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15-02-2018, 02:13 PM | #1 | ||
Chairman & Administrator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: 1975
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Holden’s all-new German-built Commodore developed with over 200,000km local Australian testing – enough to circle the world five times!
Commodore comes with unique Australian suspension, steering and Electric Stability Controls tune 40 years of Commodore DNA and learnings inspire evolution of an icon 2.0-litre turbo petrol quickest base model Commodore ever; 191kW power and 350Nm torque Put yourself in Rob Trubiani’s shoes for a minute. Trubiani, Holden’s Lead Dynamics Engineer, has been responsible for the way Commodores drive for the past 22 years. In fact, while most people were focusing on Cathy Freeman beating the world, Trubiani was focusing on perfecting the VY Commodore. Now, Trubiani and Holden’s talented engineering team have released their most recent masterpiece to Australia – the 2018 Holden Commodore – and this time making sure it felt like a Commodore was more critical than ever. “We’ve been working with the GM team in Europe for a few years to make sure all of the elements of Commodores are present in this car but when it comes to how it feels, that’s work we have to do here,” said Trubiani. “Australians have different driving tastes to Europeans and Americans. Here we like cars to feel more connected to the road and more engaging to drive. It’s all about road feel and steering. “We’ve developed an Australian suspension tune that works unique Holden hardware in the shape of struts and shocks to make sure the new Commodore feels as planted as ever. Then, add in the adaptive AWD system and it feels so well-planted it could be running on tram tracks.” Commodore employs three different suspension settings depending on the role of the vehicle. For luxury-focused models, including Calais-V Calais-V Tourer, a comfort-focused ‘Tour’ setting is used. Sports variants employ a slightly firmer ‘Sports’ set up, while the performance hero, VXR offers an additional ‘Performance’ tune. VXR also boasts a Continuous Damper Control system which gives occupants the best of both worlds, from comfort to outright performance. But steering is where Trubiani shines most. “We’ve also given the car the same linear steering feel that Commodores are renowned for, using technology to deliver an electric power steering solution that is not only engaging but inspires ultimate driver confidence.” “We’ve developed three different Commodore steering tunes - Tour, Sports and Performance – each tailored to suit the car they feature in. We’ve also got switchable mode buttons on certain models to allow drivers to select how they want the car to feel in certain situations.” Building on Commodore’s extensive testing and tuning carried out at Holden’s Lang Lang proving ground, Holden drivers have also driven an incredible 200,000km on local roads as part of the Captured Test Fleet (CTF) program, designed to evaluate everyday driving performance. Commodore’s CTF program consisted of over 30 pre-production vehicles with a wide range of Holden employees jumping at the chance to test the car. “The CTF program is a great way for us to check those day-to-day issues that annoy us all. Things like poor radio reception, squeaks and rattles,” said Holden’s Product Development Quality Manager, Paul Sbrissa. “The new Commodore has a long list of high-tech features including 360-degree camera, adaptive LED lighting and head-up display. We need to make sure these all work smoothly to ensure that the 2018 Commodore fits in seamlessly with Australian drivers’ lives.” Commodore has long been known for exceptional product quality combined with exhilarating performance, and while the new Commodore is not the traditional rear-wheel-drive, its Adaptive AWD system delivers in spades. Standard on all 3.6-litre V6 models, Commodore’s adaptive AWD system provides Twinster state-of-the-art technology for more grip, especially in slippery conditions, as well as better compensation of oversteer and understeer. Commodore’s adaptive AWD system utilises Twinster’s twin clutch concept, which uses one clutch to control torque to the right rear wheel independent of the clutch controlling torque to the left rear wheel – each with an individual clutch capacity of 1500Nm. The system monitors inputs from vehicle sensors up to 100 times per second. Torque split is between 100 : 0 and 50 : 50 Front : Rear. In short, Commodore drives whichever wheels it takes to produce the best performance possible - wet or dry. Further innovation is found in all petrol Commodores, thanks to an all-new 9-speed automatic transmission. Fine tuned through years of 4-speed, 5-speed and 6-speed transmission development, it’s no fluke that the new 9-speed transmission is always in the right gear and ready to respond to driver demand. With such an in-depth engineering involvement on the car, Trubiani has one message for those on the fence. “The new Commodore will surprise people, the 3.6-litre V6 is a heap of fun and the 2.0-litre turbo is a dark horse. I’d encourage people to go check the car out for themselves. They won’t be disappointed.” Calais V VXR VXR
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Observatio Facta Rotae
Last edited by russellw; 16-02-2018 at 08:44 AM. |
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15-02-2018, 02:34 PM | #2 | ||
Peter Car
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: geelong
Posts: 23,145
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Source: Ford media
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15-02-2018, 02:41 PM | #3 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 908
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Of course he is going to talk it up. So will the media.
Let the future sales give the verdict. The media releases from Holden honchos during the past few years make me wonder what fantasy world they are living in. |
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15-02-2018, 09:44 PM | #4 | ||
Za Dom spremni
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,759
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That is one ugly looking car right there
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2017 red mustang GT manual XB coupe 351 4spd sunroof onyx black XBGT 4 door Sunroof apollo blue AU III XR8 red ute |
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16-02-2018, 07:20 PM | #5 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: WA
Posts: 3,705
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60k+ for not really a performance car that does 0-100 in 7 seconds lol.
I'm sure they'll sell a few to the brain dead. Makes a mustang even more of a bargain.
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www.bseries.com.au/mercurybullet 2016 Falcon XR8. Powered by the legend that is - David Winter. XC Cobra #181. 1985 Mack Superliner, CAT 3408, 24 speed Allison. |
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16-02-2018, 11:38 PM | #6 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Canberra
Posts: 13,460
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I'm still really dirty on them slapping a Commodore badge on this. A Commodore was an Aussie built family sized RWD with an option of a V8
Why not call it what it is, an Insignia which we already had before. It might be a decent car but is not similar at all. |
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18-02-2018, 10:05 AM | #7 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: St Marys Tasmania
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Quote:
Despite the virtues or otherwise of this car , even some diehard Holden Commodore fans that I know wish that they'd retired the Commodore nameplate like Ford did with the Falcon. Beats me why as you say they just didn't call it Insignia or even go mad and name it something very unique but famous in Australia. Retaining the Commodore name might well backfire for GMH by the loyalists. Then again , maybe the spin doctors and market analysts at GMH know more about all this than we do and the Commy nameplate is best. Not for many fans though me thinks. Last edited by roddy1960; 18-02-2018 at 10:14 AM. |
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18-02-2018, 10:16 AM | #8 | |||
AWD Assassin
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,170
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Even if this had AWD and 500hp it still wouldn’t sell in volumes. What they should have done with this “new” commodore is worked on a PHEV option to ensure it has some relevance in today’s market. This car will flop and not because it doesn’t get to the next set of lights 0.5 secs quicker than a corolla, but because it doesn’t address market dynamics....just like its predecessor.
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Old RIDE 2006 BFGT Gone but not forgotten New RIDE 2018 AMG Mercedes A45 Angry AWD assassin
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18-02-2018, 11:26 AM | #9 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 156
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I think the Tourer is probably going to be the most popular in the range. (not saying much though, I don't think it will sell well overall)
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18-02-2018, 11:47 AM | #10 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: WA
Posts: 3,705
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Quote:
Just the marketing spiel I read on car advice yesterday touting it's performance. It's sad to see, dunno how they can write it with a straight face. As a daily driver that can get the kids to the beach it's ok. But forget the vxr version.
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www.bseries.com.au/mercurybullet 2016 Falcon XR8. Powered by the legend that is - David Winter. XC Cobra #181. 1985 Mack Superliner, CAT 3408, 24 speed Allison. |
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18-02-2018, 12:28 PM | #11 | |||
Donating Member
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I worked after hours at a local speed shop so I could get discounts on race parts. Sometimes I would test drive customer cars. They were slow. The Monte Carlo SS was the worst offender. Some fall for it. |
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18-02-2018, 12:49 PM | #12 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: WA
Posts: 3,705
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Mate my cobra was the best looking car man has ever made.
It was also the slowest. I'll never forget the day two hot chicks in a corolla lined me up and the secondaries wouldn't kick in...oh my!
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www.bseries.com.au/mercurybullet 2016 Falcon XR8. Powered by the legend that is - David Winter. XC Cobra #181. 1985 Mack Superliner, CAT 3408, 24 speed Allison. |
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18-02-2018, 02:05 PM | #13 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 908
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Agree. The bogans (including me) already have their cars, and the ZB is just another Mazda, Toyoto, or down market Audi, VW. Their V6 prices are getting beyond the realm of the 'appliance' car shopper.
Boganmobiles are now dual cab utes, and those prices are getting beyond reality. $80K for a Finke Desert Race prepped Raptor poseur, and over $60K for a HSV Sportspussy. Those prices make a VE/VF SSV and FG/FGX XR look great value for a keeper. |
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20-02-2018, 01:21 PM | #14 | ||
351 Cleveland:Pure Muscle
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 248
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I bet my bottom dollar it wont matter how basic or over priced the new commodores are, Holden will market them to the hilt and they will sell heaps of them.
Pity Ford don't do something like this to replace the Falcon as the Mondeo is not selling at all.
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20-02-2018, 03:02 PM | #15 | ||
Peter Car
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: geelong
Posts: 23,145
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Medium is a dead segment. Only the Camry sold in reasonable numbers and now that it is imported those numbers will drop back. All the other cheap medium cars sell less than 500 a month, Mazda 6, Liberty etc.
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20-02-2018, 03:09 PM | #16 | ||
BA/F6 BF/F6 SSV/R TTG
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 7,251
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I thought after FGX grilles couldn't look any uglier. I was wrong.
That car is just another copy paste of every other medium size car sold. No thanks
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BA BF FPV starter button repairs. PM me. Nizpro equipped and Tuned by the BEST in the west Xtreme Ford Tuning 479RwKw Fuel limited, more pumps and power too come. F6#0507 & #0639 Pro racer and Tech expert NIZPRO modifying falcons like Premcar can only dream of , see VIDEO below. https://youtu.be/oa4IfguGQ-A |
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20-02-2018, 03:52 PM | #17 | ||
BA/F6 BF/F6 SSV/R TTG
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 7,251
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Externally that is. Might has some bells and whistles
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BA BF FPV starter button repairs. PM me. Nizpro equipped and Tuned by the BEST in the west Xtreme Ford Tuning 479RwKw Fuel limited, more pumps and power too come. F6#0507 & #0639 Pro racer and Tech expert NIZPRO modifying falcons like Premcar can only dream of , see VIDEO below. https://youtu.be/oa4IfguGQ-A |
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20-02-2018, 06:44 PM | #18 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: St Marys Tasmania
Posts: 3,556
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Quote:
Somehow F/A needs to convince one of the head honcho's to whack a 2.7 l TT or something like the Fusion has to spark up the action over the current offerings . Highly doubt we'd ever have that much clout here in the backblocks. Mustang , Focus RS will be it in that regard I reckon. |
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21-02-2018, 04:07 PM | #19 | |||
VFII SS UTE
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24-02-2018, 08:45 PM | #20 | |||
Powered By EcoBoost
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Remember Holden Epica? Holden Malibu? I reckon at least with the commodore badge, it will sell a lot more than those name plates ever could, to customers who don't understand what this new commodore really is. |
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25-02-2018, 09:45 AM | #21 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: St Marys Tasmania
Posts: 3,556
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Serious question . Does anybody here think that it's even remotely possible that this new Commodore will have a waiting list or demand will out strip supply being fully imported. I have doubts just at the minute.
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25-02-2018, 01:05 PM | #22 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,398
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$42,990 for a V6 AWD Commodore is not a bad price and given the acceleration of the 9-speed auto,
I hope it sells well and becomes a fish slap to the face of Ford for not importing the V6EB Fusion Sport. FoA was offered the 2.7 EB Fusion/Mondeo but passed because of fears that former Falcon buyers would shun it. Funny how the same thing was said of Mustang, it would sell like a wall flower in comparison to Falcon but now, +15,000 sales later, here we are. |
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25-02-2018, 01:11 PM | #23 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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Location: A.C.T
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It is not going to sell anywhere near the numbers of the outgoing model.Drove one last year in the UK(Vauxhall Insignia,same animal) really nice drive & a nice car to boot.Hope it does reasonably well for Holden.The trouble is there is so many “knockers” out there(I will call them “bogan” Commy owners) all they care about is that it has not got a V8 under the hood.Before anyone knocks it,do yourself a favour & go and drive one!Cheers
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25-02-2018, 01:17 PM | #24 | ||
Boss 335
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,330
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Well, coming from the company that stuck its Holden Barina badge on the North Korean Daewoo Kalos, and reversed the ailing car's fortunes overnight, one can't underestimate the power of the Holden badge lol
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25-02-2018, 01:26 PM | #25 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,398
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Opel came and went like a soggy pretzel, I wonder who's brain fart that was....
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25-02-2018, 01:44 PM | #26 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,398
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Car and Driver estimated these performance figures for the very similar Buick GS:
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST): Zero to 60 mph: 5.8 sec Zero to 100 mph: 14.7 sec 1/4-mile: 14.3 sec Top speed: 140 mph https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...t-drive-review If true, not bad performance and the AWD's added grip will show up in less than ideal real world traction situations like cornering, damp roads, launching uphill from stop sign, and driving up slippery boat ramps. Last edited by jpd80; 25-02-2018 at 01:52 PM. |
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25-02-2018, 03:35 PM | #27 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,341
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It will be interesting if the words 'Holden', 'Commodore' & 'Australia' appear together again in future advertising campaigns. I agree with MITCHAY regarding the continuation of the Commodore brand. Hopefully there is nothing in Ford USA that could be built in RHD & sold here under the 'Falcon' marque. The popularity of SUV has crept into small car design it appears, with so many mid sized hot hatch options. AMG, Audi S, Kia GT and Fords mighty Focus RS. I haven't been in a new Ranger, however I have driven Nissan & Toyota equivalent's and neither are the sort of vehicle I would be comfortable driving long interstate trips in. I wonder if Ford will do another large car capable of 4-5 adults etc, rather than a Territory or SUV. The success of the Mustang shows Ford marketing that Australians love performance oriented cars and if you make a good one that is affordable, just like the original, they will sell. Back to Holden and their new Commodore. I can't see the traditional HSV customer/collector being too excited about this particular release, but you can guarantee it will polarise opinion's.
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26-02-2018, 01:52 PM | #28 | |||
Peter Car
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: geelong
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26-02-2018, 03:57 PM | #29 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,341
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Moves like that remind you how little some company's care about their brand these days. I understand profits are required to succeed, but jeez it would be nice to hear of a car built for under $80k that didn't have a substantial amount of faults/recalls or just general poor finish. People wonder why so many of us prefer older, simpler designed cars.
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