Log in

View Full Version : Introducing the totally new Holden Commodore VT



wanaVE
09-02-2008, 09:07 PM
Hi guys i found this old intro for the VT commodore i thought you,d like


26 August, 1997

With the launch of the advanced and entirely new Commodore VT, Holden has demonstrated its determination to continue to position its Commodore range at the leading edge, as the ultimate expression of Australian automotive excellence.

The Commodore VT is characterised by striking new exterior styling, more spacious and luxuriously equipped interiors, class leading vehicle dynamics and significant strides in safety performance. The design integrity of its all-new body structure is reflected in appreciably higher levels of build quality and driving refinement. Many innovative, high-technology features incorporated in the Commodore VT are 'firsts' for an Australian car.

"Holden has invested over \$600 million in the design and development of the all-Australian VT model range, which represents the culmination of the largest and most ambitious new vehicle engineering program the company has ever undertaken," said Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Jim Wiemels.

"The VT is not just an all-new version of Australia's best-selling car. It is also a statement of our business strategy and a declaration of General Motors commitment and investment in Holden," Mr Wiemels continued. "We certainly believe that there is much in our new VT Commodore that will create customer enthusiasm and much that will increase driving pleasure, safety and passenger comfort."


Style and Space

A new design for the new millennium, Commodore VT's contemporary and elegantly sculptured styling combines with a wider track and longer wheelbase to project an assertive on-road presence. Its powerful form is accentuated by the low, wide stance and an efficient, 'nose down' profile of classic rear wheel drive proportions. All lines flow towards a twin nostril grille that is distinctively Commodore in character.

Although VT is the largest Commodore yet, its external design cues create a compact appearance, while efficient packaging delivers a spacious cabin area offering more leg room, front and rear, and generous three-seater rear accommodation. Higher quality interior trims and finishes are more luxurious in appearance and feel.

VT's flat-floored boot is now the roomiest in the class. The longer wheelbase Commodore VT wagon is Australia's biggest, offering more cargo volume and the class-leading convenience of a wider and higher load area.


All-New Body

Commodore VT features a totally new body structure, resulting from the most extensive and technologically advanced body design project Holden engineers have ever embarked upon. The advantages of substantially stronger and more rigid VT body construction translate into improved crash performance, greater all-round driving refinement and high quality panel fit and finish.

The new body structure is primarily responsible for the fact that Commodore VT is more solid in feel and noticeably quieter and smoother in all areas of operation; benefits that will be apparent to drivers and passengers alike.


Safety and Security

Holden's leadership in world-standard automotive safety design technology has never been more evident. Using supercomputer simulation techniques, safety engineers have enhanced the structural performance of Commodore's all-new, stronger body. The front structure, with frames that are highly efficient at absorbing crash energy, is designed for real world angled and offset crashes. Crush initiators promote a smooth, continuous collapse of the angled frames, which are connected by a large front crossmember with a breakaway feature for greater energy absorption. With its computer optimised new restraint system and a further range of primary safety improvements, Commodore VT is designed to provide drivers and passengers of all sizes and ages with protection from injury in the widest possible range of accident situations.

Driver airbags are now standard equipment, as are rear centre lap/sash seat belts in wagons and sedans. Front seats are equipped with pyrotechnic buckle pre-tensioners, which are triggered by the airbag sensor in collisions of moderate severity. In more severe frontal accidents, airbags will also be activated. After the sensor has been triggered, the engine and fuel pump will automatically turn off, doors will unlock and the interior light switch on. Rear seat backs are strengthened for protection against luggage impact and seat structures have anti-submarining ramps to prevent occupants sliding under the lap belt in a collision.

Improvements to Commodore's class-leading security system include remote deadlock release, free-turning door lock cylinders, a steering column lock that slips when forced and a new, 16 million code electronic immobilisation feature that means no two cars will ever share the same key code.


Driving Dynamics

While Commodore has long been Australia's favourite driver's car, the VT sets a new benchmark in driving dynamics, delivering even more confidence-inspiring ride and handling attributes. A stiffer body structure, wider track, longer wheelbase and across-the- range independent rear suspension make a direct contribution, and VT Commodore also benefits from all-new brakes, new steering gear and a re-tuned suspension featuring state of the art Hydro Bush (hydraulic tension rod bush) - a feature previously exclusive to luxury marques and now incorporated for the first time in a locally manufactured vehicle.

The sophisticated handling and safety advantages of electronic traction control, standard on V6 Acclaim and Holden Calais models, are offered for the first time in a locally manufactured vehicle.

The longer wheelbase VT Commodore wagon, with its increased structural rigidity and independent rear suspension, offers truly sedan-like ride comfort and safety.


Engines

Commodore's proven and responsive 3800 ECOTEC V6 produces even fewer emissions, through an updated fuel injection system, and maintains competitive fuel economy and performance figures.

Performance enthusiasts may choose between a smoother, quieter, more powerfully efficient 179kW version of Holden's legendary V8, which reduces emissions by 75 per cent, and the exciting Supercharged V6 engine, which has been upgraded to 171kW and is now optional on Calais and Commodore S and SS models.


Comfort and Convenience

Totally re-designed interiors have richer, more luxurious soft trims, and completely new ergonomically designed seating and instrument panel layout. High-tech electronics play a major role in providing an array of 'smart' systems to make driving more comfortable, convenient and enjoyable. All models feature electric driver's seat height adjuster and cushion tilt seats; trip computers and remote boot release; audio systems with larger controls; new, microprocessor-based instrumentation for more accurate readouts and enhanced security features. Calais has a personal PowerKey system that remembers individual settings and a 'twilight sentinel' that automatically turns headlights on and off.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning are now even more efficient and effective, with a 15 per cent boost in airflow and larger ducts which deliver 30 per cent more air to rear seat occupants. An innovative dual zone climate control, standard on Calais, can create different temperature settings for driver and passenger.


Build Quality

Holden's commitment to 'design for manufacture' at the inception of the Commodore VT program and an investment of \$275 million in new production facilities at its Elizabeth (SA) manufacturing plant have resulted in efficiency gains and measurable improvements in total vehicle build quality. The new highly automated body construction operation is but one example of the new technology introduced that consolidates Elizabeth's reputation as Australia's most modern and efficient vehicle production facility and reinforce Holden's position as an automotive manufacturer of world standard.


Model Range

Executive (ECOTEC V6)
Sedan and Wagon

Acclaim (ECOTEC V6)
Sedan and Wagon

Berlina (ECOTEC V6)
Sedan and Wagon

Commodore S (ECOTEC V6)
Sedan

Commodore SS (V8)
Sedan

Holden Calais (ECOTEC V6)
Sedan

Major Options

5.0 litre V8
FE2 Sports Suspension

Supercharged V6
Limited Slip Differential

Front Passenger Airbag
Dual Fuel (Petrol/LPG)

Electronic Traction Control
Sports Body Kit

4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Electric Sunroof

Air Conditioning


Colours

The VT Commodore/Holden Calais range is available in eleven colours, eight of them *new.

*Heron White; *Orion Silver (frost); Morocco Sand (taupe frost); *Tundra (smoky taupe); *Granada (mid red); Rubens (dark red); *Valencia (copper red); *Bermuda (cobalt blue); Botanica (dark aqua); *Capricorn (dark green); *Raven (black/blue).


Pricing


Executive Sedan
Executive Wagon

V6 Manual
\$29,760
V6 Manual
\$31,600

V6 Automatic
\$30,500
V6 Automatic
\$32,340

V8 Manual
\$32,860
V8 Manual
\$34,700

V8 Automatic
\$33,600
V8 Automatic
\$35,440


Acclaim Sedan
Acclaim Wagon

V6 Automatic
\$33,980
V6 Automatic
\$34,960


Berlina Sedan
Berlina Wagon

V6 Automatic
\$39,800
V6 Automatic
\$42,600

V8 Automatic
\$42,900
V8 Automatic
\$45,700


Commodore S
Commodore SS

V6 Manual
\$34,810
V8 Manual
\$44,160

V6 Automatic
\$35,550
V8 Automatic
\$44,900

Supercharged V6
\$38,050
Supercharged V6
\$44,900


Holden Calais

V6 Automatic
\$48,760

V8 Automatic
\$51,260

Supercharged V6
\$51,260

Hamico
09-02-2008, 09:17 PM
I loved the VT when it was launched.

Those were the good ol' days, Holden was No.1 and the Commodore was king selling around 7,000 to 8,000 a month, and Toyota was piss'n in the wind.

CSP
09-02-2008, 09:19 PM
Might care if it was the 27th August 1997... Certainly don't now!

Hamico
09-02-2008, 09:23 PM
Might care if it was the 27th August 1997... Certainly don't now!


Hey mate, relax, give him his dues.

He's from the country, they do things a little slower out there. :lol:

dadem0n
09-02-2008, 09:26 PM
The best looking commodore so far :yup:

CSP
09-02-2008, 09:43 PM
Hey mate, relax, give him his dues.

He's from the country, they do things a little slower out there. :lol:

Ah ok... First truck load of VTs just arriving huh? Should I tell him what he'll be getting in another 10 years then?

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Hamico
09-02-2008, 09:47 PM
Ah ok... First truck load of VTs just arriving huh? Should I tell him what he'll be getting in another 10 years then?

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:


Nah, lets keep it a secret, you'll only spoil it for him.........

:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:

wanaVE
09-02-2008, 10:08 PM
AH u guys crack me up. here is another giggle for yus.

http://www.fastlane.com.au/News/holdcomm.htm


you guys read that wile i go mow the lawn with my new state of the art push mower. ha ha

teamkiwi
09-02-2008, 10:22 PM
Now Now, there is nothing wrong with a bit of reminiscing is there…just goes to show how far we have come…What did surprise me was that they spent $600 million on the VT...Seem quite expensive compare to the VE in relation to how much development the VE needed since it was a totally new platform wheres the VT wasnt

Mozz
09-02-2008, 10:30 PM
Might care if it was the 27th August 1997... Certainly don't now!

History is important - funnily enough not just in relation to cars or manufacturers but also to every aspect of our lives - live and learn - with respect to the VT it was the vehicle for the LS1 engine which we know and love. The other thing is that the forum is for holden enthusiasts overall and many members have VT's so the information may well be of great interest to them.

slolux
10-02-2008, 04:06 AM
The best looking commodore so far :yup:

I agree 100%, but then again I am probably biased in my comments....:)

Fnomna
10-02-2008, 07:06 AM
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnvJHLX197Q)

Holden Commodore VT TV Commercial From Australia 1997

Tyre biter
11-02-2008, 10:44 AM
This thread reminds me of a post I submitted about some time ago that was titled something like "when a Commodore is not a Commodore". This post arose from my visits to places like Dubai, Jordan and Holland where I saw and subsequently learned the Opel Rekord and Senator were in fact the architecture donators for the VB, and the Opel Omega was the architecture donator for both the VN series and later the VT series.

At the time I felt somewhat duped by Holden. Essentially I took the view that Holden has BS everyone about this uniquely Australian car because clearly it wasn't. Now, many informed and interesting posts followed and I learned that I was perhaps the sole person to every have been taken in by GMH's spin.

This latest thread has Holden stating things like;
...the ultimate expression of Australian automotive excellence...
...firsts for an Australian car...
...all-Australian VT model range...
...the most extensive and technologically advanced body design project Holden engineers have ever embarked upon...

This thread has only firmed my view that the term 'gilding the lilly' applies to much of GMH's statements regarding the Australian-ness and the uniqueness of the Commodore. Yes (as I learned following my post in 2005), GMH did a shed-load of work in re-engineering the body, suspension, drive-train, etc - all credit to them. But again, I'd argue that GMH's own spin depicts a degree of 'looseness' with the truth.

In any case, it is nice to reminisce and go down the VT road again. I bought one new (VT SS 179kw 5sp man in Herron white), and I clearly recall the hype surrounding it's release and the utter beauty and presence of it. I recall how it dated the VS immediately and not nearly so much as the VE has done to the VZ in terms of the old 50m recognition test. The VT was a very big deal at the time, and IMO Mike Simcoe's design has well and truely stood the test of time some 11 years on.

Cheers

DaveHAT
11-02-2008, 11:22 AM
Might care if it was the 27th August 1997... Certainly don't now!

Spoken like a true ignoramous. :slap:

History is important and not everyone has read the info posted by this guy.

Release of the VT was big shit news in it's day ... perhaps not as big as the release of the VE but I certainly found the info interesting.

Maybe it's a public service capital of the world thing? :confused: Being from a "regional country" area of NSW I'm apparetly a little slow compared to you big city folks ... so perhaps I don't get it? :D

:wave:

Besides ... whilst the VT may not by todays standards be "cutting edge" it certainly beats the VE in the looks department. :D :woot: :wave:

Danv8
11-02-2008, 11:31 AM
Cant wait for the launch of the VB Commdore. ;)

Caprice270
11-02-2008, 12:12 PM
In any case, it is nice to reminisce and go down the VT road again. I bought one new (VT SS 179kw 5sp man in Herron white), and I clearly recall the hype surrounding it's release and the utter beauty and presence of it. I recall how it dated the VS immediately and not nearly so much as the VE has done to the VZ in terms of the old 50m recognition test. The VT was a very big deal at the time, and IMO Mike Simcoe's design has well and truely stood the test of time some 11 years on.

Cheers

While the VE is a beautiful car with performance and equipment levels to match, you are right in saying that it has not done to the VZ what the VT did to the VS. The VT was simply out of this world when it arrived and an SS or Senator version still looks hot all these years later, provided it has been looked after and hasn't had the misfortune of being fitted with tasteless fully sik after market rims.

nudenut
11-02-2008, 12:26 PM
One thing that struck me was the pricing - $44,160 for a manual SS. Fast forward 11 years, and a manual VE SS is $45,290. Underscores what incredible value for money we get in buying performance cars now (not even mentioning the incredible gulf in performance between a VE SS and VT1 SS).

(Yes, I know that the VT SS equivalent in the VE range is really the SS-V, but the equipment levels in the VE SS are comparable if not better than in a VT SS, and everything else is miles ahead, so it's still an interesting comparison.)

Caprice270
11-02-2008, 12:53 PM
Your not wrong - prices have just about been frozen for the last 11 years.

ATOMICSS
11-02-2008, 01:31 PM
Your not wrong - prices have just about been frozen for the last 11 years.

Yep and wages have nealy doubled (unless your working at Maccas or stacking shelves at Coles) so in reality the VE is far far cheaper in real terms than a VT. And about 28 times as good a car.

Hamico
11-02-2008, 04:44 PM
Yep and wages have nealy doubled (unless your working at Maccas or stacking shelves at Coles) so in reality the VE is far far cheaper in real terms than a VT. And about 28 times as good a car.

Agree, so why the hell do the punters out there not buy the VE's in the same numbers as the VT's, surely money is not the issue then ?

Ausmartin1
11-02-2008, 05:01 PM
Got to really love the Marketing people.

Take out VT & put in VE and you have the latest marketing realease !

:rofl:

True to life - ain't it

nudenut
11-02-2008, 05:11 PM
Agree, so why the hell do the punters out there not buy the VE's in the same numbers as the VT's, surely money is not the issue then ?
Different political climate - large cars aren't so PC; fuel price scare - not so much in the news back in '97; fleet sales aren't being focused on by Holden as much which hurts overall sales figures. A range of reasons I reckon.

Hamico
11-02-2008, 05:25 PM
fleet sales aren't being focused on by Holden as much which hurts overall sales figures. A range of reasons I reckon.

Hmmm, I know Holden wanted to focus more on private sales, more profit blah blah blah, but has Holden orchestrated it's own sales slump by turning away from fleet sales ?

nudenut
12-02-2008, 12:04 PM
Hmmm, I know Holden wanted to focus more on private sales, more profit blah blah blah, but has Holden orchestrated it's own sales slump by turning away from fleet sales ?
Possibly, but hopefully it's a move to more sustainable numbers. There was always going to be a backlash against larger cars that use more fuel at some stage. By limiting fleet sales and aiming more at private buyers, Holden is not only anticipating that reduced demand, but also reducing the number of cheap ex-fleets coming into the 2nd hand market through auctions. This (hopefully) not only keeps the new car buyers happy by upping the resale value they get, but that increased resale value can also increase new car sales, because if a 2 year old car costs almost as much as a new one, a lot of buyers will pay the little bit extra for the new one.

It's all about finding a balance, and personally I think (hope) that Holden is headed in the right direction. Now all they have to do is make sure the quality and after sales service is top notch. :stick:

Anyway back OT, I had a drive of a VT demonstrator the first day it was available, as I was going through the process of buying a company car at the time. Had 2 close calls and saw 2 other near accidents, just from people gawking at it and not watching where they were going. :D Even now, I find the VT/VX driver's seat a nice place to be ...

VL Executive
12-02-2008, 03:57 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnvJHLX197Q

Holden Commodore VT TV Commercial From Australia 1997

What about the VT Commodore Wheels car of the year add, that aired through 1998?

The 2 blokes say the following in it

"Holden Commodore......Wheels car of the year"

"How are ya mate, want a lift"

"Yeah love one"
------------------------------------------------

VT Drives away.......

Good add that one!