Holden VP Commodore
Encyclopedia
The Holden VP Commodore is an automobile which was produced by Australian automaker
Holden
from 1991 to 1993. It is the seventh generation Holden Commodore
.
The VP Commodore was released in September 1991 with mainly cosmetic and feature changes to the outgoing VN Series Commodore
. The 3.8 litre V6
and 5.0 litre V8 engine
s from the VN were carried over, but the V6 engine received various revisions that improved its refinement and noise characteristics as well as boosting power by two kilowatts
. The 2.0 litre straight-4
engine which had been offered on the VN in certain export markets was discontinued. Semi-trailing arm IRS became standard on Calais and Commodore SS models and became an optional extra on lower-end models. This new suspension drastically improving ride and handling over that offered by the live rear axle
. ABS brakes
were also introduced in the VP range as an option on Series 1 Calais and Commodore SS models, and on most models with IRS for Series II versions. Additional security features were introduced across the range, including an ignition-disabling device and a driver's door deadlock.
The VP was also sold in Thailand, but used an Opel
2.6-litre inline-six Dual Ram engine.
motor racing category which required a small minimum run of cars to be built. The SS V6 competed against the Ford EB2 Falcon SS in that category.
Although the pack varied in each state, they were commonly fitted with:
variant of the VP Commodore was also produced. It was marketed as the Holden Ute
and was not badged as a Commodore.
Automaker
The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the world's most important economic sectors by revenue....
Holden
Holden
GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors in 1931...
from 1991 to 1993. It is the seventh generation Holden Commodore
Holden Commodore
The Holden Commodore is an automobile manufactured since 1978 by the Holden subsidiary of General Motors in Australia, and, formerly, in New Zealand. In the mid-1970s, Holden established proposals to replace the long-serving Kingswood nameplate with a smaller, Opel-based model...
.
The VP Commodore was released in September 1991 with mainly cosmetic and feature changes to the outgoing VN Series Commodore
Holden VN Commodore
The Holden VN Commodore was the sixth model of the Holden Commodore, a full-size car produced by the Australian automotive marque, Holden. It is essentially made out of an Opel donor body mated to either a Buick V6 or Holden V8, depending on the model, with slight tweaks to the front and rear ends...
. The 3.8 litre V6
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
and 5.0 litre V8 engine
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
s from the VN were carried over, but the V6 engine received various revisions that improved its refinement and noise characteristics as well as boosting power by two kilowatts
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
. The 2.0 litre straight-4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
engine which had been offered on the VN in certain export markets was discontinued. Semi-trailing arm IRS became standard on Calais and Commodore SS models and became an optional extra on lower-end models. This new suspension drastically improving ride and handling over that offered by the live rear axle
Live axle
A live axle, sometimes called a solid axle, is a type of beam axle suspension system that uses the driveshafts that transmit power to the wheels to connect the wheels laterally so that they move together as a unit....
. ABS brakes
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
were also introduced in the VP range as an option on Series 1 Calais and Commodore SS models, and on most models with IRS for Series II versions. Additional security features were introduced across the range, including an ignition-disabling device and a driver's door deadlock.
The VP was also sold in Thailand, but used an Opel
Opel
Adam Opel AG, generally shortened to Opel, is a German automobile company founded by Adam Opel in 1862. Opel has been building automobiles since 1899, and became an Aktiengesellschaft in 1929...
2.6-litre inline-six Dual Ram engine.
Commodore S
The Commodore S was the cheapest sports variant of the VP Commodore range. It was essentially similar to the Executive, but with sports trim similar to the SS model.Commodore SS
The Commodore SS was the top of the line sports model of the VP Commodore range.Commodore Berlina
The Commodore Berlina was the cheapest luxury variant of the VP Commodore range.Commodore Berlina LX
The Commodore Berlina LX was the semi-luxury version of the VP Commodore range. This model was essentially a stepping stone between the Berlina and Calais.Calais
The Calais was the luxury version of the VP Commodore range. It was however not badged or marketed as a Commodore.Commodore SS V6
The SS V6 was limited production model which had all the features of the regular Commodore SS but utilized the V6 engine in place of the v8. Its was produced to homologate a suitable model for the Group 3E Series Production CarsGroup 3E Series Production Cars
Group 3E Series Production Cars is an Australian motor racing formula for production based cars competing with limited modifications. Group 3E cars currently contest the Australian Manufacturers' Championship and Australian Production Car Championship titles and the annual Bathurst 12 Hour...
motor racing category which required a small minimum run of cars to be built. The SS V6 competed against the Ford EB2 Falcon SS in that category.
Commodore BT1
The Commodore BT1, or the Police Pack was a special pack for the VP Commodore that was available to the Australian and New Zealand Police Forces. It was based on the Commodore Executive and added various specification upgrades to cater to the needs of the Police Force. Many believe that BT1 Commodores had a "cop chip" which increased the engine power output, however this is a myth, as the engine power is the same as in regular VP Commodores.Although the pack varied in each state, they were commonly fitted with:
- FE2 sports suspension
- Oil sump protector
- always-on top lighted speedo (inside the cluster in front of the speedo for "headlights off" speed checks when following speedsters) with 2 km increments (as per Berlina/Calais)
- dome light and map light interior lighting
- 15" X 7" Steel wheels known as "chaser" or "pursuit" rim)
- Transmission Cooler
- LPG
- country pack suspension
- vinyl floor mats
- limited slip differential
Commodore Vacationer
The Commodore Vacationer was a limited edition model based on the Commodore Executive. The VP Commodore Vacationer was released in October 1992.Calais International
The Calais International was a limited edition model based on the VP Calais and released in September 1992. A total of 300 were built, 150 in Alaskan White and the same number in Anthracite Grey. All were equipped with the V8 engine and automatic transmission and the exterior featured Commodore SS lower kit (with fog lights) and a Holden VQ Caprice bootlip as well as unique International badges. The paint was single colour, unlike the standard Calais which had a grey lower half. Standard wheels were the 15in alloys from the VQ Statesman and the interior was black over tan, with tan partial leather/suede seats.Holden VP Ute
A coupe utilityCoupé utility
The coupé utility automobile body style, also known colloquially as the ute in Australia and New Zealand, combines a two-door "coupé" cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty passenger vehicle-derived platform....
variant of the VP Commodore was also produced. It was marketed as the Holden Ute
Holden Ute
The Holden Ute is a coupe utility built by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors, since 2000. Before then, Holden had marketed their Commodore-based utility models under the Holden Utility and Holden Commodore utility names, although the term “Holden Ute” was also used in their...
and was not badged as a Commodore.