Holden · 1997–2000

Holden Commodore (VT)

The Holden Commodore (VT) is a full-size car that was produced by Holden from 1997 to 2000. It was the first iteration of the third generation of the Commodore and the last model to be powered by a locally made 5 litre V8 engine along with the VS Series 3 Statesman/Caprice and utility models, finishing production in 1999 and 2000. Its range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VT) and Holden Calais (VT) but not a new generation utility version. Introduced in August 1997, the VT-series represented Holden's largest development yet. On debut, it won the 1997 Wheels Car of the Year award, resulting in the fourth time that this award was won by a Commodore. It found ready acceptance in the market as many buyers steered away from the more radically designed Ford Falcon (AU), becoming the best selling Commodore and cementing its place as number one in Australian sales at its time. The VT Series II (VT II) was released in June 1999, before being replaced by the restyled VX model in October 2000. In 1998, the VT formed the basis of a prototype that became the catalyst for the reintroduction in 2001 of the Holden Monaro coupé based on the Holden Commodore (VX) a nameplate on hiatus since the HZ Monaro GTS which finished production in 1979.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Holden Commodore (VS)|Rover 800 Series · Successor: Holden Commodore (VX)

All Holden Commodore data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

History of development

As with previous Commodore models, Holden looked to Opel in Germany for a donor car platform. The VT series was derived from the Omega B by broadening that vehicle's width and adapting the mechanical setup for Australian conditions. The alternative would have been to adopt the Omega as is (which, notably, was also sold in North America as the Cadillac Catera between 1997 and 2001), save for the engines and transmissions or just reskinning the second generation (VN–VS) architecture. The VT series ended up being a A$600 million development program that spanned more than half a decade. It sported many firsts for an Australian-built car (such as more advanced electronic systems), improved dynamics and increased crash safety also thanks to a body that was 30 percent stiffer than its predecessor, the VS series. Its rounder exterior design (with a 63 degree rake for the front windscreen), which made it more attractive to buyers than the more aerodynamic rival, Ford Falcon (AU), was considered only a styling exercise with low emphasis on aerodynamics given the sedan's ordinary drag coefficient of Cd=0.33. At the time of the VY series launch in 2002, Holden aerodynamic engineers conceded that the design was not ideal, primarily because of the rounded trailing edge of the sedan's boot lid, which did not promote a clean separation of the airflow off the back of the car as would have a sharper change of angle. As such, the VY series rectified this problem. In 1999, the VT wagon platform served as the basis for the second generation Statesman and Caprice luxury cars. This third generation Commodore also formed the basis for the resurrection of the iconic Monaro coupé from the 1960s and 1970s. Presented as the "Holden Coupé" concept car at the 1998 Australian International Motor Show

Models

The VT series was officially announced on 26 August 1997 and went on sale on 5 September replacing the VS Commodore. Its only major update, marketed as the VT Series II, was launched on 1 June 1999 and sold until October 2000, when the VX series was launched as its replacement. The original 1997 VT range was introduced with a range of six models comprising: Commodore Executive (fleet and entry package) V6 manual from A$29,760 sedan and A$31,600 wagon, with optional automatic, and V8 Commodore Acclaim (family safety package) V6 automatic from A$33,980 sedan and A$34,960 wagon Commodore S (entry sports package) V6 manual from A$34,810 sedan only, with the option of the V6 Supercharged automatic 6.7 Secs 0-100 Commodore SS (high-end sports package) V8 manual from A$44,160 sedan only, with optional automatic or V6 Supercharged automatic Berlina (luxury package) V6 automatic from A$39,800 sedan and A$42,600 wagon, with optional V8 automatic Calais (sport luxury package) V6 automatic from A$48,760 sedan only, with optional V8 automatic or V6 Supercharged automatic. In terms of major features and options: Standard across the range – IRS, driver's airbag, seatbelt pre-tensioners, electric seat height and tilt adjuster, front seat lumbar support (Executive only had driver seat lumbar support) trip computer (6-function single digital window on all models except Berlina and Calais featuring a 12-function 3 digital windows upgrade) Passenger airbag available across the range, but as an optional on the Commodore Executive and S for A$510 ABS available across the range, but as an optional package on Executive Traction Control standard on Acclaim and Calais, but optional on the rest of the range for A$510 Automatic transmission optional on all models except Acclaim, Berlina and Cala

Holden Ute

Unlike in the case of its other new generation platforms, which saw Holden release a utility version concurrent to other mainstream body shapes, a VT utility version was never developed. Instead, Holden continued to sell the VS Commodore utility version until December 2000, at which time the Holden Ute (VU) was released. This vehicle was based on the long wheelbase platform of the VX Commodore, itself launched in October 2000 as the first significant facelift of the VT series.

HSV range

The enhanced performance range of the original VT-based range sold by Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) comprised the following variants: Manta sedan with a 5.0-litre 195 kW V8 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic Clubsport sedan with a 5.0-litre 195 kW V8 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic GTS sedan with a 5.7-litre 220 kW V8 or optional 230 kW version 6-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic Senator sedan with a 5.7-litre 220 kW V8 or optional 230 kW version 4-speed automatic with the 5- or 6-speed manual option Senator Signature sedan with a 5.7-litre 220 kW V8 or optional 230 kW version 4-speed automatic with the 5- or 6-speed manual option Senator Estate wagon with a 5.7-litre 220 kW V8 or optional 230 kW version 4-speed automatic only. A limited-run XU8 model was also released powered by the last Australian-made 5.0-litre V8, due to be replaced by the imported 5.7-litre V8 standard on VT Series II cars. The launch of this series also introduced the short lived XU6 sedan, which was powered by the supercharged version of Commodore's 3.8-litre V6 engine. Clubsport Launched in 1997, the HSV VT Clubsport was much larger and heavier than its predecessors. Critics noted that its engine, a 5.0-litre V8 (producing 195 kW (265 PS; 261 hp)), was also available as an option on the Commodore SS, making the Clubsport less exclusive and desirable. The VT Clubsport did feature many luxury features, including a CD player, steering wheel, front seats and foglights. The VT Series II was released in 1999 to replace the standard Clubsport. It featured a new 5.7-litre V8 LS1 Gen III engine, sourced from GM Powertrain, producing 250 kW (340 PS; 335 hp). Production ceased in 2000. Series 2 VT Clubsport rebadged as GTS for the UK market GTS Series 1 VT GTS – 402 pro

Exports

Exports of the VT to the Middle East, rebadged as the Chevrolet Lumina, began in 1998, sold as 1999 models. Three trims were available for the sedan: LS, LTZ and SS, based on the Commodore's Executive, Berlina and SS respectfully. A wagon variant was also available but only offered in LS form with a V6. The VT Commodore was the first Holden to be produced in left hand drive since the LH Torana finished production in 1976. In addition, General Motors do Brasil also imported the VT as the Chevrolet Omega from October 1998 to replace the same-named predecessor that was a rebadged Opel Omega A. The Brazilian model sold as a single-specification CD model, based on the Holden Calais automatic powered by the Ecotec 3.8-litre V6 engine. The VT II model came to Brazil in December 1999. VT Omega sales ended in 2001 when replaced by the VX-based model, as announced on 18 May 2001.

Production

Production of all VTs between August 1997 and October 2000 totalled 303,895 units. Of these, some 100,000 units were sold in the first 22 months leading up to the release of the VT Series II in June 1999, and 33,428 were exported.

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Specifications

name: Holden Commodore (VT)
Manufacturer: Holden (General Motors)
aka: Holden Berlina (VT), Holden Calais (VT), Chevrolet Lumina, Chevrolet Omega
Production: August 1997 – October 2000
Assembly: Australia: Adelaide, South Australia (Elizabeth)
Class: Full-size
Body style: 4-door sedan, 5-door station wagon
Platform: GM V platform
Engine: 3.8 L Ecotec V6, 3.8 L Supercharged Ecotec V6, 5.0 L 5000i V8 (Series I only), 5.7 L Generation III V8 (Series II only)
Transmission: 4-speed GM 4L60-E automatic, 5-speed Getrag 260 manual, 6-speed T-56 manual
Wheelbase: 2788 mm (sedan), 2938 mm (wagon, utility)
Length: 4882 -
Width: 1824 mm
Height: 1422 -
Kerb weight: 1551 -
Related: Opel Omega B, Cadillac Catera, Holden Statesman/Caprice (WH), HSV VT series, CSV VT series, Holden Coupe (concept)
Predecessor: Holden Commodore (VS)
Successor: Holden Commodore (VX)
Designer: Peter Hughes
sp: uk