When Vauxhall called time on the Monaro, we feared we'd seen the end of chest wig-wearing, big-bicepped Aussie muscle in the UK.

But, in a move that put GM's British wing in our Very Good Books, the VXR8 has filled the gap and rekindled our love for tyre-smokin', unreconstructed V8 fun.

Good on you, Vauxhall, but why not go one step further and ship this 'ute' over to our fair shores?

This is the Holden VE Ute, a flatbed-backed brute built from GM's VE Commodore saloon. We reckon it'd go down a treat in the shires of this green and pleasant isle, and here's why.

First, it looks awesome. With a coupe-style roofline thanks to that sloping B-pillar, and a range of eyeball-piercing paintjobs, the VE Ute is quite simply the coolest way to transport seven recently shot kangaroos and a well-stocked esky.

Under the bonnet, the news gets even better. If you're the sort of soya-eating chess enthusiast who cares about things like fuel consumption, you can opt for the tiny, entry-level 3.6-litre V6. But for the real men there's only one choice: the six-litre V8, which puts out 362bhp and 390lb ft of torque.

Obviously, it'd need to be specced with 19-inch rims and quad exhaust pipes, not to mention a couple of big rifles and a slightly mangy-looking mongrel for full effect, but we can't see any reason for Vauxhall not to import the VE Ute post-haste.

Don't forget to take those kangaroos out first, lads.

GM Holden today unveiled its all new VE Ute range - the latest iconic model in a line-up that spans almost 60 years of Australian motoring.

VE Ute is Holden's first completely new ute design since the VU series in 2000. It offers more features, more useable interior space, greater storage flexibility and more performance than any of its predecessors.

Holden invested an extra $105 million on top of its $1 billion VE Commodore sedan program and carried out more than 650,000kms of reliability testing on the new VE Ute.

Launching the new range in Melbourne today, GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Chris Gubbey said almost 60 years of history had established the Holden Ute as a true Australian icon.

"The ute's development tells the story of Australia. Today's ute is about working hard, playing hard and enjoying an active lifestyle," Mr Gubbey said.

"VE Ute raises the bar in this segment and sets new standards in safety, comfort, flexibility and performance, and all at the great value price you'd expect from Holden."

Holden's world-class design and engineering expertise has created a vehicle that successfully integrates sports car performance, ride and handling and workhorse practicality.

Sharing the same genetic make-up as the multi-award winning VE Commodore sedan, the all new VE Ute was designed, engineered and built in Australia.

It will be the first locally produced ute to offer the acclaimed Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) crash avoidance safety technology standard across the range. High levels of safety carry through to the vehicle's structure which incorporates the same high-strength steels introduced in VE sedan.

VE Ute's interior offers increased cabin comfort and significantly increased storage space. The tray has a new cargo liner fitted as standard.

Performance is stepped up and there are wider wheel and tyre combinations across all models. A new-to-the-range SS V model marries 270kW of V8 power with high-level features.

These include 19-inch wheels, dual zone electronic climate control, Bluetooth phone connectivity, alloy pedals and a premium audio system, setting a new standard in the ute segment.

Introduced in July 2006, Holden's VE range has won a host of accolades including Wheels Car of the Year, News Ltd's Car Of The Year, MOTOR's Bang For Your Bucks and Drive.com People's Choice Award.

Design Overview

Holden designers captured the dual role of today's ute as a practical workhorse with recreational sports car credentials. A priority was to create more practical cabin space and storage flexibility.

Like its sedan sibling, VE Ute has authoritative stance and poise. The signature raked bodyside and distinctive flared wheel arches feature prominently.

The silhouette features a coupe-like integrated roof-line and retains the classic Holden Ute proportional trait with the tray perfectly balanced above the rear wheels.

The clean presentation is aided by the use of a single piece body side outer which runs from the A pillar to the tailgate. The new one-piece side structure delivers significant quality improvements through dimensional stability and repeatability.

There are unique wrap-around tail lamps and tailgate hinges are now fully concealed. Dual and quad exhaust systems enhance the VE Ute's sports car appeal.

Interior Features

VE Ute introduces several design solutions that increase interior storage space, improve rear compartment access and add more convenience features.

The cabin interior draws on the award-winning VE sedan, with individual treatments increasing buyer choice.

Specific centre stack features, mouldings, displays and illumination colours create maximum differentiation between variants.

The aggressive quality standards applied to VE sedan were also applied to ute, with critical areas such as part-to-part fit, material surfaces, storage openings and other treatments reviewed to the tiniest detail.

Rear seat access has been opened up with a quick release seat latch now standard. Storage volume behind the seats is now 245 litres, a significant increase over VZ Ute's 90 litre space.

There are two storage compartments beneath the load floor and all models except Omega and SV6 have dual cargo nets in the rear panel. A new rear centre T-panel provides a striking visual element.

Exterior Features

While the new ute takes many of its design and styling cues from the successful VE sedan, its body structure has more than 60 unique panels.

The rear structure has been significantly reinforced to accommodate the load-carrying capacity and robustness required for a light commercial vehicle.

The cargo area is more functional and versatile. A heavy duty moulded cargo liner is now standard fitment.

It helps protect the tray space and load materials from damage. Floor corrugations allow water run-off and easy cleaning.

The flush-fitting soft tonneau cover (all models except Omega) features Holden's unique 'snap lock' clipping system. The six cargo tie-down hooks have been redesigned for improved functionality.

Safety Technology

VE Ute incorporates more standard safety features than its predecessor and benefits from the largest crash modelling program Holden has undertaken.

The focus was on crash avoidance and providing optimum occupant protection should a crash occur.

Safety technologies were benchmarked against the world's leading brands and major engineering programs delivered a stiffer body structure and significantly increased usage of advanced strength steels. Seventy seven per cent of VE Ute's structure is advanced strength steel.

Load path strategies established for VE sedan have been adapted for VE Ute with a focus on side and rear impact. Structurally optimised crush zones help absorb crash energy.

VE is the first locally produced ute equipped with the acclaimed Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) safety technology standard across the range. This integrates traction control, anti-lock braking systems, electronic brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution to help prevent skidding in critical driving situations by applying corrective braking to different wheels and reducing engine torque.

New dual-stage driver and passenger front airbags, which inflate in two stages according to impact severity and respective seating positions, further enhance occupant safety.

Other protection features include a steering column ride-down mechanism and breakaway brake pedal.

Performance

The new VE Ute is all about performance, whether as a day-to-day commercial workhorse or a two-door sports car in its own right.

The Omega Ute offers a four-speed automatic transmission paired with Holden's locally built 3.6 litre V6 Alloytec engine, delivering 180kW of peak power and 330Nm of peak torque.

The six-speed manual Omega has the more powerful High Output V6 Alloytec, delivering peak power of 195kW and peak torque of 340Nm, with dual exhausts added.

SV6 utilises the same combination of High Output V6 engine, six-speed manual transmission and dual exhausts but adds sports suspension. Five-speed automatic transmission with Active Select is optional.

The SS and new high-end SS V Ute models are powered by Holden's 6.0 litre Gen IV V8, which delivers 270kW of peak power and 530Nm of peak torque. It is matched to a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select.

Wheel and tyre packages are larger across the range. The entry level Omega ute moves from 15-inch to 16-inch steel wheels. At the performance end, SV6 and SS utes move from 17-inch to 18-inch alloys as standard and the new SS V boasts 19-inch alloy wheels.

Quad exhausts add to the performance package on SS and SS V models.

Ride and handling

Holden's chassis engineers have translated the luxury smoothness, great linear handling and steering feel of VE sedan into the ute driving experience.

At the same time, they have maintained the ride comfort characteristics and sporting appeal of the successful VZ Ute. The result is a balance between passenger car comfort, sporty handling and the practical requirements of a load-bearing commercial vehicle.

Rear suspension was a primary focus for change and the new ute delivers even greater lateral grip and linear response during cornering. VE Ute also benefits from larger fade resistant brakes and larger wheel and tyre packages.

SS V

Holden today strengthened its position at the premium sports end of the ute market by introducing an all new SS V model to its VE Ute range.

Reflecting the trend towards premium performance products, VE SS V Ute offers enthusiasts an exciting level of high-end performance, comfort and style.

Features include 19-inch alloy wheels, projector headlamps, Bluetooth phone connectivity and a 150 Watt premium audio system. It is the first locally-built ute to offer the acclaimed accident avoidance system (ESP®) and dual zone electronic climate control as standard.

Other highlights include sports car cockpit-style interiors, with new rear T-panel, hero colour-keyed instrument panel and cluster, centre console sports gauges, large colour screen multi function display, full map satellite navigation availability, leather-faced seat trim and sports profile leather wrap steering wheel.

Power comes courtesy of Holden's 6.0-litre Generation IV V8 engine which delivers 270kW of peak power and peak torque of 530Nm, teamed with flagship six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.

"We introduced the new V Series on VE sedan as a way of offering customers extra value and features normally only available on special editions," Holden's Executive Director Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alan Batey said.

"The response from the market was overwhelmingly positive so we've decided to extend the V Series to the ute range.

"Sports models traditionally account for the major percentage of Holden's sales in this segment so we have increased our mix for VE from two to three sports variants, starting with the SV6 and moving up through to SS and now the new SS V.

"Each model takes a step up in terms of features and performance with the new SS V the ultimate hero of our ute range.

"At the same time we've improved our entry level offering for fleets and business customers with the new Omega model.

"Omega offers more storage space and flexibility than Holden's previous entry level ute. We have also introduced a range of new standard features including ESP® and dual stage airbags.

"Our customers now have more choice, more flexibility and more features as standard. They can find the ideal ute to match their work and lifestyle needs at a value for money price," he said.

Omega Ute offers two variants of the advanced 3.6 litre Alloytec engine. The Alloytec V6 teamed with the four-speed automatic delivers peak power of 180kW and peak torque of 330Nm.

The six-speed manual Omega offers the High Output Alloytec engine, delivers peak power of 195kW, peak torque of 340Nm and has a dual exhaust system.

SV6 has the High Output Alloytec V6 matched with five-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels and dual exhausts. Standard features include sports facias and sports suspension.

The traditional sports ute, SS, provides the step up to V8 power and performance. Standard features include quad exhausts, Bluetooth phone connectivity and six disc CD player with MP3 compatibility.

All models have the option of satellite navigation and all are telematics capable.

Further Feature Highlights

- All-new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system - 20 fan speeds
- High quality instrument clusters with larger dials and displays, night mode dash illumination, 16 personalisation options, multifunction driver display
- All models satellite navigation and telematics capable
- Blaupunkt audio systems
- Six disc CD player (SS and SS V)
- Sports-contoured seats (SS and SS V)
- Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity
- Euro-style flat blade wipers
- Locking fuel filler door
- One touch lane change indicator
- LED high-mounted stop lamp (SS and SS V)
- Dual zone electronic climate control (SS V)
- Projector headlamps (SS V)
- Alloy faced pedals (SS V)

Accessories include:

- Super Box
- Hard tonneau cover
- Cargo tie-down rails
- Sports bar
- Ladder and roof rack
- Sports decal kit
- Interior luggage organiser
- Colour selection

A varied and expressive colour palette emphasises ute's sports persona. Three exciting new colours - Atomic, Crunch and K-Pow - are included in a total of nine exterior colour choices.

Available on all models

- Heron White - solid white
- Phantom - metallic black with silver highlights
- Redhot - highly chromatic solid red metallic
- Nickel - mechanical dark silver with coarse metallic highlight
- *K-Pow - highly chromatic metallic blue with purple undertones

Additional colours available on SV6, SS and SSV

- Ignition - chromatic red orange metallic with fine mica gold highlight
- *Atomic - metallic green, bright and packed with chroma
- *Crunch - a green-biased metallic yellow
- Morpheous - purple metallic

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) has unveiled the hottest HSV Maloo R8 Ute ever as part of its 20th birthday celebrations at the 2007 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney today.

Part of the HSV line-up for more than ten years, the Maloo (an aboriginal word for thunder or storm) takes the concept of the sports utility to the next level, with a range of 'unique-to-HSV' features including;

-Distinct sheet moulded compound (SMC) rear tailgate,
-307kW LS2 V8 engine,
-AP Racing four piston brake package,
-Group A Walkinshaw inspired side skirt,
-New glore suede HSV 'performance' seats,
-Remote release hard tonneau with release button on main key,
-Reverse parking sensors and
-A 'performance pack' option consisting of full leather 'performance' seats and 20 inch wheels.

Managing Director of HSV, Mr Scott Grant, said the Maloo R8 Ute had redefined the Australian Ute market. ''Our team have done an outstanding job on producing a Maloo Ute like no other,'' Scott Grant said.

''Maloos striking visual appearance, performance characteristics and range of luxury appointments will make this Ute just as comfortable and distinctive on a dirt track out the 'back of Bourke' or cruising around the inner city streets of Sydney, Melbourne or any number of provincial cities across Australia where the Maloo nameplate has taken the iconic Ute to the next level.''

Chief Engineer John Clark said the HSV Maloo R8 truly was a 'coupe with a damn big boot! ''We began working on the all new Maloo Ute at about the same stage as the E series sedan, with the aim of building on the dynamics of the sedan,'' John Clark said.

''This Ute is HSV's most responsive ever and the comprehensive testing program we undertook around Australia and in New Zealand and Sweden, has resulted in the complete driving package.''

The HSV Maloo R8 will make a dramatic visual impact on the road with its sleek sail plane and tough curves. Design Manager Julian Quincey and his team spent over two years working toward the end result.

''The HSV product group continually pushed the design of our E Series Maloo Ute to the limits and I am extremely pleased with the end result. It really does look like a show car for the road and it must rate as the sportiest production Ute the world has ever seen,'' Julian Quincey said.

''As an English born and bred designer it is an honour to work on such an 'Aussie icon' as the HSV Maloo and I believe the end result reflects my team's passion for the product.''

The Maloo R8 will retail from $59,990 AUD. Options include automatic transmission for an extra $2,000 and a 'performance pack' which consists of 20 inch wheels and GTS inspired performance seats. This pack will retail for an additional $3,750.

The HSV Maloo R8 is on sale at HSV Dealerships across Australia.