Commodore VFII features new V8 engine, front and rear design changes
Holden has taken the wraps off the final locally-produced Commodore, aptly named the VFII, revealing styling changes, added features and a new 6.2-litre LS3 V8 engine.
The VFII represents a 37 year Commodore manufacturing history in Australia that started with the VB Commodore and included a number of concepts, motorsport vehicles and export models, culminating with the fastest, most powerful and most advanced Commodore ever.
While most of the range has received styling changes and extra features, the Evoke remains unchanged and the option ofLPG has been removed across the range, as exclusively revealed by CarAdvice. Changes include:
The Evoke remains powered by a 3.0-litre six-cylinder V6 engine that produces 185kW of power and 290Nm of torque, consuming 8.3L/100km of fuel on the combined cycle for the sedan and 8.6L/100km for the Sportwagon.
The car remains powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine that produces 210kW of power and 350Nm of torque and is available with either a six-speed manual or automatic in sedan trim and six-speed automatic in Sportwagon trim.
Fuel consumption for the SV6 is 9.0L/100km and 9.3L/100km respectively for the sedan and Sportwagon.
Design and specification changes include a new front bumper and grille design, clear tail lights, keyless entry and start, new 18-inch alloy wheels and new LED tail lights for the Sportwagon.
As exclusively revealed by CarAdivce earlier in the year, stepping up to the SS nets you a new engine and a price hike./
Holden has also retuned the FE3 suspension to cater for the new engine, claiming to have improved the ride and handling in the process.
Under the bonnet, you will find a 6.2-litre LS3 V8 engine that produces 304kW of power (up 34kW on the outgoing model) and 570Nm of torque.
Holden claims that it will sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.9-seconds, making it the fastest Commodore ever.
All V8 models come with a mechanical bi-modal exhaust that Holden has named the ‘Baillie Tip’. It is designed to open up the exhaust as the revs rise to increase engine note — it sounds pretty awesome if the initial footage is anything to go by. The system also includes a resonator that inducts noise into the cabin to enhance the driving experience.
Changes to the SS Commodore above and beyond the previous model include keyless entry and start, newly designed front bar and grille, new 18-inch alloy wheels and new LED tail lights for the Sportwagon.
All V8 models come with the option of performance brakes, which are Brembo branded and sit on all four corners, they are a reasonable $350 option.
The SSV steps it up a notch, featuring the same engine with the same power output as the SS, but with extra features.
The SSV gets (on top of the new SS features) clear tail lights, functional hood vents, a colour heads-up display and new 19-inch alloy wheels.
Sitting at the top of the performance range is the SSV Redline, which now picks up rear Brembo brakes as standard, in addition to all new features of the SSV.
A 20-inch forged alloy wheel option is also available.
Rounding out the Commodore sedan range are the Calais and Calais V models.
Calais models have increased in price slightly and now come with front heated seats with memory, an 8-way power passenger seat, new 18-inch alloy wheels, clear tail lights on sedan and LED tail lights on Sportwagon and boot-lid lettering.
V6 Calais models remain powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine that produces 210kW of power and 350Nm of torque, consuming 9.0L/100km on the combined cycle for the sedan and 9.3L/100km on the combined cycle for the Sportwagon.
In addition to the new features listed for the Calais, the Calais V V6 comes with new 19-inch alloy wheels.
New features on top of the Calais V V6 include a limited-slip differential and the performance brake upgrade option.
The VFII Ute range variants get the same extra features as their sedan siblings.
The final vehicle to receive updates is the Caprice V, which loses the V6 engine option and is now only available as a 6.2-litre LS3 V8.
Producing the same 304kW/570Nm as the Commodore, the Caprice V now comes with a new bootlip spoiler, new 19-inch alloy wheels, single exhaust outlets and the performance brake option.
The Caprice V doesn’t get the extensive makeover we predicted earlier in the year, unfortunately.
Available in 10 colours, two new colours have been added to the Commodore range called Slipstream Blue and Empire Bronze.