Holden VT Commodore

Infobox Automobile
name = Holden VT Commodore


manufacturer = Holden
parent_company = General Motors
aka = Chevrolet Lumina
Chevrolet Omega
production = 1997–2000
predecessor = Holden VS Commodore
successor = Holden VX Commodore
class = Full-size car
body_style = 4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
platform = GM V platform
engine = 3.8 L "Ecotec" V6
3.8 L "Supercharged Ecotec" V6
5.0 L V8
5.7 L "Generation III" V8
transmission = 4-speed "GM 4L60-E" automatic
5-speed "Getrag" manual
6-speed "T-56" manual
wheelbase = Auto mm|2788–Auto mm|2938
length = Auto mm|4882–Auto mm|5040
width = Auto mm|1824
height = Auto mm|1422–Auto mm|1468
weight = Auto kg|1551–Auto kg|1702
related = Cadillac Catera
Holden Monaro (V2)
Holden Statesman (WH)
Opel Omega

The Holden VT Commodore, released in 1997, was the tenth model of the Holden Commodore, a full-size car built by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors. For the VT, Holden looked again to Opel in Germany for a donor platform. The proposal was to take the Opel Omega B and broaden the vehicle’s width and mechanical setup for local conditions. In the early days, Holden considered adopting the Omega as is, save for the engines and transmissions, and even investigated reskinning the existing second generation (VN—VS) architecture. [Robinson (2006), p. 27] Later on, the VT bodywork spawned a new generation of Statesman and Caprice limousines.cite web | last = Kenwright | first = Joe | date = 2006-07-29 | url = http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/1916079.aspx | title = Crossing the Lion | work = CarPoint | publisher = ninemsn | accessdate = 2007-06-16] Holden even went as far as resurrecting the iconic Monaro coupé from the 1960s and 1970s. [Robinson (2006), p. 29] The revived Monaro attracted wide attention after being shown as a concept car at Australian auto shows, and it drew a large waiting list after production began. The Monaro was released to the Australian market in 2001 and ceased production in 2005. [cite web | date = 2005-07-21 | url = http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/holden-monaro-cv8-z.htm | title = Holden Waves Goodbye to Monaro | publisher = WebWombat | accessdate = 2007-06-28]

The VT Commodore was awarded, for the fourth time, the "Wheels Car of the Year" for 1997.cite web | last = Davis | first = Tony | coauthors = Kennedy, Alistair; Kennedy, Ewan | date = February 2007 | url = http://www.holden.com.au//images/sc18_downloads/brochures/Holden_Heritage_Part_Three.pdf | format = PDF | title = The Holden Heritage - 13th Edition (Part Three) | publisher = GM Holden | accessdate = 2007-12-19] It found ready acceptance in the market as many buyers steered away from the Ford AU Falcon, becoming the best selling Commodore to date and cementing its place as number one in Australian sales.

History of development

The VT project was the outcome of an AU$600 million development programme that spanned more than half a decade. The new model sported a rounded exterior body shell, improved dynamics, and many firsts for an Australian-built car. [McCarthy, McKay, Newton, Robinson (2006), p. 158] A stronger body structure, 30 percent stiffer than the VS increased crash safety. [Tuckey (1999), p. 224]

Development input from the United States

GM's American counterparts were interested in incorporating a left-hand drive Commodore into the Buick lineup and became involved in the VT development cycle early on. Holden was provided funds for the necessary engineering changes and a prototype was unveiled to the American public in 1996 as the Buick XP2000 concept car. The project was abandoned just before the VT's release but Holden made the most of the situation by exporting left-hand drive VTs to parts of Indochina, the Middle East and South Africa badged as the Chevrolet Lumina. [Robinson (2006), p. 38] Thus began the Commodore's rapid expansion into a number of overseas markets including Brazil, as the Chevrolet Omega, and later on, with the Monaro to the United States, where it was sold by Pontiac under the GTO nameplate. [cite web | date = 2005-01-21 | url = http://www.nextcar.com.au/n.holden.2004.exports.05jan.html | title = Holden Sets All-Time Vehicle Export Record | publisher = Next Car | accessdate = 2007-08-03]

Engineering

The VT heralded the fitment of semi-trailing arm independent rear suspension as standard across the range. [cite web | date = 2003-01-10 | url = http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0,20384,5819969-26236,00.html | title = 1997-99 Holden VT Commodore | work = Herald Sun | publisher = News Limited | accessdate = 2007-08-05] However, when originally carried over, the European design was simplified with the removal of the toe control link, standard equipment on the six-cylinder Omega since 1987.cite web | last = Kenwright | first = Joe | url = http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/ce7080.aspx | title = Holden VT/VX Commodore (1997-2002) AND Ford Falcon AU (1998-2002) | publisher = ninemsn | accessdate = 2007-08-05] This allowed distortions to the suspension camber angle and toe under heavy load, commonly occurring during heavy towing or when travelling over undulated surfaces, leading to excessive rear tyre wear. Holden's performance arm HSV re-added the toe control link on the flagship GTS 300 model, based on the Series II update. The supercharged V6 was uprated to Convert|171|kW|hp from the previous VS model. [cite web | url = http://www.myholden.com.au/commodores/vt.php | title = Holden Commodore VT | publisher = MyHolden.com.au | accessdate = 2007-08-07] Safety wise, side airbags became an option for the Acclaim and higher models in 1998, a first for Holden. [cite web | url = http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/car_info_holden_commodore_vt.htm | title = Holden Commodore VT | publisher = Unique Cars and Parts | accessdate = 2007-08-05]

Series II

This 1999 update replaced the venerable Holden 5.0 litre V8 engine with a new 5.7 litre Gen III V8 sourced from the United States. The V8 was detuned to Convert|220|kW|hp from the original version, but would receive incremental power upgrades to Convert|250|kW|hp throughout its time in the Commodore Cosmetically, the Series II VT replaced amber indicator lenses with clear lenses for both the side and rear turn signals. This was previously only available on the pre-Series II Calais. The updated Calais also introduced a chrome strip on the boot garnish. [cite web | url = http://www.users.on.net/~nweber/commodore/vt/index.html | title = Holden Commodore / Calais - VT Series - September 1997 - September 2000 | publisher = The Unofficial Holden Commodore Archive | accessdate = 2007-10-24]

Notes

References

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