Holden VF Commodore

For a complete overview of all Commodore models, see Holden Commodore.

Holden VF Commodore

Manufacturer	Holden (General Motors)
Also called	Holden VF Calais Holden VF Ute Chevrolet SS
Production	2013–
Model years	2014–
Assembly	Elizabeth, South Australia, Australia
Predecessor	Holden VE Commodore Pontiac G8 (North America) Chevrolet Lumina (Middle East)
Class	Full-size
Body style	2-door coupé utility 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Platform	GM Zeta
Engine	3.0 L SIDI V6 3.6 L SIDI V6 6.0 L Generation 4 Alloy V8 6.2 L LS3 V8 (Chevrolet SS)
Transmission	6-speed GM 6L50 automatic 6-speed GM 6L80-E automatic 6-speed Aisin AY6 manual 6-speed Tremec T-56 manual
Wheelbase	2,915 mm (114.8 in)
Curb weight	1,622 kg (3,580 lb) (sedan)
Related	Buick Park Avenue (China) Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet Caprice Holden WN Caprice

The Holden VF Commodore is a full-size car that is in development and due for release in June 2013 by the Australian automaker GM Holden Ltd. It will be the fifteenth Commodore series since the model line was introduced in 1978 and the second series of the fourth generation, succeeding the VE Commodore.

Development and release

The VF Commodore is the second Commodore to be based on GM's Zeta platform, the same as its predecessor, the VE Commodore. The VF is an evolution of the VE, with several marked improvements and differences. The number of specification levels will be lowered, with the Berlina and Omega nameplates to be dropped in favour of the Evoke. Prices will be between A$5000 and $10,000 lower compared to the VE, with the sedan ranging from $34,990 for the base-model Evoke to $53,690 for the SS V Redline automatic. Utility variants will cost less than the corresponding sedan, while the wagon variants will be more expensive.

The VF features new styling at the front and rear, with a more modern, sculpted appearance replacing the simplicity of the VE's design. Major changes include updated headlights and tail lamps, a new intake and grille design and the use of a lip-spoiler instead of a rear wing on the performance models. However, the windows, doors, mirrors and roof were all carried over from the VE and the wagon and utility variants use the same tail lamps as the VE models. The wheelbase and track also remain unchanged.

The VF will use the same engines as the VE, with minor alterations to improve performance and fuel efficiency, while the automatic gearbox will be redesigned to give more appropriate gear selections. Fuel economy has also been improved by the use of aluminium body panels and components, leading to the VF being around 40 kilograms (88 lb) lighter than the VE. The new styling has also improved the aerodynamic efficiency, with the coefficient of drag dropping from 0.33 to 0.3. As a result, fuel consumption is believed to have dropped by ten percent.

The interior has also undergone major changes, with switches such as the boot lid release being relocated from the glove box to the doors and the fitting of an electronic handbrake. All models will be fitted with an eight-inch touch screen in the centre console as well as a head-up display on the windscreen, with keyless entry and auto-park assist also being standard across all models. Other features include forward and rear collision warning systems, blind spot monitors and a lane departure warning system, however these will not be standard on all models. The VF will use an electric power steering system, rather than the hydraulic system used on previous Commodores.

The majority of the testing for the VF was completed in Australia but it was also tested in Germany, the Middle East, North America and Sweden. Show-car versions of the SS V and the Calais V were unveiled to the public on 10 February 2013. The production models will go on sale in June 2013, with the wagon and utility body variants to go on sale on at the same time as the sedan. Production of the VF is scheduled to continue until 2016 before the next model Commodore is introduced in 2017. The first pre-production models of the VF were completed in April 2013.

Powertrains

The VF will use the same engines as the VE, though the new, more aerodynamic styling, aluminium body panels and minor alterations to the engines themselves have seen the fuel economy improve by up to six percent.

Eng. disp.; configuration	Engine	Power	Torque	Transmission	Fuel type	Fuel consumption (sedan)	Production
3.0 L (2,997 cc); V6	SIDI (LF1)	185 kW (248 hp)	290 N·m (210 lb·ft)	6-speed GM 6L50 automatic	Petrol/E85	8.3 L/100 km (28.3 mpg-US)	2013
3.6 L (3,564 cc); V6	SIDI (LFX)	210 kW (280 hp)	350 N·m (260 lb·ft)	6-speed Aisin AY6 manual	Petrol/E85	9.0 L/100 km (26.1 mpg-US)	2013
				6-speed GM 6L50 automatic			2013
	SIDI	180 kW (240 hp)	320 N·m (240 lb·ft)		LPG	12.1 L/100 km (19.4 mpg-US)	2013
6.0 L (5,967 cc); V8	Generation 4 Alloy (L98)	270 kW (360 hp)	530 N·m (390 lb·ft)	6-speed Tremec T-56 manual	Petrol/E85	11.5 L/100 km (20.5 mpg-US)	2013
	Generation 4 Alloy (AFM) (L76)	260 kW (350 hp)	517 N·m (381 lb·ft)	6-speed GM 6L80-E automatic	Petrol/E85		2013
Sources:

Specification levels

Commodore Evoke

The new Evoke nameplate replaces both the Omega and the Berlina as the entry-level Commodore. The Evoke features the same 3.0 L SIDI V6 engine as the VE Commodore Omega and is only available with an automatic transmission. The centre console display will increase in size from 6.5-inches to 8-inches, featuring a single-CD player, compatibility with MP3 and iPod and mobile phone integration. The audio, navigation and mobile phone controls all feature voice recognition technology. Safety features include six airbags, traction control and ABS. The Evoke comes with 16-inch alloy wheels.

Commodore SV6

The SV6 utilises the larger 3.6 L SIDI V6 engine and is available with both a manual and automatic transmission. The SV6 features a sportier body kit than the Evoke, with LED running lights, a lip spoiler and 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior fittings are much the same as the Evoke with the exception of sports seats.

Commodore SS

The SS has the same features as the SV6, though is equipped with the 6.0 L Generation 4 Alloy V8 engine. The upmarket SS V series will continue, featuring larger 19-inch wheels and front foglights. Inside, the SS V gains leather seats, an enhanced instrument display and satellite navigation system and a DVD player. The SS V Redline builds on the SS V, featuring improved brake and suspension packages, extra collision sensors and a sunroof.

Calais

The Calais and Calais V are both available with the 3.6 L V6 engine used in the SV6, though the 6.0 L V8 is also used in the Calais V. Both models are only available with an automatic transmission. The Calais features premium styling with chrome highlights both inside and out, with leather seats and 18-inch wheels. The Calais V uses the same satellite navigation system as the SS V and also features a sunroof, heated front seats and a DVD player.

Market

North America

2014 Chevrolet SS

The VF Commodore will be sold in the United States of America as the Chevrolet SS. It will slot above the Impala in the Chevrolet lineup and also fills the void left behind by the Pontiac G8 after the Pontiac brand was discontinued in 2010. The SS will go on sale as a 2014 model year vehicle in late 2013, being manufactured and exported by Holden. It will be Chevrolet's first rear-wheel drive V8 sedan in seventeen years since the 4th generation Chevrolet Caprice & the 7th generation Impala SS available to the general public. The vehicle was unveiled during Speed Week in Daytona Beach, Florida, in February 2013. The SS utilises the 6.2-litre V8 engine from the Corvette, with power and torque figures of 310 kW (420 hp) and 563 N·m (415 lb·ft). A manual transmission will not be available; however, the automatic transmission can be shifted manually using paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

On 4 June 2013 Chevrolet announced that the SS will have an MSRP of US$44,470. There will be a single, fully equipped specification level, with two optional extras; a sunroof and a full-size spare tyre (tire in US). The SS comes with Chevrolet's MyLink system and, like the VF Commodore, has auto-park assist, blind spot monitors, a lane departure warning system and electronic power steering. The SS is fitted with 19-inch wheels. On 7 June 2013 Holden began touting the VF Commodore and its ties to the Chevrolet SS in a series of new television commercials which were released on-line.

Motorsport

Holden VF Commodore V8 Supercar

Chevrolet SS NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car

V8 Supercars

The VF Commodore is currently used by teams running Holdens in the International V8 Supercars Championship. The V8 Supercar version of the VF was designed by Ludo Lacroix in conjunction with Holden and the Holden Racing Team. It was first shown by Garry Rogers Motorsport on 11 February 2013. The VF was the first Holden model built to 'Car of the Future' regulations, a formula designed to decrease the cost of building and repairing cars. The V8 Supercar version features a 5-litre V8 engine, 18-inch control wheels, a specially designed aerodynamics kit, a polycarbonate windscreen as well as many category control parts. It was the first Holden V8 Supercar to feature an end-mounted rear wing since the VP Commodore in the 1990s. Only certain body panels are common between the road car and the V8 Supercar, as well as the headlights and tail lamps, with the rest of the components being custom made by each team.

The VF had a successful debut at the 2013 Clipsal 500, with Craig Lowndes and Shane Van Gisbergen taking their cars to victory in the two races. Van Gisbergen also claimed both pole positions. The VF Commodore has won all but one race so far in the 2013 series, with Triple Eight Race Engineering, Tekno Autosports, Brad Jones Racing and Garry Rogers Motorsport all taking wins in the new Commodore.

NASCAR

The VF Commodore competes in the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as the Chevrolet SS, making its debut during the Sprint Unlimited non-championship NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.Kevin Harvick won the Sprint Unlimited in the car's first outing. It is one of the new Generation 6 vehicles, replacing the Car of Tomorrow. Jimmie Johnson gave the SS a winning debut at the 2013 Daytona 500 after Danica Patrick took pole in her SS.