More Show Than Go
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday October 29, 2003
BRITONS define their sports car heritage by the Austin Healey and MG marques, Americans point to the venerable Chev Corvette and Italians cite Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Lamborghini and Ferrari.
Australians? Well, just lately, we have been defining the good old Aussie coupe utility as our preferred sports car.
Back in 1990 Holden re-invented its ute, introducing the Commodore-based (but not Commodore-named) VG model. It morphed into the VP in 1992 and by 1993 it had changed into the VR and that is where we pick up the story.
BODY TYPE/MODEL LEVELS: Body type? Well, a ute is a ute is a ute and that is just what this was, a two-door, two-seat utility.
There were three model levels for the Holden, the entry-level ute, more upmarket ``S" and the flagship ``SS" which appeared as a limited run car in May 1998 and became a regular model in March 1999.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS: Not unexpectedly the engines and transmissions were straight carry-overs from the Commodore sedan range which meant a fuel-injected, 3.8-litre, overhead valve V6 developing 130kilowatts and a fuel-injected, overhead valve V8 good for 165kilowatts.
There was also an HSV-modified 5.0-litre good for 185kilowatts.
When it became the VS model in April 1995 the outputs increased courtesy of the new Ecotec V6, gaining an extra 17kilowatts. At the same time the base V8 gained three kilowatts.
Transmission choices were a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic.
EXTERIOR: From the rear edges of the doors forward to the bumper the ute was basically a Commodore.
From the trailing edges of the doors back it was a ute. Simple really.
INTERIOR: Holden basically carried the interior trim and fittings seats, dash, floor coverings and door trims over from the Commodore model.
That meant power steering, cloth seat trim, a centre console and two-speaker radio/cassette for the ute with the ``S" adding central locking and cruise control.
The ``SS" added sports seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, power windows, different instrumentation and air-conditioning.
Holden's ute was comfortable enough but there was very little storage space with (for tall drivers at least) almost no room behind the seats for carrying a briefcase, gym bag or toolbox.
OTHER FEATURES: Colour-coded bumpers, limited-slip differential and tonneau cover on ute and ``S", sports suspension, anti-lock brakes and alloy wheels on ``SS".
CHASSIS: The VR and VS utes were built to a long-established formula with the engine lengthways up front driving the rear wheels, independent MacPherson strut front suspension and a strut-type independent rear end.
Four-wheel disc brakes were also included in the package.
DIMENSIONS: The ute was 4896millimetres long, 1794millimetres wide, 1510millimetres high and had a 2822millimetre wheelbase.
HISTORY: The VR ute made its debut in July 1993 and stayed in service until March 1995. VS appeared in April 1995 and had two model upgrades called, somewhat unimaginatively, VS Series II and VS Series III.
VERDICT: Holden unashamedly promoted the Commodore-based utes more as show ponies than workhorses and the fact they were hard-pressed to carry more than about 700kilograms seems to bear this out.
The 130kilowatt V6 engines in the original VRs tended to be a bit coarse but the later Ecotec powerplants were smooth and tractable.
Interior storage space is very limited but the standard appointments are commendable.
Expect to find a lot of high-kilometre vehicles when you go shopping which means careful inspections for more than fair wear and tear.
PRICES: Base VR ute and S pricing starts at around $10,000 for 1993 models and rises incrementally by roughly $1000 annually through to 1996 models.
For a 1997 expect to pay about $15,000, between $16,000 and $18,000 for a '98, up to $19,000 for a 1999 and about $20,000 for a good 2000 model. If an SS is considered, expect to add between $4000 and $5000.
(Prices shown are based on retail, rather than private, sales).
ALSO CONSIDER: Ford Falcon, Toyota HiLux, Nissan Navara and Mazda B-series.
© 2003 Newcastle Herald