Luxury versions of the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore have for decades enticed Australians into their sumptuous cabins with a clear marketing message.

“World-class luxury” became the tagline that accompanied the very first Holden Calais, the VK of 1984. It was used again two years later to herald the introduction of the turbocharged VL update that supposedly gave “Calais the performance to eclipse even the most expensive European imports”.

The missive is that the Calais, and from a philosophical but less marketing-led position the Fairmont Ghia and subsequently today’s Ford Falcon G6E, can give you the indulgences you want without needing to blow your wallet on a BMW or Mercedes-Benz.