Post by Bundy on Jun 18, 2012 20:22:35 GMT 10
VF Commodore a 'massive update'
But don't expect it to reach the dizzying sales heights of Holdens of the past.
Holden's new VF Commodore is a "massive update" that will go on sale in 2013 as the swansong for what is shaping up to be the last solely Australian-designed and engineered large car.
The revelation is one of the few snippets of information about the future of the Commodore following today's announcement of a $1 billion-plus investment in Australia's second best-selling car.
Advertisement: Story continues below While Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux was tight-lipped about even what size the two all-new models to be produced until at least 2022 would be, he did give the occasional glimpse into the Commodore's future.
"We believe that the VF [Commodore] update is a massive update to the car," he said, referring to the redesign and re-engineering that will reduce fuel use and freshen the look of what was once Australia's best-selling car (it's now the second best-selling car).
One of the big improvements expected with the new VF Commodore is to the weight, which will be reduced significantly thanks to the use of things new materials such as aluminium in place of steel.
The new VF Commodore is also expected to get more advanced electronics that will better interact with people's digital lives.
Holden is also believed to be working on a version of the US-based OnStar telematics system for the VF Commodore.
While the VF Commodore will continue to use V6 and V8 engines, they're expected to be further updated for improved efficiency.
As for the car that will eventually replace the Commodore in 2017 or 2018, Devereux wasn't saying much.
"I'm not going to tell you," was the response when pushed on the Commodore's future, pointing to the secrecy within electronics giant Apple, even among its employees. "We're not going to talk ... about things that are commercially sensitive."
However, he reaffirmed his commitment to large cars, giving the strongest hint yet that a sizeable sedan of some sort will long term continue to be produced in Australia.
"I wouldn't be investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the[2013 VE] Commodore if I didn't believe in the large car segment," said Devereux. "I absolutely believe in it. Having the number two [selling] car in the country is a good thing."
news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/vf-commodore-a-massive-update-20120322-1vlw9.html
Other Links: news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/get-ready-for-the-commodore-smartphone-app-20110630-1gs52.html
news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/vf-commodore-shuns-heavy-metal-20110715-1hgxh.html
canberratimes.drive.com.au/motor-news/vf-commodores-us-debut-20120613-208vv.html
I was just wondering what everyone thinks about it...from what I can see, I like it.
Interesting thing about the design is that it is a lot more aerodynamic and from a combination of this and the car being lighter in weight, they are looking at achieving a 7% to 8% saving on fuel economy, according to Devereux.
Thoughts?
