Hi all, been reading this thread for a while now, interesting stuff. There’s been a lot of speculation so I thought I’d throw my two bits worth in, just for fun. There are a couple of points I’m a little suspect on. Holden have done a fantastic job of keeping the details of the final commodores secret, even the Elizabeth plant workers won’t talk or don’t know many/any details, why, for a couple of minor interior detail updates, I don’t think so. Why the 3-4K increase in the price for the redline, the blackout option and replacement of the carbon fiber interior parts would have little impact on production cost.
I think there is something bigger going on to warrant the effort made on the secrecy. From a production point of view, this would have been planned 18 months ago (or more) by a small team to allow testing assessment, approval, lead times etc etc. The changes to the interior parts shows a willingness to change component orders, granted its small but it is a clue. I believe Holden will give the VF a decent send off, as they have stated they will.
Its been speculated there will be three/four models, a Director (former Calais V), a Motorsport Edition (former Redline), a Commemorative Edition (New) and the Magnum (former Redline Ute). Speaking to the (claimed) largest Holden master? dealer in Australia, they are getting three manual CE’s for the year, (I’m only talking about manual vehicles). Considering the number of cars provided to each dealer is based on previous sales the total number of CE’s must be less than 100-200, makes you wonder why they’d bother unless a large number have been spoken for by “Holden friends”. This dealer will get a total of 10 manual Relines/ME’s at $59,990 DA, add 2K for autos, estimated add 6K for CE’s. There was 1 manual SS available at $52, 250 in Jan and that was it for the year and 1 SSVR Y (black roof) so previous posts on Black roofs availability is confusing, unless this is now standard.
WRT power increases people seem to have discarded this. If you check out the Harrop site the stage one tune is basically a new cold air filter box and a ECU tune for 350kw, costs $1700 and includes a new engine cover. Harrop claim AVERAGE fuel consumption is reduced but would be at minor cost to midrange. Holden could certainly introduce this with minimal increase to production cost/process.
(I did see something about reduced mileage claim in GM application for EPA license to manufacture…).
I asked the sales person what happens with the options I order if they become standard for MY17, she said they will just be deleted from the contract. Cars can be ordered and colours changed before production code 32 is reached. Options can be changed up to a month prior to production.
Dealer distribution doc’s show all MY17 cars using MY16 names. There is no director etc but there is a reference to a “special edition” which they have no details on at all.
For me there was a 3k difference between the MY16 and MY17 SSVR, less when the MY16 was optioned with the blackout kit which I wanted. Any extra options reserved for the final year is a bonus, at the end of the day regardless of options we will be getting one of the best value for money drivers cars available today. Australian engineering is under-rated by Australians, the Zeta platform is under-rated by GM, it’s a shame except for those in the know, so I’m told. Rock on 19th Jan and Super Coach, when are you going to spill the beans now the cars are on the line? You were pretty quick to trade in the brand new SSVR on your MY17 MEJ.
