New Commodore’s engine keeps more dollars in tank

The Daily Telegraph

31 October 2008

Save money: Holden is to release a more fuel efficient Commodore.

Australia’s favourite car - the Holden Commodore - will be cheaper to run from next month.

The Commodore has had its V6 engine tweaked to improve economy and cut emissions, with the V8 to follow in January with a major technological change which will cut cylinders during low-load running for even greater efficiency.

Official details of the engine update will be announced by GM Holden later today, but the company claims a cash saving of more than $1.50 a week for an average family Commodore running an average of 20,000km.

The improvement could mean a 60-litre saving on fuel use a year, with a CO2 reduction of close to 170kg.

But there is a price to pay — the V6 will lose 5kW of power, reducing output to the level of the 2004 Commodore at 175kW. It means the Holden will trail well behind the rival Ford Falcon, even though it easily outsells it in showrooms.

“You would have to be a race car driver to feel it. The fuel economy benefits far outweigh it,” GM Holden spokesperson Kate Lonsdale said last night. “The big focus at the moment is on fuel efficiency and emissions.”

Ms Londsale said the improvement in economy is up to 0.4 litres/100km, or more than 2.5 per cent.

The LPG Commodore has received an even bigger tweak with an improvement of 1.3 litres/100km for the sedan, and slightly less for other models.

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Have all you people ever wondered why the top range premium cars (Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Audi, Cadillac, Corvette, Charger, 300C, Camaro, Challenger, Bentley, Lexus) are REAR WHEEL DRIVE ??? Enough about the Aurion with it’s 200 kw V6. Front wheel drive is so that companies can cheaply mass produce cars for those people who want to get from A – B and are ignorant about how they do it. Commodore and Falcon are great cars because they are rear wheel drive and available with a V8.

Kristien SMITH Posted at 19 November 2008 12:13pm

I'm still waiting for the official Holden announcement re V6 pwr downgrade that the article said was coming on 31/10/08. A friend that works at the Holden factory reckons 195 kw and 5 spd auto on base models ... so I wonder where Daily Telegraph getting there info.

James Graham Posted at 19 November 2008 12:06pm

What is it with carsguide and Holden, actually what is it with so many people and Holden. Hello, it may be Australia's higher selling car but it sure isn't Australia'a best car anymore. Wake up Australia, there is a better car out there called the Ford Falcon. Commodore is just favourite because of the old and outdated reputation as it being "Australian Made". This is no more, Holden is hardly Australian anymore, look at all the cheap badge swapping. Not to mention better marketing. Wake up Australia! Holden is lagging behind! By the way, the Falcon has been on gas for many years.

Nicole Posted at 14 November 2008 9:00am

just more cars guide bias!

baz of melbourrne Posted at 12 November 2008 6:03pm

Holden are making changes to improve economy and emmisions and people are complaining? People are forgetting the importance LPG changes, now that LPG is becoming more common. Why are there so many negative comments about it being a fleet only model. These days Holden are selling more V8's than ever before and fleets dont buy V8's. Once again Holdens SS is 20 kw behind Fords XR8 and eveeryone will agree SS is quicker and a better model.

dave Posted at 05 November 2008 10:38am

I have a 2005 VZ Berlina wagon with the old 4 speed in it. I get 8.5l/100 between Toowoomba and Brisbane, and 12l/100 around Toowoomba. While its not Toyota Prius economy, for a large car carrying around 2 adults and 4 kids its pretty good. They are a fantastic highway cruiser.

Dave of TWB Posted at 04 November 2008 9:43pm

I have a 2005 VZ Berlina wagon with the old 4 speed in it. I get 8.5l/100 between Toowoomba and Brisbane, and 12l/100 around Toowoomba. While its not Toyota Prius economy, for a large car carrying around 2 adults and 4 kids its pretty good. They are a fantastic highway cruiser.

Dave of TWB Posted at 04 November 2008 9:40pm

What cracks me up is the falcon is heavier and has more power yet uses less fuel. Go the ZF auto. Why doesnt holden run a 5/6spd auto across the range rather than penny pinch with the 4speeder.

JC of NSW Posted at 04 November 2008 1:44pm

reading the comments below, i just dont understand why the commodore still sells significantly more than the falcon.. the falcon is clearly better in every respect (engine power and efficiency, safety, interior style). i think the commodore looks a bit better, but the falcon is no ugly duckling. maybe holden is flogging them off to fleets at heavily discounted prices? i'd like to see the private sales of commodore v falcon. its a tragedy that ford produces such a world class car (and people thought the commodore was world class - dont know waht they were smoking) and they dont get the sales reward they deserve. good on you, holden guys woooo hooo you're saving us $1.50 a week. the engine is still thirstier than an FG which has plenty more power. you should be ashamed.

Robert Posted at 04 November 2008 1:33pm

Why is it that the ENTRY-LEVEL Commodores and Falcons have such bloody huge engines? These are "fat businessman" cars. They travel to work on their own, during which trip they spend a lot of time just sitting in traffic idling. Why do they need power figures heading up towards the TWO HUNDRED mark? The Honda Accord VTi is a bigger car than either of those, yet it still zips along very nicely with its 2.4L 4cyl engine! Why not give the fat businessmen a 4cyl car like a Corolla? Yes, I know they're not brilliant cars, but they are a lot more efficient. AND, for those of you with a "green" inclination, the smaller cars (which do the office run just fine) don't destroy the environment as much. Furthermore, Mr Fat Businessman will be spending less of the company's money on fuel, which the accountants will like because the company will have more money available for their projects, or their payrolls. My 1998, 1.5L car costs me around $50 per week, running about 20,000km per year. And modern 1.5L engines are even MORE efficient. I'm not suggesting that all the businessmen should drive cars like mine, but the size and efficiency are pretty damn good, even if it DOES lack a bit of strength when faced with a decent hill. And if i ever decide i want a really REALLY fast and powerful car, I'd save for something like a BMW M5 or an Aston Martin DB9, which looks good AND goes like there's no tomorrow. You can all keep paying higher prices for cars which cost a fortune to run, while I use the savings to run my car long after your warranties expire... AND get cheaper insurance... AND pollute the world less... and generally laugh at all the money you're WASTING.

Kieran of Brisbane Posted at 04 November 2008 11:17am

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