ECOTEC Engine Production Winds Down

[Darren]

The last Holden ECOTEC V6 engine will roll off the Port Melbourne production line next week after a stellar 16-year career powering Australia’s favourite cars.

Holden Engine Operations workers will complete the last engine, which will be framed for display at Fishermans Bend, on Friday August 6.

Production is being wound down for the introduction of the state-of-the-art Alloytec V6 engines, powering the new VZ Calais, Commodore and WL Caprice and Statesman models.

Alloytec production has commenced at Holden’s new $400 million Global V6 engine facility at Port Melbourne, which is also producing Global V6 engines for export markets.

More than 1.4 million ECOTEC engines have been produced at Port Melbourne since 1988 for domestic and export use. ECOTEC-powered cars have graced the roads of the Middle East, Asia, South Africa and New Zealand as well as Australia.

ECOTEC began production in 1988 in the VN Commodore range and, received a significant upgrade in 1995 to increase performance and efficiency. A supercharged V6 variant was developed in 1996.
Locally, ECOTEC has powered the following vehicle ranges:
• Commodore – VN (1988), VP (1991), VR (1993), VS (1995), VT (1997), VX (2000), and VY (2002);
• Ute – VG (1990);
• Statesman/Caprice – VQ (1990), WH (1999), WK (2003); and
• Crewman and One-Tonner variants (2003).

Holden’s Manufacturing Director Jeff Jamieson said ECOTEC had served Holden extremely well for well over a decade.

“ECOTEC was a fantastic engine that was able to provide great power and efficiency over a number of years. It was also able to be refined to ensure less exhaust emissions without diminishing performance,” Mr Jamieson said.

HEO employees will mark the last ECOTEC engine with a ceremony in the plant once the last engine is produced.

Mr Jamieson said the majority of employees that worked on ECOTEC had been redeployed to the new Global V6 plant in Port Melbourne that produced the all-new Alloytec V6.

The Alloytec V6 engines will deliver more peak power and considerably more torque across the rev range than the current 3.8 litre ECOTEC V6 while maintaining a similar level of fuel economy and producing fewer emissions.

[jetspin_vn]

**Stands and salutes**

Through the glory of the Commodore ages to come - we will remember them. Lest we forget.

[The1985divo]

**Stands and salutes**

Through the glory of the Commodore ages to come - we will remember them. Lest we forget.

Very patriotic i must say.

lets hope the Alloytec lives up to the ecotec

[mixin]

Funny that the ECOTEC was only introduced in April 1995, marketing spiel at it's best I'd say.....

[MaNiac_VP]

Yes ECOTEC was only introduced in April, the the fundementals of the engine date back to the original hot & rough running version in the VN.

Will be sad to see this motor go, was the first engine that truley defined Holden - big, fast and strong as hell.

Now watch the value of the cars with the ECOTEC drop....

[jetspin_vn]

Now watch the value of the cars with the ECOTEC drop....

Yay!! Perhaps I'll be in a VS or even a VT before all too long.

[stheggie]

It will be sad to see the Ecotec finally finish production.
They have been a great engine since the VN ( even though a few prob's in the early stages, which is normal for a new engine ) I've always loved the amount of power they have, even as stock!

[Troy711]

i reckon its good the ecotec has gone... now we can welcome the new generation of holden motoring excelence!

[VL Executive]

RIP 3.8 V6
1988 - 2004
Will always be remembered for its Power & Torque while having good fuel efficiancy. And also its simplicty to do work on.

[Astranomical]

I, too will miss the ECOTEC. For a while now it has been one of my favourite engines, due to the fact that it puts out a shiatload of power, yet is good on the fuel. Still, the AlloyTec V6 WILL be better....its just a shame that Holden's not using the 3.8L version, just to REALLY shove it up Ford's posterior!

[Gobbles]

Yep sad to see the ecotec go but hey.....thats whwat progress and moving forwards all about......*contemplates trading in VS V6 for new VZ *

[TAILS83]

can someone explain to me about the vn with the ecotec, i was under the impression it was introduced in 1995 with the vs commodore. please explain

[mixin]

can someone explain to me about the vn with the ecotec, i was under the impression it was introduced in 1995 with the vs commodore. please explain

Exactly what i said back on the first page:

Funny that the ECOTEC was only introduced in April 1995, marketing spiel at it's best I'd say.....

The marketing gurus obviously can't get the ECOTEC name out of their head - the VN-VR V6 wasn't an ECOTEC, so the article would have been better to have described it as the 3.8L V6 & left ecotec out of it.

[Troy711]

Yep sad to see the ecotec go but hey.....thats whwat progress and moving forwards all about......*contemplates trading in VS V6 for new VZ *

*contemplates trading the VS ute for a VU SS*

its a huuuuge maybe at the moment... im looking into it to see if i can afford it... and i hope i can... cos its black and sexy!

then my user name would have to be VU-SS-UTE

[holden007]

Answering the Question of The ECOTEC, yes the ecotech was introduced in 1995. But the basic layout of the engine is the same as from 1988 VN. The ecotech had some improvements which made it quieter, more power and less fuel emissions. It was still cast iron engine with a cover on top. Notice the VN - VR sound different then the VS - VY....

[Jaime]

I love Holdens so much that I can imitate a 3.8L V6/ECOTEC V6. Sad, isn't it?

Farewell, Emissions and Consumption Optimisation through TEChnology, you will be sorely missed.

*salutes*