VE and WM Series II marks the latest versions of Australia's most popular sedans, wagons, utilities and luxury long-wheelbase vehicles. The new range has seen Holden finesse the formula that has made Commodore the nation's top selling car for 14 years straight by introducing smart multimedia technology, improved fuel economy, and the capacity to run on environmentally friendly bio-ethanol.
VE Series II brings more multimedia features to Commodore than ever before through an allnew infotainment system that delivers full Bluetooth®, USB and iPod integration across the range.
Known as Holden-iQ, the system is controlled through a clever, user-friendly touch screen mounted in the centre stack - the cornerstone of a refreshed interior design across all models.
Introducing increased plug-and-play music functions and the capacity to rip and store up to 15 CDs on an internal flash drive, the system also delivers advanced satellite navigation features on selected models including live traffic condition alerts to help drivers avoid congestion delays.
Commodore's smart technology extends to the Series II powertrain line-up which delivers further fuel economy improvements on all models.
Holden's frugal 3.0 litre SIDI V6 now achieves economy of 9.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres in the official ADR81/02 test. The two per cent improvement adds to the 13 per cent fuel economy gain made in September last year when Spark Ignition Direct Injection engine technology was introduced to the Commodore range.
The 3.6 litre SIDI V6 used to power premium Commodore models makes average fuel economy gains of more than three per cent by while all luxury and performance models powered by Holden's Gen IV V8 improve on average by more than six per cent.
In a major step towards creating a cleaner Australian fuel landscape, Series II customers will also be able to run their cars on bio-ethanol, known in many markets as E85; a blend of up to 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol.
Bio-ethanol is a renewable fuel that can be made from a range of waste products from the production of wheat and sugar and even household garbage. In Australia today use of the fuel reduces lifecycle CO2 emissions by up to 40 per cent when compared to petrol.
A first for an Australian-made car, Series II models powered by the 3.0 litre SIDI V6 and 6.0 litre V8 engines will have flex-fuel capability, allowing them to run on Bio-ethanol, E10, Unleaded, Premium or any combination in between.
Long Wheelbase
For long-wheelbase luxury vehicles, Series II will see Holden offer buyers two well-specified versions of the flagship Caprice model.
The introduction of an updated WM Series II range in September will mark the debut of the Holden Caprice V-Series.
The sports luxury V-Series designation matches that of other premium Holdens and identifies this model as top-of-the-range.
Completing the line-up is the Caprice Series II, which shares the stretched silhouette, 18-inch alloy wheels and strong design character of its counterpart.
With this move, Holden discontinues its long-running Statesman nameplate.
VE and WM Series II Model Line-up and New Features
Omega Sedan, Sportwagon and Ute - New standard features include:
Berlina Sedan and Sportwagon - New standard features include:
SV6 and Sedan, Sportwagon and Ute - New standard features include:
SS and Sedan, Sportwagon and Ute - New standard features include:
SS-V Series Sedan, Sportwagon and Ute - New standard features include:
Calais Sedan and Sportwagon - New standard features include:
Calais V-Series Sedan and Sportwagon - New standard features include:
Caprice (new specification) - Standard features include:
Caprice V-Series (new specification) - Builds on Caprice with:
Smart Technology - Holden-iQ
The Holden-iQ system brings music, telephone and satellite navigation features to Series II models in one clear, user-friendly arrangement.
The focus of the system is a fully integrated, 6.5-inch full colour multifunction LCD touch screen mounted in the centre stack of all vehicles across the Series II range.
Featuring rich colour graphics, the display has been benchmarked against high-end multimedia products such as computers, phones and video games, providing a wide range of audio-visual functions.
Music can be played via an iPod®, memory stick, CD or wirelessly transferred from a paired mobile phone. USB devices and iPods plug into dedicated sockets located inside the centre console, and all music file playback from compatible devices is controlled via the touch screen.
Holden-iQ also introduces 'virtual changer' CD storage which replaces the mechanical stacker system from previous models with the capacity to rip and store up to 15 CDs on an internal flash drive. The system supports CDDA, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3 and WMA playback. DVD systems, where fitted, also display on the Holden-iQ touch screen.
New Bluetooth® functionality improves drivers' hands-free mobile phone experience. It synchronies a compatible phone's address book and recent call history then displays the information on the touch screen. Outbound calls can be made via the contact list or a dedicated touch-screen key pad.
The high-feature Holden-iQ navigation system, standard on SS V-Series, Calais V-Series and Caprice models, delivers a high-clarity full colour mapping system, intuitive controls, live traffic alerts, speed advisory and point of interest functions. Voice guidance is integrated into the vehicle's audio system.
It also features a touch screen keyboard to facilitate easy text entry, isometric and 3D map views and on-screen turn-by-turn and audio route guidance.
On those same models (except Ute) the touch screen also features a reversing camera display which is activated whenever reverse gear is selected. A strong safety feature, the colour screen display operates in tandem with audible park assist and works to show any obstacles directly behind the vehicle.
Improved Fuel Economy and reduced CO2 emissions
Holden engineers and designers working on Series II have instituted a series of modifications to produce an average fuel economy gain for all V6 models of 2.8 per cent and an average fuel economy gain for all V8 models of six per cent - making a combined average of just over four per cent across the VE and WM Series II range.
Modifications included aerodynamic improvements, which lower fuel consumption by reducing the vehicle's drag co-efficient, and mechanical changes. Omega and Berlina models were also fitted with lower rolling resistance tyres.
Aerodynamic improvements include:
Mechanical changes include:
Further fuel saving enhancements see the Omega Ute brought into line with the remainder of the Commodore range, benefiting from Holden's economical 3.0-litre SIDI V6 engine matched with the six-speed automatic transmission.
Flex-Fuel EngineTechnology
In an Australian first, all Series II models powered by Holden's 3.0 Litre SIDI V6 and 6.0 Litre V8 engines will have flex-fuel capability, allowing them to run on bio-ethanol, E10, Unleaded, Premium or any combination in between.
Bio-ethanol is a cleaner-burning energy source comprising ethanol and petrol. Bio-ethanol significantly reduces CO2 emissions and enhances vehicle performance.
In Australia, bio-ethanol is currently produced from waste streams created by the industrial production of wheat and sugar. None of these resources would otherwise be used for food production.
To ensure availability of the fuel for Series II vehicles, Holden has entered an alliance with Australia's leading fuel retailer, Caltex which has committed to selling the fuel under the Bio EFlex brand name.
Caltex will have Bio E-Flex available in 31 service stations in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra by the end of October, increasing to 100 metropolitan and regional locations in 2011.
Holden is also investigating the viability of establishing Australia's first second-generation ethanol plant, as part of a consortium including the Victorian Government, Caltex, Veolia, Mitsui and Coskata.
The plant could be capable of turning materials such as household rubbish and building waste into more than 200 million litres of ethanol a year.
Holden's leadership in alternative fuels in Australia is part of GM's global sustainability and energy diversity strategy. In the US, GM is the leading producer of flex-fuel vehicles with more than 3.5 million E85-capable GM cars on the road.
Although fuel consumption of bio-ethanol in Series II models will be higher because ethanol contains less energy than petrol, bio-ethanol's higher octane rating means better vehicle performance. As an illustration, Holden V8 Supercars made the successful switch to E85 in 2009.
For Series Holden engineers have introduced a number hardware changes to the company's 3.0-litre SIDI V6 and 6.0-litre Gen IV V8 engines to make them flex-fuel capable.
Firstly due to lubrication differences using bio-ethanol, base engine hardware has been changed to include hardened intake, exhaust and seat valves.
A new fuel pump unit made of different materials to work with bio-ethanol has also been installed along with a flex-fuel sensor to detect the alcohol level in the fuel line and provide information to the engine control unit (ECU).The detection takes place after every refill and also continuously during driving.
Aside from hardware changes, significant calibration work has also been undertaken to meet Holden's flex-fuel needs.
Styling
The multi-award-winning VE Commodore made a strong and dramatic design statement, characterised by its classic rear wheel drive proportions and an athletic stance emphasised by striking wheel arches.
For VE Series II, designers briefed to refresh the exterior have executed a series of subtle changes, including new front fascia, grille and headlamp treatments across the range.
Berlina specification and above feature new alloy wheels and the upper decklids of the sedan models are enhanced with integrated aero lip detailing.
On the interior, Holden has continued its trend of creating unique personalities for each model. Mainstream, prestige and sports models all receive new centre stack features, mouldings, decoration and illumination colours.
Interior design work has focused on high standards of perceived quality, and creating a more 'pilot oriented' cabin integrating new features and accessories.
Readily apparent is a higher-mounted, more prominent placement of the Holden-iQ system display screen, controls and air vents.
Interior and exterior design enhancements across the range include:
The VE Series II colour palette features 12 choices, including four new colours.
New colours are:
Carryover colors include:
Redline Edition
Holden has put more performance polish on its sports luxury V-Series badge with the launch of five stand-out Redline Editions.
The Redline Edition Calais V-Series and SS V-Series sedan, Sportwagon and Ute will take up top positions in Holden's updated VE Series II range, to be launched later this month.
Intended for enthusiast drivers, Redline Edition models offer high-level braking and sports handling capabilities to match their powerful 6.0-litre V8 credentials.
Advanced chassis dynamics come courtesy of specialist Holden engineers, who developed a track-inspired FE3 super sports suspension set-up to complement the extra stopping power of four-piston Brembo high performance front brakes.
The Redline Edition range is further distinguished by exclusive forged and polished 19-inch alloy wheels, matched to low profile tyres.
Holden also raises the bar with the inclusion of full colour mapping satellite navigation and a rear camera as standard equipment in V-Series models, which feature the new multimedia touch screen Holden-iQ system and smart interior treatments.
All Redline Editions are compatible with bio-ethanol, also known as E85, an emission-reducing 'fuel of the future' that already powers V8 Supercars.
Redline Edition features include
Brembo high-performance brakes - Front brakes feature four-piston, two-piece aluminium front callipers and 355mm rotors, pillar-vented for improved cooling and durability.
Forged alloy wheels - High-strength ten-spoke 19-inch forged alloy wheels are exclusive to V-Series Redline Editions. Ultra high-performance low profile tyres provide outstanding grip and handling in wet and dry conditions.
FE3 Super Sports Performance Suspension - A true driver's car set-up. High-performance tuned dampers and stiffer stabiliser bars provide excellent road connection and control. (SS-V Series Redline Edition sedan and Calais V-Series Redline Edition sedan.)
Chrome window surround (Sedan only)
Inflator kit - A tyre inflator kit is mandatory fitment on the SS-V Series Redline Ute.
Pricing - $2500 on top of standard vehicle RRP
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