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Official: Holden Says V8 Sedan Is Dead After 2017

Just as Holden sits on cloud nine, following the introduction of the most powerful iteration of Commodore ever produced, Stefan Jacoby, General Motors’ Asia-Pacific head, served up a bowl of reality at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.

During an interview with Australian media, Jacoby, also credited with the decision to end local manufacturing, confirmed the 2016 Holden Commodore Series II will be the last application of a V8-powered sedan, and the concept will head to the automotive graveyard after 2017.

CarsGuide was in attendance to hear Jacoby’s statements on the matter, where he explained, “The world obviously is changing and the V8 period is coming to an end. It is just more or less a perception from the customer they need a big engine and big horsepower to have the performance.”

Explaining the decision further, Jacoby added, “I know they are charming and I like the sound of the V8 but times are changing. The technology is changing with more or less the same performance. The acceptance is changing, even in America.”

Interestingly enough, Jacoby, in his disheartening statements, now confirms Holden’s new V8-powered rear-wheel drive sports car will indeed be a coupe.

The news follows the introduction of the 2016 VF Series II, which arrives with 6.2-liter LS3 V8 power this October, and will be produced until the end of local manufacturing in 2017.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. Now I am leaning to torque-vectoring AWD and E2XX. An LT1 in an Insignia coupe… Monza. God help us all.

    Reply
  2. Well, the turbo 2.0 liter in the Camaro is banging out 5.8 sec 0-60, the and the NA 3.6 is in the low 5’s, so they could be moving to an all 6 line up, with the twin turbo 3.6 as the high end model, Holden didn’t even have ANY V8 engines in their lineup until 1968.

    Reply
  3. The other possible scenario is that “no V8 Holdens” means V8 Chevrolets? Chevrolet was sold in Australia through 1968, locally assembled too, if the rumors of “eventual” Corvette and Camaro sales in Australia finally become true, I could see them selling a V8 RWD sedan alongside the Camaro and Corvette, which partially explains GM backing away from selling Korean made Chevrolets in certain markets since the low end image of cars like the a Chevy badged Matiz wouldn’t fly in the same showroom space with Camaro SS’s and Corvettes.

    Reply
    1. Holden said no V8 sedan. They also said there will always be a V8 sport car. And they said Holden Corvette would not happen.

      That leaves a Holden Coupe V8 that isn’t Camaro or Corvette. Monza.

      Reply
  4. I just don’t understand this. The success of the Dodge Charger proves that there is a market for a V8 powered full size sedan if it’s done right. Why are GM effectively handing Dodge a win by refusing to compete?

    Reply
  5. Jacoby should be fired from GM for killing Holden.

    Reply
  6. This is the saddest news since Pontiac reached the finish line.
    Cool cars are becoming a rare breed. All in the name of those boring crossovers/SUVs…

    Reply
    1. My sentiments exactly.

      I have no problem with crossovers and SUVs as long as they don’t crowd out the other car variations. Just like how biodiversity works in nature, each car, crossover, and truck has their place.

      Reply
  7. I love the idea of a torque-vectoring AWD coupe based on the Opel Insignia, but I abhor that it and its platform mate are arriving to replace RWD-based cars that could’ve been built.

    If this Opel Monza ends up being produced, at least we won’t worry about a Buick Grand National stepping on the toes of Chevrolet performance and Cadillac, but it doesn’t negate the effect of losing Holden’s halo car.

    Reply

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