At a private event in the stylish Docklands in Melbourne, Australia this morning, Holden unveiled the 2013 VF Commodore. Being a “show car”, what we see here today isn’t a concept or a prototype; instead, it’s the actual vehicle that will arrive to dealerships across Oceania, but perhaps wearing different wheels and offering different color schemes inside and out than what we see here today. So, what does the 2013 VF Commodore offer? In a word, improvements. Lot of them.
Designed and engineered at GM Holden’s headquarters in Port Melbourne, Victoria, Holden calls the VF the “most technologically-advanced car ever created in Australia”; the VF is safer, more user-friendly, more fuel-efficient, and more luxurious and refined than its predecessor — qualities that make it the best Commodore ever, according to the Roaring Lion brand.
“The VF Commodore really is a class above,” said Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux. “No other car created in Australia is as technologically advanced, and we’re very proud that not only was the VF designed and engineered here, but it will also be exported to the USA for GM’s biggest global brand, Chevrolet.”
The show car presented today was the Calais V-Series sedan — Holden speak for the range-topping model that’s designed to offer luxury and high performance, at the same time.
The Exterior
The exterior carries a congruent, upmarket theme that consists of an illustrious silhouette and an athletic, wide track stance. But the exterior design of the Commodore VF isn’t only about looking good, as it’s also purposeful: the VF is more aerodynamic than the VE Commodore it replaces, while utilizing lightweight aluminum panels along with other fuel saving features such as electric power steering — qualities that allow the VF to be more fuel efficient than the VE. Other exterior design qualities include:
- Up front: the higher, wider front end features complex hood surfacing with a subtle central power bulge; raking spears point focus at prominent signature trapezoidal grilles
- Jeweled halogen projector headlamps incorporate a ‘curved blade’ park lamp effect
- Lower air intakes are flanked by LED daytime running lamps and fog lamps
- New front fenders complement the flared, aero-sculpted wheel arches
- In profile: an upper decklid line that kicks into a slim integrated spoiler; chrome fender vents, larger, multi-spoke, machine-faced wheels
- At the rear: a wider, more planted stance; streamlined, uncluttered graphics are dominated by intricately jeweled new tail lamps that extend into the decklid
- All in all, the VF’s evolutionary exterior design is a dynamic and mature execution that’s more sculptural and highly refined, with exceptional finishes, richer detailing, and bright accents.
The Interior
Complementing the evolutionary exterior is a luxurious and lavishly-appointed interior, with a new instrument panel, console, cockpit, seats, steering wheel, switches, shifters, and textures. “You name it”, says Holden Design Director Andrew Smith, “no detail has escaped attention.”
Among the interior themes of the VF Commodore are:
- All-new instrument panel with integrated centre stack and cowled instrument dials combining infotainment, climate and other controls into a contemporary piece of modern electronics
- Stylish new seat designs feature new structures and luxury comfort profiles
- Quality, layered trim finishes in smooth soft-feel leather and suede with perforated leather inserts are accented by twin-needle stitching
- Strokes of bright and galvano silver chrome and metallic embellishments gleam against jet black and light titanium background hues
- Ice blue ambient lighting illuminates a redesigned centre console with versatile small item storage solutions and maxi cup holders
- Ergonomic improvements include a new steering wheel design and a console-mounted electric park brake button (goodbye handbrake, and goodbye brake-based “power slides”)
- Power window switches are relocated to the armrests and the boot release control is now on the driver’s door
Technology
The VF also brings with it a host of new technology features that assist the driver and make the vehicle safer. These include:
- Auto Park Assist (APA): included on on all models, allows the driver to operate the pedals while the car effectively parks itself. Unlike many similar systems, APA also allows drivers to choose between a parallel or 90 degree angle park
- Holden MyLink: the latest version the Chevy/Holden infotainment system
- Keyless entry and start: allows drivers to unlock, lock, and start the vehicle without ever touching the key
- Reverse Traffic Alert: warns of vehicles passing when reversing out of spaces
- Blind Spot Alert, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning
- Head-Up Display: projects vital safety information such as the car’s speed directly onto the windscreen
On Sale Mid-2013
The new Calais V-Series sedan, which is previewed by this show car, will serve as the flagship of the extensively-upgraded VF Commodore model range. Expect an on-sale date of the VF in the middle of 2013.
Other sport-oriented models, such as the SV6, SS, and SS-V, along with the base model and Caprice full-size sedan, are expected to be shown later.
Manufacturing & Assembly
The VF Commodore will be built at Holden Vehicle Operations in the Adelaide suburb of Elizabeth, South Australia. Certain high-performance units will be exported to North America as the Chevrolet SS Performance Sedan.
Specifications
Holden has not released specifications at the time of publication. We will update this page once they become available.
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Comments
Don’t forget that this is the Calais model. This is the top of the Commodore range and features the most luxuries available. The Sports models (SV6, SS and SS-V) as well as the base model and Caprice are still to be revealed at the same time as the Chevy SS.
Why does this poor guy get down-voted all the time? Am I missing something??
I think it was because I pointed out that it was a Calais when Alex already did in the article. I just did it so people won’t comment with the “it doesn’t look agressive” garbage. They did comment that anyway lol.
What Holden4Life says. The SS version will look radically different. Different front fascia, wheels, tails, interior treatments (same basic dash shapes and features, but…)
Well done Holden!!! The interior is nite and day from the ve commie..looks like a tad bit of chevy influence with the dual cockpit design but Holden’s way. The execution of this car is something u could expect from cadillac, quite premium indeed. aaaaand the ss renderings coming in 5,4,3,2…..
Imagine if Holden were to have designed the 2013 Malibu similar.
The Commy Calais and the Malibu are entirely different vehicles in entirely different classes. It has nothing to do with Holden designing the latter, but rather with the fact that the Calais retails for $61,000. The Holden Malibu, meanwhile, is expected to start around $23,000… given that Australian dollars are worth nearly the same as US Dollars, we’re in effect talking about a Chevy Malibu vs a Cadillac CTS-V.
I meant aesthetically based on the Holden design. Especially the rear of the Commodore vs the rear fascia of the Malibu. Steel body panels and plastic bumpers go price for price. The seat design/shape and general dash configuration and layout could have been priced in Malibu territory (not saying the 2013 ‘Bu interior is bad).
Externally, if the Malibu would have taken on some guidance from the 2013 Commodore it would be much better off.
And If the Malibu had taken on some of the curves of the Commodore, it would slot nicely below the Chevy SS as a softer, cheaper, fwd, little brother.
I dont think anyone can argue against Holden’s design for the Zeta platform.
Also, you may as well edit “I saw interior shots of this Calais, dayum does it look good.” out of my original comment, I look a pretty dopey without the link I had, especially now that GMA has also put up interior pictures.
For some reason, I thought you were referring to the interior design in your comment… hence my reply about cost/materials.
That said, the exterior design of the Malibu is one of the car’s biggest strong suits in my book… I don’t think it needs any help from anyone as it relates to that. In fact, it appears that the VF drew inspiration from the Malibu — which can be seen in the front and rear fascias the most.
Re your comment: edited.
sweet car cant wait to see the chevy SS
With the sports models selling as Chevy’s in NA. Could the Calais model be sold as a Buick.
It would be nice for Buick to have a flagship with rear-wheel drive car. If Buick doesn’t have some type of corvette chassis car I heard rumored about couple of months ago this would be great for Buick. I think both would be great but this fits it more since all of Buick’s cars are passenger cars. When I looked at it I thought of it as M5 fighter for some reason don’t know why.
I don’t think we will see a non-Corvette riding on the Corvette chassis again.
Looks like the old car made love to a chandelier. Nice looking otherwise.
Hum? Camaro ZL1 or SS sedan?????? I envy anyone who finds themselves in that situation.
Need to take some of the dash design and apply to Malibu update. This is the best interior ever designed for a Holden Commodore.Classy!
Buick anyone, this is very nice… I too see Buick in this…. Gaurantee this will be in China as a Buick… Good job team holden…
I hope you all don’t down-vote me for this… but so far, I’m underwhelmed. I thought they’d show off the entire range at this presentation, but I’m guessing the Chevy SS is going to look a lot like the Commy SSV. Guess we truly have to wait one more week!
Really do like Mike though… I’m willing to bet that if this is as much as of a success as we all think that it will be, that soon enough he’ll have a nice corner office in Detroit…………
The rear looks almost identical to the Opel Astra sedan especially the taillights!
Auto Park Assist needs to come to Cadillac
Nice looking car! Interesting that no comments were made about the power train. I guess that will come along with the Chevy SS. I’m really hoping they get an 8-speed auto into it from the start, which I guess would be the Aisin one. And do I assume it will have the new V8, not the old one?
Bronc624 It is very interesting that no comments were made about the powertrain… or that no specifications were released. Here’s to hoping for next Saturday…
ppplease let the chevy ss look like this the wheels are awesome
Alex, I can’t wait until then to hopefully find out more too. The powertrain setup can make or break a lot of sales with this car I think.
dontbelate2, I like the wheels too. But I suspect the Chevy SS will have more a more aggressive, sportier look to them.
It still has the VERY same body and frames and the same Zeta chassis. I thought they would switch to a lighter chassis. Something like Alfa.
This Car was sold in my country Saudi Arabia as Chevy Lumina. It really sucks. It lacks quality and reliability, and it overheats alot. It failed resist the dessert climate of the Arab Peninsula. Now GM Arabia phased it out and kept the Caprice (Statesman) with only V8 6.0L engine.
@Bawazir The VF was always expected to be a refresh of the current Zeta-based model… a pretty significant refresh, but a refresh nonetheless.
That said, I believe that the next-gen 2016 Commy will ride on the Alpha. Some info:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2013/02/it-lives-holden-chief-confirms-next-gen-commodore/
But this one looks much better in term of interior quality. It shares a lot with the reliable Malibu
The doors are the same 🙁