Perfect proportions

Admit it. You can’t take your eyes off the Calais. Holden designers are the same – and they’ve been looking at it daily since it was nothing more than a few lines on a sketch pad.

Visual cues confirm Calais as a vehicle of sports luxury. The perfect proportions of its dynamic body contours. The menacing grille and sloping stance. The short front and rear overhangs. The flared wheel guards and fender vents.

The 17 inch alloy wheels (4), projector headlamps and low mounted fog lamps. Without even turning the key, you know it has all the go you could ever want.

A delight to behold in every way, Calais is not just a class above – it’s in a class of its own.

Interior

Searching for an adjective? Good luck. Not one word could possibly convey the attention to detail applied to the Calais interior.

The design process was exhaustive. Thousands of leathers, suedes, fabrics and stitching techniques were evaluated. Hundreds of colours, patterns, grain textures and finishes were developed. Seats, head and arm rests, door panels and handles were all designed and refined, over and over again, until perfect in every respect.

And to ensure a level of build excellence comparable to Europe’s most esteemed luxury marques, an entire production line was stripped and rebuilt to operate within the narrowest tolerances in Holden’s history.

A dash of distinction

The data and control you need, when and where you need it. Calais offers a commanding view of vehicle performance, status and systems, without compromising focus on the road ahead.

Driver information is divided into two distinct zones. The ‘essentials’ go directly in front of you across the driver display – four instrument dials and three digital readouts. Secondary information goes on the centre instrument panel.

Controls are placed intuitively and – through intelligent use of chrome and tactile soft rubber grips – they feel the way you expect.

The most frequently used systems – audio, trip computer, Bluetooth® and optional satellite navigation – can all be operated from the steering wheel via scroll wheels and buttons. Lights, indicators and wiper stalks are also close at hand.

Full dual-zone electronic climate control and audio system controls are located within easy reach on the sweeping centre instrument panel, with settings displayed on the multifunction display.

But if you think all this sounds impressive, wait until you play your favourite CD through the audio system. Left and right directional high frequency speakers are located in the dashboard. A mid range speaker is above the centre instrument panel. And high mounted bass/mid range speakers are on all four doors. The result is music to your ears.

The Calais V-Series sports genuine aluminium accent – a dash of distinction, indeed.

Alloytec V6

Power to spare, from one of the most sophisticated and advanced production engines ever manufactured in Australia. That’s what you can look forward to when you turn the key and experience the exhilarating performance of an Alloytec V6 engine.

A proven world-class engine in every respect, it’s available in three 3.6 litre variants:

# Maximum figures as per ECE regulations

Generation 4 Alloy V8

For supreme power there’s only one choice: the 6.0 litre Generation 4 Alloy V8.

Optional on Calais and Calais V-Series, it generates a brutal 260kW* of power at 5700rpm and 517Nm* of torque at 4400rpm, giving it exceptional performance and towing capabilities. Its features include:

* Figures quoted using 98 RON (PULP)

Safety

Your safety is priority number one. The Calais' advanced multi-layered driver defence system surrounds you – literally – with state-of-the-art active and passive safety features. The former to help prevent collisions; the latter to help prevent injury in the event of a collision.

Active safety

Up to 200 times a second – that’s how often the Calais' active safety systems monitor on-road dynamics – everything from the vehicle’s speed, lateral acceleration and rotation, to the steering wheel angle and brakeforce you apply.

When normal tolerances are exceeded, one or more of the following systems initiate integrated – non-intrusive – counter measures to help ensure you retain maximum control of the vehicle.

Passive safety

A collision is a contest between impact energy and your vehicle’s safety features. You want everything possible on your side.

That’s why the Calais' feature Holden’s Adaptive Occupant Restraint System – which includes dual-stage front airbags, side and curtain airbags – as well as multiple load paths to help channel impact energies and a safety cell reinforced with ultra high strength steel.

Most impressive of all, in a frontal crash, the Calais can automatically initiate and co-ordinate all on-board passive safety measures in an incredible 90 milliseconds – about the time it takes to snap your fingers.

Technology

Innovation comes in all shapes and sizes in the Calais. From the futuristic component synchronisation and optional on-board telematics, to the sublime convenience of integrated Bluetooth® connectivity.

Technology, not for technology’s sake, but for you – the driver. To help protect you and your investment. Make it easier for you to get from journey’s start to end. And to create a driving experience richer and more rewarding than ever before.

Read on, you’ll get the idea. Then factor in the modest price tag for these stunning vehicles. Calais V-Series and Calais are not only incredibly smart vehicles, each is an extremely smart choice of vehicle.