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By
ALISTAIR KENNEDY
2 July 2007
With the large car market still relatively sluggish, Holden
has introduced a special Commodore model called Lumina to try and lift
sales.
Based on the entry-level VE Commodore Omega, the Lumina is
priced at just $32,990, which is $1500 under the usual recommended
retail price of the standard Omega. Additional equipment includes
four 18-inch alloy wheels (the spare is still a space-saving steel
unit), a different radiator grille design, body coloured door
handles and exterior mirrors and a special Lumina badge at the
rear.
Safety is further enhanced by rear parking sensors. Keep in
mind that all variants of the VE Commodore already have ESP
stability control.
Inside, there's Bluetooth phone connectivity and air
conditioning. That’s right, air conditioning – Holden still
has the cheek to specify the VE Commodore Omega without the safety
and comfort offered by a feature that comes built into cars
costing less than half the price of a Commodore.
If you don’t want the Commodore Omega Lumina sedan with a
six-cylinder 180 kW engine and four-speed automatic transmission,
then you’re out of luck, because part of the cost saving
involves simplicity of manufacture. And if you aren't a private
buyer then the Lumina isn’t on offer.
Lumina is sold only as a sedan because the VE station wagon has
yet to be introduced. The wagon is anticipated within months,
though Holden won’t give details on the timing at this stage.
Note that while Commodore sales are lower than Holden had hoped
for at the time of its introduction ten months ago, the VE is
still the biggest selling car in Australia far more often than
not. Its combination of cutting edge styling, engine performance,
chassis dynamics and interior room make it a car that should be
high on the short list of anyone considering a full-size family
car.
By the way, the image of exclusivity appears to have gone out
of the ‘special model’ scene. Once upon a time they were
comparatively rare and buyers on the used-car market were often
willing to pay more to buy a special. These days specials are
introduced more often and by more marques and you can no longer
count on getting a better price when it’s time to move onwards
and upwards in the automotive scene.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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