2012 Holden Commodore Reviews

When it comes to owning a ute compromise has always been the order of the day, a trade-off between cabin space and load capacity.Holden has added one more to the equation with its new dedicated gas Commodore and it's all to do with the spare wheel, or lack of it, as the case may be.PRICE AND EQUIPMENTLPG prices have dropped again to lows of 60c a litre and below, or less than half that of 91 RON petrol. At 60c a litre, the cost of LPG to travel 10,000km in a dedicated gas Commodore ute is about $750.The base Omega is priced at $37,990 and the SV6 is $41,990 and comes with a tyre inflation kit (a can of sealant and an air compressor) instead of a spare tyre as standard equipment or an optional (no cost) full-sized spare. Neither are entirely satisfactory.Clearly a tyre inflation kit is a worry in a vehicle expected to cope with everything from back paddocks to building sites and from multi-lane freeways to outback tracks.The can of sealant is suitable for small punctures of up to 6mm in the tread, but useless for anything larger or damaged sidewalls. Cracking a sidewall brings instant immobility.Holden says that once inflated the patched tyre should travel for 8km to distribute the sealant evenly and should then be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. None of these issues affect the optional full-sized spare, but location does.DESIGNThe switch to dedicated gas from the previous dual fuel system has come at a cost because of the redesign and relocation of the fuel tank. The new system has two parallel cylinders located under the floor of the tub at the rear axle where the spare wheel used to sit.The 16-inch steel spare (17-inch alloy on the SV6) bolts to the front floor of the tub where it takes up about half of the width of the tray and limits the types of loads that can be carried. But it does come with a security cap and can be removed to increase load capacity. The rival LPG Falcon still has a full-sized spare wheel under the rear floor of the tub.TECHNOLOGYDedicated gas engine is available with the 3.6-litre V6 Commodore engine in either base Omega trim or as an SV6. Engine output is 180kW and 320Nm, or 5kW and 3Nm more than than the previous dual-fuel engine, but 30kW and 30Nm less than the petrol 3.6-litre.Peak torque kicks in at 2000rpm, a useful 800rpm lower than the petrol engine, and peak power comes on at 6000rpm or 700rpm lower. The ute's official combined fuel consumption is 12.4l/100km, or about 1.6l/100km less than the previous dual-fuel engine.The economy gains come from tuning the engine to suit one type of fuel and the addition of a six-speed transmission replacing the previous four-speed. It is also cleaner, emitting 189 grams of CO2 a kilometre, easily passing the latest standards and scoring 4.5 out five in the Green Vehicle Guide.DRIVINGPerformance is close to the petrol version. Turn the key and the starter motor gives a couple of extra cranks before the engine fires. Step-off response is not quite as urgent as the petrol and it sounds a little coarser under load, but it is still a quick and lively performer. Most will be hard-pressed to tell the difference under the right foot.VERDICTDrivers will smile when refueling the 84-litre tank at current LPG prices, as long as they are wary of the extra weight behind the rear axle.Holden Omega LPG utePrice: from $37,990Engine: 3.6-litre V6 gas engine, 180kW/320NmTansmission: six-speed autoThrist: 12.4l/100km, 189 CO2 emissionsRIVALSFord Falcon LPG Ute EcoLPiPrice: from $31,490Engine: 4.0 litre, 6 cylinder, 198kW409NmTransmission: 6-speed sports automatic, rear wheel driveThirst: 13.9L/100Km, 226 CO2 emissions   Ford Falcon - see other Ford Falcon verdicts Holden Omega UtePrice: from $35,490Engine: 3.0-litre; V6 petrol; 190kW/290NmTransmission: 6-speed autoThirst: 9.6L/100km   Holden Commodore - see other Holden Commodore verdictsFord Falcon UtePrice: from $31,095Engine: 4.0-litre; 6-cylinder petrol; 195kW/391NmTransmission: 6-speed manual; 6-speed autoThirst: 10-7-11.7L/100km Ford Falcon - see other Ford Falcon verdicts  

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?Good question. Never really GOT the Berlina and it is becoming increasingly irrelevant. Sits between the Omega and Calais, but the entry Omega is so well equipped these days why bother?The petrol one is $43,490 and the LPG model is $45,990 (but remember you get a $2000 rebate back from the Government for being gas). Omega LPG is $42,490.Falcon of course. But we reckon its greatest threat lies in the SV6 which looks so much better and is only $300 more (I know which one we'd buy).Dedicated 3.6-litre LPG engine. Make that vapour injection gas engine, with 180kW of power and 320Nm of torque (petrol 210kW/350Nm).Well enough. But it's all about the cost of running, with LPG only around 60 cents a litre at the time of writing. We put $20 in to top it off and it half filled the tank seriously you've got to like that?It's rated at 11.8 litres/100km. The tank is supposed to hold 84.4 litres which gives it a maximum range of 715km. We got 701km out of a single tank at 12.2 according to the trip computer  talk about a close shave.Gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from the Govt's Green Vehicle Guide with CO2 emissions of 189g/km. A Prius by the way gets 5 stars (not bad).Yep. Full five stars for safety, with six airbags, stability and traction control and anti-lock brakes with brake assist and brakeforce distribution.Comfort is one of the Commodore's fortes. It's big and armchair comfortable. Easy to get in and out of and easy to drive.It's not going to set the world on fire but like we said it's all about economy. If you want or need a large car but don't want to foot the bill for driving one, then LPG could be right for you. It's cheap and it's readily available, even in the country  but remember these days you can't put petrol in it you can't find any.You don't get auto wipers, twin exhausts or a rear spoiler. But for the extra dough you get larger 17 inch alloys, fog lights, leather clad steering wheel, a trip computer with more features, rear park assist, a flash drive for audio storage, bolstered seats anda  centre arm rest in the back.

Just when local carmakers are turning out LPG engines that rival their petrol counterparts in performance and are more frugal than their predecessors, up goes the price of gas. LPG prices have rocketed this year due in part to the big winter freeze in the northern hemisphere and an extra 2.5c-a-litre government excise added late last year. Prices have jumped by 20-25c/litre; more in country areas. The spike has put a dent in the case for LPG, though it still remains an attractive proposition.The Holden Commodore LPG is priced from $42,490.  Based on the official combined fuel consumption of 11.8l/100km, at 60c a litre, the cost of LPG to travel 20,000km a year is about $1400. At 85c/litre it is about $2000. Compare this with the $2750 it would cost in the equivalent petrol version, based on a petrol price of $1.45c/litre.Holden charges $2500 more for an LPG  than for a petrol version, but private buyers are eligible for a $2000 rebate from the Government. Then there is resale value, which is usually higher in an LPG car. So even at 85c/litre, buying a new LPG car is still cost-effective.Holden's new dedicated gas engine is a big improvement over the previous dual-fuel option, producing more power and using less fuel. It also has a larger 84-litre tank, so the cruising range is stretched to more than 700km. The gas engine is available with only the 3.6-litre V6 Commodore engine, not the 3.0-litre, and comes with a 6-speed auto transmission.Output is 180kW and 320Nm, or 5kW and 3Nm more than than the previous dual-fuel engine. That is 30kW and 30Nm less than the petrol-only 3.6-litre and 10kW less but 30Nm more than the 3.0-litre petrol V6. In the LPG engine's favour, peak torque kicks in at 2000rpm, a useful 800rpm lower than the petrol engine, and peak power comes on at 6000rpm or 700rpm lower. Combined fuel use for the LPG Commodore varies from 11.8l/100km in the Omega sedan (down from 13.4l/100km in the previous dual-fuel engine) to 12.3l/100km in the Berlina wagon.Holden's new LPG system is a refined version of sequential vapour port injection system in which the liquid gas is vapourised before entering the engine, rather than Ford's more advanced liquid injection system, which sprays liquid gas directly into the engine. The economy gains come from improvements to the engine and the six-speed transmission replacing the previous four-speed. The engine also has lower exhaust emissions of 189 grams of CO2 a kilometre, easily passing the latest standards and scoring 4.5 out five in the Green Vehicle Guide.The other big change is to the fuel tank -- two parallel cylinders under the floor behind the rear axle instead of a single tank between the rear wheel arches. This allows full use of the load area in the wagon and the slightly shallower boot of the sedan, as long as you are happy with a tyre inflation kit instead of a spare tyre.If you are not and insist on the optional space-saver spare wheel or the full-size spare, then they sit on top of the boot floor and pinch load space. But it depends on which model you order -- sedan, wagon, ute or Caprice. Getting your head around all the combinations is taxing.The sedans come with an inflator kit as standard or the choice of a space-saver wheel (no cost) or a full-size alloy wheel. Wagons have an inflator kit as standard or a steel wheel with an inflatable tyre. Utes come with an inflator kit as standard or a full-size spare wheel -- steel on the Omega (no cost) and alloy on the SV6 -- bolted to the floor of the tray. The Caprice gets a full-size alloy as standard or an optional inflation kit or space-saver spare wheel.Turn the key and the starter motor gives a couple of extra cranks before the engine fires. Step-off response is not quite as urgent as the petrol and it sounds a little coarser under load, but it is still a quick and lively performer.The advantage of the dedicated gas system over the previous dual-fuel Holden Commdore is that the new LPG engine can be tuned for optimum performance and economy – a task that is more difficult with a dual-fuel engine. The bottom line that most buyers will be looking for is a performance that is very similar to the petrol versions and most drivers will be hard-pressed to tell the difference under the right foot.

Holden wants to make the Commodore the poster boy of the liquefied petroleum gas-powered vehicle set. The new dedicated LPG Commodore has left the compromises of dual-fuel (petrol and gas) behind to produce a large car with small-car running costs.For example, how does filling an LPG Omega fuel tank for $55 at one of the 3300 LPG outlets around Australia sound? Then travelling up to 710 km before the next fill-up, at the same time virtuous because the car is only emitting 189 grams of carbon dioxide every kilometre.In 2009, Holden began a program aimed at producing a Commodore with class-leading carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions; and to achieve a seamless drive that’s comparable to petrol Commodore models.The company has just wheeled out an extended Commodore range, including sedan, Sportwagon, ute and long wheelbase models to the motoring media.The engine, a 3.6-litre, double overhead camshaft V6 with four valves per cylinder, has been specifically developed to run on LPG, earning the entire range an outstanding 4.5 out of 5 score in the Green Vehicle Guide and exceeding Euro 6 exhaust emission standards.Internally, new fuel injectors are positioned to optimise fuel delivery, while the fuel control system has also been optimised to ensure the advantages of LPG are fully realised to give best performance and drivability under Australian conditions.Hardened valves and valve seats make for long-term durability, while the heads and manifold are also designed specifically for the LPG Commodore to ensure ideal air flow and combustion.As LPG contains a higher octane rating (100 to 110) than petrol (91 to 98), new pistons have been used to allow the compression ratio to be\ raised to 12.2:1 to take full advantage of LPG.The world-class engine puts out 180 kW of power and 320 Nm of torque, eclipsing the outgoing dual-fuel LPG variant by five kW and two Nm. At the same time, the new LPG Commodore Omega sedan records 11.8 litres per 100 kilometres consumption on the combined urban/highway cycle, 1.6 L/100 km, or 13 per cent, better than the dual-fuel LPG Omega sedan.The first Holden-approved LPG system was introduced on VP Commodore nearly 20 years ago and culminates in the advanced dedicated offering in VE Commodore.LPG powered vehicles emit fewer greenhouse gases and pollutants – 10 to 15 per cent less CO2 and fewer hydrocarbons – compared to petrol-powered equivalents.The LPG option can be had for $2500, including GST, over the corresponding petrol-powered VE model but private buyers of new factory-fitted LPG vehicles can apply for a $2000 Federal Government rebate. It is estimated the remaining $500 can be recouped in a matter of months. Depending on fuel prices, the Omega sedan will cost about $1300 less per year in fuel to run, based on 20,000 km per year and average ULP and LPG fuel prices for December 2011.The new six-speed automatic transmission is lighter, smarter and more refined, boasting shift patterns that provide outstanding drivability. On a test run in a variety of vehicles in the Melbourne city and suburbs, there was some harshness under load when being hurried uphill, other than that, I defy anybody to tell the LPG from a petrol powered VE.Holden insists that the LPG engine starts without delay at all outside temperatures. We only tested it during a warm Melbourne day. In line with Holden’s safety philosophy, the LPG model goes beyond Australian regulatory requirements and scores the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating.With a rigid body structure with multiple energy paths in a crash, electronic stability programmed standard on all models, as well as six standard airbags in every model, the Commodore is one of the safest cars on the road.Beyond this were the challenges thrown up by fuel storage. LPG requires a larger tank than petrol in order to achieve a similar range, so to keep mass contained, Holden’s safety engineers developed a lightweight, 84-litre aluminium tank, which to their knowledge is the only mass produced, OEM-equipped, aluminium fuel tank anywhere in the world.Holden safety engineers shifted the tank to behind the rear axle requiring significant re-routing of the exhaust system among other modifications. The tank itself is made from high-strength, multi-celled, aircraft grade extruded aluminium with strategically-placed additional aluminium protection plates.

Big fuel bills are no longer a reason to give up on Australian large cars. With the introduction of the Holden Commodore LPG, Ford and Holden now both have big locally-made family machines that cost less to run than small petrol cars.Both only cost $500 more than regular petrol versions (as long as you’re a private buyer and qualify for the federal governments $2000 LPG grant) and you should win it back within a year. LPG is also relatively clean when it comes to CO2, which should enable eco-friendly fleets to get on board. Government fleets, which have been increasingly buying imported cars, including diesel Hyundai i30s, now have a patriotic eco-friendly  OptionThe Holden LPG option is available across all three Commodore body styles, the sedan, ute and wagon. It’s also available for the stretched Caprice.For 20 years Holden has dabbled with duel fuel Petrol/LPG options, but has now decided to follow Fords step and offer a proper focused LPG-only version. This allowed Holden engineers to tune the engine to run better on LPG.The LPG tank, which used to sit in the boot, is now located behind the rear axle, only slightly raising the boot floor of the sedan, trimming the cargo area by 10 litres to 486 litres. The wagon and ute cargo areas stay the same.One negative is that the LPG tank means there is no space below for a spare tyre.You can carry a pump-up kit and keep your boot-space or give some of it up and fit a spare in the boot or ute tray.VALUEThe true value of the LPG Commodore is always going to depend on fuel prices  good luck predicting them - but is going to be a great value proposition for some time to come. While the LPG tax regime is changing, with less government assistance, the good gas has traditionally been around half the price of petrol per litre.  Given the LPG Commodore doesn’t use all that much more LPG than the regular car uses petrol, it is going to make for a great set of numbers.Going by the claimed average consumption figures (which aren’t perfect but act as a guide), and average fuel prices in Melbourne earlier this week, the fuel cost to run an LPG Commodore for a year (20,000km) would work out to $1723.That’s $409 cheaper than the fuel bill for a small petrol car (an automatic Mazda3 Neo), neck and neck with a super lean large diesel car like the Skoda Superb and almost $600 cheaper than a regular petrol Commodore.Real world figures may vary, but there’s no doubt LPG makes big cars cheap to run.Like the rest of the Commodore range, the LPG versions are very good value when you consider what you get for the money.TECHNOLOGYThe Commodore LPG doesn’t use the most advanced LPG technology on the market. While Ford opted for the more complicated liquid injection LPG which allows for better performance, Holden decided to go with the vapour injection method.It selected the previous generation 3.6-litre quad-cam V6, made in Melbourne, for the LPG option and fitted a new fuel rail, injectors, harder valves and valve seats, special pistons, modified heads and a unique manifold. It runs a higher compression ration too.Holden will only make the LPG option available with a six-speed automatic transmission. The LPG 3.6 produces 180kW of power, which is 30kW down on the petrol engine of the same size, and 320Nm of torque, which is 30Nm off.For reference, the LPG Falcon is good for 198kW and 409Nm. The Holden LPG does better when compared to the 3.0-litre V6 petrol fleet special Commodore, which makes 190kW and 290Nm.The LPG car’s average fuel consumption for 100km is 11.8L/100km, which doesn’t sound great until you remember how much cheaper LPG is.Its average CO2 figure of 189g/km is the best in its class.DESIGNAustralians have had plenty of time to get used to the current Commodore shape given it has been around since 2006. There have been some changes under the skin, but the exterior design was thankfully bold enough that the car still looks good today.The interior, which looked dated from the day the VE was introduced, was upgraded last year to gear the Commodore range a more modern and upmarket look although it is still plain in the cheaper models.There are no visual clues that a Commodore is LPG powered apart from some badges and the red LPG stickers on the number plate.SAFETYAs is the case with the regular Commodore, the LPG version gets a five star ANCAP crash test safety rating. It also comes with a full suite of six airbags, front, side and curtains, has Electronic Stability Control (ESC), traction control, anti-skid brakes and seatbelt reminders.DRIVINGHolden boss Mike Devereux admits he’s never filled a car with LPG. He's not alone. Many people don’t like having to screw in the nozzle and especially dislike the psshht sound when the left over gas is vented out to the atmosphere when the tank is full.There's no doubt Holden, and Ford, face a battle to get ordinary Australians to consider LPG as a proper option rather than something confined to cheapskates and taxi operators.All they have to do is get them into the driving seat. Fords LPG is more complex delivers better performance, but the Holden LPG option is perfectly good.It goes a bit better than the 3.0-litre petrol Omega, but is not as quick as the 3.6-litre petrol, which is a real slingshot these days.The sound is slightly different as it goes through one exhaust and the last generation cylinder head makes slightly coarser noises, but really, you would be hard-pressed to notice.There is plenty of low down pull and enough power when you want to get stuck in. The overall drive experience is exactly what you expect from a Commodore. That means it handles well, it cruises nicely and is perfectly suited to Australian conditions.Having to run without a spare wheel, or having one take up a section of the boot is not ideal, but I reckon its worth it.VERDICTIt has all the benefits of a large car with the running costs of a small car. Just like Ford, Holden is making an LPG car that is too good to ignore. Even better, theyre both made right here in Australia.Commodore Omega LPGPrice: $42,490 (not including $2000 private customer rebate) Warranty: 3 years/ 100,000kmService Intervals: 15,000km or 9 monthsSafety Equipment: six airbags, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC.Crash rating: 5 starsEngine: 180kW/320Nm 3.6-litre V6 LPGBody: 4-door, 5 seats (ute, wagon and long wheelbase Caprice available)Dimensions: 4903mm (L); 1899mm (W); 1471mm (H); 1471mm (WB) 2915mm Weight: 1730kgTransmission: Six-speed automatic; rearwheel-driveEconomy: 11.8l/100km; 189g/km CO2