2017 Holden Commodore special editions uncovered

Holden has used an event thrown for staff and loyal customers at its Fisherman’s Bend headquarters to reveal three special editions of its swansong VFII Commodore, named Motorsport, Magnum and Director.

Based on the SS V Redline sedan, the Motorsport is a tribute to the ‘King of the Mountain’ – the name stemming from the 24 Bathurst 1000 chequered flags achieved by the Commodore in its time as a racing vehicle.

1200 examples of the Motorsport will be built for Australians, with an extra 151 crossing the Tasman for our Kiwi cousins. It will be offered from $61,790 before on-roads for the manual, and $63,990 for the auto, representing a price increase of $7300 and $7800 respectively over the SS V Redline.

Design tweaks include a phantom black roof, black boot-lid spoiler and 20-inch black alloy wheels with a red stripe around the lip of the rim.

Power is unchanged from the Redline, with the 6.2-litre normally aspirated LS3 V8 still churning out a hefty 304kW/570Nm.

The Motorsport comes with a magnetic ride control suspension system, driving mode control and an enhanced high-rate rear subframe bush.

The magnetic ride system, previously used by HSV, can adjust dampers up to 100 times a second, allowing for a more comfortable ride with less body-roll.

Bringing all that power to a standstill is the four-piston Brembo brake package shared with the Redline, making use of cross-drilled discs with two piece rotors at the front.

Enhanced engine and transmission cooling has made the Motorsport GM level 3 track capable, making it one of the most track-friendly cars in the GM stable along with the likes of the Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette and Cadillac CTS.

Ute fans can be satiated by what Holden calls the fastest and best-equipped Commodore ute ever – the Magnum, a name that references the WB Statesman Magnum built by Peter Brock’s HDT Special Vehicles in 1983.

Only 240 Magnums will be sold in Australia, while New Zealand gets 51 examples – a nod to Kiwi Supercar legend Greg Murphy, whose car wore the number 51 in its years on the Australian racing circuit.

The Magnum features sedan-tuned FE3 rear suspension, upgraded front seats, embroidered instrument panel, Magnum badging and hard tonneau cover.

It's understood the Magnum is effectively sold out.

The Magnum also gets the engine and brake systems from the Motorsport, and is priced at $59,290 for the do-it-yourself-shifter and $61,490 for the auto, both an $8800 jump over their Redline equivalents.

The last special edition, the Director, is a nod to the late Peter Brock who was engaged in a bitter public divorce with Holden 30 years ago – partly over a car that went by the same name.

The Brock family was contacted to seek permission to use the Director name, which was approved.

Based on the Calais V and priced at $63,990 as an auto-only proposition, 360 Directors will be built, all for Australia.

It will get a black roof, hood vents and paddle shifters, as well as the cooling enhancements, brake package and magnetic suspension shared in the Motorsport.

Each special edition will be individually numbered, and dealers will take requests, however interested fans should act quickly as substantial pre-orders have been taken for the Motorsport and Director, while it's understood the Magnum is effectively sold out.

Customers who do manage to nab one will be given the option of a tailored soft car cover emblazoned with the car’s limited edition number and owner’s name.

Keys come in a commemorative case complete with a built-in video of the cars on the track, while Motorsport owners also get a 1:18 scale model of the vehicle.

Which special edition Commodore would you choose to buy? Tell us what you think in the comments below.