Few vehicles are as definitively Australian as the Holden ute. Combining the comfort of a passenger car with the practicality of a workhorse, it became an icon of local roads before disappearing alongside Holden itself. But what if the story had unfolded differently and Holden’s local production was still around?

These AI renderings envisage a modern-day Holden Commodore ute from the humble Omega to fire-breathing HSV Maloo, reimagining one of Australia’s most beloved nameplates for a new generation. Enter the VG Holden Commodore ute.

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As you can see, like the transformation from VE to VF, the styling of the VG Commodore doesn’t change a huge amount but it remains handsome and modern looking. Most noticeable are the angular new headlights, which upgrade to LED for the low and high beam and include Matrix tech for the first time, while the grille has been enlarged.

The side profile of the ute remains pretty much unchanged, aside from new wheel designs, while the rear adopts a new tailgate design with new Holden badging, as well as new tailights with LED tech for the first time. As with the VE and VF, the VG ute uses independent multi-link rear suspension like the sedan.

Inside the VG Commodore ute are familiar touches, like the centre console and general steering wheel design, but with a new dashboard layout and upgraded switchgear. A fully-digital driver’s display and new 12.3-inch touchscreen with an updated software system now feature as standard across the range, meaning that features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Google integration, are now available in the Commodore.

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Supportive sports seats are standard across the range, with cloth featuring on the Omega and SV6, a cloth and leather mix on the SS, and full leather on the SS V and Maloo, the latter of which also features bucket seats. As with the VF ute, storage behind the seats also features, while a large tray underneath the dashboard with a wireless phone charger also features.

As for the VG ute line-up, we designed it to follow the same formula as the VF Commodore with Omega serving as the entry model, the SV6 and SS in the middle and the SS V at the top, plus a separate HSV Maloo for even more performance.

While the VG Commodore would use the same Zeta platform that debuted with the VE Commodore in 2006, here AI predicts that the engine line-up would be modernised considering the need for NVES compliance.

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Thus, it’s likely that the Omega and SV6 would use a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in place of the VF’s 3.6-litre V6, making more power and torque (220kW and 400Nm versus 210kW/350Nm) and mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Because of emissions, it predicts that some form of hybridisation, be it mild, full or even plug-in, would be at least optional to help lower emissions.

Above the SV6 is the iconic SS, using a 6.2-litre petrol V8 engine with mild-hybrid tech making 310kW of power and 600Nm of torque, which is more than the VF. Transmission choices would include the previous 10-speed automatic transmission from the four-cylinder models, and current US-spec GM products, but also a six-speed manual. As with the VF, Brembo brakes and quad exhausts feature.

Atop the Holden line-up – but below HSV – is the SS V, which uses the same mechanical package as the SS but adds a more premium interior with leather trims, as well as Magnetic Ride Control for superior comfort and handling.

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AI pricing starts at under $40,000 for the Omega, around $45,000 for the SV6, around $52,000 for the SS and around $60,000 for the SS V.

Above the regular Holden models is the HSV Maloo, which would be priced at around $80,000. This adds a supercharger to the 6.2-litre V8 engine for outputs of around 500kW/800Nm, as well as wider body, carbon aero, unique front and rear styling, and forged alloy wheels to further announce its performance.

Plus, as there has been many times in the past, there’s a lot of potential for special edition models like the Sandman, Storm and even a Maloo GTS-R.

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We’ll never know what Holden might have built had it survived into the modern era, but it’s hard not to imagine a Commodore ute like this finding plenty of buyers. As with previous models, it blends Australian muscle and performance with modern tech, available V8 performance and everyday practicality. While it’s sad we’ll never see it in production, if nothing else, it’s a reminder of not only how special the Holden ute really was, but just how good we had it when they were in production.