[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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[mmciau]

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.

I'll wait and see if this is on line in 2010!

IF, I say again IF Holden are give a "free hand" to get this up and running, it is a possibility, but I fear GMHQ will keep shifting the goal posts!


Mike

 

[BBDOS CV8]

I'm all for having hybrid for export versions of the Commodore - it might even make it a goer as a Opel in Europe. But I want to see the VM Motori diesel offered as an option here. Diesel in Oz, unlike America has good acceptance. And back to back testing of the Prius and other cars like the Civic hybrid against small diesels show the oilers knock the Everreadys into a ****ed hat for consumption, even around town. When that penetrates the consciousness - and it will - hybrids will be seen as second-rate, especially when the costs outweigh the cost of a diesel option seemingly.

The article on V8s in the Age on the weekend showed that diesel passenger vehicles have increased by 377% since 1997. That is one area the Commy will lose out, especially if the Falcon has one available.

In fact, the real reason for the decline in big cars sales is nothing to do with small cars, which haven't really sold more as a proportion of the market. It is the rise of SUVs from almost nothing to 20% of the market. Along with a change of families, with less large families and more single parent or plain adult singles, the demand for large cars has dropped.

That artilce made it clear: people still like big cars and V8s especially, just they don't need them so much. Holden sold 11,480 V8s last year in Oz which is a record, and HSV well over 5,000 cars, nearly all V8s, too.

 

[ford&holden]

I'm all for having hybrid for export versions of the Commodore - it might even make it a goer as a Opel in Europe. But I want to see the VM Motori diesel offered as an option here. Diesel in Oz, unlike America has good acceptance. And back to back testing of the Prius and other cars like the Civic hybrid against small diesels show the oilers knock the Everreadys into a ****ed hat for consumption, even around town. When that penetrates the consciousness - and it will - hybrids will be seen as second-rate, especially when the costs outweigh the cost of a diesel option seemingly.

The article on V8s in the Age on the weekend showed that diesel passenger vehicles have increased by 377% since 1997. That is one area the Commy will lose out, especially if the Falcon has one available.

In fact, the real reason for the decline in big cars sales is nothing to do with small cars, which haven't really sold more as a proportion of the market. It is the rise of SUVs from almost nothing to 20% of the market. Along with a change of families, with less large families and more single parent or plain adult singles, the demand for large cars has dropped.

That artilce made it clear: people still like big cars and V8s especially, just they don't need them so much. Holden sold 11,480 V8s last year in Oz which is a record, and HSV well over 5,000 cars, nearly all V8s, too.

I actually agree with you

Falcon and commodore still have a relevant market, they just need to offer more options.
Diesel will be a major bonus for commodore and falcon, a pity they don't have them here and now.

Interesting to note that Holden is thinking about small car manufacturing, just like Ford is with focus come 2011.
Just goes to show you can't count any option out, yet Ford was being questioned about it's decision to bring focus locally...

 

[mikmak]

I was wondering what the new marketting campaign was all about. I couldn't really see too much that related to Commodore being particularly green, but it would lead me to believe that something is coming sooner rather than later.

Falcon also has a good opportunity to stick a diesel in the Wagon as this would surely have a big impact for their Fleet contracts.

+ for both, it would be a significant contributer to regaining a sizeable share in the user chooser lease market.

 

[BBDOS CV8]

Here's the companion article, about a four-cylinder.

Four cylinder 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.

Personally, I think it is a lot of trouble for little gain especially compared to performance, but what do I know.

Actually the TDi four out of the Captiva might make a very good unit and produce some real savings, and seeing as that car is already made with a east-west HFV6 it should simplfy the reverse engineering to retrofit it back into the north-south Commy. And I bet it would be a lot cheaper engine to use, it's Euro IV compliant already. Judging from economy of the Captiva, you could get a 8L/100km VE. From all reports it does a good job moving that thing, so a Commodore would be a cakewalk.