New Holden Commodore Unveiled in Australia (Update- USA bound? 400+hp HSV spy pic)
07-19-06, 06:02 AM
#1
G35x - RWD/AWD goodness
Thread Starter
New Holden Commodore Unveiled in Australia (Update- USA bound? 400+hp HSV spy pic)
Is this the next sport sedan from Pontiac? It could be if the GM execs in Detroit put that whole GTO thing out of their minds.
Date posted: 07-19-2006
MELBOURNE — Australia's Holden has unveiled its all-new VE Commodore range, following a U.S. $750 million development program. The company says the fourth-generation Commodore is safer, offers more technology and delivers more features and value than the outgoing model.
Interiors, exteriors and major mechanical features have been totally redesigned or upgraded in the first generational change since the VT Commodore in 1997.
Holden launched the nameplate in 1978 and has built 2.4 million Commodores for sale in Australia and export markets around the world. The introduction includes the organization of a revised model lineup, including the introduction of the name Omega — a new one for Holden — to replace the Executive and Acclaim names.
Holden President Denny Mooney said the new Commodore has potential for GM markets around the world; it was engineered from a global architecture for left-hand-drive requirements such as the Middle East.
The Commodore offers a choice of two Alloytec 3.6-liter V6 engines (240 and 260 horsepower), and a 6.0-liter V8 rated at 362 hp and 391 pound-feet of torque.
A new six-speed automatic transmission, the same as the one used on Cadillacs and the Chevrolet Corvette, will be available on V8 models. The Commodore also gets all-new front and rear suspension.
The VE Commodore range will go on sale in August in Australia. Australian media report today that the base model will cost the equivalent of U.S. $25,750, and the popular Omega will cost the equivalent of U.S. $27,250.
The Australian Web site drive.com.au published a somewhat breathless story today saying that there is a "secret plan" afoot for the VE Commodore SS model to be tested by members of the General Motors board of directors next month, after which it might become a future Pontiac Grand Prix replacement for the U.S. market. Such a move could cost millions if GM is to make the car compliant with U.S. regulations, the site acknowledges.
What this means to you: You could be looking at the next Pontiac muscle sedan in this new Commodore.
Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=116168#2
07-20-06, 03:39 PM
#4
Speaks French in Russian
Holden unveils new 2007 Commadore (pics)
All New Holden Commodore Unveiled To The World
GM Media
16 July 2006
Calais V
GM Media
16 July 2006
Fourth generation of Australia's best-selling car range revealed.
Holden today unveiled the all-new Holden Commodore range, designed and engineered to extend a decade-long record as Australia's best selling car.
The 2006 VE Commodore is Australia's first $1 billion car program and the most homegrown development project in almost 60 years of Holden vehicle production.
The fourth generation Commodore is much safer, offers more technology and delivers more features and value than ever before.
Interiors, exteriors and major mechanical features have been totally redesigned or upgraded, representing the most clean-sheet car program in Holden history.
Holden spent more than six years planning and developing the new Commodore, the first generational change since the multiple award-winning VT Commodore was launched in 1997.
Holden launched the Commodore in 1978 and has built 2.4 million Commodores for sale in Australia and export markets around the world.
Holden’s sports performance hero SS model and prestige leader Calais were chosen to debut VE Commodore at an event in Melbourne.
The all-new WM series Statesman and Caprice flagship models, representing Australia's most successful locally designed export cars last year, were also shown in an historic double reveal.
Commodore’s design theme is enabled by an increased wheelbase which moves the wheels closer to the car’s corners, delivering a powerful European-styled stance on the road.
The launch comes 75 years after Holden became part of the world’s largest automotive company, General Motors. It is also 150 years since the original Holden saddlery business, which grew to be today’s GM Holden, opened in Adelaide.
GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Denny Mooney, today said VE Commodore was designed to excite buyers about Australian cars and enhance Holden’s future as the largest automotive manufacturer in the country.
Mr Mooney said General Motors had invested more than $6 billion in Australia over the past decade, including VE, to protect Commodore’s market-leading position.
The VE program totalled $1.04 billion and the WM Statesman and Caprice program $190 million, taking the combined cost to $1.23 billion.
Mr Mooney said VE Commodore had potential for GM markets around the world, having been engineered from a global architecture for left-hand-drive requirements such as the Middle East.
He said VE offered striking design, performance and refinement able to compete with the world’s best car brands.
“VE Commodore delivers ultimate value to the Australian buyer. Its design is comparable to anything in the world and we made major advances in refinement and quality,” Mr Mooney said.
“Our targets have been some of the most expensive and most carefully crafted cars around the world and this careful consideration of global expectations is what should make this car work.
“We pored over every panel, the tiniest of details to place this car right up there in terms of refinement, quality and performance.”
Mr Mooney said safety was a key factor in the new vehicle, with the acclaimed crash avoidance technology Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) standard and curtain airbags available on the entire VE sedan range.
“The chassis is designed to accommodate a range of active and passive safety technologies as well as the crashworthiness expected in many different markets,” he said.
“We have used more super-strength and high-strength steels than ever before in Commodore’s structure. Real world crash performance was a huge priority throughout its development.”
Mr Mooney announced a revised model line-up for the new range, including a new name to Holden, Omega, to replace Executive and Acclaim.
“We are also adding extra class with the introduction of a new concept, the V Series, to highlight our top-of-the-line offerings. This will commence with the SS V and Calais V,” he said.
“The peak power of our advanced Alloytec V6 engines, made right here in Australia , will move up to 180 and 195 kilowatts respectively.
“ The six-litre V8 will stamp its authority with peak power and torque of 270 kilowatts and 530 Newton metres which will really deliver the performance Holden buyers know and love.
“We will introduce a new six-speed automatic transmission for V8 models, sharing it with GM’s premium cars such as Cadillacs and the Chevrolet Corvette.
“We have introduced all-new front and rear suspension systems to provide outstanding handling without sacrificing ride comfort. The car’s microprocessing capability has more than doubled and allows us to provide new levels of safety and user-friendly features.”
Mr Mooney said recent market changes and external factors such as fuel prices were best countered by ensuring locally built vehicles were able to mix with the world’s best.
“The Australian car industry has a strong future while it continues to make globally competitive cars such as VE Commodore,” he said.
“We’re proud of what we have achieved with the all-new Commodore. We know Australians still enjoy large cars and we know they want safety, roominess and style in their cars.”
The Holden VE Commodore range will go on sale in August 2006. Pricing and full specifications and features will be announced closer to the start of sales.
2006 HOLDEN VE COMMODORE – HIGHLIGHTS
Overview
- Australia's first $1 billion dollar car program. This compares with $600 million spent on the acclaimed VT range released in 1997
- Combined with WM Statesman and Caprice, total program costs were $1.23 billion
- Most clean-sheet car program in Holden’s history
- More than 3.42 million development kilometres were driven during the program
- About 2.4 million Commodores have been built for domestic and export sales since the VB Commodore was launched in 1978
- Holden Commodore has been Australia's best selling car each year since 1996, the year before VT was launched
Model lineup
The new Omega and V Series models feature in a revised Commodore lineup. Omega replaces Executive and Acclaim while the V Series adds new variants to the leading SS and Calais nameplates.
- Omega (new) – 3.6L V6, peak power 180kW, peak torque 330Nm, four-speed automatic
- Berlina – 3.6L V6, peak power 180kW, peak torque 330Nm, four-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic
- SV6 – 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic or six-speed manual
- SS – 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic, six-speed manual
- SS V (new) - 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic, six-speed manual
- Calais – 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic
- Calais V (new) – 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic
Engines
- Two variants of the advanced all-aluminium 3.6L Alloytec V6 engine will be offered
- The high output Alloytec will deliver peak power of 195kW @ 6500rpm and peak torque of 340Nm @ 2600rpm, up 5kW and 5Nm
- The Alloytec V6 will deliver peak power of 180kW @ 6000rpm and peak torque of 330Nm @ 2600rpm, up 8kW and 10Nm
- Increased output from the new 6.0L Generation 4 V8 engine to peak power of 270kW @ 5700rpm and peak torque of 530Nm @ 4400rpm, up 10kW and 20Nm. This makes the new engine the most powerful standard Holden ever produced
- Plans for a 3.6L dual fuel LPG Alloytec V6 engine later in the year.
Transmissions
Five transmissions will be offered, comprising three automatic and two manual transmissions. An all-new six-speed automatic transmission will be offered for V8 variants, shared with General Motors’ flagship Cadillac cars and the Chevrolet Corvette.
- GM 6L80E six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select (introduced in the Cadillac STS-V in the United States ) makes its Australian debut as an option in all V8 variants
- Tremec T56 six-speed manual in SS and SS V
- GM 5L40E five-speed automatic with Active Select in Calais V6
- Aisin AY6 six-speed manual in SV6
- GM 4L60E four-speed automatic in Omega and Berlina
Safety
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) standard on all models
- Driver, front passenger and side impact airbags available on all models
- Occupant protection system designed for real world driving environment
- Curtain airbags available on all models - standard on SS V, Calais and Calais V; optional on Omega, Berlina, SV6 and SS
- Ultra-stiff body structure, multiple load path strategy, structurally optimised front and rear deformation zones
- Greatly expanded use of super-strength and high-strength steels in the body
Technology
- All-new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems
- Zone-based front and rear park assist systems available on selected models
- Multi-function display reporting system
- Bluetooth standard on all models except optional on Omega
- Roof-mounted DVD systems available on all models
- Auxiliary plug in audio systems to accommodate MP3 devices
- Integrated navigation and telematics systems available later in 2006
History
VE is the 14 th series of Commodore since the original VB Commodore was released in 1978. The VB Commodore was introduced as a replacement for the iconic Kingswood family. New generations of Commodore were introduced in 1988 with the VN series and the VT series in 1997.
Commodore has been Australia's best selling car for each of the past 10 years, including the end of the VS series (1996), VT series (1997-2000), VX series (2000-2002), VY series (2002-2004) and the outgoing VZ series (2004-2006).
It is Australia's best selling car year to date in 2006, a significant achievement given general awareness of the pending VE arrival.
Holden today unveiled the all-new Holden Commodore range, designed and engineered to extend a decade-long record as Australia's best selling car.
The 2006 VE Commodore is Australia's first $1 billion car program and the most homegrown development project in almost 60 years of Holden vehicle production.
The fourth generation Commodore is much safer, offers more technology and delivers more features and value than ever before.
Interiors, exteriors and major mechanical features have been totally redesigned or upgraded, representing the most clean-sheet car program in Holden history.
Holden spent more than six years planning and developing the new Commodore, the first generational change since the multiple award-winning VT Commodore was launched in 1997.
Holden launched the Commodore in 1978 and has built 2.4 million Commodores for sale in Australia and export markets around the world.
Holden’s sports performance hero SS model and prestige leader Calais were chosen to debut VE Commodore at an event in Melbourne.
The all-new WM series Statesman and Caprice flagship models, representing Australia's most successful locally designed export cars last year, were also shown in an historic double reveal.
Commodore’s design theme is enabled by an increased wheelbase which moves the wheels closer to the car’s corners, delivering a powerful European-styled stance on the road.
The launch comes 75 years after Holden became part of the world’s largest automotive company, General Motors. It is also 150 years since the original Holden saddlery business, which grew to be today’s GM Holden, opened in Adelaide.
GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Denny Mooney, today said VE Commodore was designed to excite buyers about Australian cars and enhance Holden’s future as the largest automotive manufacturer in the country.
Mr Mooney said General Motors had invested more than $6 billion in Australia over the past decade, including VE, to protect Commodore’s market-leading position.
The VE program totalled $1.04 billion and the WM Statesman and Caprice program $190 million, taking the combined cost to $1.23 billion.
Mr Mooney said VE Commodore had potential for GM markets around the world, having been engineered from a global architecture for left-hand-drive requirements such as the Middle East.
He said VE offered striking design, performance and refinement able to compete with the world’s best car brands.
“VE Commodore delivers ultimate value to the Australian buyer. Its design is comparable to anything in the world and we made major advances in refinement and quality,” Mr Mooney said.
“Our targets have been some of the most expensive and most carefully crafted cars around the world and this careful consideration of global expectations is what should make this car work.
“We pored over every panel, the tiniest of details to place this car right up there in terms of refinement, quality and performance.”
Mr Mooney said safety was a key factor in the new vehicle, with the acclaimed crash avoidance technology Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) standard and curtain airbags available on the entire VE sedan range.
“The chassis is designed to accommodate a range of active and passive safety technologies as well as the crashworthiness expected in many different markets,” he said.
“We have used more super-strength and high-strength steels than ever before in Commodore’s structure. Real world crash performance was a huge priority throughout its development.”
Mr Mooney announced a revised model line-up for the new range, including a new name to Holden, Omega, to replace Executive and Acclaim.
“We are also adding extra class with the introduction of a new concept, the V Series, to highlight our top-of-the-line offerings. This will commence with the SS V and Calais V,” he said.
“The peak power of our advanced Alloytec V6 engines, made right here in Australia , will move up to 180 and 195 kilowatts respectively.
“ The six-litre V8 will stamp its authority with peak power and torque of 270 kilowatts and 530 Newton metres which will really deliver the performance Holden buyers know and love.
“We will introduce a new six-speed automatic transmission for V8 models, sharing it with GM’s premium cars such as Cadillacs and the Chevrolet Corvette.
“We have introduced all-new front and rear suspension systems to provide outstanding handling without sacrificing ride comfort. The car’s microprocessing capability has more than doubled and allows us to provide new levels of safety and user-friendly features.”
Mr Mooney said recent market changes and external factors such as fuel prices were best countered by ensuring locally built vehicles were able to mix with the world’s best.
“The Australian car industry has a strong future while it continues to make globally competitive cars such as VE Commodore,” he said.
“We’re proud of what we have achieved with the all-new Commodore. We know Australians still enjoy large cars and we know they want safety, roominess and style in their cars.”
The Holden VE Commodore range will go on sale in August 2006. Pricing and full specifications and features will be announced closer to the start of sales.
2006 HOLDEN VE COMMODORE – HIGHLIGHTS
Overview
- Australia's first $1 billion dollar car program. This compares with $600 million spent on the acclaimed VT range released in 1997
- Combined with WM Statesman and Caprice, total program costs were $1.23 billion
- Most clean-sheet car program in Holden’s history
- More than 3.42 million development kilometres were driven during the program
- About 2.4 million Commodores have been built for domestic and export sales since the VB Commodore was launched in 1978
- Holden Commodore has been Australia's best selling car each year since 1996, the year before VT was launched
Model lineup
The new Omega and V Series models feature in a revised Commodore lineup. Omega replaces Executive and Acclaim while the V Series adds new variants to the leading SS and Calais nameplates.
- Omega (new) – 3.6L V6, peak power 180kW, peak torque 330Nm, four-speed automatic
- Berlina – 3.6L V6, peak power 180kW, peak torque 330Nm, four-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic
- SV6 – 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic or six-speed manual
- SS – 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic, six-speed manual
- SS V (new) - 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic, six-speed manual
- Calais – 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic
- Calais V (new) – 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic
Engines
- Two variants of the advanced all-aluminium 3.6L Alloytec V6 engine will be offered
- The high output Alloytec will deliver peak power of 195kW @ 6500rpm and peak torque of 340Nm @ 2600rpm, up 5kW and 5Nm
- The Alloytec V6 will deliver peak power of 180kW @ 6000rpm and peak torque of 330Nm @ 2600rpm, up 8kW and 10Nm
- Increased output from the new 6.0L Generation 4 V8 engine to peak power of 270kW @ 5700rpm and peak torque of 530Nm @ 4400rpm, up 10kW and 20Nm. This makes the new engine the most powerful standard Holden ever produced
- Plans for a 3.6L dual fuel LPG Alloytec V6 engine later in the year.
Transmissions
Five transmissions will be offered, comprising three automatic and two manual transmissions. An all-new six-speed automatic transmission will be offered for V8 variants, shared with General Motors’ flagship Cadillac cars and the Chevrolet Corvette.
- GM 6L80E six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select (introduced in the Cadillac STS-V in the United States ) makes its Australian debut as an option in all V8 variants
- Tremec T56 six-speed manual in SS and SS V
- GM 5L40E five-speed automatic with Active Select in Calais V6
- Aisin AY6 six-speed manual in SV6
- GM 4L60E four-speed automatic in Omega and Berlina
Safety
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) standard on all models
- Driver, front passenger and side impact airbags available on all models
- Occupant protection system designed for real world driving environment
- Curtain airbags available on all models - standard on SS V, Calais and Calais V; optional on Omega, Berlina, SV6 and SS
- Ultra-stiff body structure, multiple load path strategy, structurally optimised front and rear deformation zones
- Greatly expanded use of super-strength and high-strength steels in the body
Technology
- All-new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems
- Zone-based front and rear park assist systems available on selected models
- Multi-function display reporting system
- Bluetooth standard on all models except optional on Omega
- Roof-mounted DVD systems available on all models
- Auxiliary plug in audio systems to accommodate MP3 devices
- Integrated navigation and telematics systems available later in 2006
History
VE is the 14 th series of Commodore since the original VB Commodore was released in 1978. The VB Commodore was introduced as a replacement for the iconic Kingswood family. New generations of Commodore were introduced in 1988 with the VN series and the VT series in 1997.
Commodore has been Australia's best selling car for each of the past 10 years, including the end of the VS series (1996), VT series (1997-2000), VX series (2000-2002), VY series (2002-2004) and the outgoing VZ series (2004-2006).
It is Australia's best selling car year to date in 2006, a significant achievement given general awareness of the pending VE arrival.
Calais V
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07-20-06, 04:43 PM
#9
Lexus Champion
I can see GM using that car for a new rwd buick pontiac and even a saab. And possibly the new CTS. Heck saturn could use that for a new luxury car. Its a really good looking car with a really nice interior.
07-20-06, 08:45 PM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Those have to be the most boring designs I've seen in years. 
07-20-06, 08:52 PM
#12
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Join Date: May 2002
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Originally Posted by bitkahuna
Those have to be the most boring designs I've seen in years.
Honestly, it's not as though what we have currently from GM (especially Chevy) inspires ... the new Impala is the worst car to ever be granted that nameplate w/ the previous car the second worst.
M.
07-22-06, 02:30 AM
#13
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im still bitter at GM
they never brought the GTO over to canada
and now they discont it because it didnt meet sales target
sigh
how come all the rear lights all look the same?!?!?
these cars look a bit too similar sometimes
lacks unique identity
dunno what the market is like in australia but they should really avoid internal competition
despite the similarities
these cars look pretty well proportioned and quite handsome ive find
rear lights could be a bit bigger being the modern age and a bit more bold
new commodore's front reminds me of IS300's
they never brought the GTO over to canada
and now they discont it because it didnt meet sales target
sigh
how come all the rear lights all look the same?!?!?
these cars look a bit too similar sometimes
lacks unique identity
dunno what the market is like in australia but they should really avoid internal competition
despite the similarities
these cars look pretty well proportioned and quite handsome ive find
rear lights could be a bit bigger being the modern age and a bit more bold
new commodore's front reminds me of IS300's
