Holden VH Commodore

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Holden VH Commodore
Holden VH Commodore
Manufacturer Holden
Parent company General Motors
Production October 5, 1981–February 1984
Predecessor Holden VC Commodore
Successor Holden VK Commodore
Class Mid-size
Body style(s) 4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
Platform GM V platform
Engine(s) Straight-4
  • 1.9 L 54 kW (72 hp) Starfire
Straight-6
  • 2.85 L 73 kW (98 hp) Blue
  • 3.3 L 83 kW (111 hp) Blue
V8
  • 4.2 L 100 kW (134 hp) Blue
  • 4.2 L 115 kW (154 hp) Blue
  • 5.0 L 117 kW (157 hp) Blue
  • 5.0 L 126 kW (169 hp) Blue
Transmission(s) 4-speed manual
5-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Wheelbase 2,668 mm (105.0 in)
Length 4,706 mm (185.3 in)
Width 2,668 mm (105.0 in)
Height 1,363 mm (53.7 in)
Curb weight 1,152 kg (2,540 lb) – 1,326 kg (2,923 lb)
Fuel capacity 63 L (17 US gal/14 imp gal)
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The Holden VH Commodore was an evolution of the previous VC model, released in October 1981. The appearance was mildly facelifted with a new horizontal-slat grille to give a lower, wider look, and for interest of aerodynamics. New taillight clusters were also utilized on sedan models.

The engines were carried over but revisions were made to the 1.9 L and 2.85 L engines to improve fuel economy. Gains of 12.5% and 14% respectively were made to the city cycle fuel economy figures.

Mechanical specifications were as before, except for an additional 5-speed manual transmission which was an option only (due to the limits of the transmission-box) on the 1.9 L 4-cylinder and 2.85 L 6-cylinder versions.

This model was marketed as having an "Air Injected" engine. This model was also known for technological advancements for it's time.

At the same time a reshuffle was made to the range - SL was now the base model, SL/X was the mid-range and SL/E was top-of-the-line, as before. The SL/E also came available with cruise control and a trip computer as standard for the first time, the trip computer was also an option on SL/X and measured average speed and fuel consumption. Wagons were available in SL and SL/X variants.

In 1982 the "SS" sports model was released, a model that has been a Commodore mainstay ever since. Offered with Holden's 4.2 L V8 as standard, three upspec versions of SS, known as 'Stage 1', 'Stage 2' and 'Stage 3' (featuring the Holden 5.0 L V8) were produced by the late Peter Brock's HDT factory. To this day, Brock modified VH SS Commodores are considered highly sought after.

In 1983 an 'Executive' pack of the base Commodore was offered primarily to fleet buyers (although not badged as an Executive). Special editions of Commodore released around Christmas 1981, 1982 and 1983 were badged 'Vacationer'.

With the effects of the 1979 energy crisis ending, buyers gravitated towards the larger Ford Falcon rival, rather than the mid-size Commodore. Thus for the first time, the Holden Commodore lost its position as Australia's best selling car.

Production of this model ceased at the beginning of 1984, to be replaced by the much further facelifted VK Commodore.

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Holden, a subsidiary of General Motors, automobile timeline, 1980s–present
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Subcompact Barina Barina Barina Barina Barina
Gemini Gemini
Compact Viva Viva
Astra Astra Nova Nova Astra Astra Astra Astra
Mid-size Camira Apollo Apollo Vectra Vectra Epica
Commodore
Full-size Commodore Commodore Commodore
Statesman Statesman Statesman
Sports Piazza Calibra Tigra
Monaro
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