Holden Commodore
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| Holden Commodore<tr><td colspan=2>Image:Holden VE commodore omega 03.jpg</tr> | |
| Manufacturer: | Holden<tr><th>Parent company:<td>General Motors</tr><tr><th>Production:<td>1978–present</tr><tr><th>Assembly:<td>Elizabeth, South Australia, Australia<tr><th>Class:<td>Mid size Full-size</tr><tr><th>Body style:<td>4-door sedan 4-door station wagon</tr> |
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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 Holden Caprice, and from 2001, it formed the basis of the Holden Monaro sports coupé. In 2004, Holden released both four-wheel drive and four-door Coupe Utility versions, called the Adventra and Crewman respectively.
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[edit] Model timeline
[edit] VB Commodore
VB Commodore<tr><td colspan=2>Image:Holden VB commodore 01.jpg</tr><tr><th>Production:<td>13 October 1978–March 1980</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>I6V8
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The Holden VB Commodore was launched in October 1978, with the wagon being released on 6 August 1979 only lasted 17 months, the shortest reign of any Commodore. The VB Commodore was the successor of the Holden HZ Kingswood and was preceded by the VC Commodore in March 1980. In that time, however, VB Commodore sold 95,906 units and in 1979, its first full year on sale, the VB became Australia's number one selling car.
Also in 1979, the VB won the first of the Commodore's four Wheels magazine Car of the Year awards, with the car being praised in the media for its value for money and sophistication for its time.
The VB Commodore was loosely based on the 1977 Opel Rekord E bodyshell but with the front grafted on from the Opel Senator to accommodate the larger Holden six-cylinder and V8 engines. Overall, the body was strengthened substantially to withstand the harsh conditions of the Australian environment.
The Commodore represented a major shift in thinking for Holden since it was significantly smaller than the previous family car, the Holden Kingswood, in response to the 1973 oil crisis and the need to produce more fuel-efficient cars. However, the larger models still continued to be sold alongside the Commodore until the VC model. The VB was available in three specification levels: Commodore, SL, and SL/E. The station wagon variant, released soon after the sedan featured a large cargo area and an easy access one-piece lift-up tailgate. The station wagon was available on base VB Commodore and VB Commodore SL only.
[edit] VC Commodore
VC Commodore<tr><th>Production:<td>30 March 1980–October 1981</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>I4
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Only minor cosmetic changes were made from the original 1978 VB Commodore to the updated VC: 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 electronic ignition on all engines. The VC was the first to be used with HDT projects with Peter Brock.
As a reaction to the 1979 fuel crisis, Holden also produced the Commodore Four, which sold in only modest numbers in the domestic market. This model used Holden's 1.9 L Starfire engine (a four-cylinder version of the 2.85 L inline-6 engine) from the defunct Holden Sunbird. The Commodore Four was loathed by many people for the lack of power, but 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. The base model was now badged as Commodore L.
[edit] VH Commodore
| VH Commodore<tr><td colspan=2>Image:Holden VH commodore 01.jpg</tr><tr><th>Production:<td>October 5 1981–February 1984</tr><tr><th>Body style:<td>4-door sedan 4-door station wagon</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>I4
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The Holden VH Commodore was an evolution of the previous VC model, released in October 1981. The appearance was mildly facelifted with a new horizontal-slat grille to give a lower, wider look, and for interest of aerodynamics. New taillight clusters were also utilized on sedan models. The engines were carried over but revisions were made to the 1.9 L and 2.85 L engines to improve fuel economy. Gains of 12.5 percent and 14 percent respectively were made to the city cycle fuel economy figures.
Mechanical specifications were as before, except for an additional 5-speed manual transmission which was an option only on the 1.9L 4-cylinder and 2.85 L 6-cylinder versions.
At the same time a reshuffle was made to the range - SL was now the base model, SL/X was the mid-range and SL/E was top-of-the-line, as before. The SL/E also came available with cruise control and a trip computer as standard for the first time, the trip computer was also an option on SL/X and measured average speed and fuel consumption. Wagons were available in SL and SL/X variants.
In 1982 the SS sports model was released, a model that has been a Commodore mainstay ever since. Offered with Holden's 4.2 L V8 as standard, three upspec versions of SS, known as 'Stage 1', 'Stage 2' and 'Stage 3', which featured Holden's 5.0 L V8 were produced by the late Peter Brock's HDT factory. To this day, Brock modified VH SS Commodores are considered highly sought after.
In 1983 an 'Executive' pack of the base Commodore was offered primarily to fleet buyers, although this was not badged as an Executive. Special editions of Commodore released around Christmas 1981, 1982 and 1983 were badged 'Vacationer'.
With the effects of the 1979 energy crisis ending, buyers gravitated towards the larger Ford Falcon rival, rather than the mid-size Commodore. Thus for the first time, the Holden Commodore lost its position as Australia's best selling car.
[edit] VK Commodore
The VK Commodore was introduced in 1984, and was mostly a restyled VH Commodore. It was the first Commodore to have plastic bumpers and featured a six-window glasshouse (using the Opel Senator bodyshell) as opposed to the four-window design on previous Commodores. Engine choices were a 5.0L (later 4.9 L V8 when Group A rules entered Australian motorsport in 1985) 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 (an SL with air conditioning and automatic transmission), 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.
[edit] VL Commodore
VL Commodore<tr><td colspan=2>Image:VL Commodore.jpg</tr><tr><th>Production:<td>March 1986–August 1988</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>I6
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The VL Commodore represented a substantial makeover of the VK, and would be the last of the "compact" Commodores. The engineers sought to soften the lines of the VL, rounding off the panels and introducing a small tail spoiler built into the boot lid. One major innovation was the use of semi-retracting headlight covers on the Calais model, the first for a production Holden (although they never released GTR-X which featured fully retractable headlights.
A comprehensive makeover for the VK was completely dropped in favour of an imported Nissan 3 litre straight six unit. General Motors had opted for the engine switch with the introduction of unleaded fuel in Australian cars. GM also sourced a Nissan electronic four-speed automatic, although those opting for a manual still received the Aussie 5 speed unit.
The imported engines included features such as an Electronic Combustion Control System (ECCS), a ram-tuned intake manifold. Six months into its release a turbocharged version of the Nissan 6 was released, the RB30ET. The Garrett turbo unit was fitted inside a water-cooled housing to ensure longevity. The engine received new pistons which lowered the compression ratio from 9.0:1 to 7.8:1, while an updated camshaft was used to reduce overlap. The output of the new turbocharged engine was rated at 150kW, up from the 114kW output of the standard RB30E.
The 5.0 litre V8 was released in October 1986, it still featured the familiar Rochester four-barrel carburettor, not EFI. This V8 5.0 litre boasted both more power and torque than its predecessor, now at 122kW (at 4400rpm) with 323Nm of torque. Modern modification improvents have seen 180kW and up. GM had fitted the trusty V8 with larger valves carried over from the previous Group A engine.
The allure of the Commodore was quickly established particularly when the top speed was 200kph and then extended to 220kph with the addition of the Garret turbo. In addition stopping power for the turbo models was upgraded to larger brakes and Girlock finned alloy front callipers. (Used on the Chevrolet Corvette.)
The VL suffered from some common build quality problems, most of all the poor windscreen sealing led to almost all cars having rust develop under the front and/or rear screens. The bodywork was not of the best quality, and some of the interior fittings were a little on the cheap side.
The total build No. for the VLs was 151,801.
[edit] VN Commodore
VN Commodore<tr><td colspan=2>Image:Holden VN calais 01.jpg</tr><tr><th>Production:<td>17 August 1988–October 1991</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>I4
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The Holden VN Commodore 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 floor plan 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, which was given the model designation VG. The VN Commodore was available in Executive, S, SS, Berlina and Calais specification levels, although a more basic SL model (opt. code A9K) was apparently offered to government and fleet buyers, it was not officially listed as part of the Commodore range. The Commodore was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for a second time in 1988. The similarly based VQ Statesman / Caprice, were built on an even longer wheelbase which were shared with the wagon and utility models.
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 Commodore. Instead, Holden manufactured their own 90 degree V6 based on an old Buick design from the US, although initially it was imported. The 5.0L 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. Although not known for its smoothness or quietness, the V6 was nevertheless praised for its performance at the time. Holden initially admitted to fitting the engine wrong in the VN, a problem which had been corrected in the VP Commodore. A fuel-injected, 2.0L engined VN Commodore Four was offered for some export markets including New Zealand and Singapore, which were 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 and the Borg-Warner T-5 5-speed manual gearbox (highly sought after mainly by young males with either V6 or V8 engines)
Under the Hawke government's Button car plan, which saw a reduction in the number of models manufactured locally, and the introduction of model sharing, the VN Commodore was rebadged as the Toyota Lexcen, named after the late America's Cup yacht designer, Ben Lexcen. Subsequently the Toyota Corolla and Camry were, similarly, badged as the Holden Nova and Holden Apollo.
The VN was the last Commodore to be assembled in New Zealand, after GM closed its plant in Petone and switched to importing cars from Australia, duty-free. A total of 215,180 Holden VN Commodores were manufactured during the model's 3 year lifespan.
[edit] VP Commodore
VP Commodore<tr><td colspan=2>Image:Holden VP commodore 01.jpg</tr><tr><th>Production:<td>September 1991–July 1993</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>V6
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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 its 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.
[edit] VR Commodore
VR Commodore<tr><td colspan=2>Image:VR Holden Commodore 001.jpg</tr><tr><th>Production:<td>July 1993–April 1995</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>V6
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The sleeker and more modern looking VR Commodore, with safety enhancements (such as ABS) and revised styling, was launched in 1993. From the side, the biggest change was the use of a round rear wheelarch, instead of a squared-off one on previous commodores. The VR Calais included a driver's side airbag (a first for an Australian car), 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.
The VR also saw the introduction of the Commodore 'Acclaim', which was basically a safety pack that was aimed at families and placed above the Executive, it had ABS, IRS, drivers-side airbag and cruise control as standard.
The VR series are becoming increasingly popular with younger drivers, especially males, with Commodores extremely common at car yards, combined with its cheap pricetag due to its poor resale.
The VR-VS Commodores were the last to be sold as Toyota Lexcens, as Holden and Toyota ended their model-sharing.
[edit] VS Commodore
The VS commodore, released in 1995, was the next commodore model following the VR. Whilst externally identical to the VR, barring badging and oval side indicators in the series 2 (clear oval indicators series III Vs ute), the VS included the new ECOTEC, "Emissions and Consumption Optimisation through TEChnology", engine in the standard V6 versions (L36) and the L67 motor for factory supercharged V6's. The 5.0L V8 versions of the VS retained the VR's engine setup. The new ecotec engine was not at its core the standard Buick V6 found in the VR. They started off with a totally new engine and only retained the dimensions of bore and stroke. The ecotec had 13% more power over the VR and 5% better fuel economy. The compression ratio was also increased from 8.5:1 on the VR to 9.4:1 on the VS. Also cross bolted mains are used in the ecotec with the same crank retained from the VR. The block was decked 1" and also the ecotec featured shorter, lighter rods with tin plated pistons and a floating pin design. The head design was revised greatly from the VR with the ECOTEC now features symmetrical ports with larger intake and exhaust valves. The end result was an engine that put out 147 kW, a 17 kW improvement on the VR, however the 0-100 km time of the new ecotec VS was only better than the VR's by 0.2 of a second.
This model was also sold as the Opel Calais in Singapore and Malaysia. It was a Holden Calais body with a Statesman front end and a 2.6 litre V6 [1].
[edit] VT Commodore
The VT Holden 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 VT heralded the fitment of the semi-trailing arm independent rear suspension as standard across the range. However, the simple design allowed distortions to the camber angle during heavy towing or when improperly manufactured, leading to excessive rear tyre wear. Various aftermarket camber kits became available to correct this problem.
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. Side airbags also became an option for the Acclaim and higher models, a first for Holden. 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 and due to a poor exchange rate favouring 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.
[edit] VX Commodore
VX Commodore<tr><td colspan=2>Image:Vxcommodore.jpg</tr><tr><th>Production:<td>October 2000–September 2002</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>V6
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The VX Holden 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 available in wagon form.
The front suspension has been modified slightly, with lower control arm pivot points raised by 4 mm 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.
[edit] VY Commodore
VY Commodore<tr><th>Production:<td>September 2002–August 2004</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>V6
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The VY Holden Commodore was produced between September 2002 and August 2004. In August 2003 a Series II of the VY series was released.
The VY Holden Commodore 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, Acclaim and Berlina models were also available in wagon form. Also the similar VY Holden Calais was available, but only as a sedan.
The front and rear of the body has been completely restyled, with new front grille and headlights, and tailights. As with the exterior the interior has been 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, PRND32L1 gear selected indicator, trip computer with stopwatch function, service reminders and a help facility.
Standard features now include "twilight sentinel" (on some models) automatic headlamp control, headlamps off programmable time delay, high feature Blaupunkt audio systems, road-speed sensitive intermittent wipers and passenger airbags.
[edit] VZ Commodore
VZ Commodore<tr><td colspan=2>Image:WA Police MIG sedan.jpg</tr><tr><th>Production:<td>August 2004–August 2006</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>V6
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The VZ Holden Commodore which was released in August, 2004 debuted a new generation of 175 and 190 kW 3.6L 'Alloytec' V6 engines (derived from the GM HFV6), 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, and have carried on through to the VE Holden Commodore series which was released in August 2006.
A new 5L40E 5-speed automatic transmission sourced from GM was introduced on sports and luxury V6 variants. The sports SV6 variant is also available with a new Aisin AY6 6-speed manual transmission. In January 2006, Holden introduced the new L76 6.0 L V8 to its range. The V8 has been slightly detuned, with both Displacement On Demand and variable valve timing removed compared to the US version. From August 2006 Holden discontinued the VZ Holden Commodore sedan range in way for the new VE Holden Commodore sedan. The same is to happen to the station wagon variant of the VZ Holden Commodore sometime during 2007.
The 3.6 L Alloytec engines are more powerful, responsive and fuel-efficient than the outgoing pushrod ohv ECOTEC V6. Tests have shown that there has been no marginal improvement in driveabilty, the exhaust note sounding very similar to the old pushrod Ecotec. 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 was available in several model variations. These are the Executive, Acclaim, Berlina, Calais, SV6, SV8 and the SS. All the models in the VZ range were available in sedan form, but the Executive, Acclaim and Berlina models are also available as station wagons.
[edit] VE Commodore
VE Commodore<tr><td colspan=2>Image:Holden VE commodore omega 01.jpg</tr><tr><th>Production:<td>August 2006–present</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>V6
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The VE Commodore was first officially presented at a media launch on July 16 in 2006 Melbourne, Australia, which was viewable live on the internet. It debuted in August 2006 as Holden's first Commodore ever to be built upon an entirely new design, rather than based on another platform. The VE Commodore was launched in New Zealand in September 2006.<ref>Holden VE Commodore New Zealand Release Date. Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved on November 19, 2006.</ref>
Holden have not released wagon or utility variants of the VE initially. Holden have confirmed that they will continue to supply the previous VZ models until 2007, when the VE versions are planned to be released.
The V6 variants receive a new revised version of the Alloytec V6 engine. The updated engine is more powerful than the one used in the outgoing VZ Commodore, with engine noise reduced via fitment of new timing chains among other modifications. Fuel economy for the base 180 kW variants is set to be a rather small 0.1 L / 100 km less than the previous generation of Alloytec engines, bringing it to the same economy as its then current rival, the BF Ford Falcon, which has a claimed fuel consumption of 10.9 L / 100 km. Other V6 variants have varying differences in fuel consumption compared to VZ models.<ref>Holden VE Commodore Fuel Economy. Holden.co.nz. Retrieved on October 27, 2006.</ref>
The VE also features a modified version of the L76 V8 engine used in the VZ Commodore, with an extra 10 kW of power. Fuel economy is set to be less than the outgoing VZ model, due primarily to increased weight. This new engine design, designated L98 does not readily support fuel-saving Displacement on Demand technology, unlike the L76.
There is an option between the Aisin AY6 and Tremec T-56 6-speed manuals, the 4-speed automatic GM 4L60E, 5-speed automatic GM 5L40E. Holden is also using GM's new 6-speed automatic transmission, the GM 6L80E. The T-56 has undergone significant revisions with a shorter clutch action, added synchromesh and a more tightly-spaced M10 gearset shared with the Chevrolet SSR.<ref>Holden VE Commodore Gearset Shared with Chevrolet SSR. Holden.co.nz. Retrieved on October 27, 2006.</ref>
[edit] Notes
<references />
[edit] External links
[edit] Official websites
[edit] Unofficial websites
- Holden Model History - Holden Commodore
- The Commodore Info Page - Holden Commodore
- The Unofficial Holden Commodore Archive
- Unique Cars and Parts: Holden Heritage
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