HOLDEN Ute 2007-2013 Photos, engines & full specs

Holden introduced a new generation of its Ute model in 2007 based on the same platform as the Commodore VE and kept the sport-utility trend going.

For some parts of the world, a pickup with just some bed in the back and a V-6 gasoline engine might be useless. Still, for Australians, that was the kind of vehicle you'd buy if you want a sporty vehicle and enjoy the small taxes for a utility vehicle. And, if the V-6 was not good enough, Holden offered some better options as well.

At the front, it looked the same as the VE Commodore, Calais, or Berlina. Omega's base trim level was mostly for those who used the vehicle for moving refrigerators and AC units around towns, while the top trim levels offered a sporty, aggressive look. All of them shared the same angular headlights but different bumpers. While the Omega featured a wrapped-around plastic bumper with three grilles crossed by a horizontal slat from side to side, the SS-V Redline was a different kind of animal with wide side-scoops, a mesh grille, and a lip-spoiler at the bottom of the apron. But the Omega version could carry heavier loads.

Inside, the carmaker installed a dashboard that looked better in an executive car than in a utility vehicle. Its rounded instrument cluster, the aluminum trims, and tall center console were just a few examples. Holden installed a pair of high-bolstered seats for the two occupants, with a few colors available. The center stack features moldings, displays, and illumination colors that differentiate between the trim levels and variants.

While a 3.0 liter V-6 powered the base model, the top-version featured a 6.0-liter V-8 powerplant that provided 370 hp. For those who really bought the Ute for their utility value, Holden offered a version fueled by LPG.