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Holden Ute
2013 Holden Commodore VF-SS Ute.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Holden
Also called Chevrolet Lumina
Pontiac G8 Sport Truck (cancelled)
Production 2000–2017
Assembly Australia: Adelaide, South Australia (Elizabeth)
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupe utility

4-door crew cab

2-door cab chassis
Related Holden Commodore
Holden Crewman
Holden One Tonner
HSV Maloo
Chronology
Predecessor Holden Commodore utility
Successor Holden Colorado

The Holden Ute is a special type of vehicle, like a car with a tray at the back, built by an Australian company called Holden. Holden is part of a bigger car company, General Motors. The Holden Ute was made from 2000 to 2017. Before 2000, Holden made similar vehicles based on their Commodore car, but they had different names.

The word "ute" is a common Australian nickname for a "utility vehicle." It's a handy vehicle that can carry people and also lots of stuff in its open tray. Holden's special performance division, called HSV, even made a super-fast version of the Ute called the Maloo.

Between 2003 and 2007, Holden also built a bigger version of the Ute called the Holden Crewman. This one had four doors and seats for five people. They also made a version called the Holden One Tonner from 2003 to 2005, which was a "cab-chassis" model. This meant it had a cabin for people but no tray, so you could add your own special tray or body to the back.

The first Holden Utes, launched in 2000, used a 3.8-litre V6 engine. You could also get a more powerful 5.7-litre V8 engine. Later, in 2006, the V8 engine was updated to a bigger 6.0-litre version. In 2004, the V6 engine was also replaced with a newer 3.6-litre V6.

The Holden Ute was almost sold in the United States as the Pontiac G8 ST. However, due to some economic challenges in 2009, these plans were stopped. But the Ute was sold in other countries, like South Africa (as the Chevrolet Lumina SS) and the Middle East. This was exciting because it was the first full-size Chevrolet utility vehicle since the El Camino stopped being made in 1987.

Early Holden Ute Models

Holden FJ Utility (2)
1954 Holden FJ utility
1993 Holden Commodore (VP II) utility (2011-03-10) 01
1993 Holden Commodore utility

Before the Holden Ute name was officially used in 2000, Holden made many utility vehicles. They were often based on their popular sedan cars.

First Holden Ute

The very first Holden Ute was called the Holden 50-2106. It was based on the original Holden 48-215 car, which was also known as the "Holden FX."

Second Generation Utes

The second group of Holden utes were updated versions of the first. They were based on the FE to EK Holden cars and still used the sedan car's body as their starting point.

Third Generation Utes

The third generation of Holden utes were a bit more advanced. They still had a long floor like the earlier models but gained the longer wheelbase of the station wagon versions.

Fourth Generation Utes

These models continued the evolution of the Holden ute, becoming more modern with each update.

Fifth Generation Utes

The HQ-WB models were a big change for the ute. This was the first time the ute had a completely new body design. It no longer used the long station wagon floor. Instead, it had a shorter floor that only covered the front seats. This generation also introduced the Holden One Tonner cab-chassis model.

First Generation Holden Ute (2000–2007)

This section covers the first official models named "Holden Ute."

VU Series

2001–2002 Holden Ute SS (VU II)
2001–2002 Holden Ute S (VU II)

Holden launched the first official "Holden Ute" range with the VU series in 2000. It replaced the older Holden VS Utility. The VU Ute came out around the same time as the Holden VX Commodore sedan. It used the same long wheelbase as the Commodore station wagon, making it longer than previous utes.

The VU Ute had the same inside look as the Commodore car. It also got the same updated features and new outside design as the VX Commodore.

  • Base Model: This was the standard ute, like the Commodore Executive car. It came with a 3.8-litre V6 engine. You could choose between an automatic or manual gearbox.
  • S Model: This version was sportier, similar to the Commodore 'S' car. It also had the 3.8-litre V6 engine.
  • SS Model: This was the top-of-the-line sports ute, like the Commodore SS. It had a powerful 5.7-litre V8 engine.

About a year later, the VU Ute got a small update with the VX Series 2 models. The main change was a little more power for the V8 engine. In October 2001, a special "SS Fifty" edition was made to celebrate Holden's 50th anniversary. Only 500 of these were produced. They were all black with yellow details inside. The VU Utes were replaced by the VY range in September 2002.

VY Series

Holden Ute SS (VY II)
Holden Ute S (VY)

The Ute range got its first big update with the 2002 VY series. The VY Utes received the same changes as the Commodore sedan and wagon. This included a new, sharper front design and a more European-style interior. The same three models (Base, S, and SS) were still available.

The VY range was a big moment for Holden's Ute family. In 2003, two new models were added:

  • The One Tonner cab-chassis utility returned after 18 years.
  • The Crewman was introduced, Holden's first-ever four-door utility.

The Crewman had a longer wheelbase than the regular Ute, but its tray at the back was shorter. In December 2003, Holden released an all-wheel drive version of the Crewman called the Crewman Cross 8. It had a V8 engine and looked more like an off-road vehicle.

Both the Crewman and One Tonner models quickly boosted Holden's sales. The Ute range continued to grow.

  • Base Model: Came with a 3.8-litre V6 engine.
  • S Model: Also had the 3.8-litre V6 engine.
  • SS Model: Featured a 5.7-litre V8 engine.

The Crewman models had the same three options as the Ute. By December 2003, the Crewman range included the Cross 8, which was an all-wheel drive ute with a V8 engine. The VY Utes were replaced by the VZ range in August 2004.

VZ Series

Holden Ute Storm S (VZ)
Holden One Tonner Cross 6 (VY II)

The last series of this generation was the VZ range, launched in August 2004. The biggest upgrade for the VZ models was a brand-new V6 engine called the "Alloytec V6." This replaced the older V6 engine that Holden had used since 1995. The ute range received the 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 as its standard engine. It came with a six-speed manual gearbox, and an updated automatic was an option.

The One Tonner and Crewman models also shared similar options:

  • Base Model: Had the 3.6-litre Alloytec V6.
  • S Model: Also had the 3.6-litre Alloytec V6. In August 2006, this model was renamed SV6 and got a bit more power.
  • SS Model: Came with either the 5.7-litre V8 or a newer, more powerful 6.0-litre V8 engine.

The Crewman was still available as the Cross 8. The VZ range also added the Crewman Cross 6, which was a V6 version of the Cross 8.

The One-Tonner models had these options:

  • Base: With the 3.6-litre V6 or 5.7-litre V8.
  • S: With the 3.6-litre V6 or 5.7-litre V8.
  • Cross 6: An all-wheel drive One-Tonner with the 3.6-litre V6.
  • SVZ: A special version with leather seats and unique wheels, available with a more powerful 3.6-litre V6.

To make space in the factory for the next generation of cars, production of the One Tonner stopped in December 2005. The VZ Ute range continued until September 2007.

Second Generation Holden Ute (2007–2017)

VE Series

Holden Ute SV6 (VE II)

In 2007, Holden launched the highly anticipated VE Ute range. This new generation was based on the VE Commodore car. It was designed to appeal to people who wanted to use utes not just for work, but also for their everyday life and hobbies.

  • Omega: This was the basic model. It had a 3.6-litre V6 engine.
  • SV6: This was a sportier V6 ute, replacing the 'S-pack' from earlier models. It had a more powerful 3.6-litre V6 engine.
2008 Holden VE Commodore SS V Ute (rear view)
2007–2008 Holden VE Ute SS V.
  • SS: The SS ute was the V8 version, with a 6.0-litre V8 engine, just like the SS sedan.
  • SS-V: A higher-end version of the SS, based on the SS-V Sedan. It also had the 6.0-litre V8 engine.
  • SS-V Redline (Series II): A very high-performance version of the SS-V. It came with special brakes, bigger wheels, and sporty suspension.

Unlike the previous generation, this VE Ute did not offer four-door versions (like the Crewman) or all-wheel drive models.

VF Series

Holden Ute SV6 (VF)

The VF Ute was an updated version of the previous model. It looked very similar to the VE Ute. Production of the VF Ute ended in 2017. This was because Holden stopped making cars in Australia. After this, Holden only sold imported cars from other GM brands. The Holden Ute's base car, the Holden Commodore, also stopped being made in Australia. Holden's main utility vehicle then became the Holden Colorado, which was a mid-size pickup truck. The Holden brand itself was completely retired in 2020.

Holden Special Vehicles Maloo

Starting in 1992, Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), which is Holden's performance company, built a high-performance version of the ute. This special ute was named the Maloo.

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