The Holden Commodore (VF) is a full-size car that was produced from June 2013 to October 2017 by Holden, the former Australian subsidiary of General Motors. It was available under the luxury Holden Calais nameplate; utility models were sold as the Holden Ute.
It succeeded the VE series, and was the second iteration of the fourth generation of the Holden Commodore. It was the last model in the series to be manufactured in Australia. It was offered as a sedan and wagon. The long-wheelbase Holden Caprice (WN) released in 2013.
From 2013 to 2017 the VF Commodore was rebadged in the United States as the Chevrolet SS. Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) sold VF Commodore-based models in the Gen-F series, HSV also sold models in the United Kingdom under Vauxhall VXR8 range.
In December 2013, General Motors (GM) announced that it would discontinue all Australian production in 2017.
Development The VF Commodore was built on the GM Zeta platform, first used by the VE Commodore. The VF was an evolution of the VE, with several visual changes. The VF featured new styling at the front and rear; changes included altered headlights, altered tail lamps (on sedans only), alterations to the plastic of the intake and grille and the use of a lip-spoiler instead of a rear wing on the performance models. The body shell, windows, doors, mirrors and roof were all carried over from the VE. The wheelbase and track also remain unchanged. The long-wheelbase Holden Caprice (WN) released in June 2013.
The interior underwent major changes, with switches such as the boot lid release being relocated from the glovebox to the doors and the fitting of an electronic handbrake. All models were fitted with an eight-inch touch screen in the centre console, with keyless entry and auto-park assist also standard across all models. Optional features included: a head-up display on the windscreen, forward and rear collision warning systems, blind spot monitors and a lane departure warning system. The VF used an electric power steering system, replacing the hydraulic system used on previous Commodores, improving fuel economy at the expense of steering feel.
The majority of the testing for the VF was completed in Australia but it was also driven 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, with the first pre-production models completed in April 2013.
Safety The VF achieved five stars in the ANCAP safety ratings. On top of the ratings tests, the VF was found to have good whiplash protection for occupants, though pedestrian protection was classified as marginal, with the car scoring 15.41 of a possible 36 points in this area.
In May 2014, Holden recalled nearly 42,000 VF and WN Caprice models after a potential problem with the front seatbelts was identified. It was found that the pretensioner wiring harness for the seatbelts could make contact with part of the buckle assembly, leading to premature wearing of the wiring harness which could disable the pretensioner system in the event of an accident. The VF was recalled again a month later, when it was found that the drive gear for the windscreen wiper motor could fail. LPG models were recalled in July after it was identified that the feed hose could develop a slow leak at the end of the vehicle's lifetime, creating a (low) risk of fire.
Powertrains The VF uses the same engines as the VE, with minor alterations to improve performance and fuel efficiency, while the automatic gearbox was redesigned to give more appropriate gear selections. The VE's E85 compatibility was carried forward to the VF V8 engines, and the V6 engine until it was dropped in the 2015MY. Fuel economy has also been improved by the use of aluminium body panels and components, leading to the VF being lighter than the VE, and the electric power steering system. The new styling has also improved the aerodynamic efficiency, with the coefficient of drag dropping from 0.33 to 0.30. As a result, fuel consumption has dropped by between three and eight percent depending on the engine and specification level. Starting with the VF II 2015, the 6.0-litre L77 was replaced by the 6.2-litre LS3. The VF II model also saw the discontinuation of the LPG versions of the Commodore.
Eng. disp.; configuration Engine Power Torque Transmission Fuel type Fuel consumption (sedan) Production 3.0 L (2,997 cc); V6 SIDI (LFW) 6-speed GM 6L50 transmission automatic Petrol 2013–2017 3.6 L (3,564 cc); V6 SIDI (LFX) 6-speed Aisin AY6 manual 2013–2017 6-speed GM 6L45-E automatic 2013–2017 LPG (LWR) LPG 2013–2015 6.0 L (5,967 cc); V8 Generation 4 Alloy (L77) 6-speed Tremec TR-6060 manual Petrol 2013–2015 Generation 4 Alloy (AFM) (L77) 6-speed GM 6L80-E automatic 2013–2015 6.2 L (6,162 cc); V8 Generation 4 Alloy (LS3) 6-speed Tremec TR-6060 manual or 6-speed GM 6L80-E automatic Petrol 2015–2017 Sources:
Models
Commodore Evoke The Evoke was the entry-level nameplate, replacing both the Berlina and Omega. It used the 3.0-litre SIDI V6 engine, with an optional 3.6-litre LPG-powered V6. It was only available with an automatic transmission. The central console display was increased in size from , featuring a single-CD player, compatibility with MP3 and iPod and mobile phone integration. The audio, navigation and mobile phone controls all featured voice recognition technology. Safety features included six airbags, traction control and ABS. The Evoke came with 16-inch wheels.
Commodore SV6 The SV6 was the sports V6 nameplate. It used the 3.6-litre SIDI V6, with an optional 3.6-litre LPG V6. It was available with both manual and automatic transmissions. It featured a sports bodykit, LED running lights, a lip spoiler, FE2 suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior fittings are sports seats with suede/leather trim, rear arm rest, leather steering wheel and gear shift lever.
Commodore SS, SS V and SS V Redline The SS was the sports sedan nameplate. It was based on the SV6. It used a 6.0-litre L77 V8 engine, replaced by the 6.2-litre LS3 V8 engine in the Series II. The SS-V featured 19-inch wheels, fog lights, leather seats, an enhanced instrument display, satellite navigation system. The SS V Redline featured improved brakes and suspension, more collision senors, launch control in the manual, sunroof, and Bose audio.
Across the SS range the Sportwagon was only available with an automatic transmission.
Calais and Calais V The Calais and Calais V used the 3.6-litre SIDI V6, The 6.0-litre L77 V8 was optional in the Calais V, replaced by the 6.2-litre LS3 V8 in Series II. Both models were only available with an automatic transmission. The models featured chrome highlights in the interior and exterior, leather seats and 18-inch wheels, and optional limited slip differential. The Calais V featured a satellite navigation system, parking assist, side intrusion alert, lane departure warning, forward collision alert, self parking,. The Calais V sedan featured a sunroof, 9-speaker Bose audio, and optional Light Titanium Leather seating.
Limited editions
There have been several limited edition Commodore models produced, available on a range of specification levels: International: based on the Evoke, available on the sedan and Sportwagon specifications. It featured 18-inch wheels, minor alterations to the exterior and interior styling (LED running lights), blind spot alert, rear cross traffic alert, and leather seats. It was released to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Commodore nameplate. 2014 Model Year Storm: available on the SV6 and SS sedan, Sportwagon, and Ute specifications. It featured "Storm" badging inside and out, satellite navigation and red stitching in the seats, front fog lights with chrome trim, and wheels unique to the model with black paint in-between spokes. Collingwood: available in SV6, SS or SS V sedan specification. It was produced in Heron White, and featured unique 20-inch wheels and decals celebrating the Collingwood Football Club: black-and-white stripes, floor mats embroidered with the team's logo, and a rear special edition badge. 2015 Model Year Craig Lowndes: available in SS V Redline specification. It was produced in Heron White or Red Hot, and featured upgraded Brembo front and rear brakes; 20-inch staggered wheels; black roof, spoiler, guard vents, bonnet and door stripes; red engine cover; and an embroidered "Craig Lowndes" signature on the dashboard. It was released to celebrate Craig Lowndes' 20th anniversary of first competing with Holden in local touring car racing. Sandman: Available in SV6 and SS-V Redline specifications. It was available as a Sportswagon and Ute. It featured "Sandman" decals, 20-inch wheels and optional orange sheep-skin seat covers. The name is a tribute to the Holden Sandman. Black Edition: available in the SV6 and SS specifications. It featured exterior chroming blacked out, black mirror covers, darker 18-inch alloy rims, red leather stitching to the interior, heads up display, navigation and special floor mats. 2016 and 2017 Model Years. Reserve Edition: Available in SV6 and SS-V Redline specifications. It was only sold to Holden employees. It featured 19-inch forged alloy wheels and "Reserve" badging and the buyer's employee number on the build plate. 2017 Model Year Director: based on the Calais V sedan. It featured a 6.2-litre LS3 V8 producing and a six-speed automatic gearbox, Brembo brakes, paddle shifters, and Magnetic Ride Control (MRC). The name was chosen to pay homage to Peter Brock's HDT Director. Motorsport: based on the SS-V Redline sedan. It featured MRC, 20-inch wheels, and front and rear cross-drilled Brembo brake rotors. Magnum: Based on SS-V Redline Ute. It features the suspension from the SS-V Redline sedan. The name is a tribute to the HDT Magnum.
Series II update In September 2015, Holden introduced the MY16, Series II (VF II) upgrade to the Commodore. The biggest change is the addition of the larger, more powerful 6.2-litre and , LS3 V8 engine across all current V8 models of the Commodore, Calais, Caprice and Ute. A Bimodal exhaust was fitted standard to the SS, SS V and Redline models and was optional on Calais V when the LS3 V8 was fitted. All wagon models got new LED taillights. As well as this, the front bumper and running lights were restyled, the gear ratios on the SS V Redline were altered, and the Redline's suspension tune was adjusted. For 2017 the SSV pack and Calais wagon were dropped from the range. SV6 models got HUD/GPS plus wheels previously used on "Black Edition". SS gained HUD/GPS and 19-inch wheels. Redline and Calais V models gained chrome V Series door sill plates. Calais V also gained auto tinting rear view mirror and Calais lettering on the flanks of the car. The VF II Ute was unveiled in October at the Deniliquin Ute Muster.
HSV range (Gen-F) Holden Special Vehicles versions of the VF went on sale in August 2013 as the Gen-F series. The Gen-F range included: the ClubSport, Grange, GTS, Maloo, and Senator Signature. The Caprice-based Grange ended production in 2016. The rest of the Commodore-based range ending production in 2017. The HSV GTS and Maloo were sold in the United Kingdom in the Vauxhall VXR8 range, which was discontinued in 2017.
ClubSport
The HSV ClubSport was the entry-level model. It was powered by a 6.2-litre LS3 V8 engine, producing and . the ClubSport R8 variant increased the power to , the ClubSport R8 SV enhnaced option increased the power to and . The ClubSport R8 Tourer was the only wagon in the Gen-F range.
In November 2014, as part of the MY15 update, the power was increased to for the base ClubSport and for the R8. In 2015 the ClubSport R8 LSA was released, powered by a 6.2-litre supercharged LSA producing .
GTS