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Holden Commodore

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The Holden Commodore is a car built by the Holden division of General Motors in Australia. From 1989, it formed the basis of a luxury sedan range called the Holden Statesman, and from 2001, it formed the basis of the Holden Monaro sports coupé. In 2004, Holden released both four-wheel drive and four-door ute versions, called the Adventra and Crewman respectively.

Contents

VB–VH

Introduced in 1978, the original VB Commodore came with 2.9 L or 3.3 L inline 'red' 6 engines and 4.2 or 5.0 litre 'red' V8 OHV engines and four-speed manual M21 or MC6 or three-speed automatic "Trimatic" transmissions, all carried over from the outgoing Holden Kingswood. The original design was actually a rebadged and strengthened German Opel Rekord E (1977-1986), which was GM's V-car, sold in the UK as the Vauxhall Viceroy, and the Chevrolet Commodore in South Africa. The Commodore was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1978 - at the time it was considered the most sophisticated Australian car and a major departure from the full-size designs from Holden, Ford and Chrysler dating back to the early 1970s.

Only minor cosmetic changes were made from the original 1978 VB Commodore to the updated VC, but the engines were upgraded to 'blue' specification (denoted by the colour of the engine block) which meant a 12-port cylinder head on the 6-cylinder engine, and decent electronic ignition on all engines. The VB Commodore was also the first to receive the SL/E badge, while the VC was the first to be used with HDT projects with Peter Brock. The VH had some greater sheetmetal changes up front.

As a reaction to the 1979 fuel crisis, Holden also produced the Commodore Four, which sold in only modest numbers on the domestic market. This model used Holden's 1.9 L Starfire engine (a four-cylinder version of the 2.9 L inline-6 engine) from the defunct Holden Sunbird. The Commodore Four remained popular in some export markets and was sold to the end of the VN series (but by then featuring the Family II 2.0 L engine (same engine used in the Holden Camira) in the late 1980s.

VK

The VK Commodore was introduced in 1984, and was moslty a restyled VH Commodore. It was the first Commodore to have plastic bumpers and featured a 6-window glasshouse as opposed to the 4-window design on previous Commodores. Engine choices were a 4.9 L V8 and a 3.3 L inline 'black' I6 (essentially a 'blue' 6 with more power and black coloured), the latter of which was available with either a carburetor or fuel injection. Other engine sizes were discontinued. The VK also introduced new names for the trim levels, such as Executive (replacing SL), Berlina (replacing SL/X) and Calais (replacing SL/E). The limited edition Vacationer name plate was continued from the VH well into the 90's models.

VL

Many Holden fans still consider the 1986 VL Commodore the best Commodore ever built while some complain that its styling too similar to Japanese cars of the same period. It was the last of the small-body Commodores and the only one to feature an OHC engine — an alloy headed unit designed and manufactured by Nissan. The RB30E 3.0 L engine also saw service in the Nissan Skyline and was available with a turbocharger. The New Zealand assembled 6-cylinder VLs had the Nissan RB20 engine. The 6-cylinder engine was mated with the Japanese 'Jatco' 4-speed automatic; the 5.0 L V8 remained available in carbureted form and the old 3-speed automatic. The VL Commodore is popular among young drivers and in the modified car scene as seen by the [Calais Turbo forums.]

VN

This and subsequent versions took their bodywork from the slightly larger Opel Senator. The VN Commodore, released in 1988, was similarly based on the Opel Omega, but this time, the previous Commodore floorpan was widened and stretched. The Commodore could now match the rival Ford Falcon for size, and for the first time was available as a ute. The VN Commodore was available in Executive, S, SS, Berlina and Calais models. The Statesman and Caprice, built on an even longer wheelbase (shared with the wagon and ute models), were positioned against Ford Australia's Fairlane and LTD. The Statesman is used as an official car by government ministers in Australia, and some are also converted into hearses for funerals or limousines. The Commodore was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for a second time in 1988.

Changes in the relative values of the Australian dollar, the yen, and the US dollar made it impractical to continue with the well-regarded Nissan engine of the VL. Instead, Holden manufactured their own 90 degree V6 based on an old Buick design from the US, although at first it was imported for a while. The 5.0 L V8 remained optional and received a power boost to 165 kW. Both these engines used multi point GM EFI and the V6 using 3 coil-packs for ignition. A fuel-injected, 2.0 L-engined VN Commodore Four was offered for some export markets (such as New Zealand and Singapore, sold as the Holden Berlina), sharing an engine with the Opel Vectra A. Accompanying the changes to engines, the 4-speed Jatco automatic transmission was replaced by the GM TH700.

VP

The VP Commodore update of 1991 featured mainly cosmetic changes; the same 3.8 L V6 and 5.0 L V8 from the VN Commodore was used, but with revisions that improved on it's harsh and rough running engine. Semi-trailing arm IRS became standard on high-end luxury and performance models (Calais & SS models) and an optional extra on lower-end models, in lieu of the live rear axle , drastically improving ride and handling. The 2.0 L I4 was discontinued. ABS was also introducted in the VP range as an option on Calais and SS for Series 1, and on most models with IRS for series 2.

VR–VS

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The sleeker and more modern looking VR and VS Commodores, with safety enhancements (such as ABS) and revised styling, were launched in 1993 and 1995 respectively. From the side, the biggest change was the use of a round rear wheelarch, instead of a squared-off one. There was a new Executive based model called the Acclaim introduced which was positioned above the base model. It included a driver's side airbag (a first for an Australian car on the VR), ABS and IRS and was only available with an automatic transmission. The rear-end treatment saw raised lights, apparently for safety reasons. A new electronic version of the TH700 automatic transmission was introduced, the 4L60E. The VR Commodore was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1993.

Undoubtedly the biggest drawcard to the April 1995-released VS Commodore, the last of the second generation Commodores, was that it was the first to have the Australian Ecotec ("Emissions and Consumption Optimisation through TEChnology") 3.8 L V6 engine (not to be mistaken for the four-cylinder Ecotec engine). The L36 was the first Series II version, based on the old Buick designs, the new model saw power output rise from 130 to 147 kW. Whilst fuel consumption dropped, the Ecotec ran noticeably smoother and was much quieter. The differences were mainly at the top of the engine; the cast iron block and heads were retained. At the same time, a new supercharged version of the V6 was introduced, delivering 165 kW.

VT

The VT Commodore, released in 1997, was loosely based on the Opel Omega, and saw a coupe version, the Monaro, which resurrected a famous Holden brand name from the 1960s and 1970s.

The 1999 VT Series II update brought with it a new 5.7 L LS1 V8 sourced from the US to replace the venerable Holden 5.0 L V8. Throughout its time in the Commodore, the LS1 would receive incremental power upgrades from 220 kW to 250 kW, before finally being replaced by the L76. The new Monaro was available in the US as the Pontiac GTO and was sold in the UK with Vauxhall badges. The last Monaro rolled off the production lines in December of 2005, production cancelled due to sluggish US demand for the Pontiac due to a poor exchange rate favoring the Australian dollar (Pontiac GTO production continued until June, 2006). The Holden Commodore was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for a fourth time in 1997. The VT Commodore remains the best selling Holden Commodore to date.

VX

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The VX Commodore which was released in October 2000 and ceased production in September 2002 introduced further mechanical upgrades with the V6 receiving changes to the engine management computer to bring power up to 152 kW, while VX Series II added toe-control links to the semi-trailing arm rear suspension to better maintain the toe settings during suspension movements and hence result in better handling.

The VX Commodore was available in several models. These are the Executive, Acclaim, Berlina, Calais, S, and the SS. All the models in the VX range were sedans, but the Executive, Accliam and Berlina models were also avalible in wagon form.

The front suspension has been modified slightly, with lower control arm pivot points raised by 4mm and a ball joint has replaced a rubber bushing on the stabiliser to strut link.

ABS brakes (Bosch 5.3) are now standard on all models, as is a CD player and steering wheel audio system controls. Traction control is now available with the manual transmission.

VY

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The VY Commodore was released in September 2002 and ceased production in way of the VZ Commodore in August 2004. The new model is much more refined than the previous model in many aspects including the body structure, powertrain and chassis dynamics delivering appreciable improvements in performance, ride, handling, safety and build quality.

The VY Commodore was available in several models. These are the Executive, Acclaim, Berlina, Calais, S, SV8, and the SS. All the models in the VY range were sedans, but the Executive, Accliam and Berlina models were also avalible in wagon form.

The front and rear of the body has been completely restyled, with new front grille and headlights, and taillights. As with the exterior the interior has benn also been heavily upgraded. Interior upgrade includes a new instrument panel, centre console and steering wheel, and new design transmission shifter and handbrake. There is also a new mobile phone power outlet under the centre console. The new instrument cluster features a large multi-function digital display (single or triple-window, depending on model), which displays information such as radio station display, PRNDL gear selected indicator, trip computer with stopwatch function, service reminders and a help facility.

Standard features now include "twilight sentinel" automatic headlamp control, headlamps off programmable time delay, high feature Blaupunkt audio systems, road-speed sensitive intermittent wipers and passenger airbags.

VZ

The VZ Holden Commodore which was released in August, 2004 debuted a new generation of 175 and 190 kW 3.6 L Alloytec V6 engines, versions of which also power the Alfa Romeo 159 and with a Turbo added, the 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero; these DOHC engines are new designs. They will carry through to the VE series in 2006. A new 5L40E 5-speed automatic transmission sourced from GM was introduced on sports and luxury V6 variants. In January 2006, Holden introduced the new L76 6.0 L V8 to its range. The V8 has been slightly detuned, and both Displacement On Demand and variable valve timing have been removed.

The advanced 3.6 L Alloytec engines are more powerful, responsive and fuel-efficient than the outgoing ECOTEC V6. Matched to all-new and upgraded transmissions they deliver noticeable increases in all-round driving refinement. Selected models bring advanced active safety features that electronically assist the driver to maintain vehicle control in emergency situations.

The VZ Commodore is available in several models. These are the Executive, Acclaim, Berlina, SV6, SV8 and the SS. All the models in the VZ range are sedans, but the Executive, Accliam and Berlina models are also available in wagon form.

The VZ features:

VE

The VE Commodore was released in Australia on the all-new GM Zeta platform on July 16 2006. Holden has spent A$1.04 billion on design and development of the VE. It may form the basis of a large sedan in the Opel range in Europe, as well as the possibility of a revival of GM's large rear-wheel drive cars in North America. There have been rumors that VE's underpinnings have already been previewed in the Opel Insignia show car of 2003. In addition, there have also been rumours that the looks of the VE Commodore have already been previewed thanks to the Holden Torana concept car.

Recently published spy photos of the new VE Commodore have shown it to be undergoing testing in the US, as well as in Melbourne, Canberra, and Regional Queensland. It will have a new 6.0 L L76 V8 which may be equipped with Displacement On Demand and variable valve timing. Holden will also be using GM's new 6-speed automatic transmission (GM 6L80) for the V8 versions, which is also used in Cadillac XLR-V, Cadillac STS and automatic versions of the Chevrolet Corvette.

The first official details of VE Commodore released were on July 16th, 2006 at a press event in Melbourne, Australia, (which was viewable live on the internet, a first for Holden) with further information to be released over the following weeks. It was revealed that both V6 engines will receive a subtle power boost of 5kW each, as well as the Exceutive and Acclaim variants being combined into a single model, the Omega. The Commodore SS And SSV V8's power will be increased to 270 kW, making it Holden's most powerful engine. Because of this, it is expected that HSV's Commodore-based models (to be announced August 21) will receive a substantial power boost to remain substantially quicker than Holden's performance models, as well combat a weight gain of over 100 kg over the VZ Commodore. All models have received larger brakes as a result of the weight gain, with the base model Omega being fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels as standard.

It will be released firstly in sedan and long-wheelbase Statesman/Caprice variants, the potential wagon to be released 2007/2008. A single-cab utility has been confirmed for production in 2007, while a coupe based on the Commodore sedan has been confirmed by Michael Simcoe, designer of the VT-derived Holden Monaro/Pontiac GTO.

It is expected that VE Commodore models will be released in the US, possibly badged as a Buick or Pontiac, to replaced aging models in their lineups. Commodores have also been sampled by Opel in Germany, and the Statesman/Caprice has been confirmed to replace the current Buick Royaum in China.

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Preceded by:
Holden Premier Holden Kingswood 		Succeeded by:
still in production

 

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