The Holden Commodore (VY) is a full-size car that was produced by Holden from 2002 to 2004. It was the third iteration of the third generation of the Commodore. Its range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VY) and Holden Calais (VY); commercial versions were called the Holden One Tonner (VY), Holden Ute (VY), and Holden Crewman (VY). In 2003, the range also saw the introduction of the first Commodore-based all-wheel drive variants, including the Holden Adventra (VY) wagon.
Overview Released in September 2002 and produced until August 2004 (with a Series II released in August 2003), the VY series was the first major design departure (both inside and out) of the third generation Commodore range released in August 1997. It launched at the same time as the Ford BA Falcon.
The range included the following models: Commodore Executive Commodore Acclaim Commodore SV8 Commodore SS Commodore S Berlina Calais
These models were all offered as sedans, and wagons only with the Executive, Acclaim and Berlina. Unusually, the VY also introduced a limited edition SS wagon featuring the same V8 (upgraded to for Series II), body kit and sports suspension as the SS sedan. However, it was equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels as opposed to the 18-inch wheels on the sedan.
The VY was the last Commodore to use the 3.8-litre Ecotec V6 engines originally introduced in the VN Commodore, 16 years prior.
Following General Motors and Subaru tie-up in 1999, Holden considered giving the VY Ute for Subaru to sell, in exchange of the Forester SUV being sold in Holden dealerships with Holden badges, as the brand lacked an SUV offering. Subaru considered naming the rebadged Ute the Subaru Brumby. According to former Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior, the plan was called off due to objection from Subaru Australia.
Development Design The front and rear of the body had minor restyling, with a new front grille, headlights and taillights. The interior has been significantly upgraded. Interior upgrade includes a new instrument panel, centre console and steering wheel and new design transmission lever and handbrake. There is also a new mobile phone power outlet under the centre console. The new instrument cluster features a large multi-function digital display (single or triple window, depending on model), which displays information such as radio station display, PRND321 gear selected indicator, trip computer with stopwatch function, service reminders and a help facility.
Standard features (on some models) now include "twilight sentinel" - automatic headlamp control, programmable headlamps off time delay, high feature Blaupunkt audio systems, road-speed sensitive intermittent wipers and passenger airbags.
The VY Series II update added cruise control, front power windows variable front seat lumbar support, and revised interior trims. A 245 kW (329 hp) V8 was introduced to sports variants and a sportier repositioning of the Calais model. This repositioning included a subtle body kit, the option of a 235 kW V8 in place of the previous 225 kW (302 hp) and a firmer suspension tune (known as FE 1.5) that was not as stiff as the FE2 suspension on sports variants.
Powertrains Engine displacement; configuration Engine PowerPower figures are measured in accordance with the ECE standard. Torque Transmission Fuel type Fuel consumption (sedan)Fuel consumption figures are measured in accordance with the ADR 81/01 standard. Fuel economy figures also vary between body styles and specification levels. 3.8 L (3791 cc); V6 ECOTEC (L36) 5-speed Getrag 260 (M35) manual Petrol 4-speed GM 4L60-E (M30) automatic Supercharged ECOTEC (L67) PULP 5.7 L (5665 cc); V8 Generation III Alloy (LS1) 6-speed Tremec T-56 manualThe 5.7-litre V8 and manual transmission combination was only available on the One Tonner and Crewman V8 versions. Petrol 4-speed GM 4L60-E automatic 6-speed Tremec T-56 manual 4-speed GM 4L60-E automatic 5.7 L (5667 cc); V8 6-speed Tremec T-56 manual 4-speed GM 4L60-E automatic
Models
Commodore Executive
The Executive is the baseline model of the VY Commodore range.
The Executive features included: 3.8 L 152 kW (204 hp) ECOTEC V6 5-speed manual transmission (option of 4-speed automatic transmission) Anti-lock braking system (ABS) Brake assist (BA) CD player Driver's and passenger's airbags Independent rear suspension (IRS) Power antenna Security system Trip computer 15-inch steel wheels Cruise control Air conditioning
Commodore Acclaim
The Acclaim is one model up from the base model of the VY Commodore range.
The Acclaim features included: 3.8 L 152 kW (204 hp) ECOTEC V6 4-speed automatic transmission Air conditioning Anti-lock braking system (ABS) Brake assist (BA) CD player Cruise control Driver's and passenger's airbags Front and rear power windows Independent rear suspension (IRS) Power antenna Security system Side impact airbags (SIAB) Traction control system (TCS) Trip computer 15-inch alloy wheels
Commodore S
The S is the cheapest sports variant.
The S features included: 3.8 L 152 kW (204 hp) ECOTEC V6 (option of 171 kW (229 hp) Supercharged V6) 5-speed manual transmission (option of 4-speed automatic transmission) Air conditioning Anti-lock braking system (ABS) Brake assist (BA) CD player Cruise control Driver's and passenger's airbags FE2 sports suspension Front and rear power windows Independent rear suspension (IRS) Power antenna Security system Traction control system (TCS) Trip computer 16-inch alloy wheels (17-inch alloy wheels on the Series II)
Commodore SV8
The VY Commodore was the first to not offer a V8 option on the Executive model. Buyers now had to choose the new SV8 as the cheapest V8 variant. The SV8 was essentially an Executive with a V8 engine, rear spoiler and unique 17 inch alloy wheels. The SV8 features included: 5.7 L 235 kW (315 hp) V8 (245 kW (329 hp) High Output V8 in Series II) 6-speed manual transmission (option of 4-speed automatic transmission) Air conditioning Anti-lock braking system (ABS) Brake assist (BA) CD player Driver's and passenger's airbags FE2 sports suspension Limited slip differential (LSD) Independent rear suspension (IRS) Power antenna Security system Traction control system (TCS) Trip computer 17-inch alloy wheels
Commodore SS
The SS was the flagship sports model of the VY range.
The SS features included: 5.7 L 235 kW (315 hp) V8 (245 kW (329 hp) High Output V8 in Series II) 6-speed manual transmission (option of 4-speed automatic transmission) Single in-dash CD player (option of 6 disc in-dash cd player) Air conditioning Anti-lock braking system (ABS) Brake assist (BA) Cruise control Driver's and passenger's airbags FE2 sports suspension Front and rear power windows Independent rear suspension (IRS) Limited slip differential (LSD) Power antenna Security system Side impact airbags (SIAB) Traction control system (TCS) Trip computer 18-inch alloy wheels
Berlina
The Berlina is the semi-luxury version of the VY range; it sits above the Acclaim and below the Calais.
The Berlina features included: 3.8 L 152 kW (204 hp) ECOTEC V6 (option of 225 kW (302 hp) LS1 V8) 4-speed automatic transmission 6-disc in-dash CD player Anti-lock braking system (ABS) Brake assist (BA) Climate control air conditioning Cruise control Driver's and passenger's airbags Front and rear power windows Independent rear suspension (IRS) Power antenna Security system Side impact airbags (SIAB) Traction control system (TCS) Trip computer 16-inch alloy wheels
Berlina International A limited run of 325 VY series 1 wagons (all in the colour Turbine Grey) was released in 2002. These were a level above the Berlina with some Calais options which include the following:
Calais headlights Unique satin grey badging Dual-zone climate control 8-way electric front seats without memory function Pistachio Green leather seats with Racquet cloth inserts 4 custom floor mats 6-spoke alloy wheels from the WH Statesman
Calais Colour range (expands) Heron White (white) Quicksilver (silver) Turbine (gunmetal grey with green highlights) Martini (gold with olive highlights) Syracuse (metallic beige – Series II) Phantom Black (black with silver highlights) Redhot (red) Shanghai (light burgundy) Berry (dark burgundy) Hothouse (lime green – Series I) Laurel (dark green with gold highlights – Series I) Cove (dark green with blue highlights – Series II) Barbados (light blue with turquoise highlights – Series II) Delft (medium blue – Series I) Vespers (dark royal blue) Cosmo (dark purple – Series II)
The Calais is the top-of-the-line luxury model in the VY range; it sits above the Berlina and combines luxury with performance.
The Calais features included: 3.8 L 171 kW (229 hp) Supercharged ECOTEC V6 (option of 152 kW (204 hp) ECOTEC V6 or 225 kW LS1 V8 (302 hp) then 235 kW (315 hp) LS1 V8 in Series II) 4-speed automatic transmission 6-disc in-dash CD player Bose speakers Anti-lock braking system (ABS) Brake Assist (BA) Climate control air conditioning Cruise control Driver's and passenger's airbags Front and rear power windows Independent rear suspension (IRS) Luggage net Power antenna Rear park assist Security system Side-impact airbags (SIAB) Traction control system (TCS) Trip computer 16-inch alloy wheels [Series 1] 17-inch alloy wheels [Series 2]
Adventra The Holden Adventra is Holden's first all-wheel drive variant built on the wagon platform. It was produced between October 2003 and February 2005 also acting as the basis of commercial derivates in the form of the Crewman Cross 8 and Holden Special Vehicles sports variants. The Adventra is based on the VY II Commodore station wagon but features an all-wheel drive configuration as opposed to a rear-wheel drive running gear. Available in two equipment levels—CX8 and LX8—with a standardised driveline consisting of a single powertrain combination. That being, a 5.7-litre Generation III V8 engine rated at and a four-speed automatic transmission.
Over the standard Commodore wagon, the Adventra adds a 60/40 split rear seat and additional gauges above the central ventilation outlets. Black plastic accents on the front and rear bumpers along with the wheel guards visually distinguished the Adventra from the Commodore.
Extra-cost options available included third-row seating, cargo hold down nets, and an off-road recovery kit.
Holden replaced the VY II with the VZ Adventra in 2004. An interim VZ Adventra appeared in August 2004 at the time of the release of the VZ Commodore range, but this was in essence the familiar VY body with VZ engine, running gear, ECU and a VZ compliance plate. A true VZ series facelift was introduced in February 2005 and with it, the introduction of a V6 engine as the principal power unit.
Commercial range
The VU Ute range was facelifted in September 2002 to create the VY-based Ute range. These commercial vehicles received the same upgrades as the sedan/wagon range, which involved a new, sharper-designed nose, and restyled interior. The same three specification models were carried over for the VY and picked up the same upgraded equipment lists as the VY sedans. The VY ute models were not badged as "Commodores".
The VY range marked major change for Holden's Ute range, with the 2003 addition of two new models: the return of the One Tonner cab-chassis utility after an 18-year hiatus; and the introduction of Holden's first-ever 4-door utility, arriving in the form of the Crewman. The Crewman brought a longer wheelbase – compared to the of the Ute; and a shorter tray – compared to the of the UteHolden Ute range features Retrieved 20 October 2007 In December 2003, Holden released an all-wheel drive variant of the Crewman known as the Crewman Cross 8. Powered by a V8 engine, the Cross 8 featured a modified appearance, more suited to an off-road vehicle.