ECOmmodore - Hybrid, Diesel & Dedicated LPG To Power Holden's Future

[JoeT]

ECOmmodore

Wheels Staff
25 June 2008
www.wheelsmag.com.au

Hybrid, diesel and dedicated LPG to power Commodore.

Holden's plan for a petrol-electric hybrid Commodore has been confirmed, but other alternatives including diesel, LPG and, possibly, ethanol-capable (E85) cars will arrive first.

Wheels can also confirm Holden will introduce a dedicated LPG Alloytec V6 Commodore, most likely next year, to counter surging petrol prices.

General Motors Asia Pacific president Nick Reilly last month gave Holden the green light to proceed with a range of green powertrain projects, and told Wheels a diesel and hybrid Commodore would arrive in “a couple of years”.

However, with hybrid development and packaging work only in the embryonic stages, Holden is unlikely to introduce a petrol-electric hybrid Commodore until 2011.

A turbo-diesel Commodore, however, is closer to production. Expected late 2009, Holden is almost certain to adopt a 2.9-litre VM Motori V6, and plans to position the oil-burning variant as a premium option, rather than an economical alternative, because of the rising cost of diesel fuel.

It also gives Holden an opportunity to expand its export portfolio. Opel has already investigated importing the VE, and a diesel Commodore would mount a much stronger case for tempting European buyers.

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Holden Fuel-Saving Technology Closer

Mike Sinclair
8 July 2008
www.carpoint.com.au

Holden says its weeks away from confirming the first of its alternative fuel and fuel saving strategies.

Holden is just weeks away from its opening shot of what insiders have described as a "raft" of alternative fuel and fuel saving launches. The company says it will fire the first of a salvo of fuel-saving launches and technological upgrades in early August.

The first of Holden's 'alt-fuel' sedans will be a diesel-powered version of the Epica. That car will debut as part of a new facelifted Epica line-up early next month (more here).

Though some pundits expected the Lion to launch cylinder-deactivation capable petrol V8s in its range of Commodore Sportwagons this week, the roll out of that technology, Active Fuel Management (AFM, more here), will now take place later this year.

Speaking at last Friday's media drive of the Sportwagon range (look out for our embargoed drive impression later this week), Holden Executive Director Sales, Marketing and After Sales, Alan Batey, told the Carsales Network that launching AFM in Sportwagon would have unnecessarily held up the vehicle's launch. Nonetheless, the technology is still imminent, he says.

"You'll start to see some roll outs [of Holden alternative fuel vehicles and fuel-saving technology] actually, as quick as in the next couple of weeks and you'll see it ongoing from there on," Batey explained.

"We've got some stuff that will come short term, we've got some stuff that we're looking at medium term and then, of course, the long term play... All the technology's there, it's a question of is it affordable and does it drive mainstream volumes or not?"

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Holden Focusses On LPG

James Stanford
8 July 2008
www.goauto.com.au

GM Holden is preparing to cut the price of its LPG dual-fuel option and actively promote the alternative fuel as petrol and diesel prices continue to soar.

The company is currently developing a dedicated LPG system for the Alloytec V6 used in the Commodore, a system that is expected to be introduced next year.

Until then, Holden will continue to offer its dual-fuel LPG system which is fitted by HSV in Clayton, Melbourne, after the car is produced.

Demand for the VE dual-fuel system is still very low despite high petrol prices, with monthly sales of between 80 and 100 units. The high price of the $3900 LPG option is considered one of the main reasons the take up has been slow.

Holden is planning to cut the price by at least $1000 and possibly more as it prepares to ramp up LPG production.

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Confirmed: Hybrid Holden Commodore By 2010!
Diesel Commodore To Arrive In The Next 12 Months
Confirmed: HSV Is Testing Diesel Drivetrains - Destination Europe?
Australian Fuel News - Liquid Gas Injection Breakthrough

[RedVee8]

Funny how all this time Dual Fuel was the way to go, now they are developing a dedicated Lpg version.... Hmmm?

[Rick_VT]

Lets hope Holden dont follow GM's lead and be late to the party with range of fuel efficient options, good to see though that they have a wide variety on the cards though, are there any E85 service stations here now though??

It will be interesting how much of a premium they do put on the 2.9 diesel though, maybe they should offer a 4 cylinder version at a lower price to for those who cant afford the 6 cylinder version.

I think a 2 model option for hybrids to might work, maybe offer a BAS version as entry level then the car version of 2 mode, if there making one, would help maybe justify the much higher price tag over non hybrid models

[RedVee8]

I think 'United' have a couple of E85 spots in Sydney, there was a news spot recently warning people not to use it unless your car is certified for it. Evidently some were copping the 40c/l discount and trying their luck.......... expensive discount in the end for them.

I want a flexfuel/biopower style E85 (E100?) dual fuel with LPG next time round. Listening GMH?

[Monaro]

Originally Posted by RedVee8

Funny how all this time Dual Fuel was the way to go, now they are developing a dedicated Lpg version.... Hmmm?

I'm guessing it may be a no compromise model running full power and no tank in the boot.

[Slick_Holden]

Might be weight there decision behind dedicated LPG?.
Holden does have a superior LPG set-up over Ford, But Fords do run longer on LPG. But they wont for much longer.. IT must be a V6 thing?.

Even though my brother in-law's fathers car runs great on gas and has been for years topping 390,000km, You feel it wont last as long as a petrol version, Now my brother in-law fitted gas to this car and it's been bad for it in it's old age..
Best way too get LPG is factory start from day 1 and then they will last you plenty maybe taxi like there have been V6 taxi's that have gone 800.000km+ before.

[mmciau]

Originally Posted by Monaro

I'm guessing it may be a no compromise model running full power and no tank in the boot.

The only disadvantage of the dual fuel system is the loss of boot space because of the tank. This might be the reason businesses have asked Holden for a dedicated LPG and of course, a dedicated LPG car is less cost than a dual fuel fitout.

What will be interesting is that the Holden VE is the first test of the consumer of supplying a "non-standard" spare wheel - are they contemplating shrinking the spare wheel compartment volume?. (I know there is still space for a standard spare wheel at the moment)

If Holden want to use the "donut tanks" or the "series small tanks" for a dedicated LPG, then they will need all the under floor volume possible.

I'm not 100% sure how Ford placed the tanks in the dedicated LPG Falcon.

Mike

[Monaro]

Originally Posted by Slick_Holden

Might be weight there decision behind dedicated LPG?.
Holden does have a superior LPG set-up over Ford, But Fords do run longer on LPG. But they wont for much longer.. IT must be a V6 thing?.

Even though my brother in-law's fathers car runs great on gas and has been for years topping 390,000km, You feel it wont last as long as a petrol version, Now my brother in-law fitted gas to this car and it's been bad for it in it's old age..
Best way too get LPG is factory start from day 1 and then they will last you plenty maybe taxi like there have been V6 taxi's that have gone 800.000km+ before.

Howe long it lasts depends on the engines, fords take it well, the Nissan patrol 4.8 will burn valves and need major head work after 70,000km, so yeh, having it dedicated from the get-go is a good indictor that its been engineered for it.

[Monaro]

Originally Posted by mmciau

The only disadvantage of the dual fuel system is the loss of boot space because of the tank. This might be the reason businesses have asked Holden for a dedicated LPG and of course, a dedicated LPG car is less cost than a dual fuel fitout.

What will be interesting is that the Holden VE is the first test of the consumer of supplying a "non-standard" spare wheel - are they contemplating shrinking the spare wheel compartment volume?. (I know there is still space for a standard spare wheel at the moment)

If Holden want to use the "donut tanks" or the "series small tanks" for a dedicated LPG, then they will need all the under floor volume possible.

I'm not 100% sure how Ford placed the tanks in the dedicated LPG Falcon.

Mike

There have been developments in flat tank technology so the shape of lpg tanks is less of an issue. http://www.propaneperformance.com

[Stormin]

Originally Posted by mmciau

I'm not 100% sure how Ford placed the tanks in the dedicated LPG Falcon.

Mike

It's placed where the spare wheel well would be. Three (I think) small tanks strapped under the floor. The space where the petrol tank would go (ahead of the rear axle) is not utilized.

[JoeT]

Holden Fuel-Saving Technology Closer

Mike Sinclair
8 July 2008
www.carpoint.com.au

Holden says its weeks away from confirming the first of its alternative fuel and fuel saving strategies.

Holden is just weeks away from its opening shot of what insiders have described as a "raft" of alternative fuel and fuel saving launches. The company says it will fire the first of a salvo of fuel-saving launches and technological upgrades in early August.

The first of Holden's 'alt-fuel' sedans will be a diesel-powered version of the Epica. That car will debut as part of a new facelifted Epica line-up early next month (more here).

Though some pundits expected the Lion to launch cylinder-deactivation capable petrol V8s in its range of Commodore Sportwagons this week, the roll out of that technology, Active Fuel Management (AFM, more here), will now take place later this year.

Speaking at last Friday's media drive of the Sportwagon range (look out for our embargoed drive impression later this week), Holden Executive Director Sales, Marketing and After Sales, Alan Batey, told the Carsales Network that launching AFM in Sportwagon would have unnecessarily held up the vehicle's launch. Nonetheless, the technology is still imminent, he says.

"You'll start to see some roll outs [of Holden alternative fuel vehicles and fuel-saving technology] actually, as quick as in the next couple of weeks and you'll see it ongoing from there on," Batey explained.

"We've got some stuff that will come short term, we've got some stuff that we're looking at medium term and then, of course, the long term play... All the technology's there, it's a question of is it affordable and does it drive mainstream volumes or not?"

Click here to continue article



Holden Focusses On LPG

James Stanford
8 July 2008
www.goauto.com.au

GM Holden is preparing to cut the price of its LPG dual-fuel option and actively promote the alternative fuel as petrol and diesel prices continue to soar.

The company is currently developing a dedicated LPG system for the Alloytec V6 used in the Commodore, a system that is expected to be introduced next year.

Until then, Holden will continue to offer its dual-fuel LPG system which is fitted by HSV in Clayton, Melbourne, after the car is produced.

Demand for the VE dual-fuel system is still very low despite high petrol prices, with monthly sales of between 80 and 100 units. The high price of the $3900 LPG option is considered one of the main reasons the take up has been slow.

Holden is planning to cut the price by at least $1000 and possibly more as it prepares to ramp up LPG production.

Click here to continue article