When Holden’s next-generation VF Commodore series launches in Australian in 2014, it will be the first locally-produced automobile to incorporate mass produced aluminium panels in its construction. In addition, the new large car, which will also spawn a long-wheelbase Caprice model, will get improved aerodynamics and electric power steering in place of the current-gen’s hydraulic unit. It’s all part of an effort by Holden to lighten up its flagship model and thereby make it more fuel efficient in an effort to remain competitive with the likes of the locally-produced Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Fuel savings are expected to be around the 7% mark, bringing the 9.1lt /100 km (26 mpg) combined rating of the 3.0 L V6 SIDI down to a more politically-correct 8.4 lt/ 100 km (28 mpg). Similar savings will be experienced with the older 3.6 L Alloytec V6: 9.1 lt / 100 km (26 mpg) down from 9.8 lt / 100 km (24 mpg). The program is part-funded by the Australian federal government, which poured AU$39.8 million in from the now defunct Green Car Innovation Fund.
The entire VF project has been pegged at AU$189 million; significantly less than the rumoured one billion spent on its VE predecessor. The aluminium-pressing alone is expected to generate some 250 engineering jobs at Holden’s Elizabeth Plant where the Cruze small car is built. GM Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux discusses the VF project:
“We will be using [the Green Car Innovation Fund] money to bring a number of innovations that are going to drive pretty significant fuel savings and carbon emission reductions. We are talking about aluminium panels on the car and some significant aero work on the vehicle as well. We are not actually announcing for competitive reasons much beyond that, but it is a pretty exciting day because it keeps the story going on Commodore’s future and its relevance to Australia.”
Aluminium is up to 50% lighter than steel, though its prohibitive cost has limited its use in Australian-built vehicles. Rumours of a hybrid model continue to circulate in the Australian motoring press, and in my opinion it’s only a matter of time before the Commodore jumps that particular bandwagon. For the time being at least, the big Aussie sedan’s future would seem assured.
By Tristan Hankins
Source: Goauto
8 Comments:
Looks like a Cadillac CTS. In fact, it looks better than the second-generation CTS that Lutz insisted on pussifying. Glad that bastard is gone (although he insist on keeping his stink around by supposedly consulting to GM for free...yeah right). The first-generation CTS had heart and soul, until it was stolen by Lutz.
"The first-generation CTS had heart and soul"
It's a car. It doesn't have a heart or a soul. There is no such thing as a soul anyway.
On just the interior alone, 2nd gen CTS > 1st gen CTS
soul=essence. So yea, a car can have soul.
Looks like a Caddy, and one that I would buy.
The second-generation was Lutzified, hence, the loss of potential young buyers (that GM put the word out to Cadillac dealerships that they didn’t want anyway), and the catering to the geriatric crowd. Remember, Lutz hated the Sigma team, although the first-generation CTS saved Cadillac sorry ass. Of course, Lutz was shown on TV giving partial cover car liftings of the new second-generation CTS; what a charlatan Lutz was and is.
Anon #1, the article clearly says that the image is a concept drawing for the WM Statesman/Caprice. Please read the article properly.
Indeed, Caddy styling was intended for the Statesman/Caprice variants, and are only very subtle on the actual car in comparision to this concept image.
VF and W(N?) will be closer to Chevrolet I believe, since the SS Commodore's extremely aikely to become the Chevrolet SS/Chevelle (Assuming the Aussie dollar drops below the US dollar by 2013).
Goob.
Stating that a lower fuel consumption is more than anything else "politically correct" is easily the most idiotic statement I have read so far on Carscoop and kind of disappointing, considering the overall decent quality of reporting here.
The Commodore, just as the Falcon, is exemplary of the Dinosaur-like technological competency level of the Australian car industry and is in dire need of features, that can finally bring it into the 21st century (or just the 1990s standards of Europe and Japan, for that matter).
The aluminium-approach highlights once more that Holden just doesnt get it. Instead of tackling the root of the problem - its severely dated engine technology (SIDI is a joke, something overseas manufacturers had 15 years ago) - the make-shift-approach of lightening the vehicle is chosen. Thats not engineering, its like providing CPR to a patient with cardiac arrest.
But as long as the government is dumb enough to pay for it... Holden sure wont get my money.
@Goob, since when did you become Carscoop's hall monitor? I read the bloody article, and I still believe—to me—the artist's rendering resembles a Cadillac. I don't give a rat's arse about the VF Commodore.
All you Doobs knocking the Commodore/Statesman, you cant have it in USA, you aint good enough!!!
Why sullify a beautiful design by putting that hideous Pontiac nose on it? At least the Poms got it unsullied in their Vauxhall versions
Now you wanna call it a Cadillac? Dammit, let the name die, it's in agony now!!
Detroit build CRAP!!! Australia has to show you how to build cars again!!!
If it bothers you that much, go buy a Honda, or even a Toyota... Build a bridge!
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