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30 things you didn't know about the VF Commodore.

Reaper

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There's a lot of stories to tell about the VF Commodore. And here's a selection of fast facts, quirky bits and tech snippets that you might not know.

The new Commodore will be available with a Bose sound system for the first time (the premium system was previously reserved for the Commodore-based Caprice limousine). The Bose system will be powered by the same Panasonic head unit used throughout the new VF Commodore range (Bose does not make any head units), although a Bose amplifier and speakers deliver on better sound quality.
Engineers considered dropping the CD player for the VF Commodore. But it was deemed too important so remains as a single disc unit across the range. The onboard hard drive that was part of the VE Series 2 update has been dropped, though, losing out to the march of streaming music from sources such as Pandora, Spotify and Songl.

There’s a little bit of Opel’s Adam in the VF Commodore. The self-parking system standard on all models was based on the version used in the oddly named Opel small car. Engineers had to tune the software and other parameters to make it work reliably and effectively in a larger car.

Like mums and dads across the country, Holden has its fingers crossed for the superior Isofix baby seat latching system to be approved by regulators. The Commodore is one of a handful of cars to have three Isofix mounting points across the rear seats (the Peugeot 5008 and Ssangyong Korando being two others).
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Holden conducted some 25,000 simulated crash tests on the VF. Advancements in computing power and software meant the latest simulations were more than twice as accurate as those used for the VE Commodore that arrived in 2006. Only 49 cars were crashed in the real world with 70 individual crashes in total.

Wagon versions of the VF get different treatment due to the lower volumes (despite wagons now making up about one in three Commodore sales). Even more expensive grades get only the base sound system and there is no manual gearbox available for the “Sportwagon”.

The only exterior visual change to the Caprice limousine is new wheels. It doesn’t even get the aluminium bonnet and bootlid of the regular Commodore models, something claimed to help reduce weight by about 43kg.

The man who helped design the cockpit instrument panel beam (basically the backbone of the dashboard running across the car) for the VF Commodore used to work for Airbus and is an expert in working with aluminium. The new panel is made from aluminium, saving about 3kg over the steel one used previously.

The co-efficient of drag of the VF Commodore has been reduced from 0.330 to 0.309. That means it’s slipperier through the air, helping lower fuel use .

A small rear lip spoiler was partly chosen to reduce wind drag and improve the aerodynamic efficiency of sportier SV6 and SS Commodore models. The larger wing used traditionally is still available as an option but was not deemed as “sophisticated” as the smaller one.

A diesel engine was reconsidered for the VF Commodore but the changes that would have been required to package it into the car would have proved prohibitively expensive. It didn’t help that an ideal engine (the right size, output and ready for a rear-drive layout) wasn’t available within the General Motors world.

Range Rover reportedly had to ask Holden's permission to use the Evoque name tag in Australia even though its baby off roader arrived before the new VF Commodore. Holden had registered the Evoke name in 2005 and had originally planned to use it as a limited edition pack on the VE Commodore.

Holden has tested the VF Commodore around the globe as part of its development program, including Death Valley in the USA, Arjeplog in Sweden, Kapuskasing in Canada, Idiado in Spain and its own Lang Lang proving grounds.

Holden established a specialised manufacturing facility at its Elisabeth plant to build more than 300 prototype Commodores for the VF program. It employed around 30 specialists for more than eight months just to hand build the cars.

The VF Commodore's voice recognition system has been specifically calibrated for an Australian accent. This is the first vehicle to have such a feature.

The Commodore's Internet radio services - Pandora and Stitcher - automatically delete the programmed advertisements. The system is also future proof to allow for downloadable apps developed by GM due in 2015, but the company admits "we won't be adding things like Angry Birds or games".

The Global A electrical architecture that underpins all of the VF's new safety and comfort features has almost double the number of computer modules compared to the VE Commodore. Yet, despite also having more wires in the harness, the entire system weighs 1.5kg less.

The remote start system which allows you to start the engine from upto 100m away to either cool or heat the interior has a timer that will shut it down after 10 minutes.

The curtain airbags are the only ones that are carried over from the VE; both front and side airbags have been improved. The adoption of a global seat frame - as first used in the Volt - has allowed for new side airbags that cover both the thorax and pelvic areas and have similar levels of protection to leading European sedans.

There are three new colours available in the VF range; Fantale orange - ironically named after the famous chocolate lolly but inspired by the goldfish - Regal Peacock and Prussian Steel.

Holden will spend as much on promoting and marketing the VF Commodore as it did when the VE launched in 2006. It would not put a figure on it, but confirmed it would be a multi-million dollar campaign that incorporated more digital advertising than ever before.

The adoption of electric power steering has reduced the idle speed of the Commodore's engines to just 500rpm.

The VF Commodore is the first car in the GM world to feature an aluminium boot lid.

To improve the aerodynamics and fuel economy of the Evoke, the lower section of the front grille has been blanked off at each end. With these in place, the car has a towing capacity of 1200kg but they need to be removed for the 1600kg tow pack due to the extra cooling required.

The V8 powered Commodores do not feature the additional aero panel under the engine to improve underbody aerodynamics because it needs to expel greater levels of hot air from the engine bay.

The Evoke is the first - and only - Commodore model to feature hollow driveshafts in the rear axle. At the other end of the scale, the V8 powered cars have asymmetrical driveshafts with the right side 1.4 times stiffer than the left for improved launch characteristics.

The range topping SS-V Redline has the biggest stabiliser bars fitted to a Holden, measuring 28mm at the rear and 26mm at the front. With the retuned FE3 suspension it has improved roll stiffness by 30 percent and lateral g-force has increased from 0.88g to 0.93g.
While all three mainstream suspension tunes - FE1 (Evoke, Calais and Caprice), FE2 (SV6, SS and SS-V) and FE3 (Redline) - have been retuned, rural customers can still opt for a Country Pack set-up that increases ride height by 35mm and has softer springs to cope with rough outback conditions.
The electric power steering system has contributed to a 0.2L/100km reduction in fuel consumption. But the system weighs 1.3kg more than the hydraulic set-up it replaces.

The SS-V Redline's front tyres are the same specification as that used on the Ferrari California sports convertible while the wider rear tyres are also used by Aston Martin. They are both developed by long-time supplier, Bridgestone.

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/vf-commodore-fast-facts-20130529-2nblt.html

calais-v_600a-620x414.jpg
 
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davey g-force

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Interesting.

That bit about streaming music from Pandora, Spotify and Songl was way over my head. I need to get more tech-savvy. ;)
 

Kinng

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BOSE sound system sounds interesting.

Kinng
 

c2105026

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Aluminium bootlid...will the average PDR/Panelbeater know what to do with that if dented/scratched?
 

rory

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Wagon versions of the VF get different treatment due to the lower volumes (despite wagons now making up about one in three Commodore sales). Even more expensive grades get only the base sound system and there is no manual gearbox available for the “Sportwagon”.

WHAT... why would they do that...
 

stockies

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Sounds pretty good. Next work hack will probably be a VF SV6. Have they confirmed a direct gas engine like what Ford has?

Also, I very much like the new Calais, sometimes wish I'd waited to buy my next car - when I see the photos of it.
 

Demonica

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Nice to know there is finally a choice in stereos.

As for the isofix its ridiculous that this hasn't been introduced much sooner considering Europe has had it for the past 15 odd years and its quite obviously a much safer choice (considering how many people do not know how to install a baby seat properly). Guess it all depends on how long it takes for it to be approved in Oz.

I can see the whole no manual for the wags putting a few people off.
 

S.T.K.E

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The adoption of electric power steering has reduced the idle speed of the Commodore's engines to just 500rpm.

Pretty good move. Wonder how it would go "Feedback Wise"
 
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