2016 Holden Commodore VF-Series II Marks The End Of An Era

[William Maley]

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Holden has revealed to everyone the final Australian-Built Commodore, the VF-Series II.

 

The new Commodore, which will go on sale this October, gets some minor changes to the exterior such as a new grille, front bumper, headlights, and taillights. The big changes come under the hood.

 

Commodore SS and trims above it get the 6.2L LS3 V8 with 304kW of power and 570Nm of torque (about 407 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque). A six-speed manual and six-speed automatic are available on the sedan and Ute, while the Sportswagon gets the automatic only. Holden has made sure the V8 makes an excellent exhaust note thanks to a bi-modal exhaust system and a sound enhancer.

 

The suspension has been retuned for sharper handling and increased comfort, while the SSV Redline gets Brembo brakes on all corners.

 

“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,” said Mark Bernhard, Chairman and Managing Director of Holden.

 

“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."

 

Source: Holden

 

 

Press Release is on Page 2

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Holden Commodore VFII; The Quickest, Most Powerful, Most Advanced Commodore Ever

• Holden reveals most powerful Commodore ever built - 37 years in the making
• Commodore VFII V8 models boast new, more powerful 6.2-litre LS3 engine
• Bi-modal exhaust and mechanical sound enhancer standard on all V8 sports models
• Front and rear Brembo brakes standard for top of the range SS V Redline
• Commodore VFII developed and engineered for Australian conditions in numerous locations including Phillip Island, Alpine Ranges and the Surf Coast
  

Today, Holden has taken the covers off the quickest, most powerful, most advanced Commodore ever built, the Commodore VFII.

 

VFII introduces a new 6.2-litre LS3 engine to all V8 models, along with numerous upgrades including bi-modal exhaust, mechanical sound enhancer and all-new styling cues.

 

Making its debut at a special, custom-built Commodore Gallery at the brand’s headquarters in Port Melbourne, Holden today celebrated 37 years of Commodore by bringing together more than 30 Commodores, from one of the very first 1978 VB Commodores, to concepts, exports and motorsport heroes, illustrating the history and evolution of Australia’s favourite car.

 

The 2016 Commodore VFII is equipped with the powerful LS3 6.2-litre V8 engine and delivers 304kW of power and an exhilarating 570Nm of torque, ensuring that this is the quickest Commodore ever.

 

An engine of this caliber deserves a pure V8 soundtrack, so Holden engineers developed a distinct and fitting engine sound; the result of endless hours of local testing and courtesy of a newly introduced bi-modal exhaust with unique Holden designed “Baillie Tip” and mechanical sound enhancer.

 

Building on the performance of the LS3 V8 engine, Holden’s track focused, top of the range, SSV Redline sees the introduction of Brembo brakes on all four wheels, providing exceptional braking performance under all conditions and specifically designed to perform under closed circuit and track day conditions.

 

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, combined with unrivaled Australian experience.

 

“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,” said Mr. Bernhard.

 

“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.

 

“Commodore represents 37-years of innovation, performance and technological advancements and has earned its place as Holden’s longest-standing and most successful nameplate.

 

“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.”

 

In addition to being the most powerful Commodore ever, VFII also boasts the exceptional refinement and handling that Holden has become famous for. Tuned at Holden’s Lang Lang proving ground and tested across Australia, VFII’s revised FE3 rear sports suspension increases ride comfort whilst retaining its sharp handling.

 

Holden’s Lead Development Engineer, Amelinda Watt, said the extensive development work combined with Holden’s Australian expertise ensured the new engine, sound and handling was unique and thrilling.

 

“The new 6.2-litre LS3 engine and its distinctive sound character is the result of years of hard work, testing, developing and evaluating this vehicle and I’m so proud of the end result,” said Ms. Watt.

 

“This is absolutely the best car we have ever engineered and we are confident we are giving all our customers a compelling reason to put the latest Commodore in their driveway. We know that they will enjoy driving VFII as much as we enjoyed creating it.”

 

The introduction of functional hood vents and fascia ducts were developed by Holden engineers with support from Melbourne’s Monash University wind tunnel, improving aerodynamics around the front corners of the vehicle.

 

Hood vents, a stunning new front fascia as well as the introduction of clear lens tail lamps on sedan models and new LED tail lamps on all Sportwagon models gives VFII a more aggressive exterior to match the LS3 V8 under the bonnet.

 

Commodore VFII goes on sale in October with demand for the unbridled V8 variant expected to be extremely strong. Customers wishing to register their interests can do so at their local Holden dealer or via the Holden website.

 

New Features to Commodore VFII Range

 

SV6

• Passive entry / Passive start
• New front fascia and grille
• New 18 inch alloy wheels
• New LED tail lamp (Sportwagon only)
  

SS

• 6.2 litre LS3 V8 engine
• Bi-modal exhaust with mechanical sound enhancer
• Passive entry / Passive start
• New front fascia and grille
• New 18 inch alloy wheels
• New LED tail lamp (Sportwagon only)
• Performance brake option
  

SSV

• 6.2 litre LS3 V8 engine
• Bi-modal exhaust with mechanical sound enhancer
• New front fascia and grille
• Hood vents
• Colour Head Up Display
• New 19 inch alloy wheels
• Clear lens on tail lamps (sedan only)
• New LED tail lamp (Sportwagon only)
• Performance brake option
  

SSV Redline

• 6.2 litre LS3 V8 engine
• Bi-modal exhaust with mechanical sound enhancer
• Rear Brembo brakes
• New front fascia and grille
• Hood vents
• Clear lens on tail lamps (sedan only)
• New 20 inch forged wheel option
• New LED tail lamp (Sportwagon only)
  

Calais

• Heated front seats (with memory)
• 8 way power passenger seat
• New 18 inch alloy wheels
• Clear lens on tail lamps (sedan only)
• New decklid lettering
• New LED tail lamp (Sportwagon only)
  

Calais V

• Optional 6.2 litre LS3 V8 engine
• New 19 inch alloy wheels
• Clear lens on tail lamps (sedan only)
• New decklid lettering
• Limited Slip Diff (V8 models only)
• New LED tail lamp (Sportwagon only)
• Performance brake option (V8 models only)
  

Caprice V

• 6.2 litre LS3 V8 engine
• Lip spoiler
• New 19 inch alloy wheels
• Single exhaust tips
• Performance brake option
  

Colour Range

• Slipstream Blue* (NEW) – available on all models (except Caprice V)
• Empire Bronze* (NEW) – available on Evoke, Calais, Calais V and Caprice V only
• Phantom Black*
• Nitrate Silver*
• Prussian Steel Grey*
• Jungle Green* – available on sports models only
• Some Like It Hot Red*
• Heron White
• Red Hot
• Regal Peacock Green*
  

Holden’s Lifetime Capped Price Servicing, the largest of its kind in Australia, will also available on the Commodore VFII range rewarding customers with complete peace of mind.

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[GMTruckGuy74]

I'll take a Ute, Sport Wagon, Calais, or the Caprice please   I did say please!!

[David]

I'll take the Ute in Green!

[oldshurst442]

We never got the the Pontiac GTO up here in Canada. So...for me...

 

Ill take a Monaro CV8/Pontiac GTO with the LS2...

 

Pictured below is a Vauxhaul VXR...Id be happy with this version too...supercharged LS2 @ 500 horsepower/500 ft. lbs torque

 

The 500/500 club seems to be more rare for a sporty coupe, even by today's standards.

The 400/400 club is a dime a dozen...

So...in retrospect, Id take Vauxhaul VXR instead...

 

Hmmmmmmm.....

 

 

 

Yes...

Yes...Im sure.

 

But in LHD...a-and the Vauxhaul badges and fascias remain...

[aurora97]

I wonder what will happen to the V8 Supercar Series in Australia once Ford and Holden pull up their stakes and leave?

[William Maley]

I wonder what will happen to the V8 Supercar Series in Australia once Ford and Holden pull up their stakes and leave?

 

My thinking on that is that series would continue on and follow along on the same lines as the Nissan Altima - body on top of a racing chassis.