VE Ute Spotted

[tommo]

props to the guys at Dirt Bike World for spotting this

[Oracle of Delphi]

Wheels look tiny.

[Camino LS6]

Interesting.

It looks like they are trying for a more El Camino-like B pillar (less upright).

Good.

[91z4me]

Interesting.

It looks like they are trying for a more El Camino-like B pillar (less upright).

Good.

Now how did I know I would find you in here?

[Camino LS6]

Now how did I know I would find you in here?

Imagine that!

[SuperSport623]

i want!!!!!!!

[Northstar]

Interesting.

It looks like they are trying for a more El Camino-like B pillar (less upright).

Good.

No way this could be El Camino-like, it's a damned Holden! A "Chevy El Camino" based on the UTE would never be a real El Camino because it's just a Holden!

Seriously, it looks good aside from the stupid side vent.

[Camino LS6]

No way this could be El Camino-like, it's a damned Holden! A "Chevy El Camino" based on the UTE would never be a real El Camino because it's just a Holden!

Seriously, it looks good aside from the stupid side vent.

Can't tell too much about it under all the camo, but I'm hopeful.

[Z-06]

Camino the ute mule gives me a vibe of the Camino rendering you have in your signature. :AH-HA_wink:

[Camino LS6]

Camino the ute mule gives me a vibe of the Camino rendering you have in your signature. :AH-HA_wink:

Music to my ears...

[Jamie]

The company I work for is doing a lot of work on the new ute and I've been personally involved. The new ute is definitely happening.

There are also reported to be quite a few of the camouflaged VE Utes running around the Melbourne area.

[Camino LS6]

[91z4me]

Are you just seeing how many posts you can get in a single thread?

[tommo]

Well i was driving past the Elizabeth plant today and look what i find!!!!! It was on the phillip highway side as well so everyone would have seen it.

Its the outer sheet metal seen from the inside.

[Camino LS6]

Excellent catch!

I like what I see, the B pillar is more El Camino-like!

[91z4me]

Well messing around in phohochop shows the car is a WB whereas the current Ute is a LWB. The rear overhang is longer but only a couple of inches. Phothochop coming using a SS-V base.

Edited April 19, 2007 by 91z4me

[Camino LS6]

Interesting chop.

I think I might like it more than the VZ ute.

[Jamie]

There are some hints from people in the know that the initial Australian availability date is going to be dictated by external parts suppliers. Word is that the earliest we could see the VE Ute in Australia is late 3Q 2007, with 4Q 2007, and even 1Q 2008 being mentioned if there is a problem with suppliers.

[Camino LS6]

So, if the export as an El Camino happens I'd guess it would be late 2008.

I can handle that.

[Jamie]

That'd be a good bet.

BTW: Saw a new VE HSV in my local shopping centre car park. It was fitted with the same wheels that G8 show car was wearing. Apparently they are the standard wheel fitted to the VE HSV GTS.

[Jamie]

Latest information is that GMH has a one week window booked in August to prepare the line for the Ute, and initial delivery is expected September/October.

[Z-06]

Does not help us in the states though, we want this thing.

[ZL-1]

So, would an El Camino version of this get the VE nose (that the US is getting as the G8), but with a ME Lumina grille and bumper?

[Camino LS6]

So, would an El Camino version of this get the VE nose (that the US is getting as the G8), but with a ME Lumina grille and bumper?

That would be the most likely scenario as getting it done at all will only happen if the expenses are kept to a minimum.

I suppose that there is an outside chance that it could get the RWD Impala nose. I'd rather see that or even a Camaroesque nose, but I think I'll have to settle for the ME lumina version.

[ZL-1]

That would be the most likely scenario as getting it done at all will only happen if the expenses are kept to a minimum.

I suppose that there is an outside chance that it could get the RWD Impala nose. I'd rather see that or even a Camaroesque nose, but I think I'll have to settle for the ME lumina version.

I fear that people would pick on it and the G8 gven the similarities in both 'faces', even though the cars as a whole are obviously quite different from one another...

[91z4me]

That would be the most likely scenario as getting it done at all will only happen if the expenses are kept to a minimum.

I suppose that there is an outside chance that it could get the RWD Impala nose. I'd rather see that or even a Camaroesque nose, but I think I'll have to settle for the ME lumina version.

I think that timing will prove to be the key factor here. I think when the G8 comes to the US for assembly it will free up export room for the Ute. Until then I wouldn't expect there to be production room at the St. Elizabeth plant for any Ute exports. Also given that the G8 would come to the US it would likely get a new nose, and more. So I don't think people will be complaining about the Ute and G8 looking alike.

[Camino LS6]

I think that timing will prove to be the key factor here. I think when the G8 comes to the US for assembly it will free up export room for the Ute. Until then I wouldn't expect there to be production room at the St. Elizabeth plant for any Ute exports. Also given that the G8 would come to the US it would likely get a new nose, and more. So I don't think people will be complaining about the Ute and G8 looking alike.

Actually, the Ute is only going into production because Export sales bolstered the business case.

[GMTruckGuy74]

I fear that people would pick on it and the G8 gven the similarities in both 'faces', even though the cars as a whole are obviously quite different from one another...

Well, to settle this is quite easy - make it a GMC and viola!

I know all the Chevy El Camino fans don't want to hear that though....