Holden has officially revealed its replacement for the SS Commodore, the new 2018 Holden Commodore VXR, set to go on sale as part of Holden’s Insignia-based Commodore line-up.
Due for release in 2018, the Commodore VXR boasts a naturally aspirated 3.6-litre petrol V6 engine that produces 235kW of power and 381Nm of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Drivers will have the ability to choose between three drive modes unique to the VXR. By switching between these modes, the system varies damper firmness and response, steering feel, transmission response and the all-wheel drive system’s torque distribution.
Stopping the Commodore VXR will be a set of Brembo brakes up front, which should make this car capable of harder driving.
From the outside, the Commodore VXR will pick up big 20-inch alloy wheels, a bigger rear spoiler, unique front and rear fascia and premium VXR sill plates.
On the technology front, it also picks up adaptive LED matrix headlights, heated and ventilated performance seats and the latest driver assistance technology.
We had the chance to drive a 65 per cent prototype of the Commodore VXR last year as part of Holden’s development program in the car’s infancy.
It was at that point that Holden ruled out the chance of this being anything other than a naturally aspirated V6.
While V8 lovers may be disappointed, the next-generation Commodore is expected to weigh around 300kg less than the rear-driven Commodore and the Twinster all-wheel drive system used in the Commodore VXR isn’t too dissimilar to the one used in the manic Ford Focus RS.
Holden isn’t talking 0-100km/h times, but we’d expect this vehicle to sit within the 6-7 second territory, making it around a second slower than the current V8 powered SS Commodore.
The 2018 Holden Commodore VXR will launch alongside the Commodore hatch, Sportwagon and Tourer from early 2018.
Looking back at our original renderings of the SS Commodore replacement, it looks like we were bang on the money.
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