| Holden Commodore (ZB) | |
|---|---|
_LT_sedan_(2018-08-06)_01.jpg.webp) 2018 Holden Commodore (ZB) LT sedan | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Opel Insignia Buick Regal Vauxhall Insignia |
| Production | 2018–2020 |
| Assembly | Germany: Rüsselsheim (Opel Automobile GmbH) China: Shanghai (SAIC-GM) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size car |
| Body style | 5-door liftback/fastback 5-door station wagon |
| Layout | FF/AWD/FR (motorsport) |
| Platform | E2XX platform |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic 9-speed ZF 9HP automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,829 mm (111.4 in) |
| Length | 4,897 mm (192.8 in) 4,986 mm (196.3 in) (wagon) |
| Width | 1,864 mm (73.4 in) |
| Height | 1,455 mm (57.3 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,440–1,649 kg (3,175–3,635 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Holden Commodore (VF) Holden Malibu Holden Insignia Holden Adventra (AWD Tourer) Holden Caprice (Commodore Calais–V) |
The Holden Commodore (ZB) is the final generation of the Holden Commodore range produced by now-defunct Australian brand Holden from 2018 to 2020.
Overview
_LT_sedan_(2018-08-06)_02.jpg.webp)
This was Holden's first and only imported model to be sold under the Commodore nameplate. The range included the five door liftback and five door station wagon bodystyles.
Holden previously sold the first generation Insignia under the Opel brand (Opel Insignia) in 2012 and 2013,[1] as well as under the Holden brand (Holden Insignia) from 2015 to 2017. It was the first Holden Commodore model to be manufactured outside of Australia, following the closure of Holden's Australian car manufacturing facilities at Elizabeth, South Australia and Fishermans Bend, Victoria on Friday 20 October 2017.
It was the first Commodore in thirty years to come with a four-cylinder engine as standard, and controversially, the first in its forty year production not to have a V8 powertrain option. GM made the decision to discontinue Australian manufacturing of the Holden Commodore due to falling sales and losses.
The ZB Commodore proved to be unpopular in Australia resulting in cuts to the production schedule[2] and the lowest unit sales per month on record since the original VB Commodore was released in 1978.[3] November 2019 was the lowest month recorded with only 309 Commodores sold.[4]
The ZB Commodore, and the Commodore nameplate, was discontinued at the end of 2020 due to low sales. Two months later, The Holden brand would be retired altogether by 2021.[5]
Development
Development for the ZB Commodore started in 2012, with Holden helping Opel design and develop the next generation Insignia, catering it to Australian conditions.
Once the car was ready, prototypes were sent to Australia for testing. Holden completed over 100,000 km of testing, with engineers bracing the cars to withstand local roads and make it feel similar to previous Commodore generations.[6]
Safety
Akin to its VF Commodore predecessor, the ZB achieved five stars in the ANCAP safety ratings. Originally, the ZB ANCAP rating was awarded based on the Euro NCAP test of a 1.6 litre model which was not sold in Australia.[7] ANCAP conducted an audit test on specification of Australia V6 and confirmed its rating.[8]
| ANCAP Test Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Star rating: |  | ||
| Test[N 1] | Points | Out of | % |
| Adult Occupant Protection: | 35.34 | 38 | 93% |
| Child Occupant Protection: | 41.96 | 49 | 85% |
| Pedestrian Protection: | 32.83 | 42 | 78% |
| Safety Assist: | 9.35 | 12 | 77% |
Powertrains
The ZB Commodore was available with a range of engines including a four-cylinder petrol, four cylinder diesel and six-cylinder petrol engine. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive was available across the liftback and wagon body styles.
Models
Compared to the VF Commodore, Holden rearranged the specification levels and model nameplates, with only the Calais (and Calais-V) surviving into the ZB series, this name having originated in the VK-series of 1984 as a luxury focused model. Various price cuts were made and wagon variants are more expensive.
Commodore LT
_LT_Tourer_(2018-10-25).jpg.webp)
The LT was the new entry level Commodore, replacing the previous generation's Evoke model, which was also $3,935 cheaper than the predecessor's drive away price. It featured a front wheel drive 2.0L Turbo four cylinder engine with a nine speed automatic, or an optional 2.0L diesel, with an eight speed automatic.
It came with 17" alloy wheels, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keep Assist, a 7" MyLink system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto and Passive Entry & Push Button Start as standard. The model was available as a liftback or a wagon.
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Transmission | Pricing (Liftback) | Pricing (Sportswagon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | I4 | 2.0L (1998 cc) | 191 kW (256 hp; 260 PS) | 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) | 9-speed | $33,690 | $35,890 |
| Diesel | I4 | 2.0L (1956 cc) | 125 kW (168 hp; 170 PS) | 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) | 8-speed | $36,690 | $38,690 |
Commodore RS The RS was a visually sportier improvement over the LT model, with an upgraded interior featuring different seats and steering wheel. It also possessed more safety features, including Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The RS had two drivetrain choices, a front wheel drive 2.0L Turbo four cylinder engine with a nine speed Automatic, or an All Wheel Drive 3.6L V6 (available as an exclusive option with the liftback body style). It came with 18" alloy wheels. The model was available as a liftback or a wagon.
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Transmission | Pricing (Liftback) | Pricing (Sportswagon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | I4 | 2.0L (1998 cc) | 191 kW (256 hp; 260 PS) | 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) | 9-speed | $37,290 | $39,490 |
| Petrol | V6 | 3.6L (3564cc) | 235 kW (315 hp; 320 PS) | 381 N⋅m (281 lb⋅ft) | 9-speed | $42,490 | N/A |
Commodore RS–V The RS–V was similar to the RS Model but included more features such as an upgraded 8" MyLink system incorporating satellite navigation, wireless phone charging, Hi Per Strut Suspension and an Adaptive AWD system. Only the V6 AWD powertrain was offered in liftback and wagon forms.
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Transmission | Pricing (Liftback) | Pricing (Sportswagon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | V6 | 3.6L (3564cc) | 235 kW (315 hp; 320 PS) | 381 N⋅m (281 lb⋅ft) | 9-speed | $46,990 | $49,190 |
Commodore VXR The VXR was Holden's new flagship model following Holden's decision to rest the well known SS nameplate along with the V8 Engine configuration. The VXR nameplate was originally used for the British Vauxhall VXR. It featured 20" alloy wheels, sportier lavishings and leather seats with a massage function. Safety features included a 360 degree camera and Continuous Damping Control Suspension. It was only available in a liftback with the V6 powertrain.
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Transmission | Pricing (Liftback) | Pricing (Sportswagon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | V6 | 3.6L (3564 cc) | 235 kW (315 hp; 320 PS) | 381 N⋅m (281 lb⋅ft) | 9 speed | $55,990 | N/A |
Commodore Calais
_V6_AWD_Tourer_(2018-11-29)_02.jpg.webp)
Retaining the previous generation's familiar name, the Calais was the base premium model. Standard equipment included 18" alloy wheels, leather seating with a heating function, wireless phone charging, Blind Spot Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and an 8" MyLink system. Available as a Liftback or Tourer, the former received the 2.0L petrol four cylinder engine, or an optional diesel engine, while the wagon was exclusively fitted with the V6 powertrain.
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Transmission | Pricing (Liftback) | Pricing (Tourer) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | I4 | 2.0L (1998 cc) | 191 kW (256 hp; 260 PS) | 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) | 9-speed | $40,990 | N/A |
| Diesel | I4 | 2.0L (1956 cc) | 125 kW (168 hp; 170 PS) | 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) | 8-speed | $43,990 | N/A |
| Petrol | V6 | 3.6L (3564 cc) | 235 kW (315 hp; 320 PS) | 381 N⋅m (281 lb⋅ft) | 9-speed | N/A | $45,990 |
Commodore Calais–V
_Calais_V_sedan_(2018-05-05)_01.jpg.webp)
Carrying over the previous generation "V" flair, the Calais–V was the flagship premium model. Standard offerings included 20" alloy wheels, an Adaptive AWD system, a 360 degree camera, and massaging driver seat. It was available in either a liftback or a wagon bodystyle, with the V6 powertrain being the only on offer.
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Transmission | Pricing (Liftback) | Pricing (Tourer) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | V6 | 3.6L (3564 cc) | 235 kW (315 hp; 320 PS) | 381 N⋅m (281 lb⋅ft) | 9-speed | $51,990 | $53,990 |
Motorsport
For marketing purposes, the ZB Commodore was raced in various motorsport disciplines, including Supercars. However, the race cars generally had no physical or mechanical relationship with the production model, other than similar looks, as an exterior shell was built to resemble the road going cars, with a rear wheel drive tube frame chassis underneath.
Notes
- ↑ For an outline of ANCAP tests, visit the ANCAP website.
References
- ↑ "Used Opel Insignia review: 2012-2013". CarsGuide. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ↑ Stevens, Mike (2018-10-24). "Holden halts Commodore, Equinox production as stock overflows". CarAdvice.com. Archived from the original on 2019-12-04.
- ↑ "Holden hits new record low, Toyota HiLux under attack, car sales slow for 20th month in a row | CarAdvice". CarAdvice.com.
- ↑ Davis, Brett (4 December 2019). "Australian vehicle sales for November 2019 (VFACTS)".
- ↑ "Holden just killed the Commodore". www.autocar.co.nz. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- ↑ "2018 Holden ZB Commodore testing reaches 100,000km milestone". WhichCar. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ↑ "ANCAP to retest new Holden Commodore". 23 February 2018.
- ↑ DeGASPERI, GoAutoMedia-DANIEL. "News - General News - Safety". GoAuto.