By EWAN KENNEDY
There are sure to be tears when the final Australian-made Holdens roll down the production line in 2017 but there were certainly no signs of any at the weekend when Holden announced details of the final major changes to the Commodore.
Reflecting on the past and looking to the future, Holden set up a huge Commodore Gallery at its Port Melbourne HQ to announce its future plans to the media.
Examples of all 37 years of Commodore to date were on display, not just cars you see on the streets, there were also concept cars and models that were exported, particularly to the USA.
Then it was time for us to move onto the reveal of the very last Commodore model, a facelift of the VF named, without a great deal of imagination, the VFII.
Though it will be offered in a variety of day-to-day sedans and wagons, the big emphasis for the latest Commodore is on a heavily revised version of the much loved LS3 6.2-litre V8.
Possibly the last V8 engine ever to be offered in a Commodore as it’s likely its imported replacements will be four-cylinder turbo-petrols, and naturally aspirated and turbo-petrol V6s.
The latest LS3 will give sub-five-second time to 100 km/h, the first time a Commodore has squeezed into the four-second bracket.
This requires 304 kW of power and a very useful 570 Nm of torque so it will be a stunner on the road.
In true marketing fashion, Holden is holding back on details of the LS3 at this stage, teasing us by only talking about the sounds it produces.
Holden tells us its engineers have developed a bi-modal exhaust system with what’s called a Baillie Tip, a mechanical sound enhancer.
This aural package will be installed in the sports variants, the SS, SSV and SSV Redline.
We will have to wait until we drive the VFII at its launch in Adelaide in the first week of October for our ears to experience what the guys and gals in GM-Holden’s exhaust department have given us.
A mild facelift and tail tuck is part of the VFII package.
The emphasis on the LS3 sees it getting functional bonnet vents and fascia duct.
These are certainly not just for show, being developed by Holden engineers with support from Melbourne’s Monash University wind tunnel.
The heavily revised V8 is backed up by upgraded FE3 rear sports suspension said to increase ride comfort while retaining sharp handling.
The top-of-the-line SSV Redline gets Brembo brakes front and rear which sounds like the makings of a weekend track-day machine to us.
Harking back to a once glorious Commodore past, Holden’s chairman and managing director Mark Bernhard described the Commodore VFII as the culmination of nearly four decades of design, engineering and manufacturing expertise.
“We made a commitment to keep this iconic car exciting and relevant for Australian motorists and that is exactly what we have done.
This is the vehicle that our Commodore customers have been asking for,” Mr Bernhard said.
“Commodore VFII is powerful and refined, it will evoke emotion in its driver and exhibits all of the hallmarks Commodore has become renowned for over the years.
“Holden’s design, engineering and manufacturing teams have produced the best Commodore ever – a vehicle that truly lives up to its reputation and one that the entire company is incredibly proud of.
“This is the reason Holden is committed to ensuring we will continue to have engineering and design input into Commodore, and every other Holden vehicle in our range, for generations to come.”
Immediately following the full Adelaide-based media launch we will provide details of the full Commodore VFII range, with initial driving impressions.
To arrange a test drive contact Barry Bourke Holden, 755 Princes Highway, Berwick, on 9707 2222, or Cranbourne Holden, 217A South Gippsland Highway, Cranbourne, on 5995 4555.
