Read More
Holden has boosted the appeal of its high-performing sports utility range with the return of the special edition Thunder nameplate to the VE Series II Ute line-up.
Developed to kick-off the 60th anniversary celebrations of Holden’s original 1951 Ute, the Thunder SV6 and SS models deliver customers a tough-looking package with an impressive $3000 of extra value.
Each Thunder model receives striking charcoal-finished 19-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation, leather seat bolsters and Thunder badges.
Holden Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales John Elsworth said the Thunder range had been designed to cater for Australia’s growing demand for niche sports utility models.
“Over 60 years of production, the Holden ute has evolved from typical tradesman’s transport to two-door sports machine with a practical edge - that’s epitomized by the Thunder range,” Mr Elsworth said.
“It is a really bold, tough looking ute which we think will appeal to many of our traditional sports ute buyers.
“We’re expecting it to be an absolute winner in our showrooms.”
The Thunder Ute will be available with Holden’s powerful Gen IV V8 (SS model) and for the first time the special edition nameplate will also come with the company’s high-performing 3.6-litre SIDI V6 (SV6 model). Both models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission and optional six-speed automatic.
On sale next week around Australia, the Thunder Ute can be purchased for the drive away price of $34,990 (SV6 manual) and $39,900 (SS manual). The range is available in a choice of 10 exterior colours.
Throughout 2011 Holden will be conducting a series of events celebrating 60 years of ute production which began in 1951 with the launch of the 50-2106 Coupe Utility (FX). Since that time it has become a mainstay of the Australian automotive scene and prevailed as an enduring national symbol.
Product Specification:
Based on the popular SV6 and SS Ute models
SV6: 3.6L SIDI V6 (210kW)
SS: 6.0L Gen IV V8 (270kW – manual 260kW – automatic)
Six-speed manual or automatic transmission
Driver and passenger airbags
Side impact airbag
Side curtain airbags
Five-Star ANCAP Safety Rating
Added Value Features
Exterior:
Unique 19-inch five spoke charcoal alloy wheels
Thunder badges – side and rear
Choice of 10 exterior finishes:
Alto Grey* – mid-toned grey with silver highlights
Hazard* – head turning bright solid yellow
Sizzle – bright metallic red
Heron – solid white
Karma* – mid blue with metallic highlights
Nitrate* – a classic silver metallic
Phantom* – metallic black with silver highlights
Poison Ivy* – a sports green metallic with blue highlights
Red Hot – highly chromatic solid red
Voodoo* – solid electric sports blue
* indicates prestige paint
Interior:
Sports seats with leather bolsters
Touch-screen Holden-iQ system with Satellite Navigation
On Sale: April 2011
