought a VZ. !!
Be interesting to see how FORD responds to this. :