Holden reveals MY12 Commodore details

HOLDEN has revealed more details of the upgraded MY12 Commodore range it announced last week, when it heralded reduced fuel consumption for selected models and E85 ethanol compliance across the revised range, which enters production this month.

Apart from improved efficiency for some models, the MY12 Commodore line-up will feature a range of cosmetic updates outside and in, headlined by the same two new paint colours also announced for the MY12 Cruze sedan and hatch range that will also be built in Adelaide from mid-November.

Developed by Holden’s Port Melbourne-based colour and trim team, the solid ‘Perfect Blue’ paint colour pays homage to Australian motorsport legend Peter ‘Perfect’ Brock and his famous Formula Blue-painted 1985 HDT Group A VK SS Commodore, while ‘Chlorophyll’ metallic is described as “a sophisticated teal chromatic bright”.

“We wanted the colour to express that unique connection Holden had with Peter, who was an incredibly talented man and a fine ambassador for Holden,” said Holden chief designer Sharon Gauci.

“Peter left a lasting impression on Holden and our company heritage so Perfect Blue is our way of celebrating his achievements. Perfect Blue strikes a balance between matching the original and creating a new colour that’s sympathetic to the modern surface body language of Commodore and Cruze.”

Left: MY12 Berlina, Calais and SSV Redline. Below: Formula Blue Brock Group A VK SS Commodore circa 1985.

As part of the MY12 cosmetic update, selected Commodore models receive chrome accents for the VE Series II front fascia, while the entry-level Omega is fitted with new 16-inch alloy wheels and the luxury range-topping Calais V gains a new lip spoiler.

Inside, the optional Onyx and Razor leather interior trim available in Berlina and sports Commodore models will come with silver stitching, while SS V models fitted with optional Redhot interior trim gain additional Redhot stitching on the seats and door trims.

Holden’s iQ multimedia system has also been updated for compatibility with the latest smartphones and offers improved Bluetooth functionality.

Finally, Holden’s ‘track-inspired’ FE3 sports suspension package will be standard fitment for all three body styles – sedan, Sportwagon and Ute – of the SS V Redline Edition sports flagship, which also gains new-look forged and polished 19-inch alloy wheels, plus Holden red paint for the Brembo brake callipers.

In detail, for MY12, the Omega features new seven-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels and new chrome-highlighted lower outboard fascia inserts, while the Berlina adds unique new chrome-highlighted foglight surrounds and new interior silver seat stitching for the Razor/Onyx leather trim option.

There is no change to the MY12 Calais, but the Calais V-Series’ new sedan boot lip spoiler will also be available as an accessory across the Commodore sedan line-up, while SV6 and SS models score a new chrome-highlighted lower airdam and front grille surround and new silver seat and door trim stitching for the Razor/Onyx leather trim options.

V-Series versions of the SV6 and SS will come with additional chrome-accented lower outboard inserts, Redhot seat and door trim stitching for models with the Redhot interior trim (available only with Redhot, Phantom and Alto Grey exterior colours).

Wagon and Ute versions of the Redline-equipped SS V will join the sedan in riding on FE3 performance-tuned suspension, while all three hero models will come with new 10-spoke 19-inch polished and forged alloy wheels and new red-painted Brembo brake callipers.

Finally, the new Perfect Blue and Chlorophyll paints colours will be available across the MY12 Commodore range, joining the carryover colours Alto Grey, Hazard, Mirage Glow, Sizzle metallic, Heron, Karma, Nitrate metallic and Phantom metallic.

Holden is yet to reveal pricing for the MY12 Commodore line-up, which should hit showrooms next week.