Item: 2006 Holden VE Calais
Rating: 3.5

Excellent ride/handling balance
Powerful L76, L77 and L98 V8 engines
Accurate, well-weighted steering
Spacious and comfortable interior

Firm, unforgiving ride for Calais V
3.6-litre ‘Alloytec’ V6 engines lack refinement
Thick A-pillars impair forward visibility
Awkward handbrake position and operation
Heavy body hurts fuel economy
Carbon deposits on intake valves of direct injection V6 engines

Holden VE.I Calais (2006-10)

Overview

Released in August 2006, the Holden VE Series I (VE.I) Calais was a large sedan (the Sportwagon has been reviewed separately). Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, the rear-wheel drive VE Calais was initially available with 3.6-litre V6 and 6.0-litre V8 petrol engines. As per the table below, the range consisted of standard Calais and Calais V models.

Engines: LY7, LLT, L98 and L76

Of the engines,

The 3.6-litre ‘Alloytec’ LY7 V6 petrol engine had all-aluminium construction, a forged steel crankshaft, forged powdered metal connecting rods, twin knock control sensors, double overhead camshafts (DOHC), sequential electronic fuel injection, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable intake and exhaust camshaft phasing, electronic throttle control, a compression ratio of 10.2:1 and coil-on-plug ignition. For the VE range, the Alloytec engines were fitted with new variable intake manifolds, Bosch E77 engine control systems with digital sensors for crank and camshaft positions, front and rear oxygen (O₂) sensors, retuned harmonic balancers and a new dual exhaust system;
Introduced in September 2009 (‘MY10’), the 3.6-litre LLT V6 petrol engine had direct injection (Holden’s Spark Ignition Direct Injection or SIDI) – whereby fuel was pressurised and injected directly into the combustion chamber compression – and a compression ratio of 11.3:1;
The 6.0-litre L98 pushrod V8 engine had all-aluminium construction, flat-topped pistons, forged powered metal connecting rods, a billet steel camshaft, two valves per cylinder, external knock sensors and a compression ratio of 10.4:1; and,
Introduced in January 2009, the 6.0-litre L76 engine had displacement on demand hardware (Holden’s Active Fuel Management or AFM) that could shut down four cylinders under light throttle loads in higher gears. Although similar to the L98 engine, the L76 engine had a different camshaft profile and a smaller sump.

For the VE range, new engine control systems were introduced which used digital sensors for crank and camshaft positions. Service intervals for the V8 engines were also extended to 15,000 kilometres (previously 10,000 kilometres).

Transmissions

The V6 engines were initially available with five-speed 5L40E automatic transmissions; for the 3.6-litre LLT engines, these were replaced by six-speed 6L50 transmissions. The V8 engines were solely available six-speed 6L80 automatic transmissions. Both the 6L50 and 6L80 transmissions had an ‘Active Select’ function which enabled the driver to perform sequential gearshifts by tapping the gear shifter.

Development and dimensions

Developed in conjunction with the VE Commodore and underpinned by GM’s Zeta platform, the VE Calais had a more rigid body – due to a higher proportion of advanced-strength steels – and an almost 50:50 weight distribution as the engine was positioned low and rearward within the engine bay, a saddle-style fuel tank was introduced and the battery was positioned in the rear of the vehicle.

For greater refinement, the VE Calais had a stiffer engine cradle with six mounting points, acoustic laminated windscreens, new engine covers and bonnet insulators, new sound absorption packages (behind the engine bay and between the transmission and transmission tunnel), insulating carpets and a new double-isolated ZF differential. Tyre pressures were also increased to 250kPa (36.25 psi) to reduce rolling resistance and improve fuel economy.

Compared to the VZ Calais , the VE Calais was 64 mm shorter (at 4900 mm), 57 mm wider (1899 mm), 26 mm taller (1476 mm) and had a 127 mm longer wheelbase (2915 mm).

From September 2009 (‘MY10’), the Calais was fitted with additional engine bay insulation and a quieter muffler, while the standard Calais was fitted with low rolling-resistance tyres for improved fuel economy. The Calais V was also further distinguished from the standard Calais, which was no longer available with the 6.0-litre L98 V8 engine.

Suspension

The VE Calais had ‘Linear Control’ suspension which consisted of double-pivot MacPherson strut-based front suspension with dual lower links (with individual ball joints), a tension link, lateral link and a direct acting stabiliser bar. The rear suspension was a four-link independent system with coil-over shock absorbers, three lateral ball joints per side and a decoupled stabiliser bar. Like the Commodore SV6, SS and SS V, the Calais had sport handling settings.

In September 2009 (‘MY10’), the rear suspension was revised with an additional cross-axis ball joint (in place of a rubber bush in the lower control arm) and the Calais was also fitted with a larger 20 mm rear sway bar.

Holden VE.I Calais specifications
	Engine	Trans.	Production	Peak power	Peak torque
Calais	3.6-litre LY7 petrol V6	5sp auto	Aug 2006 to Sep 2009	195 kW at 6500 rpm	340 Nm at 2600 rpm
	3.6-litre LLT petrol V6 SIDI	6sp auto	Sep 2009 to Sep 2010	210 kW at 6400 rpm	350 Nm at 2900 rpm
	6.0-litre L98 petrol V8	6sp auto	Aug 2006 to Dec 2008	270 kW at 5700 rpm	530 Nm at 4400 rpm
	6.0-litre L76 petrol V8 AFM	6sp auto	Jan 2009 to Sep 2009	260 kW at 5700 rpm	517 Nm at 4400 rpm
Calais V	3.6-litre LY7 petrol V6	5sp auto	Aug 2006 to Sep 2009	195 kW at 6500 rpm	340 Nm at 2600 rpm
	3.6-litre LLT petrol V6 SIDI	6sp auto	Sep 2009 to Sep 2010	210 kW at 6400 rpm	350 Nm at 2900 rpm
	6.0-litre L98 petrol V8	6sp auto	Aug 2006 to Dec 2008	270 kW at 5700 rpm	530 Nm at 4400 rpm
	6.0-litre L76 petrol V8 AFM	6sp auto	Jan 2009 to Sep 2010	260 kW at 5700 rpm	517 Nm at 4400 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the VE Calais included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. From November 2008, the Calais was fitted with an energy-absorbing steering column shroud for improved knee protection.

Brakes

VE Calais models with V6 engines were fitted with 298 mm by 30 mm ventilated front brake discs with twin-piston callipers and 302 mm by 22 mm ventilated rear discs with single-piston callipers. Models with V8 engines, however, were fitted with 321 mm by 30 mm front discs and 324 mm by 22 mm rear discs.

ANCAP crash testing

In ANCAP crash testing , post-November 2008 Calais models were awarded a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 33.45 out of 37, based on crash testing of the VE Commodore Omega . In the offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious chest and lower leg injury for the driver. In the side impact and pole tests, maximum points were awarded.

Features

Standard features for the VE Calais included 17-inch alloy wheels, nine speaker sound system with six-stack CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs, dual zone climate control air conditioning, six-way power adjustable front seats, combination fabric and leather seats, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, a 6.5-inch multifunction LCD, rear parking sensors, remote central locking, automatic projector headlights, front fog lamps, a height and reach adjustable leather-wrapped steering wheel, power mirrors and windows, trip computer and immobiliser.

The Calais V was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, an eleven speaker sound system, full leather seats, driver’s seat memory settings, rear seat DVD player, front parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers and heated door mirrors which would automatically dip when reversing to show low level hazards.

November 2008 and March 2009 updates

The Calais underwent a minor update in November 2008 (MY09.5), including fixed front seat arm rests and open door pockets; the ‘V-Series’ badges were also replaced with Calais V badges. From March 2009, the space-saver spare tyres were discontinued and replaced with – at the buyer’s choice – either an inflation kit or full-size spare.

2007 Calais V International

In November 2007, an ‘International’ edition of the Calais V was released. Compared to the Calais V, the Calais V International was distinguished by its 19-inch SuperSport alloy wheels, satellite navigation with colour display and Onyx/Light Urban trim combination.

2008 Calais V 60th Anniversary

In May 2008, a 60th Anniversary edition of the Calais V was released; it was distinguished by its 19-inch ‘SuperSport’ alloy wheels, Onyx/Light Urban trim combination, power sunroof, silver highlights on the leather steering wheel spokes, alloy pedals and 60^thAnniversary floor mats and badging.

Brochures