Holden Commodore (VS)

Holden Commodore (VS)
Holden Commodore Equipe sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Holden (General Motors)
Also called	Holden Berlina (VS) Holden Calais (VS) Opel Calais Toyota Lexcen (T4/T5)
Production	1995–1997 (sedan, wagon) 1995–2000 (utility)
Assembly	Australia: Elizabeth, South Australia
Body and chassis
Class	Executive
Body style	2-door coupé utility 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Platform	FR GM V platform
Related	Holden Statesman/Caprice (VS) HSV VS series CSV VS series Opel Omega A
Powertrain
Engine	2.5 L C25XE V6 (export only) 3.8 L ECOTEC 3800 V6 3.8 L Supercharged ECOTEC V6 5.0 L 5000i V8
Transmission	4-speed 4L60-E automatic 5-speed Borg-Warner T-5 manual 5-speed Getrag 260 transmission manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Sedan: 2,731 mm (107.5 in) Wagon: 2,822 mm (111.1 in)
Length	Sedan: 4,861 mm (191.4 in) Wagon: 4,903 mm (193.0 in)
Width	1,794 mm (70.6 in)
Height	1,476 mm (58.1 in)
Curb weight	1,385–1,477 kg (3,053–3,256 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Holden Commodore (VR)
Successor	Holden Commodore (VT) (sedan, wagon) Holden Ute (VU) (utility)

The Holden Commodore (VS) is a executive car that was produced by the Australian manufacturer Holden from 1995 to 1997. It was the fourth and final iteration of the second generation of this Australian made model. Its range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VS) and Holden Calais (VS). Its utility version remained in production as a VS Series III alongside the new VT series until 2000.^[1]

Overview

Launched in April 1995, the VS Commodore served as a mechanical update of the second generation architecture, destined to assist sales before the all-new VT model in August 1997. The extent of exterior changes veered not much further than a redesigned Holden logo and wheel trims.^[2] An updated Ecotec (Emissions and Consumption Optimisation through TEChnology) version of the Buick V6 engine coincided with the changes to the engine in the United States. The Ecotec engine packed 13 percent more power, an increase of 17 kilowatts (23 hp) over the VR, cut fuel consumption by 5 percent, and increased the compression ratio from 9.0:1 to 9.4:1. Holden mated the new engine with a modified version of the GM 4L60-E automatic transmission, bringing improved throttle response and smoother changes between gears.^[2] Safety features were also improved, with a passenger airbag becoming available. The limited edition VS wagon with manual gear box was limited to a production of 300.

The Series II update of June 1996 brought elliptical side turn signals, interior tweaks and the introduction of a L67 Supercharged V6 engine for selected trim levels.^[2] The new supercharged engine slotted in between the existing engines in the lineup and was officially rated at 165 kW (221 hp), just 3 kW (4.0 hp) below the V8.^[3]

The VS Commodore was the last of which to be sold as Toyota Lexcens, as Holden and Toyota ended their model-sharing scheme.^[4] The last Lexcens were built during 1997.^[5]

This model was also sold between 1995 and 1997 in small numbers to Malaysia and Singapore as the Opel Calais.^[6][7] Prior to the VS, the Opel-badged models were sold in VR specification from 1994. As of December 1994, Holden were selling approximately 40 per month of the VR series Opel Calais.^[8] Both the VR and VS versions were fitted with the Opel-sourced 2.6-litre C26NE inline-six engine and four-speed 4L30-E automatic. These vehicles initially featured the front-end of the VR Statesman^[8] until a circa 1997 facelift progressed to the front-end design of the VS Caprice. The final batch of Singapore-bound Opel Calais models were produced in August 1997 and featured the newer 2.5-litre X25XE V6 engine with the 4L30-E automatic transmission. However, this order was cancelled, likely due to the imminent Asian financial crisis. As the vehicles were not compliant for sale in Australia, they were instead exported to New Zealand and retailed through Ebbett Waikato dealerships, complied as 1998 models, and rebranded as the Holden Commodore Royale.^[9]

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  Holden Commodore Acclaim sedan (Series II)

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  Holden Commodore Executive wagon (Series II)

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  Holden Berlina sedan (Series II)

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  Holden Calais (Series II)

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  Holden Commodore SS

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  Holden Commodore Royale (New Zealand; Series II)

Utility

The utility version of the Commodore was released in April 1995, and stayed in production (with minor changes along the way) until the December 2000 release of the Holden Ute (VU).

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  Holden Commodore S utility (Series II)

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  Holden Commodore S utility (Series II)

HSV range

Holden's performance vehicle partner Holden Special Vehicles produced the following range of Holden VS based models, which were each marketed under the HSV brand.

Clubsport

The VS Clubsport was very similar to the VR Clubsport and still used the 5.0-litre V8 from the VR Clubsport.

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  HSV Clubsport

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  HSV Clubsport

Manta

The Manta was introduced in April 1995 in sedan and wagon models.^[10]

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  HSV Manta sedan

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  HSV Manta sedan

GTS and GTS-R

The GTS sedan was the flagship model until the limited edition GTS-R was launched. The latter was exclusively painted in XU-2 Yellah with matching seat colour inserts, and it featured a big race-style rear carbon-fibre wing. In total, only 75 were built for Australia and 10 for New Zealand, all using the 215i 5.7-litre HSV V8 engine, with a more powerful "blueprint" option also available/

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  HSV GTS-R

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  HSV GTS-R

Maloo

The facelifted VS series Maloo utility was released in April 1995. 173 examples were produced. It featured a 5.0-litre V8 engine still producing 185 kW (248 hp).^[11]

The Series II version was introduced in June 1996 and carried through in its original form to August 1997, during which time 280 examples were produced. With HSV's introduction of the VT sedan range in September 1997, continued production of the VS Maloo thereafter was curiously referred to as VS II at VT Maloo, whereby a further 388 examples were produced through to December 1998. These later models included a special run of ten HSV 10th Anniversary Edition Maloo utes featuring an exclusive Anniversary Bronze paint colour.^[11]

The next HSV update of the VS Maloo followed Holden's release of a VS Series III ute that, for the first time, included a V8 SS version. In 1999, HSV introduced an improved VS III Maloo with a wiring upgrade to support the revised 195 kW (261 hp) V8 that had been introduced two years earlier with the original VT series HSV sedans. The VS III Maloo's legacy is to be the last HSV vehicle to be fitted with the 'original' Holden V8 engine.^[11]

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  HSV Maloo utility

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  HSV Maloo utility

Senator

In 1995 the VS Senator was introduced based on the VS Commodore. This model saw slight revisions to the body styling, trim and new alloy wheels. The VS Series II saw the fitment of HSV's ISS (Integrated Security System) as standard as well as new steering-wheel mounted stereo controls. There remained a choice of two models: the 185i and the 215i. The 185i had the 5.0-litre (4987 cc) V8 engine which pushed out 185 kW (248 hp) at 4800 rpm. The 215i had the 5.7-litre (5737 cc) V8 engine which delivered 215 kW (288 hp) at 4800 rpm. The total number that were built by December 1995 was 416, down 439 units over the VR.

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  HSV Senator

Toyota Lexcen (T4 and T5)

The United Australian Automobile Industries (UAAI) joint venture agreement with Toyota Australia first starting with the VN Commodore continued up to the VS. The VS Lexcen equivalent was known as the T4 series, updated to the T5 series in 1996 with VS Series II. The Lexcen featured subtle styling differences, particularly, the front panels. The Lexcen was discontinued in 1997.

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  Toyota Lexcen (T4) CSi sedan

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  Toyota Lexcen (T4) CSi sedan

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  Toyota Lexcen (T4) CSi wagon

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  Toyota Lexcen (T5) CSi sedan

References

1. "Holden VS Ute". Unofficial Holden Commodore Archive. 11 January 2004. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
2. "Holden Commodore VS". Unique Cars and Parts. Retrieved 1 August 2007.
3. "Holden Commodore VS". MyHolden.com.au. Retrieved 7 August 2007.
4. "NRMA Used Car Review – Holden Commodore VS I & II". NRMA. Retrieved 23 August 2007.
5. "Toyota Lexcen". Red Book. Automotive Data Services. Retrieved 23 August 2007.
6. An Investment In Luxury. The Opel Calais, New Straits Times, 5 June 1995, page 3
7. "Opel Calais". Red Book (Malaysia). Automotive Data Services. Retrieved 25 March 2007.
8. MacKenzie, Angus, ed. (January 1995). "Calais' Singapore Sting". Wheels. Sydney, New South Wales: ACP Syme Magazines: 13. Holden has followed the lead set by Ford with its new Fairmonts and given Calais the same nose treatment as its upscale long wheelbase models. But you won't be seeing it in your local Holden dealerships – yet. This car is the new 2.6-litre Opel engined Calais destined for Singapore and Malaysia, where Holden currently sells about 40 per month. This is despite a price tag in Singapore of a mere $200,000 thanks to tariffs, taxes and a mandatory 'certificate of entitlement' which costs $100,000 per car. In Malaysia the Calais is a steal at $76,000. The simple but effective make-over involved fitting a Statesman bonnet with integral grille, and a Statesman front bumper.
9. "1998 Holden Commodore Royale". Red Book (New Zealand). Automotive Data Services. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
10. "Review: HSV VS Manta (1995–97)". AustralianCar.Reviews. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
11. "20th Anniversary Maloo R8 Brochure". Holden Special Vehicles. Retrieved 11 April 2011.