Holden previously confirmed the death of the SS-branded Commodore after the current VF Commodore Series II exits production. Instead, the Holden Commodore VXR will arrive to fill the SS’ shoes. However, the same can’t be said for the Calais badge.
CarAdvice received user-submitted spy shots of a 2018 Holden ZB Commodore testing, and the completely undisguised prototype wore the Calais badge. Calais has long denoted the range-topping Holden Commodore within the nameplate’s hierarchy. It may also mean similar names will return for the first Commodore built outside of Australia.
As for the SS badge, Holden hasn’t confirmed it’s gone for good. At a recent drive of the 2018 ZB Commodore, Holden director of communications Sean Poppitt left a small ray of hope for the future.
“The only product that currently has it [the SS name] in Australia is the V8 Commodore. So when we stop making V8s, that’s when we stop the SS,” he said.
“It’s a GM name, so it’s also used on Camaros and other performance vehicles; none of which I can comment on coming to Australia, but can I categorically say that you won’t see SS on a GM vehicle in Australia again? No.”
The 2018 Holden ZB Commodore will launch in early 2018, while the current 2017 Holden VF Commodore will exit production next month on October 20, 2017.
Comments
Wonder if that means a Regal avenir?
Now that Holden is gone, the old SS category is wide open. Ford has updated their Mustang which will arrive in Australia next year. GM keep hinting but not delivering, so unless an announcement is made very soon about which V8 rear wheel drive they will be sending here it will be another lost opportunity for both sales and Australian loyalty.
Walkinshaw, under the HSV banner, are believed to be importing and converting 6th generation, MY19, Camaros to RHD in the second half of next year and RHD Corvette’s are destined for our shores in 2020.
Meanwhile, Ford continues to make hay with the Mustang.
I just took delivery of my SS and it is a ripper! They can and should take their time to bring in an SS as long as it out points the VF SS hands down.