Holden VU SS The ‘two-door V8 sports car’ that saved the Commodore ute

The innovative, sleek-styled VU Holden Ute not only reinvented the traditional Aussie utility vehicle, but the SS version also helped save the Holden ute from extinction.

Story: Mark Oastler

Given the phenomenal sales success of Holden’s high-performance VU SS, it’s hard to imagine that at one stage this iconic muscle car – and the Commodore ute on which it was based – was threatened with extinction at a pivotal moment in Holden’s history. That was in 1997, when the all-new VU design program was just getting underway, and Holden’s senior product planner for large cars, Mark Behr, was putting together a business case for it. The VU was a bold reimagining of the traditional Holden ute, from a primarily utilitarian workhorse to an overtly sporty and more car-like alternative. It was to be the first Holden light commercial with independent rear suspension (IRS) and rakish coupe styling that included an innovative flush-fitting tonneau cover. In this exclusive AMC interview,…

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Australian Muscle Car (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 143

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