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Holden Commodore (ZB)

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Holden Commodore (ZB)
2018 Holden Commodore (ZB) LT sedan
Overview
ManufacturerOpel (Groupe PSA)
Also calledOpel Insignia
Buick Regal
Vauxhall Insignia
ProductionApril 2018 – December 2020
AssemblyGermany: Rüsselsheim (Opel Automobile GmbH)
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size car
Body style5-door liftback/fastback
5-door station wagon
LayoutFF/F4/FR (motorsport)
PlatformE2XX platform
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission8-speed Aisin AF50-8 automatic (diesel)
9-speed GM
9T50 automatic (2.0T)
9-speed GM
9T60 automatic (V6)
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,829 mm (111.4 in)
Length4,897 mm (192.8 in)
4,986 mm (196.3 in) (wagon)
Width1,864 mm (73.4 in)
Height1,455 mm (57.3 in)
Curb weight1,440–1,649 kg (3,175–3,635 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorHolden Commodore (VF)
Holden Malibu
Holden Insignia
Holden Adventra (AWD Tourer)
Holden Caprice (Commodore Calais–V)

The Holden Commodore (ZB) is the final generation of the Holden Commodore range produced by now-defunct Australian brand Holden from 2018 to 2020.

Overview

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Sedan

This was Holden's first and only imported model to be sold under the Commodore nameplate. The range included the five door liftback and five door station wagon bodystyles.

Holden previously sold the first generation Insignia under the Opel brand (Opel Insignia) in 2012 and 2013,[1] as well as under the Holden brand (Holden Insignia) from 2015 to 2017. It was the first Holden Commodore model to be manufactured outside of Australia, following the closure of Holden's Australian car manufacturing facilities at Elizabeth, South Australia and Fishermans Bend, Victoria on Friday 20 October 2017.

It was the first Commodore in thirty years to come with a four-cylinder engine as standard, and controversially, the first in its forty year production not to have a V8 powertrain option. GM made the decision to discontinue Australian manufacturing of the Holden Commodore due to falling sales and losses.

The ZB Commodore proved to be unpopular in Australia resulting in cuts to the production schedule[2] and the lowest unit sales per month on record since the original VB Commodore was released in 1978.[3] November 2019 was the lowest month recorded with only 309 Commodores sold.[4]

The ZB Commodore, and the Commodore nameplate, was discontinued at the end of 2020 due to low sales. Two months later, The Holden brand would be retired altogether by 2021.[5]

Development

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Development for the ZB Commodore started in 2012, with Holden helping Opel design and develop the next generation Insignia, catering it to Australian conditions.

Once the car was ready, prototypes were sent to Australia for testing. Holden completed over 100,000 km of testing, with engineers bracing the cars to withstand local roads and make it feel similar to previous Commodore generations.[6]

Safety

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Akin to its VF Commodore predecessor, the ZB achieved five stars in the ANCAP safety ratings. Originally, the ZB ANCAP rating was awarded based on the Euro NCAP test of a 1.6 litre model which was not sold in Australia.[7] ANCAP conducted an audit test on specification of Australia V6 and confirmed its rating.[8]

ANCAP Test Results
Star rating:
Test[N 1] Points Out of %
Adult Occupant Protection: 35.34 38 93%
Child Occupant Protection: 41.96 49 85%
Pedestrian Protection: 32.83 42 78%
Safety Assist: 9.35 12 77%

Powertrains

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The ZB Commodore was available with a range of engines including a four-cylinder petrol, four cylinder diesel and six-cylinder petrol engine. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive was available across the liftback and wagon body styles.

Models

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Compared to the VF Commodore, Holden rearranged the specification levels and model nameplates, with only the Calais (and Calais-V) surviving into the ZB series, this name having originated in the VK-series of 1984 as a luxury focused model. Various price cuts were made and wagon variants are more expensive.

Commodore LT

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Commodore LT Sportwagon

The LT was the new entry level Commodore, replacing the previous generation's Evoke model, which was also $3,935 cheaper than the predecessor's drive away price. It featured a front wheel drive 2.0L Turbo four cylinder engine with a nine speed automatic, or an optional 2.0L diesel, with an eight speed automatic.

It came with 17" alloy wheels, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keep Assist, a 7" MyLink system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto and Passive Entry & Push Button Start as standard. The model was available as a liftback or a wagon.

Model Engine Displacement Power Torque Transmission Pricing (Liftback) Pricing (Sportswagon)
Petrol I4 2.0L (1998 cc) 191 kW (256 hp; 260 PS) 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) 9-speed $33,690 $35,890
Diesel I4 2.0L (1956 cc) 125 kW (168 hp; 170 PS) 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) 8-speed $36,690 $38,690

Commodore RS

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Commodore RS (V6)

The RS was a visually sportier improvement over the LT model, with an upgraded interior featuring different seats and steering wheel. It also possessed more safety features, including Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The RS had two drivetrain choices, a front wheel drive 2.0L Turbo four cylinder engine with a nine speed Automatic, or an All Wheel Drive 3.6L V6 (available as an exclusive option with the liftback body style). It came with 18" alloy wheels. The model was available as a liftback or a wagon.

Model Engine Displacement Power Torque Transmission Pricing (Liftback) Pricing (Sportswagon)
Petrol I4 2.0L (1998 cc) 191 kW (256 hp; 260 PS) 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) 9-speed $37,290 $39,490
Petrol V6 3.6L (3564cc) 235 kW (315 hp; 320 PS) 381 N⋅m (281 lb⋅ft) 9-speed $42,490 N/A

Commodore RS–V

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The RS–V was similar to the RS Model but included more features such as an upgraded 8" MyLink system incorporating satellite navigation, wireless phone charging, Hi Per Strut Suspension and an Adaptive AWD system. Only the V6 AWD powertrain was offered in liftback and wagon forms.

Model Engine Displacement Power Torque Transmission Pricing (Liftback) Pricing (Sportswagon)
Petrol V6 3.6L (3564cc) 235 kW (315 hp; 320 PS) 381 N⋅m (281 lb⋅ft) 9-speed $46,990 $49,190

Commodore VXR

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The VXR was Holden's new flagship model following Holden's decision to rest the well known SS nameplate along with the V8 Engine configuration. The VXR nameplate was originally used for the British Vauxhall VXR. It featured 20" alloy wheels, sportier lavishings and leather seats with a massage function. Safety features included a 360 degree camera and Continuous Damping Control Suspension. It was only available in a liftback with the V6 powertrain.

Model Engine Displacement Power Torque Transmission Pricing (Liftback) Pricing (Sportswagon)
Petrol V6 3.6L (3564 cc) 235 kW (315 hp; 320 PS) 381 N⋅m (281 lb⋅ft) 9 speed $55,990 N/A

Commodore Calais

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Holden Commodore Calais Tourer

Retaining the previous generation's familiar name, the Calais was the base premium model. Standard equipment included 18" alloy wheels, leather seating with a heating function, wireless phone charging, Blind Spot Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and an 8" MyLink system. Available as a Liftback or Tourer, the former received the 2.0L petrol four cylinder engine, or an optional diesel engine, while the wagon was exclusively fitted with the V6 powertrain.

Model Engine Displacement Power Torque Transmission Pricing (Liftback) Pricing (Tourer)
Petrol I4 2.0L (1998 cc) 191 kW (256 hp; 260 PS) 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) 9-speed $40,990 N/A
Diesel I4 2.0L (1956 cc) 125 kW (168 hp; 170 PS) 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) 8-speed $43,990 N/A
Petrol V6 3.6L (3564 cc) 235 kW (315 hp; 320 PS) 381 N⋅m (281 lb⋅ft) 9-speed N/A $45,990

Commodore Calais–V

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Commodore Calais V

Carrying over the previous generation "V" flair, the Calais–V was the flagship premium model. Standard offerings included 20" alloy wheels, an Adaptive AWD system, a 360 degree camera, and massaging driver seat. It was available in either a liftback or a wagon bodystyle, with the V6 powertrain being the only on offer.

Model Engine Displacement Power Torque Transmission Pricing (Liftback) Pricing (Tourer)
Petrol V6 3.6L (3564 cc) 235 kW (315 hp; 320 PS) 381 N⋅m (281 lb⋅ft) 9-speed $51,990 $53,990

Motorsport

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Supercars Holden Commodore ZB driven by Shane van Gisbergen at the 2021 Mount Panorama 500

For marketing purposes, the ZB Commodore was raced in various motorsport disciplines, including Supercars. However, the race cars generally had no physical or mechanical relationship with the production model, other than similar looks, as an exterior shell was built to resemble the road going cars, with a rear wheel drive tube frame chassis underneath.

Supercars Championship

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The ZB Commodore is used by teams running Holdens in the Supercars Championship. Powered by the same V8 engine as used in the VF, a turbo-charged V6 engine was under development for use in 2019, however the project was cancelled in April 2018 amid engineering concerns that the V6 would not be competitive.[9][10]

The ZB Commodore proved to be an instant success, prompting Ford to controversially push for upgrades for its ageing FGX Falcon which was in its final year of competition. The ZB failed in its championship success due to the upgraded DJR Team Penske FGX Falcon of Scott McLaughlin triumphing in 2018 before dominating in the Mustang GT from 2019 to 2020. The ZB hit back in both 2021 and 2022 with Shane Van Gisbergen sending both the ZB and Holden off in style due to the brands retirement from both the road and racetrack.

The ZB Commodore achieved Bathurst success immediately with victories in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022. The ZB holds the record of 87 victories and being the Commodore that delivered Holden's final Bathurst, championship and race win.

Sales

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Sales of the new Commodore commenced in February 2018. The ZB is the first Commodore produced outside of Australia since the nameplates induction in 1978, leading to much public backlash.

Consumer uptake and acceptance have been the lowest for any Commodore branded vehicle in the history of Holden manufacturing, however, this has also come at the same time as the nameplate has shifted market segment and competition, with the ZB outperforming all but the Toyota Camry in the Medium/Large segment, including the Mazda6 and Ford Mondeo.[11]

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
2018 363 516 473 885 946 516 635 672 663 701 6,370

Future developments

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When the decision was made to cease vehicle production in Australia and source the ZB Commodore from Europe, Opel was still a subsidiary of GM. That ceased on 1 August 2017 when Opel and Vauxhall were sold to Groupe PSA. These new owners of Opel/Holden have announced that they will transfer the Opel Insignia platform to PSA platforms as early as 2021, which means the current model would be discontinued as PSA plans to export PSA-based, Opel "Holden" models globally from 2018 onwards.[12][13]

On October 17, 2018, Holden halted production on the Commodore due to slow sales and unsold inventory at its dealerships.[14] The Holden Commodore ceased to exist by the end of 2019, with the ZB becoming convincingly the lowest selling version ever.

Notes

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  1. ^ For an outline of ANCAP tests, visit the ANCAP website.

References

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  1. ^ "Used Opel Insignia review: 2012–2013". CarsGuide. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  2. ^ Stevens, Mike (2018-10-24). "Holden halts Commodore, Equinox production as stock overflows". CarAdvice.com. Archived from the original on 2019-12-04.
  3. ^ "Holden hits new record low, Toyota HiLux under attack, car sales slow for 20th month in a row | CarAdvice". CarAdvice.com.
  4. ^ Davis, Brett (4 December 2019). "Australian vehicle sales for November 2019 (VFACTS)".
  5. ^ "Holden just killed the Commodore". www.autocar.co.nz. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  6. ^ "2018 Holden ZB Commodore testing reaches 100,000km milestone". WhichCar. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  7. ^ "ANCAP to retest new Holden Commodore". 23 February 2018.
  8. ^ DeGASPERI, GoAutoMedia-DANIEL. "News – General News – Safety". GoAuto.
  9. ^ "T8 retains V8 in phased Gen II implementation". Speedcafe. 9 June 2017.
  10. ^ Holden suspends V6 turbo development Speedcafe 6 April 2018
  11. ^ https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/zb-commodore-segment-success-overall-sales-decline
  12. ^ https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-news/insignia-based-all-new-commodore-gone-2021-holden/
  13. ^ Pettendy, Marton (17 November 2017). "Where to for Holden and Commodore? (17 Nov 2017)". motoring.com.au. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  14. ^ "Holden Stops Commodore, Equinox Production" from GM Authority (October 17, 2018)