Final Commodore LS3 304kw 570nm

[Sioso]

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/h...12-gjla99.html

Holden is giving its Australian-made Commodore a tyre-frying farewell.

The car maker has revealed the final iteration of its locally-built sedan in Melbourne today, confirming the range-topping - and popular - V8 performance variants will be the most powerful in the model's 37-year history.

The VFII update is the last to the Australian-design and developed Commodore range before Holden officially closes its Elizabeth plant in South Australia in 2017. It won't be the last Commodore however, as Holden has committed to maintaining the nameplate on an imported model in the future.
2016 Holden VFII Commodore
2016 Holden VFII Commodore Photo: Supplied

While all Commodore models receive a host of minor visual and specification upgrades, the most significant is the adoption of a larger, more powerful 6.2-litre V8 in the flagship variants.

The engine - which has been exclusively available in Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) models since 2008 and dubbed LS3 - is available in five model variants; the Commodore SS, SS-V, SS-V Redline, Calais V and Caprice V.

Holden says it produces 304kW of power and 570Nm of torque, enough to slingshot the car from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.9 seconds - the fastest acceleration ever for a mainstream Holden product.

Not only is it fast, Holden says it has enhanced the V8's character with "a pure V8 soundtrack" thanks to a bi-modal exhaust system and a sound enhancer. And the top-performance SS-V Redline model picks up stronger braking hardware with Brembo rear callipers added to the existing front stoppers from the famed Italian brand.

Other modifications include a re-designed front bumper with wider air intakes and more chrome brightwork and functional vents on the trailing edge of the bonnet to help extract hot air from the engine bay as well as clear tail lamps on all sedan models. While the ute variants remain unchanged at the rear, the Sportwagon picks up new LED tail lamps.

Prices for most VFII models have increased over their predecessors, from between $500 and $1500, although the entry-level Evoke remains unchanged at $35,490 (plus on-road costs) for the sedan.
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​​Holden's new Chairman and Managing Director, Mark Bernhard, made his first media appearance unveiling the updated Commodore, claiming that, despite the common trend for car makers to downsize engines, Holden customers still demand performance.

"We made a commitment to keep this iconic car exciting and relevant for Australian motorists, and that is exactly what we have done. This is the vehicle that our Commodore customers have been asking for," Bernhard said.

"Commodore VFII is powerful and refined, it will evoke emotion in its driver and exhibits all of the hallmarks Commodore has become renowned for over the years.

"Commodore represents 37-years of innovation, performance and technological advancements and has earned its place as Holden's longest-standing and most successful nameplate.

"Holden's design, engineering and manufacturing teams have produced the best Commodore ever - a vehicle that truly lives up to its reputation and one that the entire company is incredibly proud of.

"This is the reason Holden is committed to ensuring we will continue to have engineering and design input into Commodore, and every other Holden vehicle in our range, for generations to come."

Holden says VFII Commodore models will be available in showrooms from October.


2016 Holden Commodore VFII Prices (plus on-road costs)

Evoke $35,490 (sedan), $37,490 (Sportwagon), $33,490 (ute)

SV6 $37,290 (sedan), $41,490 (Sportwagon), $33,990 (ute)

SS $44,490 (sedan), $48,690 (Sportwagon), $40,990 (ute)

SSV $47,990 (sedan), $52,190 (Sportwagon), $44,490 (ute)

SSV Redline $53,990 (sedan), $58,190 (Sportwagon), $50,490 (ute)

Calais $41,290 (sedan), $43,290 (Sportwagon)

Calais V $47,990 (sedan), $49,990 (Sportwagon)

Calais V V8 $55,490 (sedan), $57,490 (Sportwagon)

Caprice V $60,490

[cycle myth]

304 kw and 570 Nm

[MITCHAY]

I wouldn't be surprised if they sell a **** load of these if they are already making up 30% of sales without any power increases for the better part of a decade.

Not much change but the most important part is a big upgrade. I reckon it looks good.

[Struggo]

Like the Sportwagon LED's, nice update.

[HULK_I6T]

A must buy

[Uwish]

Looks great

[Express]

Mmmm

That 0-100 is a bit slow.

Why such a soft tune for an engine that produces so much more?

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by Express

Mmmm



That 0-100 is a bit slow.



Why such a soft tune for an engine that produces so much more?

Faster than a f6 that had more power. How fast should 2t go with 304 kW?

[GTPete]

304 Kw's is that at the engine or rear wheels?

[Express]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

Faster than a f6 that had more power. How fast should 2t go with 304 kW?

It’s obvious, it’s 4.9seconds.

So when you take into account no-one has ever been capable of achieving the Holden rated times for other Commodore models which means the real world figure will probably be 5.2 or so.

For 6.2 litres of V8 that’s not good enough.

So my question again is why such a soft tune which equates to a slow 0-100 when the LS3 is available from GM as a crate motor rated up to 391kW at the fly.

320kW or a bit more would have been a better send off.

[csv8]

I have said it before and been criticised...at least Holden is sending the Commodore off in power and style..Falcon is going out in whimper.. Lets hope the Sprint sees the light off day and sends Falcon out instyle..Falcon needs something at the moment, its forgotten...so sos sad......I have had an XC 500, XD GL, AU Fairmont V8 Wagon, Fairlane, and current car..BF series 2 Ghia....so, I have been supportive of Falcon over the years....

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

Faster than a f6 that had more power. How fast should 2t go with 304 kW?

F6 with better rubber or wider rear rims would have that lame lion limping home with his tails between his legs.

[FlipXW]

Originally Posted by csv8

I have said it before and been criticised...at least Holden is sending the Commodore off power and style..Falcon is going out in whimper.. Lets hope the Sprint sees the light off day and sends Falcon out instyle..Falcon needs something at the moment, its forgotten...so sos sad......I have had an XC 500, XD GL, AU Fairmont V8 Wagon, Fairlane, and current car..BF series 2 Ghia....so, I have been supportive of Falcon over the years....

Without taking anything away from this car, which will no doubt be a cracker, your comment is a bit flawed IMO. A 335kw XR8 is a whimper?? Also the rumoured sprint turbo which I have no doubt will run the quarter quicker than this SS. I know the SS is more than just straight line speed but geez id say they have given the falcon a fair send off.

[futura]

Originally Posted by GTPete

304 Kw's is that at the engine or rear wheels?

Engine.

[2011G6E]

Implying any but one or two of these would ever go down a dragstrip...

99% of HSV's and FPV's I've ever seen have been either driven by old people or being driven quite sedately and carefully.

Shame that most of them never see a wheel turned in anger as the maker intended, but that's life...the more expensive the car, generally the older the buyer.

[csv8]

FlipXW..I wasnt refering to the power..the XR8 is great!! but who knows it exists?? apart fom us ?????

[FG50T]

Also upped final drives, 3.45:1 in the manual to 3.72, and from 2.92:1 to 3.45 in the automatic

[flooded one]

Performance wise I dont think the XR8 has much to fear from it. The more powerful upgrades if any would be reserved for the HSV

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Express

So when you take into account no-one has ever been capable of achieving the Holden rated times for other Commodore models which means the real world figure will probably be 5.2 or so.

For 6.2 litres of V8 that’s not good enough.

So my question again is why such a soft tune which equates to a slow 0-100 when the LS3 is available from GM as a crate motor rated up to 391kW at the fly.

320kW or a bit more would have been a better send off.

Performance Drive got 4.8s out of a series 1 manual Redline. Run is on their YT channel.

And the reason for the "soft" tune, perhaps because Holden still have a go-fast division, HSV. They've given the SS a substantial power increase while still leaving some breathing room between the Gen F Clubsport. That's the smart thing to do, I doubt Holden have any interest in hurting Gen F resale.

[Express]

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

Performance Drive got 4.8s out of a series 1 manual Redline. Run is on their YT channel.

And the reason for the "soft" tune, perhaps because Holden still have a go-fast division, HSV. They've given the SS a substantial power increase while still leaving some breathing room between the Gen F Clubsport. That's the smart thing to do, I doubt Holden have any interest in hurting Gen F resale.

If the rumours are correct the HSV line-up is going down the supercharged route with an even bigger increase in horsepower for a high dollar outlay.

Which means even if Holden were to adopt the outgoing HSV LS3 outputs there would still be a significant differentiation between the two brands.

I’ve owned plenty of Commodores including 9 HSV’s and as a general rule they don’t perform as per the blurb without throwing money at them.

I’ll bow to the 4.8 Redline figure until I get my new Series II and compare it.

And I’ll stand by my disappointment that only 304kW is coming from a 6.2 litre V8 when in 2006 HSV were achieving 307kW from the old superseded 6 litre LS2.

[Sioso]

Originally Posted by Express

Mmmm

That 0-100 is a bit slow.

Why such a soft tune for an engine that produces so much more?

This car is around until 2017 so giving it 304kw leaves room for a final LE model with an extra 10 or 20kw.
If they went 320 right off the bat they would have no room for a final edition without intruding on base model HSV's running the NA LS3.
Just guessing at this stage but I think there will be a send-off edition with a bit more poke.

[Express]

Originally Posted by Sioso

This car is around until 2017 so giving it 304kw leaves room for a final LE model with an extra 10 or 20kw.
If they went 320 right off the bat they would have no room for a final edition without intruding on base model HSV's running the NA LS3.
Just guessing at this stage but I think there will be a send-off edition with a bit more poke.

After about ten years of no power increases for the Commodore and in fact the auto models went backwards you believe Holden are holding out for a final hurrah.

I love your crystal ball.

[MITCHAY]

I'm thinking HSV are not going to turn the wick up on the non GTS models as much as some rumors suggest, well at least not standard. Perhaps they might have an option.

I said it needs the LS3 and 300kw+ to make up for those years where it had no increase and it ticks both boxes.

[Polyal]

Good, the further they go the better it's going to be when this F6 FGX thing comes along.

[Brazen]

SS is an absolute bargain at under 45k with the 6.2 engine and bi modal exhaust. Lots of kit too now that it has proximity key on top of its existing gear.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Express

If the rumours are correct the HSV line-up is going down the supercharged route with an even bigger increase in horsepower for a high dollar outlay.

Which means even if Holden were to adopt the outgoing HSV LS3 outputs there would still be a significant differentiation between the two brands.

I’ve owned plenty of Commodores including 9 HSV’s and as a general rule they don’t perform as per the blurb without throwing money at them.

I’ll bow to the 4.8 Redline figure until I get my new Series II and compare it.

And I’ll stand by my disappointment that only 304kW is coming from a 6.2 litre V8 when in 2006 HSV were achieving 307kW from the old superseded 6 litre LS2.

You'd still have a situation where a '15 SS is directly comparable to a '15 Clubsport. The risk of Gen F resale disaster was probably too high. After all, these are the folks they want trading up to a Gen F II. Although I do understand your disappointment with 304kw. But it's still much better than what they've been working with. 260kw out of a 6L V8 in this age is embarrassing.

On a different note, according to the press kit they're offering a Brembo brake package on non-Redline cars for $350. That's crazy cheap.

[Fab]

Really considering the SSV Redline.
Probably get one in white so the chrome and taillights don't stand out so much.

[sbutler]

Torque is matching the 335/F6, & thats what gets the car moving. But on the dyno we all know the KW figure they quote is always way under what they say it puts out. So 0-100 will be much better, but thats about it really.

[F6RCD]

Seen the series 2 redline today, car looks fantastic in white with the black roof, black wheels and red brembos all round. Very good looking car, pretty keen to get into one of these.

[40RDT]

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

On a different note, according to the press kit they're offering a Brembo brake package on non-Redline cars for $350. That's crazy cheap.

Would be a fool not to tick that box for $350...A SS ute optioned with brembo brakes and LS3 for around 40k is great bfyb