2013 Holden VF Commodore Calais V Concept

Holden has previewed the design direction of its highly anticipated VF Commodore range with a public reveal of the 2013 Calais V luxury sports concept.

2013 Holden VF Commodore Calais V Concept

2013 Holden VF Commodore Calais V Concept

2013 Holden VF Commodore Calais V Concept

2013 Holden VF Commodore Calais V Concept

To be launched mid-year, Holden's stylish and sophisticated new VF range is set to change perceptions of Australian-made cars.

The new-look flagship Calais V-Series sedan headlines Holden's VF design strategy and introduces a premium upgrade to the vehicle interior and exterior.

Designed to capture the attention of Australian car buyers in an increasingly competitive marketplace, the Calais V signals a major evolutionary change to Commodore, with world-class interior design, premium fit and finish and the application of advanced technologies.

Calais V presents a range of technology firsts for a local vehicle, including Auto Park Assist, Head-up Display and Reverse Traffic Alert. The new features make VF Commodore the most advanced vehicle to be designed, engineered and built in Australia.

In addition, the Calais V-Series luxury sports concept reveals fresh exterior design treatments and a sculpted, muscular form that boosts aerodynamic efficiency.

While a new, detailed and luxurious approach to the interior design has resulted in a tailored, refined and harmonious blend of quality materials, integrated themes and thoughtful ergonomics.

2013 Holden VF Commodore Calais V Concept

2013 Holden VF Commodore Calais V Concept

2013 Holden VF Commodore Calais V Concept

2013 Holden VF Commodore Calais V Concept

Interior Design

Holden Design Director Andrew Smith said the design team's vision was to create a new interior environment with a richer, more cohesive feel.

"We set out to over-deliver. Consequently, there's a level of refinement you'd expect of a high-end European product," he said.

"There's a sense of being invited in, of well executed and custom-tailored detail wherever you look.

"The VF will introduce cutting edge driver technologies and we've ramped up every facet of the interior layout to match.

"The big new infotainment touch-screen is a prime example. It's a great graphic interface to functions that drivers will find simple to operate, minimising distraction and maximising connection to the rest of their lives.

'We've re-designed everything from the instrument panel, instrument cluster graphics, binnacle hood, centre stack and flow-on console layouts to the steering wheel, seats, storage and lighting. Controls are in better places, functions are clearly defined.

"The design team selected premium quality materials in light titanium and jet black tonings to create a layered, textured surface feel that the Calais V-Series shows off to great effect.

"Accents such as precision stitching and perforated inserts on the soft leather seat trim are reflected elsewhere in the cabin - there's a careful attention to detail apparent everywhere you look".

The VF Calais V's symmetrical, ergonomically advanced interior design was driven by high-level global research into consumer expectations and preferences.

It delivers systems that are easy to use and understand and which minimise the steps required to perform a particular task. There are fewer buttons to navigate, many controls are relocated to more convenient positions and all switches have chrome identifiers.

Power window and mirror controls are now situated on the door armrests, door locks have moved to the front door and the boot release is on the driver's door. Cruise control joins other fingertip functions on the steering wheel.

On the new centre stack, infotainment system and climate controls (now with illuminated dual temperature readouts), are entirely separated and clearly designated.

The reconfigured centre console features a covered compartment, versatile new cup holders, more small item storage, recessed electric park brake control and an easily accessible mobile phone rest and power outlet located forward of the new auto shifter. In night mode, this area and door pull recesses are illuminated by ice-blue ambient lighting.

The VF Calais V-Series also offers class-leading new seat structures with curved comfort profiles developed by GM to ensure global best practice integration, detail execution and quality standards. Driver and front passenger seats combine snug sports back and bolster support with superior cushioning.

The show car is upholstered in a modern combination of fine-grained light titanium leather with suede and perforated leather inserts, accent stitching and a central jet black strip detail.

A neutral timber-grained finish follows the full-width curvilinear form of the instrument panel. High chrome finishes on the tactile new steering wheel and elsewhere are complemented by subtle galvano silver chrome elements.

The overall result is harmonious, first-class and refined in every aspect.

Exterior Design

Richard Ferlazzo Holden Chief Designer - Creative Design, said the VF's handsome new silhouette holds true to traditional concepts.

"However, this time we've raised the bar. We've taken a great existing form and brought it up to another level," he said.

"The surfacing is more flamboyant and contemporary, way more sophisticated. We've succeeded in putting in more action and detail.

"One of our main goals was to improve aerodynamic performance and as a result many

visual elements are much bolder. There's also more embellishment in terms of chrome highlights. Headlamp and tail lamp treatments are layered, complex and intricately detailed.

"You'll notice that the hood is more prominent, with a centre crease that emphasises performance potential and two raking spears sweeping in from the A-pillars. They point focus at the elegant new Calais V front fascia with its slim LED daylight running lamps and signature trapezoidal grille.

"The new vertical fender vents highlight the long dash-to-axle proportion that's very much part of the design DNA.

"The flowing side detailing, the upper line that incorporates the decklid into the C-pillar, the upswept ducktail aero effect - they exemplify the sculpted approach we've taken to exterior surfacing.

"Of course the twenty-inch, double ten-spoke show car alloys make their own statement.

"The rear graphic is distinctively different, more streamlined. With the brilliant new integrated tail lamps and the license plate moved to the lower fascia, it's a wider, cleaner look.

"Aerodynamically, this vehicle has been tuned to the nth degree. Even the fine vertical style crease that runs through the tail lamps has a purpose beyond good looks".