New Models - Holden Rodeo

Holden-built V6 now powers Thai-built Rodeo

Multiplying: Alloytec V6 will be available in 15 Rodeo variants.

Holden slips its 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 into the upgraded 2006 Rodeo utility range

16 January 2006

By NEIL McDONALD

HOLDEN is proving its new Alloytec V6 is a truly versatile engine.

After Saab, Alfa Romeo and Holden, the Melbourne-based car-maker has now added the High Feature V6 (HFV6) to its Rodeo commercial range, making it one of the most powerful V6 offerings in the light truck’s 25-year history in Australia.

The 3.6-litre engine replaces the previous Isuzu 3.5-litre V6 but its power and torque curves have been specifically tailored for commercial use.

In the Rodeo, the Alloytec engine develops 157kW at 5300rpm and 313Nm at 2800rpm, an increase of 10kW and 33Nm over the previous engine.

It also meets strict Euro 3 emission requirements.

Fifteen variants of the 2006 Rodeo range get the new engine.

It joins the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel and 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol powertrains.

Significantly, all Rodeos with the new engine will offer carryover pricing into the start of 2006.

V6 pricing starts at $23,490 for the five-speed 4x2 LX Single cab chassis, rising to $41,990 for the LT 4X4 Crew-cab pickup manual. A four-speed automatic is $2000 extra.

Holden has created a flatter torque curve for the Global V6 Rodeo compared with the engine’s passenger car applications, allowing a towing capacity of up to 2500kg with either automatic or manual transmissions.

A new five-speed manual transmission has been selected with higher torque capacity while retaining a light shift feel.

The upgraded four-speed automatic transmission also has an improved shift feel and a new torque converter.

During testing, engineers drove the Rodeo more than 300,000km in Japan, Thailand and Holden’s proving ground at Lang Lang, in Victoria, to improve ride and handling and reduce noise and vibration.

Holden’s LCV marketing manager, Philip Brook, said the company had set out to make sure the new V6 "answered all the requirements of the tradespeople, farmers and small businesses.

"The torque curve has been flattened to improve performance from low revs," he said.

"It’s been a very deliberate move and the flexibility of the Global V6 ensured we were able to deliver this with a world-class powertrains."

According to Holden, the Rodeo was a critical factor in maintaining its light commercial vehicle market leadership last year.

Australians bought more than 24,582 4x2 and 4x4 Rodeos last year, making it Holden’s third most popular nameplate behind only Commodore and Astra.

Despite unpredented rivalry from Toyota's all-new HiLux and a new Navara from Nissan, more than 63,000 Rodeos have been sold since the RA series was launched in February 2003.

Apart from the Global V6, the DX, LX and top-spec LT models gain several other improvements, including a range of new colours and cloth trim, new alloys and remote key fob on LT models.