Back in the good old days .... oh, yes, I remember the good old days .... the release of a new Holden was almost a national event. In those days (the 1960s) Holden was coming down from a 50% share of the Australian new car market. Those days saw people heading to their local dealer for a look at the new models on the afternoon and evening of the release. These days, though, it is a completely different story. A new Commodore is just another new car. Holden has just 15.2% (2006) of the new car market and some people are even disinterested in the new Commodore. Such is the way that the new car market has changed since I was a boy.

Yet a new Commodore is significant. The Commodore remains Australia's best selling car. As such, it is popular as a rep-mobile, rental car and as a fleet car for governments and big business, as well as those who see value in size and the inherent comfort of a larger car. On the used car market, families flock to late model Commodores.

With the introduction of the VE range there is a re-alignment of the model line-up. The Executive and Acclaim nameplates are gone. The new base model is known as Commodore Omega. The Berlina becomes an area of interest for Holden's marketing people as they encourage people to think Berlina, rather that base model. The subject of this particular test is the new Berlina sedan (by the way, all VE Holdens are sedans, as Holden still hasn't got the courage to inform their potential customers what the company has planned, if anything, for the wagons and utes).

The test car was an attractive light blue metallic, known as 'Provence'. You can choose from ten other colours.

After an excessively long career on the showroom floors, the VT through VZ sedans made way for a car that looks different, yet still looks like a Commodore. On that basis, it must be said that the VE stylists have done a good job. The result is an attractive car that continues to appeal to many. Sure some say that the front guards dominate the styling, but overall I suggest the styling is balanced and that is a result that not all cars achieve. My fingers are crossed that the VE series does not run for as long as the VT model from the 1990s did. If it does, then the VE runs the risk of becoming stale, just as the VT did, before Holden finally released the VX series.

The current range of VE series sedans consists of the Omega, Berlina and Calais as the mainstream line-up, together with the SV6 and SS as the sporty models. Additionally, the V-series is available in Calais and SS versions as a model with more of the little enhancements which we all want!

Our Berlina test car was fitted with the standard 180 kw Alloytec 3.6 litre V6 (which uses regular unleaded petrol) and 4-speed automatic transmission. A feature admired by myself, is an overdrive 'block-out' and I'm pleased that Holden continue to include this prized feature with the 4-speed auto. There seems no point, for example, in the auto changing into overdrive when coasting at 50 km/h, hence the block-out is a worthwhile inclusion for those who do much of their driving in a city environment.

The combination of Holden's 3.6 lire V6 and the 4-speed auto suits the VE Berlina as it provides ample performance, quite in tune with the expectations of those who drive a large Australian built sedan. The performance can be described as comfortable, certainly not sporting, but comfortable is the measuring stick for performance in this class of car. As the Commodore range is the nation's best selling car, it is obvious that a sufficient number of folks view the Commodore as just right. And such a view is understandable, as we found the Berlina did the job of comfortable motoring quite well.

An interesting option for the Berlina is a factory fitted dual-fuel system (petrol and LPG). Stay tuned though, because we will cover this option in a separate road test. The high-output 3.6 litre V6, which is standard on the Calais, is not available on the Berlina. Although, the imported six-litre V8 is available as an option, together with a six-speed automatic transmission. A manual transmission is not available with the Berlina.

The re-designed interior of the VE Berlina looks good, but I feel the superceded VZ interior trim looked better. That, of course, is a personal view. The roomy interior is a major factor in the success of the Commodore, just as it is with the competing Ford Falcon and Mitsubishi 380. The VE series Holden door trims are recessed inward, thus providing increased elbow room. The door trims are firm and assist in providing a 'solid' feeling. The wide rear seat was appreciated by our back seat passengers. The seating was comfortable all-round, with the driver's seat featuring some electrical adjustments. The steering wheel shape was "off-round" which is easy to use and assists with the entry/egress process. The various controls on the steering wheel were easy to use and particularly easy to become familiar with.

The Berlina features dual-zone air climate control, driver and front passenger airbags, driver and front passenger side impact airbags, leather wrapped steering wheel, a quite satisfying 6-disc audio system (which featured a repeat function for the CD player, which proved very useful when the British duo "Robson and Jerome" began singing "I Believe" and then kept on repeating it over and over again - and the radio played Sydney's 103.2 FM quite clearly in southern Newcastle, which is always pleasing), cruise control (which failed during our test period but was repaired easily upon the return of the test car), power windows all-round (but there is no auto up function), trip computer (which is quite useful), reversing sensors, alloy wheels (steel rim for the spare wheel) and an electronic stability programme which features ABS, EBD, EBA and TCS.

Luggage space is good with the VE series, no doubt about that.

On the road, the Berlina proved itself as a comfortable and worthy largish sedan. The steering, braking and handling were all very Commodore, which means these attributes were quite good and, might I add, were just as expected. On well maintained unsealed roads, the VE was somewhat neutral in driveability terms. It was neither good nor bad, which means to me that the Holden VZ was a better car in the dirt. Sealed roads are, therefore, the territory of the new Commodore.

The VE isn't perfect, we must point out, as the panel surrounding the headlight switch is cheap and, on the test car, was slightly loose. A few more dollars spent with component suppliers would fix that problem. The panel behind the steering wheel hub is cheap, too. If your fingers tap the steering wheel at the traffic lights, you will be wishing for a more finely tuned back cover on the steering wheel hub. Again, just a few extra dollars would fix this quality issue. There are no back seat reading lamps and there is no retractable ignition key.

But, none-the-less, the Berlina VE was an enjoyable drive and it looks good.

Pricing for the new VE series Berlina begins at $39,990 (RRP). Metallic paint (such as the blue of the test car) is optional at $375 (RRP).

Just like the good old days, Holdens will remain popular. The VE series, including the new Berlina, proves that notion because it provides just what it should .... comfort and roominess, together with reasonable operating costs .... just like the good old days.