July 16, 2006 General Motors Holden, the Australian division of the world’s largest car company, General Motors, released details of its all-new Holden Commodore range, designed and engineered to extend a decade-long record as Australia’s best selling car today. The 2006 VE Commodore is Australia’s first $1 billion car program and also holds global responsibilities for rear-wheel-drive engineering development and vehicle design for future programs outside Australia. Holden’s sports performance hero SS model and prestige leader Calais were chosen to debut the VE Commodore at an event in Melbourne. The all-new upmarket WM series Statesman and Caprice flagship models, were also shown in an historic double reveal. The cars are powered by 195 kilowatt Alloytec V6 engines, and a range-topping 270 kilowatt 6.0 litre V8 will deliver the performance Holden buyers know and love. A new six-speed automatic transmission is now available for V8 models, similar to GM’s premium cars such as Cadillacs and the Chevrolet Corvette. Other features include all-new front and rear suspension systems to provide outstanding handling without sacrificing ride comfort and the car’s microprocessing capability has more than doubled to provide new levels of safety and user-friendly features.
Commodore’s design theme is enabled by an increased wheelbase which moves the wheels closer to the car’s corners, delivering a powerful stance on the road.
Interiors, exteriors and major mechanical features have been totally redesigned or upgraded, representing the most clean-sheet car program in Holden history.
Safety was a key factor in designing the new vehicle, with the acclaimed crash avoidance technology Electronic Stability Program (ESP) standard and curtain airbags available on the entire VE sedan range.
The Holden VE Commodore range will go on sale in August 2006. Pricing and full specifications and features will be announced closer to the start of sales.
Model lineup
The new Omega and V Series models feature in a revised Commodore lineup. Omega replaces Executive and Acclaim while the V Series adds new variants to the leading SS and Calais nameplates.• Omega (new) – 3.6L V6, peak power 180kW, peak torque 330Nm, four-speed automatic• Berlina – 3.6L V6, peak power 180kW, peak torque 330Nm, four-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic• SV6 – 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic or six-speed manual• SS – 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic, six-speed manual• SS V (new) - 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic, sixspeed manual• Calais – 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic• Calais V (new) – 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic
Engines
• Two variants of the advanced all-aluminium 3.6L Alloytec V6 engine will be offered• The high output Alloytec will deliver peak power of 195kW @ 6500rpm and peak torque of 340Nm @ 2600rpm, up 5kW and 5Nm• The Alloytec V6 will deliver peak power of 180kW @ 6000rpm and peak torque of 330Nm @ 2600rpm, up 8kW and 10Nm• Increased output from the new 6.0L Generation 4 V8 engine to peak power of 270kW @ 5700rpm and peak torque of 530Nm @ 4400rpm, up 10kW and 20Nm. This makes the new engine the most powerful standard Holden ever produced• Plans for a 3.6L dual fuel LPG Alloytec V6 engine later in the year.
Transmissions
Five transmissions will be offered, comprising three automatic and two manual transmissions. An all-new six-speed automatic transmission will be offered for V8 variants, shared with General Motors’ flagship Cadillac cars and the Chevrolet Corvette.• GM 6L80E six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select (introduced in the CadillacSTS-V in the United States) makes its Australian debut as an option in all V8 variants• Tremec T56 six-speed manual in SS and SS V• GM 5L40E five-speed automatic with Active Select in Calais V6• Aisin AY6 six-speed manual in SV6• GM 4L60E four-speed automatic in Omega and Berlina
Safety
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) standard on all models• Driver, front passenger and side impact airbags available on all models• Occupant protection system designed for real world driving environment• Curtain airbags available on all models - standard on SS V, Calais and Calais V; optional on Omega, Berlina, SV6 and SS• Ultra-stiff body structure, multiple load path strategy, structurally optimised front and rear deformation zones• Greatly expanded use of super-strength and high-strength steels in the body
Technology
• All-new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems• Zone-based front and rear park assist systems available on selected models• Multi-function display reporting system• Bluetooth standard on all models except optional on Omega• Roof-mounted DVD systems available on all models• Auxiliary plug in audio systems to accommodate MP3 devices• Integrated navigation and telematics systems available later in 2006
July 16, 2006 General Motors Holden, the Australian division of the world’s largest car company, General Motors, released details of its all-new Holden Commodore range, designed and engineered to extend a decade-long record as Australia’s best selling car today. The 2006 VE Commodore is Australia’s first $1 billion car program and also holds global responsibilities for rear-wheel-drive engineering development and vehicle design for future programs outside Australia. Holden’s sports performance hero SS model and prestige leader Calais were chosen to debut the VE Commodore at an event in Melbourne. The all-new upmarket WM series Statesman and Caprice flagship models, were also shown in an historic double reveal. The cars are powered by 195 kilowatt Alloytec V6 engines, and a range-topping 270 kilowatt 6.0 litre V8 will deliver the performance Holden buyers know and love. A new six-speed automatic transmission is now available for V8 models, similar to GM’s premium cars such as Cadillacs and the Chevrolet Corvette. Other features include all-new front and rear suspension systems to provide outstanding handling without sacrificing ride comfort and the car’s microprocessing capability has more than doubled to provide new levels of safety and user-friendly features.
Commodore’s design theme is enabled by an increased wheelbase which moves the wheels closer to the car’s corners, delivering a powerful stance on the road.
Interiors, exteriors and major mechanical features have been totally redesigned or upgraded, representing the most clean-sheet car program in Holden history.
Safety was a key factor in designing the new vehicle, with the acclaimed crash avoidance technology Electronic Stability Program (ESP) standard and curtain airbags available on the entire VE sedan range.
The Holden VE Commodore range will go on sale in August 2006. Pricing and full specifications and features will be announced closer to the start of sales.
Model lineup
The new Omega and V Series models feature in a revised Commodore lineup. Omega replaces Executive and Acclaim while the V Series adds new variants to the leading SS and Calais nameplates.• Omega (new) – 3.6L V6, peak power 180kW, peak torque 330Nm, four-speed automatic• Berlina – 3.6L V6, peak power 180kW, peak torque 330Nm, four-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic• SV6 – 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic or six-speed manual• SS – 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic, six-speed manual• SS V (new) - 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic, sixspeed manual• Calais – 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic• Calais V (new) – 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic
Engines
• Two variants of the advanced all-aluminium 3.6L Alloytec V6 engine will be offered• The high output Alloytec will deliver peak power of 195kW @ 6500rpm and peak torque of 340Nm @ 2600rpm, up 5kW and 5Nm• The Alloytec V6 will deliver peak power of 180kW @ 6000rpm and peak torque of 330Nm @ 2600rpm, up 8kW and 10Nm• Increased output from the new 6.0L Generation 4 V8 engine to peak power of 270kW @ 5700rpm and peak torque of 530Nm @ 4400rpm, up 10kW and 20Nm. This makes the new engine the most powerful standard Holden ever produced• Plans for a 3.6L dual fuel LPG Alloytec V6 engine later in the year.
Transmissions
Five transmissions will be offered, comprising three automatic and two manual transmissions. An all-new six-speed automatic transmission will be offered for V8 variants, shared with General Motors’ flagship Cadillac cars and the Chevrolet Corvette.• GM 6L80E six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select (introduced in the CadillacSTS-V in the United States) makes its Australian debut as an option in all V8 variants• Tremec T56 six-speed manual in SS and SS V• GM 5L40E five-speed automatic with Active Select in Calais V6• Aisin AY6 six-speed manual in SV6• GM 4L60E four-speed automatic in Omega and Berlina
Safety
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) standard on all models• Driver, front passenger and side impact airbags available on all models• Occupant protection system designed for real world driving environment• Curtain airbags available on all models - standard on SS V, Calais and Calais V; optional on Omega, Berlina, SV6 and SS• Ultra-stiff body structure, multiple load path strategy, structurally optimised front and rear deformation zones• Greatly expanded use of super-strength and high-strength steels in the body
Technology
• All-new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems• Zone-based front and rear park assist systems available on selected models• Multi-function display reporting system• Bluetooth standard on all models except optional on Omega• Roof-mounted DVD systems available on all models• Auxiliary plug in audio systems to accommodate MP3 devices• Integrated navigation and telematics systems available later in 2006