Holden has traded fresh looks for fuel efficiency with its new MY10

[csv8]

Holden has traded fresh looks for fuel efficiency with its new MY10 Commodore. By RICHARD BLACKBURN.

For the first time in its history, Holden has launched a new model Commodore that looks identical to the one that preceded it.

The new model year 2010 Commodore has no exterior or interior design changes, with the company focusing single-mindedly on fuel efficiency as it looks to arrest a worrying decline in sales of the country’s most popular car.

The centrepiece of the new model range is the new pair of direct-injection V6 engines, which deliver fuel savings of up to 13 per cent over the Commodore’s previous engines. The new, smaller 3.0-litre V6 version of the MY10 Commodore will take the mantle of the country’s most fuel efficient locally-built six-cylinder car when it goes on sale later this month,.

Holden says the engine, the smallest to power a Commodore in 20 years, cuts fuel consumption to as low as 9.3 litres per 100km, making the car more efficient than some four-cylinder rivals.

Compared with the previous model Commodore, Holden claims the new model can save up to $325 for a motorist travelling 20,000km at a petrol pump price of $1.25.

To fund the engine upgrades, styling, handling and equipment changes have been put on hold and will follow further in the car’s product cycle, most likely in 2011.

The strategy is a turnaround for the company, which downplayed the importance of fuel efficiency figures when it launched the all-new VE Commodore just three years ago.

New Holden boss Alan Batey said the MY10 Commodore reflected growing customer concerns about the environment and the running costs of their cars.

“What we’ve really done is prioritise what we think is a game-changer for us, which is the engine,” he said.

He said the company had shifted focus from its previous tradition of bundling a series of changes together for a new model and was now working to bring new technology to market as soon as it became available.

But the focus on fuel efficiency over styling and design changes is a shift in direction for Batey and Holden.

In his role as sales boss of Holden at the launch of VE, Batey played down the fact that the Commodore was then the thirstiest of the local large cars.

“A car is a massive emotional statement,” he told the Herald. “The difference [in the cost of petrol] is two beers a week.”

But Batey said yesterday Holden had reacted to massive changes in the car market in the three years since the VE launch.

“We’ve gone through amazing times in the past three or four years, things you’d never have been able to predict,” he said.

He admitted the company was taking a “calculated risk” by introducing expensive new engine technology without charging a premium for the new model.

The cheapest versions of the car, the Omega and Berlina, have increased by just $700, while the more expensive SV6 and Calais versions have remained the same price.

“We believe the right thing to do is to take a calculated risk that if we bring the technology to the car we can attract people back to large cars,” he said.

Aside from the engine changes, Holden engineers have introduced several tweaks designed to make the cars use less fuel.

There is a new six-speed transmission which Holden claims delivers better fuel efficiency and more performance than the previous four-speed unit.

The company wouldn’t be drawn on how quickly the car will complete the 0-100km/h sprint, but sources said it was quicker off the mark than the previous engine.

The engine itself is 9kg lighter than the one it replaces, while its minimum idling speed has been lowered from 600rpm to 550rpm for better efficiency.

Elsewhere on the car, there are low rolling-resistance tyres, which improve fuel consumption by reducing friction. The tyres also have a higher recommended air pressure rating.

Finally, the alternator and voltage control of the car have been revised to reduce the impact of the car’s electrical systems on fuel consumption.

Minor changes have been made to the car’s suspension and steering to take into account the different tyres and different tyre pressures, while more sound deadening in the engine bay and a different muffler system contribute to a quieter cabin.

Batey dismissed suggestions the lack of visual differentiation would hurt the new model.

“I think this is one of those timeless designs that we just got right from day one. It doesn’t seem to have lost any of its lustre, so I don’t think that’s going to be an issue whatsoever,” he said.

Thats going to make sales interesting !!!I have a new Dunnydore but it looksthe same as the old one ? Mug punters will buy it and overlook the superior FORD..

[Paxton]

Just to put the shoes on the other foot, Ford did the same thing with the BAII to BF changeover. The drop in sales was sizeable. Let's not forget that BF was a far superior car to BA, with a better, more powerful, more economical engine, and the ZF.

History never repeats, but, I think Holden should be getting slightly worried about this move.

[Poidevin]

I'm pretty sure the BAII to BF changeover did have some minor interior and exterior changes.

But yeah if holden want's to stick with the VE shape then good on them, it doesn't look too bad

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by Poidevin

I'm pretty sure the BAII to BF changeover did have some minor interior and exterior changes.

But yeah if holden want's to stick with the VE shape then good on them, it doesn't look too bad

You have to be a trained Ford spotter to pick the difference. I know I struggle at times. You are correct, however.

[Fairlane]

Its about time Holden did something with that bloody awful interior of the VE. Number 1 reason I dont like the VE.

Wasnt the smaller DI engines announced weeks ago.

[The G6ET Spot]

Originally Posted by Poidevin

I'm pretty sure the BAII to BF changeover did have some minor interior and exterior changes.

If memory serves me right the BF had the front bar changed and the front interior door grab handle inserts were changed.

[naddis01]

Thats interesting. You can maybe save $325 in 20000km or ~$800 in 50000km but they charge you an extra $700 to do that and give you a torqueless motor to go with it. One suspects that the current model might be the better buy.

[Wally]

Seems to have got a good review

http://www.caradvice.com.au/40435/ho...0-first-steer/

[TUF_302]

Bad move by holden i think, but lets let them make the mistake!

Certain BF models are easier to pick than the basic XTs, but i can usually tell the difference between a Ba and a Bf

[Carby]

Have to wait and see some more test reviews but Car Advice reckon that 3.6 litre 210kw engine is a "gun" and the 6 speed auto is well matched in both engines.

[DayTE]

Probably goes to show how much money they don't have to put into developing/engineering/designing a new shape.

[Dezza]

It's not like the move from VR to VS had major cosmetic changes either!

[DJM83]

The plebs will by the even more asthmatic 6

[Bossxr8]

Timeless designs :

The interior already looks 10 years old for starters.

Shows how broke they are to not afford any body upgrades, its supposedly ready to go but they have no money to put the new panels into production.

[XplosiveR6]

Ill be the first to say that its a smart move from holden, think about it, most of the commodore sales come from fleets and this new economical 3.0l will win back some fleet sales thats its been loosing.

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by XplosiveR6

Ill be the first to say that its a smart move from holden, think about it, most of the commodore sales come from fleets and this new economical 3.0l will win back some fleet sales thats its been loosing.

Until the Hybrid Camry, and to a lesser extent the i4T Falcon come along.

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by XplosiveR6

Ill be the first to say that its a smart move from holden, think about it, most of the commodore sales come from fleets and this new economical 3.0l will win back some fleet sales thats its been loosing.

Until the fleets realise they have to pay an extra $700 initially which pretty much negates the better fuel economy.

[Windsor220]

Dont a lot of fleets have a 4 cylinder only policy

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Timeless designs :

Yeah, it's true. It'll always look cr@p

[galaxy xr8]

And what does everybody now think about FPV not designing new rim's from BF to FG???, atleast they changed more than Holden has now ??.
And who ever said the GFC is not having detremental effect's, it hasn't even started yet!!!!!!!!!!.

[vztrt]

I dont see a point is starting ANOTHER Holden thread as as this is meant to be apart of the MY10 model.

E85: Commodore’s next big thing

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25762A0019991C

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

And what does everybody now think about FPV not designing new rim's from BF to FG???, atleast they changed more than Holden has now ??.
And who ever said the GFC is not having detremental effect's, it hasn't even started yet!!!!!!!!!!.

That was bit different as FG was an all new model. This is just an update for VE.

[woteva]

Originally Posted by DJM83

The plebs will by the even more asthmatic 6

Maybe they should put a 4 banger in it!

[Jason[98.EL]]

Originally Posted by vztrt

I dont see a point is starting ANOTHER Holden thread as as this is meant to be apart of the MY10 model.

E85: Commodore’s next big thing

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25762A0019991C

another thing for them to pull the pin on in 6 months

[XR6_190]

I personally think that the VE will start to look old in a year or two, already does next to FG, but in the real world, Holden can do no wrong, and the media and buying public will lap it up.

[clampy]

"3.0-litre produces 290Nm"

caravan tow fail

[R-Design]

Originally Posted by GoAuto

Our opinion

We like
Drastically reduced fuel consumption, improved engine noise and refinement, slick new six-speed auto, slight overall performance increase

Room for improvement
Modest increase to a pricey $40,000, reduced towing capacity, reduced bottom-end torque delivery, still no tacho redline

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25762700258243

[Smoke Pursuit]

I wanna see some time slips. specially on the 210 kw version!!

I still like the VE Sports wagons, a Calais V with the new V6 would be aok by me!

[uranium_death]

Originally Posted by XR6_190

I personally think that the VE will start to look old in a year or two, already does next to FG, but in the real world, Holden can do no wrong, and the media and buying public will lap it up.

THe exterior of the VE is bearable. The interior of the VE was reportedly already outdated. 'Billion Dollar Baby' looking like Elizabeth Taylor now...a haggard old ninny that's been around the circuit a few too many times.

The FG to me look good in all forms. For a base model, the XT does a great job, all the way to the G6E, which looks damn nice...
The Calais V also looks good, but I hardly see any...I see many G6Es.

Kudos to Ford for massively increasing their luxury model sales...FG is a success in its own right, irrespective of sales V Commodore.

[Elks]

I actually think the VE looks alright, particularly in SS/SSV form.

The interior is cheap hard plastic vs a an FG G6 which to me rivals a 5 series for wow factor. I still have no understanding as why they used telephone poles for a-pillars. The blind spot is amazing.

It also feels fast, noise revs etc. A friend and I have done roadside back to back VE-SSV vs FG-XR8. FG always felt lazy and cruisy SSV fast and energetic, oddly the FG always walked away. Not by much but was never bettered by the SSV.

If you drove them separately you would swear the VE was faster.

The FG is a far superior car. Its just the VE outsells it.

This lack of a facelift might just be the break FoMOCo need.