Confirmed: Hybrid Holden Commodore By 2010!

[JoeT]

Hybrid Commodores By 2010

Toby Hagon
19 May 2008
www.drive.com.au

Holden is set to introduce a petrol-electric hybrid version of the Commodore by 2010.

Holden will begin selling a hybrid Commodore by 2010 in an effort to reduce the environmental impact of the brand’s best-selling vehicle.

With a view to bolstering sluggish large car sales, improving the export potential of the locally-made Commodore and responding to increasing environmental concerns, a senior General Motors executive has confirmed a petrol-electric Commodore is likely to arrive in dealerships within two years.

“We will introduce hybrids in the next couple of years,” says General Motors group vice president Nick Reilly, speaking at a quarterly strategy meeting from Holden’s Melbourne offices.

When pushed on the likelihood of a Commodore hybrid, he said: “That could be one of the first hybrids you could see [in Australia from GM]. I would put a time frame on that of probably a couple of years.”

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Four-Cylinder Holden Commodore Being "Looked At"

Toby Hagon
19 May 2008
www.drive.com.au

A senior General Motors executive says Holden is considering reintroducing a four-cylinder version of the Commodore.

Commodore's traditional six-cylinder engine could soon be joined by a new four-cylinder engine - the first for Holden's large car since 1984.
Holden is looking to reintroduce a four-cylinder version of the Commodore in an effort to boost both the classic large car's sales and environmentally friendly credentials.

“That is certainly a sensible suggestion,” says General Motors group vice president Nick Reilly, in Melbourne for a quarterly strategy meeting and responding to questions about whether Holden would introduce a four-cylinder Commodore.

“It makes a lot of sense [to offer a four-cylinder Commodore] and therefore we’re probably looking at it, but I can’t tell you when.”

The engine would likely be a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine slated for use in the Chevrolet Camaro, which shares its underpinnings with the Holden Commodore.

Holden engineers helped develop the classic two-door Camaro locally, helping revive one of America’s most famous nameplates when it goes on sales in the United States in 2009.

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Holden Wants A Carrot For Commodore That Uses Less Juice

Joshua Dowling
20 May 2008
www.smh.com.au

Holden, the company that sold more V8s last year than any other time in its 60-year history, will sell a petrol-electric Commodore "within two years" - but it wants the Federal Government to give hybrid cars a tax break.

In a surprise announcement yesterday, General Motors's Asia-Pacific boss, Nick Reilly, in Australia for an annual review, told journalists: "We will introduce hybrids in the next couple of years. Our strength in hybrids tends to be in the larger vehicles, so that's where you'll see them first. [A hybrid Commodore] could be one of the first hybrids that you will see. I would put a time frame on that of probably a couple of years."

However, he said, not all car buyers were prepared to pay a premium to drive an eco-friendly car. Hybrid vehicles typically cost about 20 to 30 per cent more than a car with a regular petrol engine.

"Hybrids don't make sense unless you have incentives. Part of our submission to the Federal Government review into the automotive industry is that there should be some benefit to the consumer."

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Confirmed: Holden Commodore Turbo-Diesel To Be Released Within 18 Months
HSV Evaluating Greener Drivetrain Technology - Diesels & Hybrids Possible

[RedVee8]

Excellent news. Whether hybrid is the technical answer or not is irrelevant, it may well be the marketing answer.

It will be interesting to see what gets up amongst the other options mentioned.
LPG - already here, can it be extended to more models?
CNG - how different to LPG? can we have home fill from my gas point?
E85 - flex fuel cant be far away, just need to leverage off the US and Swedish cousins.
Diesel - bring on a TorqueMeister.

I can seesome of these in my future. Glad I had a gaspoint put on the garage wall for the Barbie.

[Generation IV]

This is excellent news, glad to see Holden jump a long way up in it repsect, technology and design department. I think we're seeing holden's plan come together. Diesel and Direct Injection variants. Cylinder shutdown V8s, new 6-speed for V6's, new manual for V8s, super-halo W427, a hybrid. Its coming out. Next would be a Torana reveal then a Monaro reveal.

[osv_alero]

Could this mean that a US bound Impala could still work?

[MaxLegroom]

This hybrid set up would make a RWD Impala far easier on GM's CAFE situation. Certainly I'd consider it. Four cylinder Impala with turbo? Add 6 speed stick?

[samkung]

I wonder which Hybrid system they are going to put into the commodore, the simple hybrid in Aura or two mode?

[Aerodynamix]

Originally Posted by samkung

I wonder which Hybrid system they are going to put into the commodore, the simple hybrid in Aura or two mode?

I doubt they'd put the FWD 4cyl BAS(+) hybrid in a RWD car the size of the Commodore when they've already got a RWD 2-Mode V8 hybrid system available in the GMT-900s.

[uvaeeman]

Holy shart. It would be wicked if they could get it into the G8 at the same time.

[doppleganger]

Originally Posted by osv_alero

Could this mean that a US bound Impala could still work?

I'm wondering the same thing. Does this open up the possibility of some new RWD full-size sedans in the States that don't negatively impact GM's CAFE ratings as much?

[WishIhadatruck]

With gas prices the way they are it will take a small efficient diesel or a hybrid to get me into a G8 at this point.

[FierySolstice]

Originally Posted by MaxLegroom

This hybrid set up would make a RWD Impala far easier on GM's CAFE situation. Certainly I'd consider it. Four cylinder Impala with turbo? Add 6 speed stick?

I'm sorry but I think the Impala should remain FWD and let Pontiac and Cadillac be RWD. That goes for Buick as well.

This needs to be in the G8 ASAP or it won't do well with today's gas prices.

[uvaeeman]

Originally Posted by FierySolstice

I'm sorry but I think the Impala should remain FWD and let Pontiac and Cadillac be RWD. That goes for Buick as well.

This needs to be in the G8 ASAP or it won't do well with today's gas prices.

Exactly, Fiery. I am second guessing the G8 as a replacement for my Bonneville because of gas prices. The mileage isn't actually much worse, but given the increasing prices the sensible side of me is smacking the "I want a fraking fast car!" part of me for not considering a more efficient vehicle than my current ride. I think Ming had the same doubts and got something that used less fuel.

I'm not sure which path I will end up on... but if I knew a 2-mode hybrid G8 was coming for a reasonble price bump within 24 months it might change my plan. For example, instead of buying a brand new G8 I might buy a used car around the $10k price point instead to hold me over for a "G8 GTH"...

[BigAls87Z28]

What this means to us is that Zeta cars will have the ability for the two-mode. This could mean a hybrid Camaro if this other car that is going to be built at Oshawa uses the two-mode system.

[Rick_VT]

Originally Posted by Aerodynamix

I doubt they'd put the FWD 4cyl BAS(+) hybrid in a RWD car the size of the Commodore when they've already got a RWD 2-Mode V8 hybrid system available in the GMT-900s.

But doesnt that cost nearly $10,000 for the trucks?? thats a huge extra cost onto a Commodore, i would love to see a hybrid Commodore here in Aus i think it would do very well depending on what they are goin to charge for it though, Be a real marketing bonus over Ford and toyota to have the first large car Hybrid on the market to.

[Cortazzo]

Originally Posted by Rick_VT

But doesnt that cost nearly $10,000 for the trucks?? thats a huge extra cost onto a Commodore, i would love to see a hybrid Commodore here in Aus i think it would do very well depending on what they are goin to charge for it though, Be a real marketing bonus over Ford and toyota to have the first large car Hybrid on the market to.

I bet they are overcharging for the 2 mode in the SUVs to quickly amortize the R&D even though they claim they are taking a loss. I think they realize they can't charge $10k more for a hybrid large sedan.