Autocar spies what could be a turbo Commodore

By JAMES STANFORD 29 April 2008

www.goauto.com.au

RESPECTED British motoring magazine Autocar has published photographs on its website of a heavily disguised evaluation vehicle that appears to be either a Holden Commodore or a related model testing in Sweden.

Autocar claims the “mystery GM prototype” has several design cues that suggest a new Holden model lies underneath its cladding.

It also reports that registration details confirm the car is a Holden, with the database attached to the licence plate indicating that the car is 4850mm long, 1800mm wide and weighs 1650kg.

According to Autocar, it also has a 260bhp (194kW) engine paired with an automatic gearbox.

“If it is a Holden, Saab engineers could be working on either a four-wheel drive transmission, or on turbocharged petrol engine for the car. Saab is a centre of excellence within GM for both these areas of engineering,” Autocar said.

While GoAuto believes it is unlikely that a rear-drive Holden would be converted to all-wheel drive, despite the fact it may open up more sales in the US and Europe, there is a strong prospect of a large-capacity turbo V6 being developed for Commodore and export models.

Holden already produces a 2.8-litre V6 at its Port Melbourne engine plant that is turbocharged for use in the Saab 9-3. Saab and Holden could now be involved in engineering a bigger version that would rival the upgraded inline turbo six that powers Ford Australia’s FG Falcon XR6 Turbo and G6E Turbo models.

Such an engine was previewed nearly four years ago at the 2004 Sydney motor show, where Holden revealed the TT36 'Torana' concept, powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 delivering 280kW and some 480Nm of torque. Ford's latest XR6T engine produces 270kW and 533Nm, while next month's new FPV version will produce 310kW and 551Nm.

The experimental V6 was hand-built at Holden's then-new engine plant at Port Melbourne, featured two KO4 Warner turbochargers and an air-to-air intercooler and, according to Holden, produced 90 per cent of peak torque from just 1600rpm.

Full article:

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf...A25743900838229

Edited April 29, 200817 yr by douglask

Wow, that Holden Commodore sure looks like a Buick LaCrosse mule!

Edited April 29, 200817 yr by ZL-1

Buick Lacrosse/Invicta. I don't know why so many auto outlets are getting this wrong.

What got my attention was this:

It also reports that registration details confirm the car is a Holden, with the database attached to the licence plate indicating that the car is 4850mm long, 1800mm wide and weighs 1650kg.

The current 9-5 is 4836 mm long, so this (LWB EpII, IIRC) is about the same size as the current 9-5. The Opel Insignia is around 4830 mm in length, also very close in dimensions to this LWB EpII car.

EDIT - unless they got that info wrong too

Edited April 29, 200817 yr by ZL-1

Just because the car is registered to Holden does not mean it is an actual Holden vehicle.

According to Autocar, it also has a 260bhp (194kW) engine paired with an automatic gearbox.

“If it is a Holden, Saab engineers could be working on either a four-wheel drive transmission, or on turbocharged petrol engine for the car. Saab is a centre of excellence within GM for both these areas of engineering,” Autocar said.

Hm.... I can't think of any turbocharged engines that produce 260bhp that might need testing in a larger car right about now.....

Saabs turbo 2.8HF currently produces 255hp..... I can't imagine that 5 more horsepower would require a dedicated mule to test with.....

Hm.... I can't think of any turbocharged engines that produce 260bhp that might need testing in a larger car right about now.....

Saabs turbo 2.8HF currently produces 255hp..... I can't imagine that 5 more horsepower would require a dedicated mule to test with.....

How about a 2.8 HF V6 or 2.0 DI Turbo Ecotec testing in an Epsilon II chassis?

The 2.8 would be great in the Invicta.... I think that the Malibu might benefit from said 2.8L as well...