300kW Commodore 6.2-litre V8 headlines Holden’s VF update due in October 2015

ANYONE who thought Australian car manufacturing would go out with a whimper rather than a roar has rocks in their head. Hot on the heels of Ford Falcon XR8 getting the supercharged 335kW V8 from the now defunct FPV GT comes news that Holden is shoehorning Chevrolet’s LS3 6.2- litre V8 into the Commodore for its Series II update due next month. But don’t expect an HSV Clubsport-size 317kW serve under the Commodore’s bonnet; Holden still has to leave room for its HSV partner to play. Instead, the new V8 models in Holden’s range are expected to deliver more than 300kW. Torque is expected to increase by about 20Nm from the current 6.0-litre V8’s 530Nm. Documents seen by Wheels reveal a series of mechanical and styling changes that will lean heavily on the Commodore’s rich motorsport legacy. And while they don’t confirm the switch to the LS3 in place of the current Gen IV, sources at Holden have said that reworked exhaust emissions and fuel-use ratings mean the VF Series II package does include a significant drivetrain upgrade. An output figure of 308kW has a nice ring to it as a nod to the 308 cubic-inch (5.0-litre) V8s that once powered Commodores, and won’t encroach on HSV, which itself will introduce a series of power hikes (see report, page 10). The new V8 must sound hotter, too, forcing Holden to redo its numbers on drive-by noise. A need for extra stopping power is also flagged by the Chev engine’s greater performance. This is likely to translate to a bigger master cylinder and/or larger unbranded calipers and discs. It could also mean a dip into the HSV parts catalogue for a more serious Brembo package for Holden’s ultimate Redline versions, with these stronger stoppers added to the rear wheels instead of being limited to the fronts, as they are on current SS and SS-V models. Exterior styling tweaks are also coming, with changes to the headlights and sharper-looking LED running lights up front, while tail-lights and reversing lamps feature a different signature. Pulling all this informatoin together has allowed us to produce an artist’s impression of how the Commodore VF Series II will look. Combined with information from other sources, we can reveal that redesigned front and rear bumpers, bonnet air vents/ scoops and an arch-filling 20-inch staggered wheel and tyre package are also on the cards. While Holden’s redesign budget would have been relatively small, deftly rendered pen stokes and a focus on high-end versions should lend the ultimate Commodore a striking, aggressive look for its run to the chequered flag.