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Hopped Up, Next-Generation Holden Commodore SS Possibly Spied

The current Holden Insignia VXR is much overlooked. Why? Because dealerships are filled with customers scooping up the last of the homegrown, rear-wheel drive Holden Commodore before it’s lights out at the Elizabeth assembly.

Holden has yet to even confirm the upcoming Opel-Vauxhall Insignia will replace the beloved Commodore, but it doesn’t need to, it’s happening. Thankfully, though, Opel and Vauxhall know a thing or two about performance, and these spy photos from Motoring suggest we’re looking at a new Holden Commodore SS.

Larger brakes, reportedly lifted from a Cadillac, and bigger alloy wheels suggest performance is going on underneath. It’s likely this mule is fitted with all-wheel drive, too, while other 2018 Commodore examples will be front-wheel drive. As far as power, anyone’s guess is as good as ours, but it’s possible a V6 with forced induction finds its way under the hood. That’s our hope. If not, a turbocharged four-banger for sure.

The Commodore as we know it is nearly dead. Are you ready to embrace this brave new world? If Opel’s OPC and Vauxhall’s VXR have anything to say about it, you’ll like what you see.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. This is not a Commodore. NO way, NO how.

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  2. GM can make a Caprice and a Monte Carlo for Chevrolet under the Alpha and use it too for the Holden Commodore ,Vauxhall and Opel with an iteration under Buick as the Riviera. While the shrter version of the Alpha could be used as the Monaro, Opel GT and Buick GNX.

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    1. The Buick Avista, or even Aveair, both in coupe and sedan form should be the Commodore replacement. Chevrolet could base an Impala replacement/Charger rival on it’s bones.
      It has value not only in Australia but also China, the US, S Korea and the Middle East. Maybe Opel could copy Hyundai and market upmarket “Genesis-like” models borrowed from the Buick/Holden line up. These cars (Lacrosse, Avista coupé and sedan) would not compete directly with Cadillac due to Euro specs, styling and bargin basement luxury pricing.
      Business school teaches that internal competition is bad; Hyundai/Kia, VW group and Renault-Nissan demonstrate that such competition can be good: Greater scale, greater market share and an opportunity to target different demos.

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    2. If I’m recalling correctly, the alpha isn’t capable of being RHD.

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      1. Omega is; Avista was a blending of both Alpha and Omega platforms and far from production ready. Certainly a sedan varient could use the extra space and weight reduction. Omega can scale far smaller than CT6.
        Let’s also remember that A2XX it’s coming soon.

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  3. GM needs to build a reasonably priced 4 door sedan based on the alpha platform. I am suggesting the Nova! Have same powertrains as the Camaro but, with visibility and passenger space. Powr to tge people!!!

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  4. Once this this hits Aussie shores, it’ll solve the question as to whether people can tell the difference between a FWD-based platform and a RWD-based platform, and whether AWD makes them indistinguishable. If so, there’s going to be a revolt.

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    1. Try towing in wet weather with a fwd, you will have your answer, we don’t believe in using a 6,000 lb cod piece to tow a 1~2 ton trailer.

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  5. Would be great if they simply took the Buick Avista for their next generation Holden Commodore SS.

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  6. Like stated the Alpha at this point is not RHD ready yet. It will at some point and you also see a RHD version along with this car. The Alpha as designed at a time GM was just coming out of Chapter 11 and at that time has no consideration about it replacing the Zeta. A lot changed in that time.

    As for this car let them finish it and just see what you get.

    I expect AWD here and this could be a car that could challenge an Audi in AWD performance.

    You may just get a car that will be a global class performance car and then later a RWD coupe to pair with it.

    As for the Avista it was not a real car. Sure it was based on an Alpha but I saw it in person and many changes would be needed. B pillars, Sitting higher smaller wheels a real interior etc would all be needed. I am not sure you will like what you get once gone into production.

    As it is the car would not pass bumper laws. It would bottom out and for sure side impact would not pass as it is and if they kept it with pillar the weight would be increased over 4000 pounds easy.

    I agree I would love to see some of the Ideas here but those cards are just not on the table and I can not say they should play them when they are not real options at this time.

    Lets at least give them a chance as we have seen some damn good cars from OPC at Opel based on AWD. I can imagine with OPC and Holden they could do a AWD pretty damn good if given the chance and the right funding.

    Now if they tank it have at it and hammer them but until you know what you have at least see what you get before you hammer them. At least you will have something to back up your claims at that time if it is a good or bad car.

    Right now it is like a blind man complaining about color.

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  7. Here’s an awesome thought, or at least I think so. GM already had a great design with the Alpha platform and GM has some great engines. How about (at least in America) we take the Alpha platform and redesign the SS around it making it a four-door fastback coupe, give the exterior a complete redesign still keeping with the GM body language, and call it the Nova SS. as far as an engine and drive train take the L83 5.3L V8, redo the top end with all “LT” upgrades such as heads, cams, intake manifold, tri-y exhaust manifolds, dual mode exhaust with low restriction mufflers from the ZL1 Camaro, etc, put the 10-speed auto and 7-speed manual behind it, magnetic ride, 1LE or ZL1 style suspension and rear axle assembly, Big Brembo brakes, nice 20″ wheels, a well appointed interior and keep the outside of it somewhat subtle but add nods to the past with the center mounted hood vents. This would allow the car to be lightweight and nimble but still very powerful without the use of forced induction. The car would more than likely get about 430hp which is more than the LS3-powered SS Sedan and all in a lighter package with a better drive train that makes it more efficient and since GM already uses displacement on demand, fuel economy should be pretty high and it would be all in a reliable, cost effective platform with products already in production so GM wouldn’t have to really redesign anything except for the exterior of the car.

    Reply

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