VE Commodore Packs On The Kilos & Is Falcon's Biggest Threat

[JoeT]

VE Commodore Packs On The Kilos

Toby Hagon
28 February 2006
www.smh.com.au

Holden's all-new VE Commodore will be up to 10 per cent heavier than the model it replaces courtesy of a larger body and added safety features.

Due in August, the VE is expected to be around 150 kilograms heavier than the VZ it will replace, which is the last of the VT-based models that first arrived in 1997.

But General Motors product development chief Bob Lutz says the Commodore's anticipated near-two-tonne body is in line with weight gains on many new models as car makers engineer added safety into their vehicles in response to stricter regulations.

"Everything is getting heavier … everybody's replacement vehicle will be bigger," says Lutz, explaining that new regulations concerning rollover protection, side impact protection and pedestrian protection have led to increased bulk in new-generation vehicles. "Everything (new model) is growing to meet these new (safety) requirements."

All things being equal, added weight means increased fuel consumption, something Holden could do without as it watches sales of its volume-selling large cars plummet.

Industry pundits are crediting rising fuel prices with the slump in large car sales; in 2005 the Commodore recorded its lowest sales in 12 years.

Holden is refusing to comment on details of the upcoming VE through fear of affecting the sales of the soon-to-be-run-out VZ.

However, logic suggests the extra 150-odd-kilograms of weight will result in increased fuel consumption for the VE.

But other factors also come into play with fuel consumption. Holden is also expected to add a five- and/or six-speed automatic transmission in an effort to improve the appeal of its biggest seller to fleets and family buyers increasingly concerned about running costs.

While the V6-powered VE Commodores that account for the majority of sales will benefit from incremental improvements, the basics of the 3.6-litre engine are expected to remain the same.

However, Holden is believed to be adding cylinder-deactivation technology to its recently-acquired 6.0-litre V8, meaning it can run as a four-cylinder when minimal power is required.



New Commodore Falcon's Biggest Threat

John Carey
27 February 2006
www.wheels.carpoint.com.au

The BA Falcon will shape up to two strong competitors when both Holden and Toyota launch new models later this year, says Ford Australia boss Tom Gorman.

For more than 12 months following Holden and Toyota launches of big six sedans in the second half of this year, Ford will face the pair of brand-new competitors with a Falcon family that traces its roots back to 2002.

So which of the two – VE Commodore or Aurion – does Ford Australia president Tom Gorman most fear?

“They [Holden] worry me the most, because they’re first up,” replies Gorman when the question is put to him during the latest of his monthly media briefings.

Like every other auto industry executive in Australia, the American-born Ford boss is aware of the importance to Holden of the VE Commodore. It is likely to launch in September.

But Toyota will pose a much greater threat to Falcon with the Aurion than the unpopular Avalon, which Toyota ceased building in August last year, he acknowledges. “They don’t normally lose at things repeatedly,” observes Gorman pointedly. Aurion will launch around November.

“It’s going to be a very interesting year,” muses Gorman. He believes the new competitors will halt, at least for a time, the shrinkage of large car sales. With exciting new models available, Gorman believes the 2-3 percent sales decline trend of recent years will be arrested.

In 2006, he thinks, Australians will buy around 140,000 to 150,000 large cars, a similar number as in 2005. The total market, Gorman forecasts, will remain a little below the tantalising 1 million mark at 980,000.

Camo Commodore - New VE is to be a big boy

[nikivee]

Those that think a new Camaro will weigh under 3800lbs are in for a surprise.

[IROCNROL1]

A 3800 lb Camaro? I guess I can only hope you're wrong, as GM does have more than it's fair share of portly vehicles. Time to get creative with aluminum and composits. I know, I'm hoping again.

[jbernie]

Holden has a massive trump card if it plays right. The Mitsu 380 is pretty much a failure, Ford doesn't have much doing with the Falcon, other than a 6sp auto, Toyota has already shown the Aurion.....

Holden hasn't shown anything...

If the content is right and the price is right, Holden will put the others into a massive race of catch up.

Of course it could miss the boat and umm oops!!!

Here is hoping for the trump card

[uujjj]

Originally Posted by nikivee

Those that think a new Camaro will weigh under 3800lbs are in for a surprise.

3800?! Yikes, I was hoping under 3400. It's supposed to be a light pony car, not a luxo coupe. Hopefully Zeta lite is Zeta light.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by jbernie

Holden has a massive trump card if it plays right. The Mitsu 380 is pretty much a failure, Ford doesn't have much doing with the Falcon, other than a 6sp auto, Toyota has already shown the Aurion.....

Holden hasn't shown anything...

If the content is right and the price is right, Holden will put the others into a massive race of catch up.

Of course it could miss the boat and umm oops!!!

Here is hoping for the trump card

I believe you are spot on. VE is all new, engines will be uprated- visually there is nothing like it. Holden are taking their time in releasing it, but I think they want to get it as perfect as they can. Ford would have to be worried, as I reckon it'll blow the Falcon out of the water, & unfortunately, Mitsubishi is just not worth worrying about. Likewise Toyota's Aurion will not rate against VE.
Cheers, Pickles.

[redimpss5]

The camo paint on the SV8 looks cool. I wonder when a Honda owner might paint his/her car like that?

[nikivee]

Originally Posted by IROCNROL1

A 3800 lb Camaro? I guess I can only hope you're wrong, as GM does have more than it's fair share of portly vehicles. Time to get creative with aluminum and composits. I know, I'm hoping again.

Considering that Holden is helping develop the new platform for the Camaro and other RWD for GM NA I don't see it will not be a big pig.

[kuns83]

with all the safety features, more rigid frames, and all that technology packed into cars nowadays, im not surprised that cars have gotten fat. What i'd like to see, is how these new age powerful yet efficient engines could work on smaller/lighter cars like those of the late 80's early 90's.

[GeryRx7]

I love the looks of this prototype. Wished GM would bring something like that here. It's resembles some of Europes best. All Holden has to do is keep the quality in check. I loved our GTO but two of my co-workers have them and have had nothing but quality problems since day one. This is why those cars never took off in our market. It wasn't the price. It was the quality expected at that price point was lacking. If GM gets it right with this car Ford should be worried.

[61BelAir]

3800 lbs. sound like a lot even for the General. I would say probably the 3400-3500 lb. range is more likely.

[91z4me]

Originally Posted by nikivee

Considering that Holden is helping develop the new platform for the Camaro and other RWD for GM NA I don't see it will not be a big pig.

Well since the Camaro is not a pure VE and it uses a Sigma style unibody and VE suspension units it is not 100% Holden. Also lets not forget that coupes are lighter than sedans and LWB sedans, like the Statesman, are even heavier. Also Camaro could be shorter than the SWB VE sedans.

3500 is the target.

[DanCBJMS1988]

Originally Posted by Pickles

I believe you are spot on. VE is all new, engines will be uprated- visually there is nothing like it. Holden are taking their time in releasing it, but I think they want to get it as perfect as they can. Ford would have to be worried, as I reckon it'll blow the Falcon out of the water, & unfortunately, Mitsubishi is just not worth worrying about. Likewise Toyota's Aurion will not rate against VE.
Cheers, Pickles.

I don't think that Ford would be worried - in the short term, maybe, since BF is for all intents and purposes just a facelifted BA MkII (aka EA169 or whatever platform code it is) with maybe some additional improvements in the engines, suspensions, etc. If and when Orion (the next Ford Falcon/Fairlane after BF) comes out, it'll probably be the best-looking Ford that Ford has ever made. Though I also agree on the Aurion comments - looks like another Camry to me, thus Toyopet might have a 5th column in their ranks.

[EViL Wagon]

I HATE this trend towards heavier cars. Stupid saftey regulations. If I wanted those saftey features I would buy from a car that offered them. This summer I might buy a bike and they are a hell of a lot more dangerous than any car but they are still allowed. I should have the right to choose which features I want in my car. Rollover protection? The center of gravity for these cars is under the freaking ground. When was that last time you heard of this type of vehicle rolling over? Pedestrian saftey? It's a nice thought but physics says that if you get hit by a car going a decent speed you will be killed or very seriously injured. Period. In fact because force equals mass times acceleration any saftey measures could potentially be made useless by their own added weight. Side impact I can understand but this still kinda sux.

[mikmak]

http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au...R&key=HOLD06DX
Sorry. The coupe version is typically heavier due to a need to reinforce the bodies rigidity. Of course you could just make it a 2 seater with a shortened platform. I can smell the donuits from here