Holden Commodore
Manufacturer	Holden
Parent company	General Motors
Also called	Chevrolet Lumina Chevrolet Omega Holden Berlina Holden Calais Toyota Lexcen Pontiac G8
Production	1978–present
Assembly	Dandenong, Victoria (1978–1988) Elizabeth, South Australia (1980–present) Pagewood, New South Wales (1978–1980) Trentham, New Zealand (1978–1990)
Predecessor	Holden Kingswood
Class	Mid-size (1978–1988) Full-size (1988–present)
Body style(s)	2-door utility 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Platform	FR GM V (1978–2006) FR GM Zeta (2006–present)

The Holden Commodore is an automobile produced by the Holden division of General Motors (GM) in Australia, and formerly in New Zealand. The automotive industry is the industry involved in the design development manufacture marketing and sale of Motor vehicles In 2007 more than 73 million motor vehicles GM Holden Ltd is an Australian automaker based in Port Melbourne Victoria. General Motors Corporation ( GM) ( is a multinational automobile manufacturer founded in 1908 and headquartered in the United States. This is the article about the Lumina sedan and Coupe. For the Lumina minivan see Chevrolet Lumina APV. The Chevrolet Omega is an Executive car sold by General Motors do Brasil for the Brazilian market The Pontiac G8 is a Rear-wheel drive sedan produced by General Motors released for the 2008 model year (2009 in Canada) See also Mount Dandenong Victoria for the mountain and a different suburb with similar name Elizabeth is a suburb in the northern extent of Adelaide, South Australia. Pagewood is a Suburb in south-eastern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Suburb The Holden Kingswood was a range of Full-size cars manufactured by General Motors-Holden's, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors (GM Car classification is subjective since many vehicles fall into multiple categories or do not fit well into any A mid-size car (occasionally referred to as an intermediate) is the North American and Australian term for an Automobile with a size between A full-size car is a Marketing term used in North America for an Automobile larger than a Mid-size car. Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. Some are still in production while others are of historical interest only A pickup truck is a light Motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area which is almost always separated from the cab to allow for chassis flex when carrying or pulling A station wagon (or simply wagon) in American, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand usage and an estate car (or just estate An automobile platform is a shared set of common design engineering and production efforts as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of See also GM V platform (FWD The V platform, or V-body, Automobile platform name was used twice by General Motors. Zeta was the original name for General Motors ' full-size Rear-wheel drive Automobile platform. GM Holden Ltd is an Australian automaker based in Port Melbourne Victoria. General Motors Corporation ( GM) ( is a multinational automobile manufacturer founded in 1908 and headquartered in the United States. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island In the mid-1970s, Holden established proposals to replace the long-serving Kingswood nameplate with an all-new smaller model. The Holden Kingswood was a range of Full-size cars manufactured by General Motors-Holden's, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors (GM Holden looked to Opel, another GM subsidiary for inspiration, and based the Commodore on the Opel Rekord. Adam Opel GmbH (commonly known as Opel) is a German automaker part of General Motors. The Opel Rekord is a Family car which was built in several generations by the German car manufacturer Opel, latterly a subsidiary of General The German marque continued to provide the basis for future generations until the launch of the fourth generation model in 2006, which came to be Holden's most expensive project yet, deploying an all-Australian design. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe.

Initially introduced as a sedan body style, the range expanded in 1979 to include a station wagon. A station wagon (or simply wagon) in American, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand usage and an estate car (or just estate The lineup expanded for a second time in 1990, when Holden introduced the utility and the long-wheelbase Statesman derivative. The Holden Ute is a Coupe utility built by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors since 2000 In both road and rail Vehicles the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels The Holden Statesman and Caprice are a series of full-size Luxury vehicles produced by the Australian General Motors division of Holden Then in 2001, the third generation architecture provided the foundations for a revived Monaro coupé. The Monaro is an Automobile which was produced by Holden, the Australian branch of General Motors from 1968 to 1977 and then re-introduced Since the beginning, the Commodore has always been offered in more than one specification. However in 1984, Holden decided to brand the flagship model as simply the Holden Calais, dropping the Commodore identity all together. The Holden Berlina and Holden Ute branched-off from the lineup in 2000, known previously as the Commodore Berlina and Commodore Utility, correspondingly. The Holden Ute is a Coupe utility built by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors since 2000

To combat increasing sales erosion by rivals and the limitations of Australia's small market, Holden broadened the Commodore's export plans. Commodores are sent abroad as the Chevrolet Lumina, Chevrolet Omega and Pontiac G8, while also having been previously sold as the Toyota Lexcen in Australia. This is the article about the Lumina sedan and Coupe. For the Lumina minivan see Chevrolet Lumina APV. The Chevrolet Omega is an Executive car sold by General Motors do Brasil for the Brazilian market The Pontiac G8 is a Rear-wheel drive sedan produced by General Motors released for the 2008 model year (2009 in Canada) Rivalry has come predominantly from arch-rival Ford's Falcon, however it was not until 1988 when the much larger second generation was launched that the Commodore became a true competitor to the Falcon. Ford Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and was founded in Geelong, Victoria in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Company of The Ford Falcon is a Full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960 Toyota, and previously Mitsubishi Motors, also compete with their mid-size cars. (pronounced) is a Multinational corporation headquartered in Japan, and is currently the world's largest Automaker. is the sixth largest Automaker in Japan and the seventeenth largest in the world by global unit sales A mid-size car (occasionally referred to as an intermediate) is the North American and Australian term for an Automobile with a size between

Contents 1 First generation (1978–1988) 1.1 VB 1.2 VC 1.3 VH 1.4 VK 1.5 VL 2 Second generation (1988–1997) 2.1 VN 2.2 VP 2.3 VR 2.4 VS 3 Third generation (1997–2006) 3.1 VT 3.2 VX 3.3 VY 3.4 VZ 4 Fourth generation (2006–present) 4.1 VE 5 Notes 6 References 7 External links

First generation (1978–1988)

VB

Main article: Holden VB Commodore

Premiering in 1978, the Holden VB Commodore brought unprecedented levels of refinement to an Australian designed car. The Holden VB Commodore is a car that was produced by the Australian subsidiary of General Motors, Holden. With the effects of the 1973 oil crisis still being felt, Holden decided to downsize and replaced the successful full-size Kingswood with a new smaller, more fuel-efficient model. The 1973 oil crisis began on October 17 1973 when the members of Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC consisting of the Arab members of A full-size car is a Marketing term used in North America for an Automobile larger than a Mid-size car. The Holden Kingswood was a range of Full-size cars manufactured by General Motors-Holden's, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors (GM ^[1] The "downsizing" was first seen as a major disadvantage for Holden, as they had effectively relinquished the potential of selling Commodores to the fleet and taxi industries. This page refers to a collection of vehicles (typically automobiles with a single owner A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of Public transport for a single passenger or small group of passengers typically for a non-shared ride Gone too was the availability of a front bench seat with column mounted gear selection. The traditional seat installed in American Automobiles was the bench seat. A gear stick (also gearstick, gear lever, selection lever, shift stick and gear shifter) is the lever used to change Gear ^[2] These sales losses were thought to be unrecoverable; however the 1979 energy crisis saw Australian oil prices rise by 140 percent, putting substantial strain on the automotive industry to collectively downsize. The 1979 (or second) oil crisis in the United States occurred in the wake of the Iranian Revolution. To Holden the situation could not have come at a better time,^[1] and sales reached 95,906 units after just two years. ^[3]

At the urging of GM headquarters, Holden looked towards Opel for providing the foundations of the VB; basing it loosely on the four-cylinder Rekord E bodyshell but with the front grafted on from the Opel Senator to accommodate the larger Holden six-cylinder and V8 engines. Adam Opel GmbH (commonly known as Opel) is a German automaker part of General Motors. The Opel Rekord is a Family car which was built in several generations by the German car manufacturer Opel, latterly a subsidiary of General The Opel Senator was a large motor car, two generations of which were sold in Europe by the German General Motors subsidiary Opel A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the Crankcase in two banks of four cylinders in most cases set at a right angle to each other Using GM’s rear-wheel drive V-body platform, the VB retained 96 percent of the preceding HZ Kingswood's interior space, despite being 14 percent smaller in overall dimensions. See also GM V platform (FWD The V platform, or V-body, Automobile platform name was used twice by General Motors. ^[4] When driven at speed over harsh Australian roads, Holden quickly realised that the Rekord would effectively break in half. This forced Holden to rework the entire car for local conditions. The Australian environment ranges from virtually pristine Antarctic territory rainforests to degraded industrial areas of major cities Such a task blew development costs beyond expectations to AU$110 million,^[3] thus leaving no money to develop utility, station wagon, and long-wheelbase variants. The Australian dollar ( sign: $; code: AUD) is the Currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas The coupé utility combines a two-door " Coupé " cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty Unibody Automobile platform A station wagon (or simply wagon) in American, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand usage and an estate car (or just estate In both road and rail Vehicles the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels Desperate measures forced Holden to shape the Commodore front-end to the rear of the Rekord wagon, plaguing the wagon with inevitable component differences from the sedan. ^[5] Despite these issues, the car was praised for its value for money and sophistication, winning the prestigious Wheels Car of the Year award for 1978. ''Wheels'' magazine has announced its Car of the Year every year since 1963, with the exception of 1972, 1979 and 1986 when no cars were considered worthy ^[6]

VC

Main article: Holden VC Commodore

The most significant change to the 1980 VC Commodore was an upgraded Red motor bringing improved efficiency. The Holden VC Commodore is an Automobile that was produced in Australia by the General Motors division Holden between 30 March The Holden motor is straight-six engine produced by General Motors–Holden's in Australia between 1948 and 1986 Now painted blue and thus known as the Blue motor, the changes included a new twelve-port cylinder head among other tweaks on the sixes, and electronic ignition for the V8s. The Holden motor is straight-six engine produced by General Motors–Holden's in Australia between 1948 and 1986 In an Internal combustion engine, the cylinder head sits atop the cylinders and consists of a platform containing part of the Combustion chamber and the The straight-6 or inline-6 engine (often abbreviated I6 or L6) is a six cylinder Internal combustion engine with all six cylinders A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the Crankcase in two banks of four cylinders in most cases set at a right angle to each other In response to high oil prices, a four-cylinder variant was spawned. This 1. 9 litre powerplant, known as the Starfire engine, was effectively Holden's existing straight-six with two cylinders removed. ^[7] Peak power output is 58 kilowatts (78 hp), with a 17. 5 second acceleration time from 0-100 kilometres (62 mi). ^[8] This variant was a compromise due to poor performance and the need to push the engine hard led to fuel consumption similar to the straight-sixes. Fuel economy in automobiles is the amount of Fuel required to move the Automobile over a given Distance. ^[7]

Visual changes were limited, such as the relocation of the corporate crest to the centre of the redesigned grille. A logo ( Greek el λογότυπος = el-Latn logotypos is a graphical element ( Ideogram, Symbol, Emblem, Icon, Sign) A grille (French word from Latin craticula, small grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal This coincided with a new entry level variant, given the designation Commodore L. ^[7] On the premium Commodore SL/E, a unique two-colour "Shadow Tone" exterior paint option became available in a limited range of colours,^[9] a feature not seen on a Holden since the days of the FB Special introduced in 1960. ^[10]

VH

Main article: Holden VH Commodore

The 1981 VH series ended the Commodore's position as Australia's bestselling car for the first time, despite it being an evolution of the previous model. The Holden VH Commodore was an evolution of the previous VC model released in October 1981 As the 1979 energy crisis drew to a close, buyers gravitated towards the larger Ford Falcon rival. The 1979 (or second) oil crisis in the United States occurred in the wake of the Iranian Revolution. The Ford Falcon is a Full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960 The Holden's six-cylinder engine, which was carried over from the Kingswood, could trace its roots back to 1963 and was no longer competitive. Continual improvements made to the Falcon meant the Commodore was not significantly more fuel efficient nor better performing despite the smaller size. Holden also had to deal with the influx of their own new Camira, which presented comparable interior room and fuel savings, and for less than the Commodore pricing point. The Holden Camira was a medium-sized family car produced by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors. ^[5]

Moderately updated front bodywork, with new headlights and horizontally-slatted grille dominated the front-end of the VH Commodore, producing a lower yet wider look that was in the interest of aerodynamics. A grille (French word from Latin craticula, small grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal Sedans featured redesigned tail light clusters, the design of which borrowed from Mercedes-Benz models of the day, using a louvered design that prevented the build-up of dirt. Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of luxury Automobiles Buses coaches and Trucks It is currently a division of the The range-topping SL/E featured tail lamp extension reflectors to meet up with the license plate alcove and wrap-around chrome rear bumper extensions to the rear wheel arches. A vehicle registration plate is a metal or plastic plate attached to a Motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes An automobile's bumper is the front-most or rear-most part ostensibly designed to allow the car to sustain an impact without damage to the vehicle's frame or safety systems ^[11]

Mechanical specifications carried over, except for a new five-speed manual transmission, optional on the 1. A manual transmission (also known as a stick shift or just 'stick' 'straight drive' or standard transmission) is a type of transmission used in 9 litre four-cylinder and 2. 85 litre six-cylinder versions. ^[11] In a desperate attempt to improve the dwindling sales of the straight-four engine, Holden spent considerable time improving its performance and efficiency. Substantial effort was also poured into the 2. 85 litre six, and the powerplants managed to reduce fuel consumption by 12. Fuel economy in automobiles is the amount of Fuel required to move the Automobile over a given Distance. 5 and 14 percent correspondingly. At the same time, the nomenclature of the range was rationalised. The SL was now the base model, the SL/X was the mid-range and as before, SL/E was the top-of-the-line variant, while wagons were restricted to the SL and SL/X variants. ^[12] In 1982 the SS sports model was introduced, being a Commodore mainstay ever since. ^[13] The SS was fitted with Holden's 4. 2 litre V8. Racing driver Peter Brock's HDT Special Vehicles business produced three upgrade versions, known as Group One, Group Two and Group Three, featuring a choice of 4. Peter Geoffrey Brock AM ( 26 February, 1945 – 8 September, 2006) otherwise known as "Peter Perfect" "The The Holden Dealer Team was Holden’s un-official racing team from 1969 until 1987, primarily contesting Australian Touring Car events but also 2 and 5. 0 litre V8 engines. ^[14] To this day, Brock's modified VH Commodores are highly sought after, attracting high prices at auctions. ^[15]

VK

Main article: Holden VK Commodore

Representing the first major change since the VB original, the VK model of 1984 introduced a six-window glasshouse, as opposed to the previous four-window design, to make the Commodore appear larger. The Holden VK Commodore was introduced in 1984 and replaced the VH. ^[16] The revised design helped stimulate sales, which totalled 135,000 in two years. But by no means did this put an end to Holden’s monetary woes. Sales of the initially popular Camira slumped due to unforeseen quality issues,^[5] while the WB series Utility and Statesman were starting to show their age; their 1971 origins compared unfavourably with Ford’s more modern Fairlane. The Holden Camira was a medium-sized family car produced by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors. A pickup truck is a light Motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area which is almost always separated from the cab to allow for chassis flex when carrying or pulling Statesman was an automotive Marque created by General Motors-Holden's (GMH the Australian subsidiary of General Motors in 1971 Ford Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and was founded in Geelong, Victoria in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Company of See also Ford Fairlane (North American The Ford Fairlane is a large luxury Automobile which was built by Ford Australia ^[17]

New names for the trim levels were also introduced, such as Commodore Executive (an SL with air conditioning and automatic transmission), Commodore Berlina (replacing SL/X) and Calais (replacing SL/E). The term air conditioning refers to the cooling and dehumidification of indoor air for Thermal comfort. An automatic transmission (commonly "AT" or "Auto" is an Automobile Gearbox that can change Gear ratios automatically as the vehicle ^[18] The 3. 3 litre Blue straight-6 engine was replaced by the Black specification, gaining computer-controlled ignition system on the carburettor versions and optional electronic fuel injection boosting power output to 106 kilowatts (142 hp). The Holden motor is straight-six engine produced by General Motors–Holden's in Australia between 1948 and 1986 The straight-6 or inline-6 engine (often abbreviated I6 or L6) is a six cylinder Internal combustion engine with all six cylinders The Holden motor is straight-six engine produced by General Motors–Holden's in Australia between 1948 and 1986 Fuel injection is a system for mixing fuel with air in an Internal combustion engine. ^[19] The 5. 0 litre V8 engine continued to power high specification variants, but was shrunk from 5044 cc to 4987 cc in 1985 due to new Group A racing homologation rules. A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the Crankcase in two banks of four cylinders in most cases set at a right angle to each other In relation to Motorsport governed by the FIA, Group A referred to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for outright competition Homologation is a technical term derived from the Greek homologeo (ὁμολογέω for "to agree" which is generally used in English to signify The new unit cut its predecessor's weight by 75 kilograms (165 lb) and models were fitted with an upgraded braking system. As high oil prices being a thing of the past, Holden decided to drop the 2. 85 litre six and 4. 2 litre V8,^[16] while the 1. 9 litre four-cylinder was limited to New Zealand. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island ^[20]

VL

Main article: Holden VL Commodore

Marking a high point in terms of sales, the last-of-the-series VL Commodore sold in record numbers, finally managing to outsell the Ford Falcon in the private sector. The Holden VL Commodore is a Mid-size car manufactured between 1986 and 1988 by the General Motors (GM Australian arm Holden. The Ford Falcon is a Full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960 ^[21] The 1986 VL represented a substantial makeover of the VK and would be the last of the mid-size Commodores. A mid-size car (occasionally referred to as an intermediate) is the North American and Australian term for an Automobile with a size between Designers distanced the Commodore further away from its Opel origins, by smoothing the lines of the outer body and incorporating a subtle tail spoiler. Adam Opel GmbH (commonly known as Opel) is a German automaker part of General Motors. A spoiler is an automotive aerodynamic device whose intended design function is to 'spoil' unfavorable air movement across a body of a vehicle in motion A thorough redesign of the nose saw the Commodore gain sleek, narrow headlamps and a shallower grille, while the Calais specification employed unique partially concealed headlamps. ^[22]

By this stage, Holden’s 30 year old six-cylinder was thoroughly outmoded and would have been difficult to re-engineer to comply with pending emission standards and unleaded fuel. This led Holden to sign a deal with Nissan to import their RB30E engine. The RB engine is a 20L to 30L Straight-6 four-stroke Gasoline Engine from Nissan. ^[23] This seemed a good idea in 1983 when the Australian dollar was strong; however by 1986 the once viable prospect became rather expensive. The Australian dollar ( sign: $; code: AUD) is the Currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas ^[24] The public quickly accepted what was at first a controversial move, as reports emerged of the improvements in refinement, 33 percent gain in power and 15 percent better economy. An optional turbocharger appeared six months later and lifted power output to 150 kilowatts (201 hp). A turbocharger, or turbo, is an air Compressor used for forced-induction of an Internal combustion engine. In October 1986, an unleaded edition of Holden’s carburettored V8 engine was publicised. A carburetor (North American spelling or carburettor ( Commonwealth spelling) is a device that blends air and Fuel for an Internal A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the Crankcase in two banks of four cylinders in most cases set at a right angle to each other ^[21] Holden had originally planned to discontinue the V8 to spare the engineering expense of converting to unleaded. However, public outcry persuaded them to relent. VLs in New Zealand were also available with the 2. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island 0 litre six-cylinder RB20E engine. The RB engine is a 20L to 30L Straight-6 four-stroke Gasoline Engine from Nissan. ^[25]

The VL suffered from some common build quality problems, such as poor windshield sealing, that can lead to water leakages and corrosion. The windshield or windscreen of an Aircraft, Automobile, Bus, Motorcycle, or Tram is the front Window Corrosion means the breaking down of essential properties in a material due to Chemical reactions with its surroundings Awkward packaging under the low bonnet meant the six-cylinder engine was especially susceptible to cracked cylinder heads, a problem not displayed on the Nissan Skyline with which it shares the RB30 engine. In an Internal combustion engine, the cylinder head sits atop the cylinders and consists of a platform containing part of the Combustion chamber and the Nissan Skyline GT-RThe Nissan Skyline is a Mid-size car originally produced by the Japanese automaker Prince Motor Company starting in 1957 and later by Nissan ^[26] The Used Car Safety Ratings, published in 2007 by the Monash University Accident Research Centre, found that first generation Commodores (VB–VL) provide a "worse than average" level of occupant safety protection in the event of an accident. Monash University is a Public university based in Melbourne, Australia. ^[27]

Second generation (1988–1997)

VN

Main article: Holden VN Commodore

The Holden VN Commodore of 1988 and subsequent second generation models took their bodywork from the larger Opel Senator B and new Opel Omega A. The Holden VN Commodore was the sixth model of the Holden Commodore, a Full-size car produced by the Australian automotive marque Holden. The Opel Senator was a large motor car, two generations of which were sold in Europe by the German General Motors subsidiary Opel There was also an Oldsmobile Omega, an unrelated vehicle that was produced during the 1970s and 1980s The Opel Omega was an Executive car However this time, the floor plan was widened and stretched, now matching the rival Ford Falcon for size. The Ford Falcon is a Full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960 Continuing financial woes at Holden meant the wider VN body was underpinned by narrow, carry-over VL chassis components in a bid to save development costs. A chassis (plural "chassis" (ˈʃæːsiː ˈtʃæːsiː consists of a framework that supports an inanimate object analogous to an Animal 's ^[28] The range expanded in 1990 to include a utility variant, given the model designation VG. The coupé utility combines a two-door " Coupé " cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty Unibody Automobile platform This was built on a longer-wheelbase platform that it shared with the station wagon and luxury VQ Statesman limousine released earlier in the year. In both road and rail Vehicles the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels An automobile platform is a shared set of common design engineering and production efforts as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of The Holden VQ Statesman and Caprice were Holden 's top of the line luxury sedans produced between 1990-1994 A limousine (or limo) is a longer than normal Luxury car. The chassis may have been extended by the manufacturer or by an independent coach builder traditionally ^[29] During this time, the rival Ford EA Falcon was plagued with initial quality issues which tarnished its reputation. The Ford Falcon is a Full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960 ^[30] Buyers embraced the VN Commodore, helping Holden to recover and post an operating profit of AU$157. 3 million for 1989. The team at Wheels magazine awarded the VN Car of the Year in 1988: the second Commodore model to receive this award. Wheels magazine is an Australian Automotive Magazine published monthly by ACP Magazines. ''Wheels'' magazine has announced its Car of the Year every year since 1963, with the exception of 1972, 1979 and 1986 when no cars were considered worthy ^[29]

Changes in the relative values of the Australian dollar and Japanese yen made it financially impractical to continue with the well-regarded Nissan engine of the VL. The Australian dollar ( sign: $; code: AUD) is the Currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Instead, Holden manufactured their own 3. 8 litre V6 engine based on a Buick design, adapted from front- to rear-wheel drive. A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the Crankcase in two banks of three cylinders The Buick V6, initially marketed as Fireball at its introduction in 1962 is a large V6 engine used by General Motors. Front-wheel drive (or FF layout) is a form of engine / transmission layout used in Motor vehicles where the engine drives the front Wheels ^[5] The 5. 0 litre V8 remained optional and received a power boost to 165 kilowatts (221 hp) courtesy of multi-point fuel injection. A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the Crankcase in two banks of four cylinders in most cases set at a right angle to each other Fuel injection is a system for mixing fuel with air in an Internal combustion engine. ^[31] Although not known for its refinement, the new V6 was nevertheless praised for its performance and fuel efficiency at the time. Fuel economy in automobiles is the amount of Fuel required to move the Automobile over a given Distance. ^[32] A 2. 0 litre Family II engine was also offered for some export markets including New Zealand and Singapore where it was sold as the Holden Berlina. The Family II is a Straight-4 Piston engine that was originally developed by Opel in late 1970s for use in the Opel Ascona B and Opel Kadett Singapore ^[5] Accompanying the changes to engines, the VL's four-speed automatic transmission was replaced by the TH700 and a Borg-Warner five-speed manual. An automatic transmission (commonly "AT" or "Auto" is an Automobile Gearbox that can change Gear ratios automatically as the vehicle Turbo-Hydramatic is the registered tradename of a family of Automatic transmissions developed and produced by General Motors. The TREMEC T-5 is a 5-speed Manual transmission for Longitudinal engine Automobiles It includes one Overdrive gear a light-weight aluminum A manual transmission (also known as a stick shift or just 'stick' 'straight drive' or standard transmission) is a type of transmission used in ^[33] A Series II update of the VN appeared in September 1989, featuring a revised V6 engine known internally as the EV6. ^[31] With the update came a power hike of two kilowatts (3 hp), rising to 127 kilowatts (170 hp). ^[31]

Under an unsuccessful model sharing arrangement as part of the Hawke Labor government reforms in 1989, Toyota began badge engineering versions of the VN Commodore. Robert James Lee (Bob Hawke, AC (born 9 December 1929 was the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia and longest serving Australian Labor Party Prime Minister (pronounced) is a Multinational corporation headquartered in Japan, and is currently the world's largest Automaker. For a list of vehicles that have been badge engineered see List of badge engineered vehicles. ^[34] These disguised Commodores were sold as the Toyota Lexcen, named after Ben Lexcen, the designer of Australia II yacht which won the 1983 America's Cup. Ben Lexcen AM (19 March 1936 – 1 May 1988 was an Australian yachtsman and marine architect The Australia II is a 12-metre class Yacht, and the first successful challenger for the America's Cup after 132 years The America’s Cup is the most prestigious Regatta and Match race in the sport of Sailing, and the oldest active Trophy in international The original VN Lexcen was offered in sedan and station wagon forms in three models: the base, GL and GXL, offered only with Holden's 3. 8 litre V6 engine and automatic transmission. ^[35]

VP

Main article: Holden VP Commodore

The VP update of 1991 featured mainly cosmetic changes; the same revised 3. The Holden VP Commodore was the seventh model of the Holden Commodore, a large car produced by Australian Automaker Holden. 8 litre V6 and 5. 0 litre V8 engines from the VN were carried over. A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the Crankcase in two banks of four cylinders in most cases set at a right angle to each other The 2. 0 litre straight-4 previously available in New Zealand was discontinued. The straight-4 or inline-4 engine (often abbreviated I4 or L4) is a four cylinder Internal combustion engine with all four cylinders ^[36] Exterior cosmetic changes included a translucent acrylic grille on the base level Executive. In Optics, transparency (also called pellucidity) is the Material property of allowing Poly(methyl methacrylate ( PMMA) or poly(methyl 2-methylpropenoate is a Thermoplastic and transparent Plastic. A grille (French word from Latin craticula, small grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal ^[37] Semi-trailing arm independent rear suspension became standard on the Calais and SS, but was made an option on lower-end models in lieu of the live rear axle, improving ride and handling. A trailing-arm suspension is an Automobile suspension design in which one or more arms (or "links" are connected between (and perpendicular to and forward Independent suspension is a broad term for any Automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same Axle to move vertically (i A live axle is a type of Beam axle suspension system that uses the Driveshafts that transmit power to the wheels to connect the wheels laterally so that ^[36]

A new wider front track was introduced to address issues with the previous carried-over VL chassis components. ^[38] In August 1992, anti-lock brakes were introduced as an option on the Calais and SS trim levels, later becoming optional on all Series II variants. An anti-lock braking system, or ABS (from the German, A nti' b' lockier' s' ystem) is a safety system on Motor vehicles This January 1993 update also included a colour-coded grille for the Executive and alloy wheels for the Commodore S. Alloy wheels are automobile ( Car, Motorcycle and Truck) Wheels which are made from an Alloy of Aluminum or ^[37]

Toyota's pattern of updating their Lexcen model tended to follow Commodore’s model cycle. The VP Lexcen from 1991 pioneered new specification designations: CSi, VXi and Newport. All future updates (VR, T4 (VS) and T5 (VS II) Lexcens) made use of the new naming system until 1997, when the badge engineering scheme ceased. For a list of vehicles that have been badge engineered see List of badge engineered vehicles. To give further differentiation to the Lexcen from the Commodore, the Lexcens from the VP model onwards had unique front-end styling treatments. ^[39]

VR

Main article: Holden VR Commodore

The 1993 VR Commodore represented a major facelift of the second generation architecture leaving only the doors and roof untouched. The Holden VR Commodore of July 1993 came with an updated sleeker and more modern design as well as safety enhancements such as anti-lock brakes (ABS ^[40] Approximately 80 percent of car was new in comparison to the preceding model. Exterior changes brought an overall smoother body, semicircular wheel arches and the "twin-kidney" grille—a Commodore styling trait which remained until the VY model of 2002. A grille (French word from Latin craticula, small grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal ^[41] The rear-end treatment saw raised tail lights, implemented for safety reasons, and a driver's side airbag was introduced as an option: a first for an Australian-built car. An airbag is part of a vehicle's safety restraint system a flexible envelope designed for rapid inflation in an automobile Collision, to prevent vehicle occupants ^[42] Other safety features such as anti-lock brakes and independent rear suspension were only available with the new electronic GM 4L60-E automatic transmission. An anti-lock braking system, or ABS (from the German, A nti' b' lockier' s' ystem) is a safety system on Motor vehicles Independent suspension is a broad term for any Automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same Axle to move vertically (i The 4L60-E (and similar 4L65-E) is a series of Automatic transmissions from General Motors. An automatic transmission (commonly "AT" or "Auto" is an Automobile Gearbox that can change Gear ratios automatically as the vehicle ^[40] Along with a driver's airbag and cruise control, these features were packaged into a new Acclaim specification level: a family-oriented safety spec above the entry-level Executive. Cruise control (sometimes known as speed control or autocruise) is a system that automatically controls the rate of motion of a Motor vehicle. ^[43] Holden's strong focus on safety can be seen in the Used Car Safety Ratings. The findings show that in an accident, VN/VP Commodores provide a "worse than average" level of occupant protection. However, the updated VR/VS models were found to provide a "better than average" level of safety protection. ^[27] Holden issued a Series II revision in September 1994 bringing audible warning chimes for the handbrake and fuel level among other changes. A warning chime is a carillon-like sound used in Automobiles to warn about Handbrake in use while accelerator pedal is being pressed ^[40]

The latest revision of the Buick 3.8 litre V6 engine was fitted to the VR Commodore, featuring rolling-element bearings in the valve rocker arms and increased compression ratios. The Buick V6, initially marketed as Fireball at its introduction in 1962 is a large V6 engine used by General Motors. A rolling-element bearing is a bearing which carries a load by placing round elements between the two pieces Generally referred to within the Internal combustion engine of automotive marine motorcycle and reciprocating aviation engines the rocker arm is a reciprocating lever ^[44] These changes combined to deliver an increase in power to 130 kilowatts (174 hp) and further improvement in Noise, Vibration, and Harshness levels. Noise Vibration and Harshness, also known as Noise and Vibration abbreviated to NVH and N&V respectively is the name given to the field of measuring and modifying the noise and vibration ^[41] Wheels magazine awarded the VR Commodore Car of the Year in 1993. Wheels magazine is an Australian Automotive Magazine published monthly by ACP Magazines. ''Wheels'' magazine has announced its Car of the Year every year since 1963, with the exception of 1972, 1979 and 1986 when no cars were considered worthy ^[45]

VS

Main article: Holden VS Commodore

The 1995 Holden VS Commodore served as a mechanical update of the VR, destined to maintain sales momentum before the arrival of an all-new VT model. The Holden VS Commodore, released in 1995 was the ninth model of the Holden Commodore, a large car built by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General The extent of exterior changes amounted to little more than a redesigned Holden logo and wheel trims. ^[46] An overhauled Ecotec (Emissions and Consumption Optimisation through TEChnology) version of the Buick V6 engine coincided with changes to the engine in the United States. ECOTEC ( E missions C ontrol O ptimisation TEC hnology) is a General Motors trademark that refers to a series of emissions technologies The Buick V6, initially marketed as Fireball at its introduction in 1962 is a large V6 engine used by General Motors. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Ecotec engine packed 13 percent more power, an increase of 17 kilowatts (23 hp) over the VR, cut fuel consumption by 5 percent, increased the compression ratio from 9. Fuel economy in automobiles is the amount of Fuel required to move the Automobile over a given Distance. The compression ratio is a single number that can be used to predict the performance of any engine particularly piston engines (but can be used on essentially any Internal-combustion 0:1 to 9. 4:1 and dramatically improved on its previous rough characteristics. Holden mated the new engine with a modified version of the GM 4L60-E automatic transmission, improving throttle response and smoothing gear changes. The 4L60-E (and similar 4L65-E) is a series of Automatic transmissions from General Motors. An automatic transmission (commonly "AT" or "Auto" is an Automobile Gearbox that can change Gear ratios automatically as the vehicle ^[46] The Series II update of June 1996 included elliptical side turn signals, interior tweaks and the introduction of a supercharged V6 engine for selected trim levels. The Buick V6, initially marketed as Fireball at its introduction in 1962 is a large V6 engine used by General Motors. ^[46] The new supercharged engine slotted between the existing V6 and V8 engines in the lineup and was officially rated at 165 kilowatts (221 hp), just 3 kilowatts (4 hp) below the V8. ^[47]

Third generation (1997–2006)

VT

Main article: Holden VT Commodore

With the VT Commodore of 1997, Holden looked again to Opel in Germany for a donor platform. The Holden VT Commodore, released in 1997 was the tenth model of the Holden Commodore, a Full-size car built by Holden, the Australian subsidiary Adam Opel GmbH (commonly known as Opel) is a German automaker part of General Motors. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. The proposal was to take the Opel Omega B and broaden the vehicle’s width and mechanical setup for local conditions. There was also an Oldsmobile Omega, an unrelated vehicle that was produced during the 1970s and 1980s The Opel Omega was an Executive car The Australian environment ranges from virtually pristine Antarctic territory rainforests to degraded industrial areas of major cities In the early days, Holden considered adopting the Omega as is, save for the engines and transmissions, and even investigated reskinning the existing VR/VS architecture. ^[48] Later on, the VT bodywork spawned a new generation of Statesman and Caprice limousines,^[5] and even went as far as resurrecting the iconic Monaro coupé from the 1960s and 1970s. In Automotive engineering, the bodywork of an Automobile is the structure which protects The occupants Any other payload The Holden Statesman and Caprice are a series of full-size Luxury vehicles produced by the Australian General Motors division of Holden The Monaro is an Automobile which was produced by Holden, the Australian branch of General Motors from 1968 to 1977 and then re-introduced ^[49]

The VT heralded the fitment of semi-trailing arm independent rear suspension as standard across the range, a significant selling point over the rival Falcon. A trailing-arm suspension is an Automobile suspension design in which one or more arms (or "links" are connected between (and perpendicular to and forward Independent suspension is a broad term for any Automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same Axle to move vertically (i ^[50] However, when originally carried over from the Opel, the design was simplified by removing the toe control links,^[5] standard equipment on the six-cylinder Omega since 1987. In Automotive engineering, toe is the symmetric Angle that each wheel makes with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle as a function of static geometry and kinematic ^[51] This allowed distortions to the suspension camber angle and toe under heavy load, such as heavy towing or when travelling over undulated surfaces, leading to excessive rear tyre wear. Camber angle is the angle made by the Wheel of an automobile specifically it is the angle between the vertical axis of the wheel and the vertical axis of the vehicle when Holden's performance arm HSV re-added the toe control link on the flagship GTS 300 model. Holden Special Vehicles, abbreviated HSV is the officially designated performance vehicle division of Australian motor Automobile manufacturer Holden Special Vehicles ( HSV) GTS 300 is a motor vehicle which is no longer under production ^[51] The 1999 Series II update replaced the venerable Holden 5. 0 litre V8 engine with a new 5. A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the Crankcase in two banks of four cylinders in most cases set at a right angle to each other 7 litre Generation III V8 sourced from the United States. The LS series is a new design intended as the only V-8 engine utilized in General Motors ' line of RWD cars and trucks ^[51] The V8 was detuned to 220 kilowatts (295 hp) from the original US version, but would receive incremental power upgrades to 250 kilowatts (335 hp) throughout its time in the Commodore,^[52] before finally being replaced by the related Generation 4 in the VZ. The LS series is a new design intended as the only V-8 engine utilized in General Motors ' line of RWD cars and trucks For a complete overview of all Commodore models see Holden Commodore. ^[53] The supercharged V6 was uprated to 171 kilowatts (229 hp) from the VS. A supercharger is an air compressor used for Forced induction of an Internal combustion engine. ^[54] Safety wise, side airbags became an option for the Acclaim and higher models, a first for Holden. An airbag is part of a vehicle's safety restraint system a flexible envelope designed for rapid inflation in an automobile Collision, to prevent vehicle occupants ^[55]

From the onset, parent company General Motors was interested in incorporating a left-hand drive Commodore in its Buick lineup, culminating in the unveiling of the Buick XP2000 concept car in 1996. Right-hand traffic and left-hand traffic mean regulations requiring all traffic to keep either to the left or the right side of the Road. Buick (ˈbjuːɪk is a Marque of automobile sold in the United States, Canada, China, Taiwan, Qatar, and ^[56] Although this idea was ultimately abandoned, the GM-funded project allowed Holden to enter into a range of left-hand export markets. ^[57] Thus began the Commodore's rapid expansion into parts of Indochina, the Middle East and South Africa badged as the Chevrolet Lumina, to Brazil as the Chevrolet Omega, and later on with the Monaro to the United States, where it was sold by Pontiac under the GTO nameplate. Indochina, or the Indochinese Peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa This is the article about the Lumina sedan and Coupe. For the Lumina minivan see Chevrolet Lumina APV. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld The Chevrolet Omega is an Executive car sold by General Motors do Brasil for the Brazilian market Pontiac is a Brand of Automobiles produced by General Motors that has been sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico The Pontiac GTO was an Automobile built by Pontiac from 1964 to 1974 and by General Motors Holden in Australia from 2004 to ^[58] In its home market, the VT Commodore was awarded its fourth Wheels Car of the Year for 1997. ''Wheels'' magazine has announced its Car of the Year every year since 1963, with the exception of 1972, 1979 and 1986 when no cars were considered worthy ^[59] It found ready acceptance in the market as many buyers steered away from the disappointing Ford AU Falcon, becoming the best selling Commodore to date and cementing its place as number one in Australian sales. The Ford AU Falcon was a full-size Family car, manufactured by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between September 1998 and September 2002 ^[5]

VX

Main article: Holden VX Commodore

The 2000 VX update built upon Holden's winning formula, featuring a revised headlamp design. The Holden VX Commodore is the eleventh instalment of the Holden Commodore, a Full-size car produced by Holden, the Australian subsidiary ^[60] The VT's rear taillight panel was replaced by two separate light assemblies. Conversely, the luxury-oriented Berlina and Calais sedans continued using a full-width boot-lid panel incorporating the license plate and tail lamps. A vehicle registration plate is a metal or plastic plate attached to a Motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes ^[61] In the VX and succeeding models, the Commodore Berlina became known simply as the Berlina. ^[62] This series also introduced the first Holden Ute, as previous generations wore the Commodore utility name. The Holden Ute is a Coupe utility built by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors since 2000 ^[63] The Ute range, designated VU, was expanded in the 2003 VY series to include a four-door crew cab model known as the Holden Crewman. Crew Cabs are an extended cab bodystyle commonly found on Utes or Pickup trucks This cab design typically has forward-facing rear seating and four The Holden Ute is a Coupe utility built by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors since 2000 ^[64] An updated Series II was launched in early 2002, featuring revised rear suspension system now equipped with toe control links to address the VT's issues. ^[65]

Active and passive safety played a substantial role in the development of the VX model. ^[66] Anti-lock brakes (Bosch 5. An anti-lock braking system, or ABS (from the German, A nti' b' lockier' s' ystem) is a safety system on Motor vehicles Robert Bosch GmbH is a German diversified technology-based corporation which was started in 1886 by Robert Bosch in Stuttgart Germany. 3) were made standard on all variants, a first for an Australian manufactured car, and traction control was made available on vehicles equipped with manual transmission. A traction control system ( TCS) also known as Anti-Slip Regulation ( ASR) on current production Vehicles are typically (but not necessarily A manual transmission (also known as a stick shift or just 'stick' 'straight drive' or standard transmission) is a type of transmission used in ^[66] Extensive research was undertaken to reduce the effects from a side-impact collision through modification of the B-pillars. An A-pillar is a name applied by car stylists and enthusiasts to the shaft of material that supports the windshield (windscreen on either of the windshield frame sides The risk presented by a side-impact collision in a VX fitted without side airbags is reduced by 50 percent when compared to a similarly specified VT model. An airbag is part of a vehicle's safety restraint system a flexible envelope designed for rapid inflation in an automobile Collision, to prevent vehicle occupants ^[66]

VY

Main article: Holden VY Commodore

The AU$250 million VY mid-cycle update of 2002 represented the first major styling shift since the 1997 VT. The Holden VY Commodore is the twelfth model of the Holden Commodore range produced by Holden between September 2002 and August 2004 The Australian dollar ( sign: $; code: AUD) is the Currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas ^[67] Designers discarded the rounded front and rear styling of the VT and VX models, and adopted more aggressive, angular lines. ^[68] The same approach was applied to the interior, whereby the rapidly aging, curvaceous dashboard design was orphaned in favour of an angular, symmetrical design. A dashboard, dash, and sometimes fascia (chiefly in British English) is a control panel located under the Windshield of an Automobile Satin chrome plastic now dominated the façade of the centre console stack, and high-end models received fold-out cup holders borrowed from fellow GM subsidiary Saab. Satin is a Cloth that typically has a glossy surface and a dull back The center console ( British English: centre console) in an Automobile refers to the control-bearing surfaces in the center of the front of the Vehicle A cup holder is a device to hold a cup or other drinking vessel Saab Automobile AB, better known as Saab, is a Swedish car manufacturer and currently a wholly-owned Subsidiary of General Motors. ^[69] Holden turned towards German electronics manufacturer Blaupunkt to source audio systems—an arrangement that remains in place today. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. GmbH is a German manufacturer of Electronics equipment noted for its Home and car Audio equipment. ^[70]

Engineering wise, Holden kept the changes low key. A revised steering system and tweaked suspension tuning were among some of the changes to sharpen handling precision. Further improvements were made to the Generation III V8 engine to produce peak power of 235 kilowatts (315 hp) for sports variants. The LS series is a new design intended as the only V-8 engine utilized in General Motors ' line of RWD cars and trucks ^[68] In a bid to recapture the market for low-cost, high-performance cars, Holden created a new SV8 specification level. Based on the entry-level Executive, the SV8 inherited the V8 mechanical package from the SS but made do without the luxury appointments and was sold at a correspondingly lower price. ^[71] Holden also experimented by releasing a limited edition wagon version of its high-performance SS variant, of which only 850 were built. ^[72] The Series II update added a front strut bar as standard to the SS, which was claimed to increase rigidity and hence handling. A strut bar, strut brace, or strut tower brace (STB is a mostly aftermarket car suspension accessory usually used in conjunction with MacPherson As became the trend, the update raised V8 power, now up 10 kilowatts (13 hp). ^[71]

Sensing a new potential market, Holden developed an electronically-controlled all-wheel drive system for the VY platform dubbed Cross Trac at a cost of AU$125 million. Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4x4 ("four by four" is a four-wheeled Vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four Wheels to ^[73] Unveiled in the 2003 Holden Adventra, a raised VY wagon crossover, the system was only available in combination with the V8 and automatic transmission. The Holden Adventra is a Crossover SUV manufactured between 2003 to 2006 by Holden, the Australian arm of General Motors. A Crossover &mdash variously called XUV or CUV, for crossover utility vehicle &mdash is a marketing term for a vehicle that derives from a car while borrowing Holden chose not to spend extra engineering resources on adapting the all-wheel drive system to the V6, due to be replaced in the upcoming VZ model. Unfortunately for Holden, the Adventra fell well short of expected sales, despite modest targets. ^[74]

VZ

Main article: Holden VZ Commodore

The final chapter of the third generation series was the VZ Commodore. For a complete overview of all Commodore models see Holden Commodore. The VZ debuted in 2004 with a new series of V6 engines known as the Alloytec V6. A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the Crankcase in two banks of three cylinders The 3600 LY7 (and derivative LP1) are members of General Motors ' new High Feature (or HFV6) engine family of modern DOHC Both 175 and 190 kilowatt (235 and 255 hp) versions of the 3. 6 litre engine were offered,^[75] which were later upgraded to 180 and 195 kilowatts (241 and 261 hp) respectively in the VE model. ^[76] When compared to the previous Ecotec engines, the Alloytec benefits from increased power output, responsiveness and fuel efficiency. The Buick V6, initially marketed as Fireball at its introduction in 1962 is a large V6 engine used by General Motors. Fuel efficiency, in its basic sense is the same as Thermal efficiency, meaning the efficiency of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier ^[75] The new engines were mated to a new five-speed 5L40E automatic transmission on the luxury V6 variants, and a new six-speed Aisin AY6 manual transmission on the six-cylinder SV6 sports variant. The 5L40-E (and similar 5L50) are a series of Automatic transmissions from General Motors. An automatic transmission (commonly "AT" or "Auto" is an Automobile Gearbox that can change Gear ratios automatically as the vehicle The AY-6 is a 6-speed Manual transmission manufactured by Aisin. A manual transmission (also known as a stick shift or just 'stick' 'straight drive' or standard transmission) is a type of transmission used in ^[75] However, the aging four-speed automatic carried on in other variants, albeit with further tweaks to address complaints about refinement. A new 6. 0 litre Generation 4 V8 engine was added to the range in January 2006 to comply with Euro III emission standards. The LS series is a new design intended as the only V-8 engine utilized in General Motors ' line of RWD cars and trucks A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the Crankcase in two banks of four cylinders in most cases set at a right angle to each other European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states Compared to the American version, both Active Fuel Management and variable valve timing were removed. See the main article on Variable displacement for other similar systems Active Fuel Management (formerly known as Displacement on Demand Variable valve timing, or VVT, is a generic term for an Automobile Piston engine technology ^[53] The Alloytec V6 was also affected by the new standards, which saw the peak output reduced to 172 kilowatts (231 hp). ^[77]

Along with the new powertrain, Holden also introduced new safety features such as electronic stability control and brake assist. For the UK engine manufacturer see Powertrain Ltd. In a Motor vehicle, the term drivetrain, powertrain or powerplant Electronic stability control ( ESC) is a computerized technology that improves the safety of a vehicle's handling by detecting and preventing skids Brake Assist (BA or BAS) is a generic term for an Automobile braking technology that increases braking pressure in an emergency situation ^[75] The Used Car Safety Ratings evaluation found that VT–VZ Commodores provide a "significantly better than average" level of occupant protection in the event of an accident. ^[27] Interestingly, ANCAP crash test results rate the fourth generation VE lower in the offset frontal impact test than the third generation VY/VZ Commodore. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP is an Automobile organisation operated to give consumers coherent results on the protection given by vehicles in front and The overall crash score was marginally higher than the outgoing model due to improved side impact protection. ^[78][79]

Fourth generation (2006–present)

VE

Main article: Holden VE Commodore

Launched in 2006, the VE is the first Commodore model designed entirely in Australia instead of being based on adapted Opel-sourced platforms. The Holden VE Commodore is the fourteenth and current model of the Holden Commodore, a Full-size car produced by Holden, the Australian subsidiary Adam Opel GmbH (commonly known as Opel) is a German automaker part of General Motors. An automobile platform is a shared set of common design engineering and production efforts as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of ^[80] Given this and high public expectations of quality, the budget in developing the car reportedly exceeded AU$1 billion. The Australian dollar ( sign: $; code: AUD) is the Currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas ^[81] Underpinned by the new GM Zeta platform, the VE features more sophisticated independent suspension all round and near perfect 50:50 weight distribution, leading to superior handling. Zeta was the original name for General Motors ' full-size Rear-wheel drive Automobile platform. Independent suspension is a broad term for any Automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same Axle to move vertically (i Weight distribution is the apportioning of Weight within a Vehicle, especially Cars, Airplanes, and Watercraft. ^[82] Engines and transmissions are largely carried over from the previous VZ model. For a complete overview of all Commodore models see Holden Commodore. ^[83] However, a new six-speed GM 6L80-E automatic transmission was introduced for V8 variants, replacing the old four-speed automatic now relegated to base models. The 6L80 (and similar 6L90) is a 6-speed Automatic transmission built by General Motors at their Willow Run Transmission plant in Ypsilanti ^[84] The design of this new model included innovative features to help minimise export costs, such as a symmetrical centre console that houses a flush-fitting hand brake lever to facilitate its conversion to left-hand drive. The center console ( British English: centre console) in an Automobile refers to the control-bearing surfaces in the center of the front of the Vehicle Types of brakes While both hand-operated systems and foot-operated system serve for parking brakes the hand-operated systems are more useful in other situations Right-hand traffic and left-hand traffic mean regulations requiring all traffic to keep either to the left or the right side of the Road. ^[85] Internationally, the Commodore is again badge engineered as the Chevrolet Lumina and Chevrolet Omega, along with its new export market in the United States as the Pontiac G8. For a list of vehicles that have been badge engineered see List of badge engineered vehicles. This is the article about the Lumina sedan and Coupe. For the Lumina minivan see Chevrolet Lumina APV. The Chevrolet Omega is an Executive car sold by General Motors do Brasil for the Brazilian market The Pontiac G8 is a Rear-wheel drive sedan produced by General Motors released for the 2008 model year (2009 in Canada) ^[86]

Since its release, the VE has garnered critical acclaim, including being awarded the prestigious Wheels Car of the Year, the fifth Commodore model to receive this. ''Wheels'' magazine has announced its Car of the Year every year since 1963, with the exception of 1972, 1979 and 1986 when no cars were considered worthy ^[87] Variants by Holden's performance arm, HSV, were released soon after the sedan's debut, followed by the long-wheelbase WM Statesman/Caprice models. Holden Special Vehicles, abbreviated HSV is the officially designated performance vehicle division of Australian motor Automobile manufacturer In both road and rail Vehicles the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels For a complete overview of all Statesman models see Holden Statesman. ^[88] The VE Ute did not enter production until 2007 when it was accompanied by a Sportwagon concept scheduled to begin production in June 2008. The Holden Ute is a Coupe utility built by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors since 2000 A station wagon (or simply wagon) in American, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand usage and an estate car (or just estate ^[89][90]

Notes

References

• Butler, Glenn; Dowling, Joshua; Hagon, Toby; Newton, Bruce (2006-09-12). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1213 - Albigensian Crusade: Simon de Montfort 5th Earl of Leicester, defeats Peter II of Aragon at the "VE Commodore eMag" (PDF): 60. Pyrmont, New South Wales: Fairfax Media. Pyrmont is an inner-city suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Fairfax Media Limited, is one of Australia's largest diversified media companies  

• Davis, Tony; Kennedy, Alistair; Kennedy, Ewan (February 2007). "The Holden Heritage - 13th Edition". Port Melbourne, Victoria: GM Holden. Port Melbourne is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. GM Holden Ltd is an Australian automaker based in Port Melbourne Victoria.  
  • Part Two, Part Three (PDF).

• Earl, Peter (2002). Information, Opportunism and Economic Coordination. Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing, 296. Education The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located ISBN 1840647388.  

• McCarthy, Mike; McKay, Peter; Newton, Bruce; Robinson, Peter (October 2006). "2006 Collector's Edition VE Commodore: The Full Story". Wheels magazine: 164. Wheels magazine is an Australian Automotive Magazine published monthly by ACP Magazines. ACP Magazines. ACP Magazines (ACP a member of the PBL Media group is an Australian media company that was founded in 1933  

• Robinson, Peter (2006). AutoBiography: The inside story of Holden's all-new VE Commodore. Woolloomooloo, New South Wales: Focus Publishing, 224. Woolloomooloo is a harbourside inner-city eastern Suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. ISBN 1921156104.  
• Wright, John (1998). Heart of the Lion: The 50 Year History of Australia's Holden. Crows Nest, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin, 359. Crows Nest is a Suburb on the lower North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Allen & Unwin, formerly a major British publishing house is now an independent book publisher and distributor based in Australia. ISBN 1864487445.  

External links

Official sites:

• Australia • New Zealand

Unofficial sites:

• Holden Commodore at the Internet Movie Cars Database
• History of Holden
• Holden Heaven: Commodore
• Holden Model History - Holden Commodore
• The Unofficial Holden Commodore Archive

The Internet Movie Cars Database (IMCDb is similar to IMDb but instead of showing the list of Actors and crew it shows various cars in films television

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