Media post: Reviewing the new offshore Holden Commodore

2018 Holden Commodore. Picture goauto.com.au 

In 2018 the Holden Commodore is manufactured overseas for the first time, as the Australian Holden factories have now been closed down.

As such, many Australians are sceptical that a fully imported Commodore will meet their expectations and be able to win the hearts of patriotic Commodore lovers.

The 2018 Commodore is being built in Germany, with a V6 engine but no V8 engine or rear wheel drive option. Its sold in Europe as the Opel Insignia and in the USA as the Buick Regal GS.

Here’s the Australian point of view on the top model of the new Holden Commodore:

Holden Commodore VXR V6 2018 Specifications

Price: $55,999 AU

Engine: 3.6L V6 unleaded petrol with direct fuel injection 381Nm/235kW

Transmission: 9-speed automatic all-wheel drive

Wheels: 20-inch alloy with 245mm wide Michelen

Safety: Traction control, dual front & side airbags, ABS, 5-star ANCAP safety.

Efficiency: 9.3L/100km with 215g/km CO2.

Style & Engineering

The new Commodore has a more European shape and is shorter and narrower than the old model. The front ‘shark nose’ is aggressive, fitting well with the modern lines of the body.

The engine is all new to the Commodore, and while it doesn’t have as much power as outgoing models, it’s performance and economy speak volumes for German engineering.

Passenger’s point of view

The Commodore still has plenty of space to accommodate four adults. Being shorter and narrower than the old model, there’s a bit less head and shoulder room, but the same amount of knee room.

The cabin is light and airy, thanks to the power sunroof and plenty of convenient storage to stow small items. Heated and cooled massage seats, wireless phone charging and the high-quality materials used to add to the comfort of passengers.

Technology

The new Commodore is a huge step up from the Australian built model, with a 360° rearview camera, and 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Driving the new Commodore

Commodores sold in Australia are tuned locally at Lang Lang, Victoria. As such, the suspension and handling (and the radios too) are tuned to Australian conditions.

The all-wheel-drive system can deliver torque effectively to the rear wheels via the Twinster rear drive unit. This means the Commodore keeps that ability to swing the tail on dirt that enthusiasts love. You get a car that’s comfortable for driving at city speeds, but when you want to notch it up a little, it responds with glee.

In the wet it’s fun to drive with excellent traction from the AWD system giving it a neat sideways kick and holding confidently through a slippery hairpin.

Overall Verdict

Some Commodore owners will always prefer the guttural sound of the old V8 engine, but not many will argue that the ride, performance, and handling on this new Commodore are excellent. It’s not the V8 muscle car that Australians associate with the Commodore brand, but it’s sporty, high-tech and a commercially viable car. Australians looking for brute straight-line performance might switch to the Stinger GT, but most will find that on twisting roads and for everyday driving, the 2018 Holden Commodore more than meets expectations.

Article provided by Positive Lending Solutions