Holden VE Commodore

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Holden VE Commodore
Manufacturer	Holden
Parent company	General Motors
Also called	Chevrolet Lumina
Production	August 2006–present
Assembly	Elizabeth, South Australia, Australia
Predecessor	Holden VZ Commodore
Class	Full-size
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	GM Zeta platform
Engine	V6 3.6 L 180 kW: Alloytec 3.6 L 175 kW: Alloytec LPG 3.6 L 195 kW: Alloytec 195 V8 6.0 L 270 kW: Gen IV L98
Transmission	6-speed manual Aisin AY6 (V6 only) Tremec T56 (V8 only) 4-speed automatic GM 4L60E (180 kW V6 only) 5-speed automatic GM 5L40E (195 kW V6 only) 6-speed automatic GM 6L80E (V8 only)
Wheelbase	2915 mm (114.8 in)
Length	4894–4900 mm (192.8–192.9 in)
Width	1899 mm (74.8 in)
Height	1476 mm (58.1 in)
Curb weight	1690–1825 kg (3726–4023 lb)
Fuel capacity	91 RON/73 L (19 U.S. gal)
Related	Holden WM Caprice Holden WM Statesman Pontiac G8 Vauxhall VXR8

The Holden VE Commodore is the fourteenth and current model of the Holden Commodore, a full-size car produced by the Australian subsidiary of General Motors, Holden.

The car was officially presented at a media launch in Melbourne on July 16, 2006, which was viewable live on the internet.^[1] With a sales debut on August 14, 2006, it is the first Commodore to be entirely designed and engineered in Australia.^[2] All previous generations from the original VB Commodore had been based on European sourced platforms from Opel that had been adapted both mechanically and in size for the local market. Because Opel had decided to discontinue the Omega in 2003, Holden had no choice but to develop an all-new model.^[3]

The engines and transmissions of the VE are, for the most part, carry-overs from the previous VZ model, with the exception of a new 6-speed automatic transmission offered on selected trim levels.^[4]

Holden released the VE Commodore to the New Zealand market in September 2006.^[5] This was followed by the achievement of the prestigious Wheels Car of the Year award on January 23, 2007.^[6] Before the release of the VE model, Holden confirmed that station wagon and utility body styles of the VE would not be launched for some time. Holden will instead manufacture two parallel generations of Commodores until the VE variants are released.^[7]

Contents 1 History of development 1.1 Design 1.2 Innovations 2 Engine and mechanicals 3 Market 4 Issues and criticism 5 Specification levels 5.1 Commodore Omega 5.2 Commodore SV6 5.3 Commodore SS 5.4 Commodore SS V-Series 5.5 Berlina 5.6 Calais 5.7 Calais V-Series 6 Notes and references

[edit] History of development

Holden's designers and engineers began laying down the basics of a clean-sheet Commodore in 2000. In the six years of development, the car came to be Holden's largest and most costly project with an expenditure exceeding AU$1 billion and 3.4 million kilometres (2.1 million miles) of testing.^[8][9]

The initial stages of development saw Holden encounter a major problem. Opel, the company which had provided the basis for all previous Commodore generations had ceased production of their rear-wheel drive Omega, therefore leaving Holden with the decision of either developing an all-new vehicle, or using another platform sourced from within General Motors.^[3] The Cadillac CTS which utilized the GM Sigma platform was released in 2002. In the course of the vehicle’s early development this platform was considered, but was not what Holden's designers were after.^[10] The GM Sigma platform’s double A-arm front suspension and extensive use of aluminium was too costly for a car that was to be sold with a price tag of around AU$35,000. Issues relating to the platform's luggage compartment were present, and the Sigma interior package was unable to be stretched sufficiently, with the rear-seat shoulder width in particular being too tight. These major drawbacks made the decision to develop an all new platform essential, which became known as the GM Zeta platform.^[11] Forthcoming General Motors vehicles will employ the platform that has already replaced the GM V-body and will eventually replace the front-wheel drive W-body, K-Body and G-body platforms after 2010.

Another contentious issue was engine packaging: Holden's designers wanted the engine positioned well behind the front axle to create short overhangs and an overall sportier appearance. However, crash engineers were concerned that this would limit the room needed to absorb the energy in the event of an accident. Negotiation between designers and crash engineers resulted in the moving of some of the engine components—such as the battery—into the boot, thus freeing up valuable front-end space. While not achieving the design department's original targets, the new compromise retained much of the sporting profile while meeting crash standards.^[12] By moving the engine back and further down, the VE Commodore benefits from near perfect 50:50 weight distribution across all models, leading to superior handling.^[13]

The Alloytec V6 engine introduced in the VZ Commodore was originally intended to be first implemented in the VE, but the decision to introduce the engine earlier gave Holden a chance to resolve faults and issues that may have arisen with the new engine. The decision led to success, and an updated version of the engine was introduced giving, 5–7 kilowatts (7–9 hp) more power, depending on the engine variation specified.^[14]

[edit] Design

In 1999 Holden's manager of exterior design, Peter Hughes produced a two-dimensional image of a sketch drawn earlier by Michael Simcoe, Holden's design director at the time. Known in house as the "Bill of Design", the sketch formed the design basis for the production ready car. Various elements of the sketch were changed, including the rear tail lamps, the low-profile side window cluster, and the drawn out wheelbase.^[15]

Several safety initiatives were implemented in the design of the new Commodore. One of these being the fuel tank that would be located ahead of the rear-axle line, instead of behind.^[16] A more crash-resistant rear-end structure was seen necessary. The design though would have to incorporate a spare-wheel bay that would house the largest sized wheel that was planned to be implemented in the car, as well as a large boot.

In 2004, just two years prior to the release of the VE Commodore, the Torana TT36 concept car was unveiled at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. Much of the Torana’s fundamental styling can be seen in the design essence of the VE, with production ready components carrying over from the TT36. Such components include the steering wheel, window and rear-view mirror switch cluster, and handbrake lever.^[15]

[edit] Innovations

Denny Mooney was appointed chairman of Holden in September 2003. At this stage development was well under way with key design and engineering work being finalised, and money being spent on cutting the mechanisms used to manufacture the car. One of Mooney's foremost endeavours was to improve the perceived quality issues that surrounded the previous generations of Commodores. The interior quality, when compared to previous generations has benefited dramatically from this additional emphasis.^[15][17] Smaller panel gaps are just one of the ways that Holden have developed the VE to pitch it against the European competitors. Through the use of advanced steels and intensive design, the body structure is 50% stiffer than the outgoing model, benefiting from noise and vibration reductions, handling and crash safety.^[18] However the new body has resulted in substantially increased weight over the outgoing model.^[19]

The development of the new car led Holden to redesign the Elizabeth plant in South Australia so that entire sections of the car can be assembled off the foremost production line. This new production method allows for complete sub-sections like the engine and transmissions to be constructed seamlessly together on rigs that simplify production. This process is applied to the front-end module of the VE Commodore, consisting of the headlights, bumpers, airbag sensors and other accessory components. It can be easily removed as one-piece leading to lower repair costs and easier access to the engine bay.^[20] This design represents the first time such a method has been used within General Motors, and garnered the SAE Australasia's 2006 Automotive Engineering Excellence Award.^[21] A modular design structure known within Holden as "flex strategy" has been applied to the interior where fundamentally different components such as audio units and instrument clusters can be swapped out for the different Commodore variants, creating radically varied interior look and feel without much higher costs.^[19] The upshot of this is much greater differentiation between the variants than the outgoing model with three distinct interior looks created, dubbed Functional, Performance and Luxury.

Additional touches added to the VE, such as a new 4-strut hinge system for the boot (as used on upmarket European models) to replace space intrusive "gooseneck" hinges which were much maligned on previous Commodores.^[22] High-specification variants see expandable door pockets and a Saab-like "blackout" feature which illuminates only the speedometer at night to enhance driver focus on the road.^[19] An innovative flush-fitting handbrake set into a symmetrical centre console means that the lever can be easily reversed to sit on the opposite side of console for left-hand drive export markets with minimal redesign costs.^[19]

Another first for the Commodore are the V-Series variants for selected models, providing a fully optioned version of the respective specification level. This was largely due to a fully optioned Commodore SS in the VZ range known as the SSZ being rather successful.^[23] Before the VE, the SS badge was a well-known flagship name, and the SV8 model was a lower-spec version of the SS. For the VE, Holden essentially rebadged the SV8 as the SS, and used the new SS V name to replace the old SS specification level.

[edit] Engine and mechanicals

Six-cylinder variants receive a revised version of the Alloytec V6 engine. The updated engine is more powerful than the one used in the outgoing VZ Commodore, with engine noise reduced via fitment of new timing chains among other modifications. Fuel economy figures for variants utilizing the 180 kilowatt (241 hp) V6 show a rather small 0.1 L/100 km (23.52 mpg U.S.) reduction in consumption over the previous generation of Alloytec engines, bringing it to the same economy as its then current rival, the Ford BF Falcon. Other V6 variants have varying differences in fuel consumption compared to VZ models.^[24]

An updated version of the 4-speed automatic transmission retained from the VZ remains for the 180 kilowatt (241 hp) V6. A modified version of the L76 V8 engine used in the VZ is also carried-over, with an extra 10 kilowatts (13 hp) of power. Fuel consumption when compared to the previous generation is set to be higher due primarily to increased weight. This new engine design, designated L98 does not readily support fuel-saving Displacement on Demand technology, unlike the L76.^[25]

In October 2006, Holden introduced a dual-fuel version of the Alloytec V6, able to run on both petrol and LPG. Featuring an advanced Sequential Vapour Gas Injection (SVGI) system and hardened valve seats to cope, the new V6 produces five kilowatts (7 hp) and five newton metres (5 ft·lbf) less than the conventional V6 when run on LPG, for a total of 175 kilowatts (235 hp).^[26] With the engine comes the fitment of a large 100 kilogram (220 lb) cylindrical gas tank which causes decreased boot space and slightly increased fuel consumption.

Holden was able to take advantage of a small loophole in government legislation, which allows an AU$2,000 rebate on LPG installation because the unit is fitted post-production by Holden's customisation arm HSVi. Normally, people would only be entitled to a AU$1,000 rebate for new cars pre-installed with LPG.^[27] The dual-fuel option is available on the Commodore Omega, Berlina and the VZ Executive station wagon while it is still available.^[28]

Transmissions available comprise of the Aisin AY6 and Tremec T-56 6-speed manuals, the 4-speed automatic GM 4L60E, and the 5-speed automatic GM 5L40E. The GM 6L80E 6-speed automatic transmission is offered on variants sporting the 6.0 litre V8 engine. Both the five and 6-speed automatics feature Active Select controls allowing manual gear selection. Having undergone significant revisions with a shorter clutch action, the T-56 adds synchromesh and a more tightly-spaced M10 gearset shared with the Chevrolet SSR.^[29]

New double-pivot MacPherson strut front suspension and a 4-link independent rear suspension have been introduced to replace the previous MacPherson strut design front and much criticised semi-trailing arm rear suspension for improved ride and handling.^[19]

Powertrain:

	Power[30]	Torque	Transmission
3.6 L Alloytec 180 V6	180 kW (241 hp) @ 6,000 rpm	330 N·m (243 ft·lbf) @ 2,600 rpm	GM 4L60-E 4-speed automatic
3.6 L Alloytec LPG V6[31]	175 kW (235 hp) @ 6,000 rpm	325 N·m (240 ft·lbf) @ 2,600 rpm
3.6 L Alloytec 195 V6	195 kW (262 hp) @ 6,500 rpm	340 N·m (251 ft·lbf) @ 2,600 rpm	Aisin AY6 6-speed manual
			GM 5L40-E 5-speed automatic
6.0 L Generation IV L98 V8[32]	270 kW (362 hp) @ 5,700 rpm	530 N·m (391 ft·lbf) @ 4,400 rpm	Tremec T-56 6-speed manual
			GM 6L80-E 6-speed automatic

[edit] Market

At the time of launch in Australia, Ford’s BF Falcon directly competed with the VE Commodore. Ford has since revised its Falcon line-up, and in November 2006 Toyota released their key Aurion model to the Australian market.^[33] The Mitsubishi 380 may also indirectly compete with the Holden Commodore.^[34]

Market for the VE Commodore extends further than Australia. In the Middle East and South Africa the VE is exported along with the WM Statesman/Caprice as the Chevrolet Lumina and Chevrolet Caprice respectively.^[35] The WM Statesman will also serve as a replacement for the Daewoo Statesman in South Korea and the Buick Royaum in China.^[36]

GM and Holden confirmed V6 and V8 versions of the Commodore will be exported to the United States as the 2008 Pontiac G8 to replace the ageing Pontiac Grand Prix, in a deal to last the life cycle of the car.^[37][38] This announcement coincided with a Pontiac unveiling at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. VE Commodores have also been sampled by Opel in Germany, while Opel's equivalent in the United Kingdom, Vauxhall has expressed interest in importing HSV modified versions, announcing their plans to sell the HSV Clubsport R8 as the 2007 Vauxhall VXR8.^[39]

[edit] Issues and criticism

The fitment of a space-saver tyre to all models across the range has come under heavy criticism, as Holden is the first manufacturer to fit a temporary space-saver tyre to an Australian-built car. The tyre can be driven for 500 kilometres (300 mi) at a maximum speed of 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph). Concerns have been raised by the public over its usefulness in remote Australian outback areas, far from any tyre repair centres and asserts that it is a cost-cutting measure.^[40] Similar concerns have been raised in the media, although Holden maintains that this is a weight-saving feature and allows for full-size spare tyres to be purchased at an additional cost.^[41][42]

On the base Omega model, air conditioning is an extra-cost option. This in Australia, a country well known for its overall hot climate has come under much criticism.^[43]

Concerns have been levelled at VE fuel consumption figures, where the heavier body has negatively impacted and produced mixed official fuel economy results, particularly for V8 variants.^[44] Arch-rival Ford has taken advantage of this to criticise the Commodore, with its latest Ford BFII Falcon update bringing improved fuel consumption figures of 10.7 L/100 km (22 mpg U.S.) for the base XT model and 10.2 L/100 km (23 mpg U.S.) with an optional six-speed automatic.^[45][46] Real-world testing have confirmed the difference in fuel consumption.^[42][47]

The introduction of the new model has resulted in a few embarrassing "teething" issues, with the Commodore being recalled twice since its release. A October 16, 2006 recall of 1,521 V8 Commodore, Statesman and Caprice models involved a faulty fuel hose, causing a fuel smell to enter the cabin.^[48] A second November 10, 2006 recall affecting 12,830 early-build Commodores, Statesmans and Caprices resulted from defective rear seatbelt anchors.^[49]

[edit] Specification levels

Further information: Specification levels of the Holden VE Commodore

[edit] Commodore Omega

Replacing the outgoing Commodore Executive and Acclaim, the Omega offers a halfway point in terms of equipment levels, with the most significant gain over the Executive being the Bosch Electronic Stability Program (ESP) 8.0 system, now standard across the range.^[14] The Omega comes standard with the entry-level V6 engine and persists with the venerable 4-speed automatic transmission. Being the base model of the range, the Omega rides on 16 inch steel wheels with a spacesaver tyre as a spare, as used on all the other variants. A full-sized, matching 16 inch spare tyre is available as an optional extra.^[50]

[edit] Commodore SV6

Building on the Omega, the SV6 is equipped with a more powerful 195 kilowatt variant of the Alloytec V6, coupled to an Aisin 6-speed manual transmission. Air conditioning, a key feature missing on the Omega comes standard on the SV6. In keeping with its sports image, it is fitted with 18 inch alloy wheels. A body kit and sports suspension similar to the V8 Commodore SS/SS V variants is also fitted. The SV6 sports the "Performance" interior look, with an accentuated matte black center console and red lighting, as opposed to the silver "Functional" style interior of the Omega.^[50]

[edit] Commodore SS

Offering similar equipment levels to the SV6, the Commodore SS is fitted with the 6.0 litre V8 engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Unlike the SV6 however, limited slip differential and a Blaupunkt 6-disc CD player come as a standard fitment, with the SS being recognisable from its quad exhaust outlets in place of dual outlets. The resulting specification level is much higher than the outgoing minimalist SV8 and only missing a few cosmetic touches of the previous flagship Commodore SS.^[50]

[edit] Commodore SS V-Series

Sitting at the top of hierarchy in the sports sector, the The SS V-Series represents the first time this type of naming has been applied to Holden products. The V-Series naming is reminiscent of the V-badging on selected Cadillac models, another member of the General Motors family. The badge design on the bootlid bears strong resemblance to the ones used by Cadillac. But whereas Cadillac uses it to signify high-performance versions of its products, Holden V-series variants boast extra features.^[23]

Based on the Commodore SS variant, the SS V offers extra luxuries at a similar price point to the old SS such as, dual zone climate control and curtain airbags. Inside, the SS V is recognisable by the metallic look pedals and instruments matched with the exterior colour. Additionally, the entire dashboard can be optioned in a range of loud colours: bright red, orange or black.^[15] 5-spoke 19 inch alloy wheels are standard, with the option of larger 20 inch wheels.^[50]

[edit] Berlina

With lower pricing than the outgoing model, the second tier Berlina retains a similar amount of equipment. The exterior styling is shared with the Omega but with extra touches such as front fog lamps and 7-spoke 17 inch alloy wheels. It features the "Luxury" type interior with a large LCD centre display and is the only model in the VE range that features wood grain highlights.^[50]

[edit] Calais

Like the Berlina, the Calais retains the features of the outgoing model but with a significantly lower price point. Offering a blend of luxury and sporting character, it pairs the 195 kilowatt V6 of the SV6 with the 5-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the previous model Calais which featured a semi-sport suspension setup known as FE1.5, the VE goes all the way with stiff sports suspension shared with the Commodore SS/SS V.^[50]

[edit] Calais V-Series

Based on the Calais, the V-Series edition shares "Luxury" style interior of the Berlina and Calais, but with real aluminium highlights. Being the flagship of the Commodore range, it comes with everything the VE has to offer and serves as a stepping stone to the luxury long-wheelbase Statesman/Caprice range.^[50]

[edit] Notes and references