Overview
WHIPPED into action by a declining market share exacerbated by last year’s fuel price rises, Holden has added a new, smaller entry-level direct-injection 3.0-litre V6 to its Commodore range.
This is the first time the Commodore has had such a low-displacement engine since 1988’s VL series with its super-smooth Nissan 3.0-litre six, in normally aspirated and turbo variants.
The question is, will the new direct-injection engine be as significant a shift forward on its predecessor as the VL 3.0-litre was over the VK’s blue 3.3-litre six?
Model release dates: September 2009 - September 2010
Previous model
THE first major upgrade to the billion-dollar VE Commodore replaces a model that was bigger, heavier, more powerful and no more aerodynamic than the VT-based VZ Commodore Executive it, in turn, replaced in August 2006.
In fact, it was a minor miracle that fuel consumption dropped in the VE Commodores at base level, with the Omega matching the most basic Falcon XT at 10.9L/100km.
Fuel consumption improvements over the next three years saw this drop to 10.6L/100km, despite the VE’s carryover 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 continuing to deliver 180kW at 6000rpm (up 8kW) and 330Nm of torque at 2600rpm (up 10Nm).
Pricing was also pin-sharp at a $34,490 (excluding air-conditioning) but, despite subtle tweaks, GM’s pre-historic US-built 4L60E four-speed auto remained the Omega’s Achilles heel.