Australia’s iconic Holden Commodore is coming – with a German accent.
The next generation of the large sedan, to be released in early 2018, will be the first Commodore to come after GM Holden ends Australian production in late 2017. It will be built in Germany and will not have the traditional V-8 engine.
Between now and then, GM Holden faces the task of getting Aussies to love the V-6 import as much as they did for the versions built locally since 1978.
Based on General Motors’ new E2 global architecture, engineered in Germany and shared with the Opel Insignia, the new Commodore has been co-developed under the watchful eye of GM Holden’s engineers.
Surveys found Australians wanted to keep the local Commodore name, rather than go with global branding.
In addition to the V-6, GM Holden’s flagship German product will boast 308 hp and 273 lb.-ft. (370 Nm) of torque, all-wheel drive and the automaker’s first 9-speed transmission.
Advanced technology includes active fuel management, adaptive suspension, torque-vectoring AWD, matrix lighting system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
GM Holden says extensive Australian engineering development ensures the Commodore will live up to the legendary nameplate with outstanding driving dynamics.
Jeremy Tassone, GM Holden’s Engineering Group Manager-Vehicle Development, says the first imported Commodore will be the most technologically advanced version ever made.
“Holden has been engaged in this program from the outset to ensure the next-generation Commodore lives up to its legendary nameplate,” Tassone says in a statement. “We know the first imported Commodore will come under a lot of scrutiny, and we know we have a lot to live up to. This car delivers in spades.
“Although we are in the early stages of the Holden development process, this is an absolutely world-class car. We’ve taken a precision-engineered German car and endowed it with Holden DNA. It drives like a Commodore should.
“We’ve had our Holden engineers engaged in this global program from the outset and we’re continuing to do extensive tuning and development, racking up thousands of kilometers at our Lang Lang proving ground in Victoria to ensure it’s got that Holden magic.”
Tassone says the underlying platform is top-shelf.
“The key is what is dubbed the ‘Twinster’ rear-drive module. Essentially, the traditional rear differential has been replaced with two individual clutches that not only save weight and improve packaging but (also) provide virtually instantaneous active distribution of torque to the required wheel.
“The overall system monitors inputs from vehicle sensors 100 times per second and constantly adjusts accordingly.”
Peter Keley, executive director-sales, says the Commodore’s evolution reflects the transformation of the GM Holden brand and company as it evolves into a full-line importer of vehicles.
“With the first-ever imported Commodore, we’re delivering our customers an absolutely world-beating vehicle, with the space, practicality, technology and driving pleasure that Commodore has always provided,” Keley says.
“This is a different kind of Commodore to what has come before but lives up to the nameplate in every respect and will carry our heritage with pride.”
Both gasoline and diesel front-wheel-drive models also are going to Australia with liftback and sportwagon body styles.
GM Holden says pricing, specifications and full details of driver, safety and additional infotainment technology will be confirmed closer to launch.
“While it may not be built here, we’ll deliver a Commodore that our customers will love in 2018,” Tassone says.
The automaker says after 2017 it will retain a significant presence in Australia, including sales, marketing and engineering operations; spare-parts distribution; and design studios.
