Spy Shot: Holden VE Commodore
What you're looking at is the next Holden VE Commodore, a car that entices those within and outside the borders of Australia in which it will be sold. Austalians will be getting both this hot performance version, likely to be powered by a 6.0L V8, as well as more pedestrian iterations. GM North America, however, is supposedly taking the Zeta platform on which the Commodore is based and sprinkling it liberally across its core brands. The next Chevy Impala and Monte Carlo, as well as a pair of Buick and Pontiac sedans are likely to rediscover rear-wheel drive thanks to this car. Oh yeah, and that little Camaro project Lutz has got going on over there may end up on this platform as well.
[Source: Cheers and Gears via WindingRoad]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Philbert 9:35AM (6/09/2006)
Hard to tell from that shot but my first impression is that's a pretty boring looking design. Hopefully GM won't make the same mistake with this as they did with the GTO.
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Drewboy 9:38AM (6/09/2006)
Looks good to me! I'd like to see what they do with that platform in the North American market. Wow, I might actually find myself interested in a GM product!
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doug 9:42AM (6/09/2006)
Let's hope this car comes to Pontiac undiluted, I'll deal with a Pontiac grill, but I would hate to see a 3.5L 211hp version with 16" wheels and a horrible grey interior - G6 anyone? We need the 3.6L DOHC engine as base and the 6.0L 400hp as the GTP for $35,000 with all the goodies. And a 7.0L 505hp version wouldn't hurt.......
Looks hot though - way better than a Dodge Charger and the Ford .....oh wait, never mind
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chriseh 9:44AM (6/09/2006)
Yea ...this is pretty dull. Those designers at GM seem to have run out of ideas, and yea, that GTO was also dull. No wonder it didn't sell. There's more to car design than just stuffing a large HP engine under the hood, and that last GTO proved that.
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nzw8qr 9:44AM (6/09/2006)
I think it looks awesome. I'm sure they would really spice it up for an American version.
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Jason 9:49AM (6/09/2006)
You know, it's not absolutely required that every single vehicle with decent power be overstyled to high hell.
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Palm a granite 9:55AM (6/09/2006)
These pictures are better, this is a good looking little car.
http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8994&st=0
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RWD fan 10:07AM (6/09/2006)
WooHoo! Bring on the RWD!
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Ron 10:09AM (6/09/2006)
Yawn.
When is GM ever going to bring back more classic styling with some crisper lines not these rounded, dull and lifeless cars like the current Impala and GTO. They need to take a chance and build a 300C of sedans.
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Cameron 10:21AM (6/09/2006)
I'm not sure what to think of this one, but RWD is definitely a good thing.
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Paul 10:23AM (6/09/2006)
post number 5 FTW
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Jim 11:59AM (6/09/2006)
Nothing real special in my eyes
http://www.sbftech.com
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J 12:23PM (6/09/2006)
i like...
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amp 1:25PM (6/09/2006)
Good to see WindingRoad getting some love. I've subscribed to their excellent online mag for over a year now.
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Pinkerton 3:29PM (6/09/2006)
More pics, without the black tarps.
http://2kmc.mymonte.com/discussion/viewtopic.php?t=9352
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Pinkerton 3:29PM (6/09/2006)
More pics, without the black tarps.
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32314
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doglet 7:41PM (6/09/2006)
hopefully it will weigh less than 4000 lbs
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doglet 10:05PM (6/09/2006)
the front end looks almost japanese. the rear overhang is huge. probably necessary to keep traction on the rear wheels.
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Joe 12:44AM (6/10/2006)
Afterall it is almost just a Commodore (Commonwhore) facelift, and it has always been a car with boring stylings. So don't think that this is some fancy new car made for the USA.
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Phil 11:04AM (6/10/2006)
I like it. This car is designed for Aussie tastes, which are very different than what Americans go for. You can't really sell either out of its environment without significant changes, which is why the GTO didn't sell so well and why American cars have a history of flopping badly here (Taurus, Suburban, most Chryslers). Aussies prefer their cars understated on the outside, but tough as nails and with well sorted handling. Pretty similar to European tastes, except we still have a thing for big cars with big engines. I understand what a lot of you are saying about being bored by seeing the same old styling cues, but the alternative America usually serves up is both unique and butt-ugly. I'd rather have this.
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