The Holden Commodore (VZ) is a full-size car that was produced by Holden from 2004 to 2006 as a sedan and to 2007 as a wagon and Ute sold alongside the new VE series. It was the fourth and final iteration of the third generation of the Commodore and the last to spawn a coupé variant. Its range continued to include the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VZ) and Holden Calais (VZ).
Overview
Released in August 2004, the VZ series was a minor facelift of the previous VY series that featured a new V6 engine in different tune guises. The powerplants included , 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 engines in place of the older 3.8-litre Ecotec V6. Other changes to the V6 was the loss of the supercharger that was included in the S models from the VT to VY, this was also dropped with the 3.8-litre and would not be used with the new 3.6. These new Alloytec DOHC engines have carried on through to the Holden Commodore (VE) which was released in July 2006. A new 5L40-E 5-speed automatic transmission was introduced on the sports and luxury V6 variants.
The advanced 3.6-litre Alloytec engines were more powerful, responsive and fuel-efficient than the outgoing Ecotec V6. To achieve , the Alloytec V6 gains variable valve timing on both inlet and exhaust sides as well as a dual stage intake manifold, while the version retains variable valve timing on the inlet side only. Selected models bring advanced active safety features that electronically assist the driver to maintain vehicle control in emergency situations.
The VZ Commodore was available in several model variations, most of which carried over from the VY range, with the exception of the newly introduced SV6, a specification level that replaced the S range. All models in the Commodore range (Executive, Acclaim, Berlina, Calais, SV6, SV8 and SS) were available as sedans, while wagon variants of the Executive, Acclaim and Berlina were available. Berlina and Calais models were not badged or marketed as Commodores. The VZ was the last Commodore line-up to use the Executive and Acclaim trim levels.
The VZ is notable for being the only Commodore series of recent times to not officially introduce a Series II update to the range, however, a number of mechanical changes were made in January 2006, designated MY06. At this point, Holden introduced the new L76 6.0-litre V8 to its range to replace the outgoing LS1. The L76 has been slightly detuned, and both Displacement on Demand and variable valve timing have been disabled, while the L98 variant used later does not have any Displacement on Demand or variable valve timing hardware installed. The L76 was used until July 2006 (the release of the VE series), when Holden switched to the L98 until the VZ range ended production.
The base V6 also went from and the High Output V6 went from at the same time, to meet new ADR 79/01 (Euro III) emissions standards effective from 1 January 2006.
Sales of the VZ series failed to match those of the preceding VY in light of rising small car sales, higher fuel prices and growing interest in the whole new replacement, the VE series.
The VZ Commodore sedans were superseded by the VE series on 10 July 2006, whilst the wagon and utility ranges lived on for almost another year. VZ Ute production ended in August 2007, whilst the last wagon rolled off Holden's Elizabeth plant line on 6 September 2007.
Models
Executive
The Executive was the baseline model. The VZ series was the last one to include this nameplate, which was first introduced in 1984.
The Commodore Executive standard features included: 3.6 L Alloytec V6 engine (updated to 3.6 L Alloytec V6 engine in January 2006) 4-speed automatic transmission Anti-lock braking system (ABS) Auto headlights Brake assist (BA) Cruise control Driver's and passenger's airbags Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) Front power windows Power antenna Power socket in centre console Quad cupholders Security system Single disc CD player Steering wheel audio controls Trip computer 15-inch steel wheels
The Commodore Executive optional features included: Air conditioning Alloy wheels Country pack suspension FE2 sports suspension Rear park assist (available on sedan only) Satellite navigation (only available on the sedan) Side Impact Airbags (SIAB)
Acclaim
The Acclaim sat above the Executive in the specification level hierarchy of the VZ range. The VZ series was the last one to include this nameplate, which was first introduced in 1993.
The Commodore Acclaim standard features supersede and add to those of the Commodore Executive variant: Air conditioning Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) (available on sedan only) Electronic Stability Program (ESP) which incorporated: Traction control system (available on sedan only) Front and rear power windows Rear park assist (available on sedan only) Side Impact Airbags (SIAB) Traction control (available on station wagon only) 15x7 inch alloy wheels
The Commodore Acclaim optional features included: Alloy wheels FE2 sports suspension Satellite navigation
SV6
The SV6 was the baseline sports variant, replacing the S model that was last seen in the VY Commodore. Similar to the VK Commodore and VL Commodore, the VZ Commodore did not offer a manual transmission option on the Executive model. Buyers now had to choose the new SV6 as the cheapest manual variant.
The SV6 features included: 3.6 L Alloytec High Output V6. 6-speed manual transmission (option of 5-speed automatic transmission) Air conditioning Anti-lock braking system (ABS) Auto headlights Brake assist (BA) CD player Cruise control Driver's and passenger's airbags (side airbags added from late 2005) Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) FE2 sports suspension Front fog lamps Front and rear power windows Independent rear suspension (IRS) Limited-slip differential (added from 2005) Leather steering wheel Power antenna Security system Sports body kit and rear spoiler Traction control system (TCS) Trip computer 17 inch alloy wheels Leather upholstery (optional) Sunroof (optional)
SV8 The SV8 was the mid-range sports variant. Early VZ versions of the SV8 continued with the VY SV8 theme, being essentially an Executive with a V8 engine, rear spoiler, unique 17 inch alloy wheels and SV6 tail lights. This specification was later upgraded as a running change to match the equipment levels and appearance of the SV6, which remained a step down from the SS.
SV8 features included: 5.7 L LS1 V8 (until 31 December 2005, then 6.0 L L76 V8 from 1 January 2006) 6-speed manual transmission (option of 4-speed automatic transmission) Air conditioning Anti-lock braking system (ABS) Auto headlights Brake assist (BA) CD player Cruise control Driver's and passenger's airbags Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) FE2 sports suspension Front power windows Independent rear suspension (IRS) Limited-slip differential (LSD) Power antenna Security system Traction control system (TCS) Trip computer 17 inch alloy wheels
SS
The SS was the flagship sports variant of the VZ range.
SS included such features as: 5.7 L LS1 V8 (until 31 December 2005, then 6.0 L L76 V8 from 1 January 2006) 6-speed manual transmission (option of 4-speed automatic transmission) 6 disc in-dash CD player Air conditioning alloy pedals Anti-lock braking system (ABS) Auto headlights Brake assist (BA) Colour-coded instrument cluster Cruise control Driver's and passenger's sports seats Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) FE2 sports suspension Front and rear power windows Front fog lamps Independent rear suspension (IRS) Limited-slip differential (LSD) Power antenna Security system Side impact airbags (SIAB) Sports leather steering wheel Traction control system (TCS) Trip computer 18 inch alloy wheels
Berlina
The Berlina was the semi-luxury model of the VZ range, it sat above the Acclaim and below the Calais.
The Berlina features included: 3.6 L Alloytec V6 (172 kW in 2006, option of 5.7 L LS1 V8 until 31 December 2005, then 6.0 L L76 V8 from 1 January 2006) 4-speed automatic transmission 6-disc in-dash CD player Anti-lock braking system (ABS) Auto headlights Brake assist (BA) Climate control air conditioning Cruise control Driver's and passenger's airbags Electronic brake assist (EBA) Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) Front and rear power windows Independent rear suspension (IRS) Leather steering wheel Limited-slip differential (LSD) (with V8) Power antenna Security system Side impact airbags (SIAB) Rear park assist Traction control system (TCS) Trip computer 16x7 inch alloy wheels
Calais
Colour range (expands) Heron White (white) Quicksilver (silver) Glaze (silver with blue highlights – 2005–2006) Odyssey (grey with blue pearl highlights) Phantom (black with silver highlights) Redhot (red) Shanghai (metallic light burgundy) Devil (yellow – 2006, Utes only) Martini (metallic olive – 2004–2006) Barbados (light blue with turquoise highlights – 2004–2005) Turismo (light blue-aqua – 2005–2006) Impulse (vivid blue) Vespers (dark royal blue) Nickel (replacing Quicksilver – Aug 2006–2007) Evoke (Aug 2006–2007) Sandstorm (Aug 2006–2007) Ignition (orange replacing Devil – Aug 2006–2007) Provence (Aug 2006–2007)
The Calais was the top-of-the-line, luxury model in the VZ range. It sat above the Berlina and combined luxury with performance.
The Calais features included: 3.6 L Alloytec V6 (option of 5.7 L LS1 V8 until 31 December 2005, then 260 kW (349 hp) 6.0 L L76 V8 from 1 January 2006) 4-Speed automatic transmission (with LS1) 5-speed automatic transmission (all other engine variants) 6-disc in-dash CD player Anti-lock braking system (ABS) Auto headlights Brake assist (BA) Cruise control Driver's and passenger's airbags Dual zone electronic climate control Electronic brake assist (EBA) Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) Electronic stability program (ESP) (with V6) Front and rear power windows Independent rear suspension (IRS) Limited-slip differential (LSD) (with V8) Luxury / sports suspension Power antenna Programmable 3-position driver preference memory (seat/climate/audio/mirrors) Security system Side impact airbags (SIAB) Speed-sensitive variable wipers (front) Sports leather steering wheel Rear park assist Traction control system (TCS) Trip computer 17x8 inch alloy wheels
Adventra The Holden Adventra (VZ) is an all-wheel drive wagon update to the original VY II series model.
An interim VZ Adventra appeared in August 2004 at the time of the release of the VZ Commodore range, but this was in essence the familiar VY body with VZ engine, running gear, ECU and a VZ compliance plate. A true VZ series facelift was introduced in February 2005 and with it, the introduction of a V6 engine as the principal power unit. Adventra was now available in a choice of four equipment levels: SX6, CX6, LX6, CX8, and LX8, with a 3.6-litre V6 engine affording and a five-speed automatic transmission. The V8 engine from the VY iteration was uprated to , although, only available in the CX8 and the premium LX8 model. Production of the V8-powered Adventra ceased in December 2005, due only to the fact that Holden ceased manufacturing the Generation III power unit and did not see a strong enough business case to invest in the new 6.0-litre Generation IV V8 for the Adventra's all-wheel drive application.
Sales of the Adventra range never achieved Holden's expectations, especially in comparison to the rival Ford Territory, and it was ultimately phased out of production in 2006 to make way for the newly introduced Captiva, imported from GM Daewoo in South Korea.
Limited edition and other models
Commodore 9C1