59-534: The Holden Commodore (VZ) is a full-size car that was produced by Holden from 2004 to 2006 as a sedan and to 2007 as a wagon and Ute sold alongside the new VE series . It was the fourth and final iteration of the third generation of the Commodore and the last to spawn a coupé variant. Its range continued to include the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VZ) and Holden Calais (VZ) . Released in August 2004,
118-658: A vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than mid-size cars . It is the largest size class for cars. In the United Kingdom, this class is referred to as the executive car , while in Europe, it is known as E-segment or F-segment . The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Fuel Economy Regulations for 1977 and Later Model Year (dated July 1996) includes definitions for classes of automobiles. Based on
177-533: A 5.7-litre 235 kW (315 hp) Gen III V8 , or the new 260 kW (349 hp) 6.0-litre L98 – six-speed manual or four-speed auto. The Crewman was also available in a higher spec Cross 8 form, whilst the VZ Crewman Cross 6 was essentially a lower powered, base model V6 version of the Cross 8. The One Tonner was available with the following specifications: To make room in the factory for
236-515: A larger turning circle and heavier fuel consumption than the ute, due to the longer, heavier wheelbase chassis. The One Tonner and Crewman ranges shared the same base specification models, as shown below: The S specification was rebranded as SV6 in August 2006, and the five-speed auto from the sedan became available, with no other changes. The V8 SS received a power increase to 235 kW (315 hp). Based on Commodore SS specification (minus side-impact airbags on cab-chassis). Available with
295-418: A lower cost. Into the 1970s, the same vehicles could transport up to six occupants comfortably (or eight in a station wagon), at the expense of high fuel consumption. The sales of full-size vehicles in the United States declined after the early 1970s fuel crisis. In response to the 1978 implementation of CAFE , American manufacturers implemented downsizing to improve fuel economy, with full-size vehicles as
354-684: A price of A$ 32,390 each. April 2005 saw the launch of the Commodore Equipe, a Holden tradition for many recent models of the Commodore. Based on the VZ Acclaim with A$ 5,000 worth of extra features, it sold for A$ 33,490 AUD. 3,500 were produced. In March 2006, Holden produced the limited edition SVZ model. This was based on the Executive sedan and wagon model with A$ 6,000 worth of extra features for A$ 32,990. In March 2007, this model
413-775: A running change to match the equipment levels and appearance of the SV6, which remained a step down from the SS. SV8 features included: The SS was the flagship sports variant of the VZ range. Pricing for the SS started from A$ 50,990. SS included such features as: The Berlina was the semi-luxury model of the VZ range, it sat above the Acclaim and below the Calais. Pricing for the Berlina started from A$ 42,900. The Berlina features included: The Calais
472-466: A self-levelling feature, so if the Senator was towing a trailer, instead of the weight forcing the back down and causing the front of the car to go up, the rear suspension would harden itself and therefore keeping the car levelled for headlight aim. This feature is also on the current E-series Senator Signature and has been optioned on Holden models as far back as WH Caprice in 1999. The chrome outline on
531-407: Is good during road driving, a differential is used between the axles to avoid driveline windup . This is not required off-road, as the limited grip allows the tires to slip. All-wheel drive vehicles designed for extensive off-road use may not have such a differential, and so they suffer from wind-up when used on-road. Selectable 4WD also avoids this problem and requires only a simple dog clutch in
590-514: The Alloytec V6 gains variable valve timing on both inlet and exhaust sides as well as a dual stage intake manifold, while the 175 kW (235 hp) version retains variable valve timing on the inlet side only. Selected models bring advanced active safety features that electronically assist the driver to maintain vehicle control in emergency situations. The VZ Commodore was available in several model variations, most of which carried over from
649-448: The Alloytec V6, the Ute and Crewman range received just the lower-capacity small 3.6L V6- Alloytec 175 – it was the standard base engine across the entire ute & Crewman range, with a six-speed manual. A 4-speed automatic was also available as an option, however. Crewman vehicles were factory speed limited to 160 km/h due to the long length of driveshaft. The Crewman also suffered
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#1732788073089708-478: The Chevrolet Corvair , Ford Falcon and Plymouth Valiant ), the "full-size car" designation came into wider use. In the 1960s, the term was applied to the traditional car lines of lower-price brands, including Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth. As a relative term, full-size cars were marketed by the same brands offering compact cars, with entry-level cars for buyers seeking the roominess of a luxury car at
767-670: The Chrysler LH cars (Dodge Intrepid, Eagle Vision, Chrysler Concorde/New Yorker/LHS). The same year, the Buick Roadmaster was introduced, becoming the first rear-wheel drive GM model line adopted outside of Chevrolet and Cadillac since 1985; the Chevrolet Impala was returned for the 1994 model year. The 1989 Lexus LS400 luxury sedan was the first Japanese full-size car sold in North America. Following
826-583: The Dodge Monaco ). Developed by AMC before its acquisition by Chrysler, the Premier was a version of the front-wheel drive Renault 25 adapted for North America. The Saab 9000 took a special position at the end of the 1980s, as for a long time it was the only imported car to be classified as a "large car" by the EPA. From the 1980s to the 1990s, the market share of full-size cars began to decline; along with
885-755: The H and C platforms . Only station wagons, the Chevrolet Caprice , and the Cadillac Brougham remained. Initially developed to replace the Ford LTD Crown Victoria, the 1986 Ford Taurus was produced alongside it as the Ford mid-size model line. After largely abandoning the full-size segment for compact cars and minivans, Chrysler gained reentry into the full-size segment in 1988 with the Eagle Premier (also produced as
944-522: The High Output V6 went from 340 to 335 N⋅m (251 to 247 lb⋅ft) at the same time, to meet new ADR 79/01 ( Euro III ) emissions standards effective from 1 January 2006. Sales of the VZ series failed to match those of the preceding VY in light of rising small car sales, higher fuel prices and growing interest in the whole new replacement, the VE series. The VZ Commodore sedans were superseded by
1003-517: The eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata , is classified by the EPA as full-size despite being marketed as a mid-size model. In 2018, the three highest-selling cars in the full-size sedan category in the United States were the Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Impala, and Chrysler 300. The large car segment has been declining in the United States accounting for 3.6% of new vehicle sales in 2021, down from 6.6% in 2016. The models in this category included
1062-410: The transfer case , rather than a differential. For this reason, most early off-road vehicles used that system; e.g., Jeep , Land Rover . As vehicles became more sophisticated and tires gave better winter performance in the 1960s, there was an interest in giving the benefits of all-wheel drive to conventional cars: not for off-road use but for winter use in snow or on wet roads. Exotic vehicles such as
1121-456: The 1920s to the 1950s, most manufacturers produced model lines in a single size, growing in size with each model redesign. While the length and wheelbase varied between model lines, width was a relatively constant dimension, as the American federal government required the addition of clearance lights on a width past 80 inches. In 1960, following the introduction of compact cars (such as
1180-558: The 1950s, and have become increasingly common since the downsizing of full-sized cars in the 1980s. The lineage of mass-produced full-size American cars begins with the 1908 Ford Model T . In 1923, General Motors introduced the Chevrolet Superior , becoming the first vehicle to adopt a common chassis (the A-body ) for several brands. Compared to the cars of the 21st century, these vehicles are small in length and width. From
1239-496: The 1996 model year, GM ended production of large rear-wheel drive sedans. By 2000, with the sole exception of the Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car, full-size cars had abandoned rear-wheel drive and body-on-frame construction. Instead of model lineage, the EPA "large car" definition of over 120 interior cubic feet was widely used. Initially developed for the midsize Oldsmobile Aurora ,
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#17327880730891298-584: The 2003 "Y Series II" (the wagon was actually available as of October/November 2003) and an updated version of the "Y Series II", which included some of the upgrades found in the newer "Z Series" HSV models. These later models are quite rare, with a build life of nine months from April 2005 to December 2005. As with the related Holden VY all-wheel drive vehicles, the HSV Y Series AWD vehicles as built from September 2004 to March 2005 confusingly have Z Series compliance and Vehicle Identification Numbers ; this correlates to
1357-556: The 3.8-litre and would not be used with the new 3.6. These new Alloytec DOHC engines have carried on through to the Holden Commodore (VE) which was released in July 2006. A new 5L40-E 5-speed automatic transmission was introduced on the sports and luxury V6 variants. The advanced 3.6-litre Alloytec engines were more powerful, responsive and fuel-efficient than the outgoing Ecotec V6. To achieve 190 kW (255 hp),
1416-661: The Adventra range never achieved Holden's expectations, especially in comparison to the rival Ford Territory , and it was ultimately phased out of production in 2006 to make way for the newly introduced Captiva , imported from GM Daewoo in South Korea . The Commodore 9C1 , or 'Police Pack', was a special pack for the VZ Commodore that was available to all police organisations in Australia, New Zealand and several in
1475-658: The Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Nissan Maxima, and Toyota Avalon. They have been discontinued after the 2023 or 2024 model years. The trend in the large car market segment in United States is toward the SUV. All-wheel drive An all-wheel drive vehicle ( AWD vehicle ) is one with a powertrain capable of providing power to all its wheels, whether full-time or on-demand. The most common forms of all-wheel drive are: Vehicles may be either part-time all-wheel drive or full-time: Particularly in North America for several decades,
1534-556: The Executive and Acclaim nameplates. The VZ is notable for being the only Commodore series of recent times to not officially introduce a Series II update to the range, however, a number of mechanical changes were made in January 2006, designated MY06. Holden introduced the new L76 6.0-litre V8 to its range. The V8 has been slightly detuned, and both Displacement on Demand and variable valve timing have been removed. The base V6 also went from 175 to 172 kW (235 to 231 hp) and
1593-480: The Executive in the specification level hierarchy of the VZ range, and was priced from A$ 39,050. The VZ series was the last one to include this nameplate, which was first introduced in 1993. The SV6 was the baseline sports variant, replacing the S model that was last seen in the VY Commodore . The VZ Commodore was the first to not offer a manual transmission option on the Executive model. Buyers now had to choose
1652-818: The Five Hundred was renamed the Taurus. After the 2011 model year, Ford ended production of the Panther platform, shifting to the Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS; in 2017, the latter was replaced by the Lincoln Continental . In 2011, General Motors ended production of the G-body for several chassis (with Cadillac later shifting its largest sedans to rear-wheel drive). In 2012, the Tesla Model S became
1711-744: The GM G-body chassis was expanded into the full-size segment for Cadillac in 2000 (for the Deville, later the DTS) and adapted by Buick (the Lucerne) in 2006. For the 2005 model year, Chrysler replaced the LH cars with the LX cars (returning to rear-wheel drive). The same year, Ford introduced the Five Hundred, its first front-wheel drive full-size car (the first American full-size car offered with all-wheel drive); in 2008,
1770-560: The Middle East. It was based on the Commodore Executive with various added specification upgrades to cater for its specific role. Most 9C1s were delivered in white, though unmarked vehicles were offered in other colours. Specification upgrades included: The Commodore Lumina was launched in January 2005. It was based on the Commodore Executive with A$ 6,000 worth of additional features. 3,700 were produced and sold at
1829-506: The North American designation of 'all-wheel-drive' may differ. In some hybrid vehicles, the combustion engine is only mechanically connected to the front wheels, while the rear wheels are powered independently by an electric motor; this may be marketed as eAWD . Furthermore, many electric vehicles have individual, unconnected motors powering each axle, or even each individual wheel, also without any center differential. When tire grip
Holden Commodore (VZ) - Misplaced Pages Continue
1888-535: The One Tonner range was discontinued. VZ Utes were superseded by the VE series equivalent released in September 2007. Citing poor Crewman sales & uptake by consumers, Holden chose not to manufacture any long wheelbase "Crewman" crew cab VE ute models in the new VE series. The enhanced performance VZ range sold by Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) was released in 2004 as the Z Series . Its standard range included
1947-431: The VE series on 10 July 2006, whilst the wagon and utility ranges lived on for almost another year. VZ Ute production ended in August 2007, whilst the last wagon rolled off Holden's Elizabeth plant line on 6 September 2007. The Executive was the baseline model. Pricing for the Executive started from A$ 33,160. The VZ series was the last one to include this nameplate, which was first introduced in 1984. The Acclaim sat above
2006-713: The VY iteration was uprated to 250 kW (335 hp), although, only available in the CX8 and the premium LX8 model. Production of the V8-powered Adventra ceased in December 2005, due only to the fact that Holden ceased manufacturing the Generation III power unit and did not see a strong enough business case to invest in the new 6.0-litre Generation IV V8 for the Adventra's all-wheel drive application. Sales of
2065-414: The VY range, with the exception of the newly introduced SV6, a specification level that replaced the S range. All models in the Commodore range (Executive, Acclaim, Berlina, Calais, SV6, SV8 and SS) were available as sedans, while wagon variants of the Executive, Acclaim and Berlina were available. Berlina and Calais models were not badged or marketed as Commodores. The VZ was the last Commodore line-up to use
2124-502: The VZ series was a minor facelift of the previous VY series that featured a new V6 engine in different tune guises. The powerplants included 175 and 190 kW (235 and 255 hp), 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 engines in place of the older 3.8-litre Ecotec V6 . Other changes to the V6 was the loss of the supercharger that was included in the S models from the VT to VY, this was also dropped with
2183-440: The building of new specification Holden VZ and Z Series HSV non-AWD cars during this period. The updated Avalanches with some of the Z Series upgrades can be externally visually differentiated from the Y Series versions by their re-profiled front bumper unit that looks less aggressive and which features a more integrated appearance to the auxiliary driving lights. Full-size car Full-size car —also known as large car —is
2242-488: The car a slightly deeper sound. The Senator's weight increased to 1,835 kg (4,045 lb), 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) takes 6.4 seconds and has a top speed of 240 km/h (149 mph) (limited). The fuel economy was officially rated at 10–12 litres/100 km on the highway, and a jump to 18–22 litres/100 km through the cities. Dimensions were 1,450 mm (57.1 in) height, 4,984 mm (196.2 in) length, 1,842 mm (72.5 in) width and
2301-574: The combined passenger and cargo volume, large cars (full-size cars) are defined as having an interior volume index of more than 120 cu ft (3.4 m ) for sedan models, or 160 cu ft (4.5 m ) for station wagons. From the introduction of the Ford Flathead V8 in the 1930s until the 1980s, most North American full-size cars were powered by V8 engines . However, V6 engines and straight-six engines have also been available on American full-size cars, especially until
2360-403: The designation AWD has been used and marketed – distinctly from 4×4 and 4WD – to apply to vehicles with drive train systems that have permanent drive, a differential between the front and rear drive shafts, and active management of torque transfer, especially following the advent of the anti-lock braking system (ABS). However, the designations AWD and all-wheel drive long predated
2419-513: The first fully electric full-size car sold in North America. For the 2013 model year, the Chevrolet Impala became the final American-market full-size sedan sold with a front bench seat . By the mid-2010s, full-size cars began seeing a steep decline in sales in North America, with SUVs replacing much of the full-size segment. At the end of the decade, demand for sedans (of all sizes) shifted towards vehicles of other layouts, reducing or shuttering production of sedans entirely. In 2018, Ford announced
Holden Commodore (VZ) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2478-400: The first model lines to see major change. While General Motors and Ford would reduce the exterior footprint of their full-size lines to that of their intermediates, AMC withdrew its Ambassador and Matador full-size lines (to concentrate on production of mid-size vehicles). To save production costs, Chrysler repackaged its intermediates using the erstwhile full-size names, moving on to exiting
2537-459: The grill was added to give the style more of a relaxed luxury appearance. The Senator has specially designed 10 spoke alloys. For the interior special suede leather come as an optional extra. The Senator Signature name has now been dropped out of the line up, in the price department it matches the Clubsport approximately. Nappa leather is standard for the Senator. The 6.0-litre Gen3 (LS2) V8 engine
2596-581: The high-powered Jensen FF followed by the AMC Eagle , Subaru Leone and Audi Quattro series were the first to offer all-wheel drive in a high-speed road-based car. These, particularly the Quattro, would extensively develop this drivetrain with the use of viscous couplings and differentials to provide a safe and drivable car. The first off-road / on-road hybrids such as the Range Rover also chose
2655-511: The increased use of mid-size cars, vans, and SUVs grew in use as family vehicles. Between 1960 and 1994, the market share of full-size cars declined from 65 to only 8.3 percent. From 1990 until 1992, both GM and Ford redesigned its full-size car lines for the first time since the late 1970s. For the 1992 model year, Chrysler introduced a new front-wheel drive full-size car line, replacing the Eagle Premier/Dodge Monaco with
2714-399: The limited edition Commodore SSZ. This model featured leather upholstery with SSZ logo, premium performance brakes, colour-coded SSZ instrument cluster, black centre-mounted voltage and oil pressure gauges, 18-inch Monaro -style wheels, Rear Parking Assist and Bluetooth , for A$ 49,990. The SSZ was discontinued upon arrival of the VE series. Whilst the sedan VZ range received both versions of
2773-458: The models listed below. The Clubsport was powered by the LS2 engine a 6.0 L, 16-valve pushrod V8 producing 297 kW (404 PS; 398 hp) at 6000 rpm and 510 N⋅m (376 lb⋅ft) at and 4400 rpm. There was the choice of either a Six-speed manual or four-speed auto. Fuel consumption was 15.9 L/100 km. The Z-Series started at $ 61,850 plus on-road costs for the manual. A Clubsport R8
2832-511: The new SV6 as the cheapest manual variant. Pricing for the SV6 started from A$ 38,990. The SV6 features included: The SV8 was the mid-range sports variant, and was priced from A$ 41,990. Early VZ versions of the SV8 continued with the VY SV8 theme, being essentially an Executive with a V8 engine, rear spoiler, unique 17 inch alloy wheels and SV6 tail lights. This specification was later upgraded as
2891-578: The sales of all Ford-branded passenger cars (except for the Mustang ) would end in North America by 2022. General Motors announced the closure of several manufacturing facilities in the United States and Canada, with the production of the Chevrolet Impala and Buick LaCrosse ending in 2020. As of 2022, full-size cars from Asian manufacturers include the Lexus LS , Genesis G80 / G90 , Nissan Maxima , and Toyota Avalon . Another car from an Asian manufacturer,
2950-535: The segment in 1981. During the 1980s, manufacturers further reduced the exterior footprint of several model lines from the full-size segment into the mid-size class to comply with more stringent CAFE standards. With the 1982 model year, Chrysler exited the full-size segment entirely, with the mid-size Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Gran Fury serving as its largest sedan lines. Following the 1985 model year, General Motors replaced most of its full-size rear-wheel-drive model lines with smaller front-wheel drive sedans on
3009-483: The trend, with Associated Equipment Company (AEC) producing AWD trucks in 1929 in conjunction with the British subsidiary of the pioneering American firm Four Wheel Drive Auto Company . Additionally, General Motors began manufacturing a line as "all-wheel drive" as early as the late 1930s. This distinction in terminology is not generally used outside North America. In the context of hybrid and electric vehicles ,
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#17327880730893068-578: The upcoming VE series, production of the One Tonner ceased in December 2005. The Ute range continued without any updates for the next 18 months, until the January 2006 addition of Holden's new L76 V8 engines. The VZ Utes remained on sale well after the introduction of Holden's next-generation VE series, as did the VZ Wagons. By December of the same year, the Crewman and all AWD variants of the ute were gone from showrooms after Holden ceased production, and
3127-415: The wheelbase is 2,788 mm (109.8 in). Some of the main options included the sunroof $ 2390, satellite navigation $ 3800, rear-seat DVD players $ 3900, Xenon headlights $ 1800, tyre pressure monitoring system $ 1395. Inside it features Nappa leather on the seats. The braking system on the Senator comes with ABS with twin-piston front callipers and grooved discs. The specially designed rear suspension has
3186-508: Was also available, with greater equipment (e.g. leather seats and extra instrument gauges) and revised wheels design and upgraded braking system. In July 2005, HSV also produced a manual-only Clubsport and Clubsport R8 "Dealer Team Spec" (DTS), comprising Stage 1 and optional Stage 2 packages. Stage 1 included upgraded tyre and wheel package, lighter overall weight and Stage 2 included other upgrades such as enhanced driver interface, adjustable suspension and tyre pressure monitors. The Z Series
3245-503: Was in essence the familiar VY body with VZ engine, running gear, ECU and a VZ compliance plate. A true VZ series facelift was introduced in February 2005 and with it, the introduction of a V6 engine as the principal power unit. Adventra was now available in a choice of four equipment levels: SX6, CX6, LX6, CX8, and LX8, with a 3.6-litre V6 engine affording 190 kW (255 hp) and a five-speed automatic transmission. The V8 engine from
3304-564: Was reintroduced as a run-out model, based on the Executive wagon and base model Ute. The SVZ ute could be ordered in Morpheous (Metallic purple with pink highlights from the VE series). The SVZ wagon included the Police 193 kW engine in place of the standard 175 kW (235 hp) engine, as well as leather upholstery and sports additions (instrument cluster, leather gearshift and steering wheel). Late in 2005, Holden released 930 units of
3363-780: Was similar to the C6 Corvettes engine. The brakes are upgraded and feature Bosch ABS. The Avalanche was an all-wheel drive crossover SUV that was manufactured by Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) in 2005. Based on the Holden Adventra LX8 crossover wagon, the Avalanche range also incorporated a dual-cab utility model known as the HSV Avalanche XUV. The XUV derived from the Holden Crewman Cross8. Both HSV vehicles were built in two series,
3422-545: Was the first range with which HSV reached the Middle East with the one-make racing ClubSport R sedans. The Z Series no longer featured the Senator Signature nameplate. The new Senator featured a more subtle styling, with 19 in (482.6 mm) wheels as standard. The engine was a new 6.0-litre LS2 V8 (as featured on the C6 Corvette) pushing out 297 kW (398 hp). Newly designed rear mufflers give
3481-407: Was the top-of-the-line, luxury model in the VZ range. It sat above the Berlina and combined luxury with performance. Pricing for the Calais started at A$ 52,660. The Calais features included: The Holden Adventra (VZ) is an all-wheel drive wagon update to the original VY II series model. An interim VZ Adventra appeared in August 2004 at the time of the release of the VZ Commodore range, but this
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