VF Commodore revealed - Official details and pics - Part 4

[Marco]

Just while we're on the "next Caddy CTS as next Commodore" thing, I just looked up the dimensions of the CTS and it is both longer overall than the VE/VF (+70mm), sits on a very slightly shorter wheelbase (-4mm), and is a fair bit narrower (-66mm). I don't think many Australians would want to buy a longer but narrower Commodore, so for this to work I'd suspect Holden would need to trim about 100-150mm off the length of the CTS.

Some numbers for comparison:

Length/Width/Wheelbase

ATS 4643 / 1805 / 2775
CTS 4966 / 1833 / 2911
VE 4894 / 1899 / 2915

[sjhugh]

A couple of inches of sheet metal here and there probably won’t make much difference when designing a new body over and around the existing CTS’ chassis.


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[Marco]

Probably not. You could lop most of it off the boot length if need be I suppose; and if there's no plan to fit a V8 you could lose an awful lot from the bonnet!

[QIKMIK]

Wandered past Commonwealth Motors here at lunchtime; still no VFs to be seen.

Gerald Slaven have an Evoke sedan on display. Had a quick look around and a sit inside. Definitely looks a lot more upmarket inside and out. Didn't play with any of the tech toys but I will say that the front seats are much more comfortable than our old VE Lumina. I would agree with the sentiment of others that it is "inoffensive" but if that is what the base model is like, I can't wait to see the good ones.

Mick

[super coach]

All Adelaide Metro dealers have at least one parked outside for you to touch after hours. they all seem to be SV6 models in both Sedan and Wagon

[mickeyVX350]

THe cars look nice in the flesh, but I cannot warm to the wheels on the SV6 / SS... They do no service to the car and make it look cheap.

[Plenty]

Spent a considerable amount of time in a couple today, ute and wagon.

First thing to say is wow, what a difference in quality! At first walk up the car is very very elegant, very understated, almost XF Jaguar like until you start to see the subtle crease lines and that not in your face bonnet bulge. The chrome look side vent is a nice touch IMO, it really does add a little bit of class to it.

It's a lot like the Audi RS or AMG ranges in it's subtle but menacing look. Gaps appear to be much tighter and also a lot more even along the panels, the doors definitely close with a distinctly heavier thud than the VE/E-series range.

Inside there is obviously a nice fresh up to date interior that wouldn't look out of place inside a Euro with the exception of a few scratchy hard plastics, the Mylink Infotainment is pretty quick and quite smooth to use although the start up logo animation was not the smoothest. The seats are superb, nice cushioning with good lateral and under thigh support, the leather seems to also be a bit better quality than the VE and it is also a much looser fit to give that extra plushness (which causes those wrinkles). The faux carbon fibre is a nice touch and not overdone, there is some piano black hard trim that is used sparingly unlike my FPV where it blemishes quickly and shows fingerprints.
The new LCD screen in the cluster is beautifully crisp in it's display and the new pod style cluster is very legible and attractive to look at, the indicators also have a nice luxurious tock sound as well (it's the small things). The HUD is quite a distraction at first but you soon forget and it's second nature just like the digital speedo.

The electric assisted steering smashes Audi's to bits, it's off centre feel is immediate and weights up nicely at higher speeds and is delicately light in car park manoeuvring, now to the park assist...... The bloody thing wouldn't work for the first two times but i think that may have been to do with the size of the car park not the system itself (although i could have got in there manually).

I reckon the weight reduction is immediately noticeable it feels a lot more nimble and direct although that could be from the excellent calibration of the electric power steering. I'm a little annoyed that Holden chose to fit the superseded RE050A tyre pattern instead of the S001's but they are still a great OEM tyre and better than what most cars get. The NVH is Euro quality and in fact i would almost say it's Euro beating in a lot of cases, it still however retains a little wind rustle from what i assume is coming from the side mirrors.

The seating position is again a real winner, it shits all over the Ford with the sheer adjustability of the steering column and the seat itself. You really do feel like your sitting in the car rather than on it.

As a whole Holden have done a fantastic job, if you don't like the car or think it's not up to par with the comp well i reckon have a look at yourself and your expectations.... It's a great car from what i can see in the relatively short time i have spent in it and one that if people let it, will regain it's top spot on the sales chart.

[sjhugh]

Plenty, thanks for the great write up, the car sounds impressive.

No doubt it will be a big winner among Commodore lovers, let’s hope it can influence the ones that are not.


One thing though, the comment on looking at yourself and your expectations is a little off.

Expectations are like an individual’s taste in looks, they change from person to person.

James Packers expectations are possibly different to say the old fellow across the road from me who uses his walking frame to steady himself while he climbs into his 10 year old Ford Territory.

An extreme example I know but you get my meaning.

Remember some of this car is about playing catch-up, therefore someone who owns a car that sees these features as the norm may not think anything of it, where someone trading in an old VN/VS will probably need to rinse out their undergarments after the initial excitement.


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[Red Beard]

I do have a couple of questions about the HUD, how well does it work in daylight? and will it work with polarised sunglasses? or do they filter out the reflection? The dealer I was at last week couldn't answer the questions, and didn't have any cars to play with.

[mjrandom]

I had a quick look at an SS this afternoon. Looks good though I don't like the chrome gill on the sides, the blacked out ones look much better in my opinion. The interior is very Cruze like and a nice place to be. Very intuitive. Seats are good, leather is nice and better than the Cruze or Toyota 4wd, but that is another story. The boot release is finally within reach of the driver on the door. Relocated switches are much much better.The bonnet latch has been moved so I fumbled around like an untrained seal looking for it. Dealer to the rescue. The bonnet closes with a nice solid thump which I didn't expect. Fit and finish was good. Inside the boot is the same and the space saver spare is odious, option an alloy people!

I was a bit concerned about the lines being up scaled from the Cruze but I like it.

I am going to be happy in here.

Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. (For my GTS)

[Plenty]

I do have a couple of questions about the HUD, how well does it work in daylight? and will it work with polarised sunglasses? or do they filter out the reflection? The dealer I was at last week couldn't answer the questions, and didn't have any cars to play with.

HUD is fine during the day although it was slightly overcast here today, it seemed to show up just fine and is also adjustable for it's brightness as well. As for the polarised glasses well i had some on but they were on my head rather than my eyes, i would say that polarised glasses aren't too good for my SU-264/PEQ eotech so if it works on similar a principal i dare say it wouldn't work to well.

[jaykay]

Wonder if you can turn the HUD off ?

[Plenty]

Wonder if you can turn the HUD off ?

Yes, you can mate.

[mjrandom]

I forgot to mention the only thing I felt was odd was the suede strip. Not sure how it really fits with the theme and I suspect it will get grubby.

[Plenty]

I forgot to mention the only thing I felt was odd was the suede strip. Not sure how it really fits with the theme and I suspect it will get grubby.

Yeah hard to tell really, the SV6 seats are quite nice they are leather bolstered with the suede like seating and backing, looks good actually. The SV6 also get a leather stitched dash as opposed to the Redline suede finish ( i prefer the former).