<![CDATA[Jalopnik: Commodore]]> http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: Commodore]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/commodore http://jalopnik.com/tag/commodore <![CDATA[Car split in two in fatal high-speed crash]]> We don't often post images of crashes where someone died, but there's a lesson in this tragic crash that claimed two young Australian men earlier today about fast cars, young people and alcohol. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5869671&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[This is one insane supercharged Aussie super truck]]> Walkinshaw is perhaps best known for making Aussie super cars we can't get here. Their latest Series II SuperUte is the most enticing and most ridiculous of all. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5819010&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Hudson up high]]> Sitting on the edge of a Canadian junkyard if this old Hudson isn't enough to scare away potential trespassers, we aren't sure what is. We're going to guess where you see this old Commodore is likely where it will remain until it eventually meets the crusher. For now, the weathered old car sits above the junkyard probably undisturbed for most part, occasionally bothered by a parts seeking Hudson owner. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5811083&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Enter The El Camarino!]]> Australia has kept the flame of truck-cars burning bright well after it was snuffed out here. Now lucky Austrailans can graft a Camaro front end onto a Holden Commodore VE ute. God bless global platforms. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5696437&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[REPORT: Pontiac G8 To Return As RWD Chevy Sedan, Ute]]> The Australians are convinced Holden's sending the Zeta RWD platform, which formerly underpinned the Pontiac G8, back to the U.S. as a Chevy sedan. If this is true, we're thinking an El Camino-badged Ute is a no brainer. [Drive] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5696147&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Walksinshaw Series II Supercar: One Mad Maximum Commodore]]> Austrailia's Walksinshaw Performance continues to tease use with super Holden Commodores, this time debuting the 617-hp ultimate Series II Supercar. She's a brick house. She's letting it all hang out. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5668687&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Holden Redline And Maloo R8 LE: More Thunder From Down Under]]> Australia continues to punish us for the poor box office performance of Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles by debuting the new Redline hi-po Commodore trim and a wild-looking SV R8 Maloo Limited Edition ute. Crikey. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5638955&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Aussie Cops Crush Hoon's Holden, Paul Hogan Sheds Single Tear]]> Remember that Holden Commodore confiscated under Australia's anti-hoon laws? Watch the Victoria police put it in the crusher, turn it into a metal pancake, and record the destruction for posterity. If you can. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5600615&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[You're Doing It Right, Mate]]> There's a magical place where they race RWD, V8-powered sedans built by American-owned companies that actually resemble the cars they're based on. It's called Australia and we wish we were there right now. Photo Credit: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5587026&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Walkinshaw Performance Offers 644-hp Upgrade For Holden Commodore HSV, Pontiac Still Dead]]> Walkinshaw Performance now offers a supercharger kit for the Holden Commodore HSV. The package costs $44,975, but it gives the HSV 644 hp and 592 lb-ft of torque. Because, you know, Pontiac geeks needed another reason to be angry. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5476045&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Limited-Edition Aussie Pontiac G8 Is No Longer Limited]]> Last fall, a badgeless version of the Pontiac G8 sedan, complete with twin-port grille, was released for limited sale in Australia. The Aussies liked it so much that it's now an ordinary production model. Vegemite excitement, anyone? More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5447114&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Holden Commodore Gets Airborne, Lands On Sydney House]]> We're not exactly shocked to read that "police say they suspect speed and alcohol were contributing factors in the crash" with this bit of what appears to be staggeringly stupid hoonery. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5384161&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[GM Still To Re-Badge Holden Commodore As U.S. Cop Car]]> GM CEO Fritz Henderson says the General's still looking to win a contract to supply re-badged Holden Commodores (formerly re-badged as the Pontiac G8 and once rumored to be re-badged as the Chevy Caprice) to US law enforcement agencies. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5361574&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[REPORT: The Pontiac G8 El Camino, GXP Live... As Holdens!]]> Holden's readying a limited edition version of its Commodore SSV with Pontiac's twin-nostril grille and hood scoops. According to Australian sources, the special edition will be called the Commodore G8 SSV and be available as a sedan, ute and wagon! More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5340711&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Conversion Kit Turns Pontiac G8 Back Into Holden Commodore]]> Like the idea of an affordable, rear-wheel-drive, mid-size performance sedan, but concerned the Pontiac G8 is a little too...Pontiac for your tastes? JHP Vehicle Enhancements has the solution for you. The company is selling a kit to convert the US-market Pontiac G8 back into the Holden Commodore upon which it's based, thus freeing it from the image problems (mullet) associated with the Pontiac brand. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5078515&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[HSV Senator Signature SV08 Has The Floor]]> Unveiled alongside the 40th Anniversary GTS, the HSV Senator Signature SV08 is a limited edition of the more luxury-oriented version of the Holden Commodore. It's a bit more exclusive, with just 20 equipped with a manual transmission and 30 automatics. It's also a bit more expensive, with a price tag equivalent to just over $57,000 in Ameros. For that, you get additional chrome accenting on the side mirrors and door handles, and 20" rims standard. More importantly, you still get the same 412 HP 6.0-liter LS2 V8 as the normal HSV Senator. Too bad we can't get something like this in America badged as a Buick Park Avenue. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5061137&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[HSV 40th Anniversary GTS Unveiled in Sydney]]> First used in 1968 on the HK Monaro, the GTS badge now celebrates its 40th anniversary with 100 units of this special edition HSV GTS. Though the name GTS stands for "Gran Turismo Sportivo," the 40th Anniversary edition is merely an appearance package available only in red or white, with black stripes and plenty of '40 years of GTS' logos all over the car. Of course, with about 425 HP ready to be sent to the rear wheels, and Magnetic Ride Control to keep you planted, the GTS is nothing to scoff at. It's certainly better than the standard Holden Commodore on which it's based, or the Pontiac G8 GT. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5061105&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Top Gear Australia's Ratings Slump Despite Holden Vs. Ford Shootout]]> If we lived down under, we would have tuned in to SBS on Monday at 7:30 to watch the Top Gear Australia shootout between the iconic Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon...but we don't. Watch the clip and judge for yourself, but we think that even though it may not be quite as polished as the UK original, this segment wasn't all that bad. So why did the ratings for this second episode drop off significantly from the series premiere's, even though they were actually expected to go up? More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5060014&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Power For Towing Or Just Plain Easy Going: Holden Wagons!]]> Only Australians would make an early-80s station wagon advertisement that showed family-haulin' wagons getting sideways and backwards in hoonage sessions culminating in crazy jumps. We see the six- and eight-cylinder-equipped Holden Commodore and the (Cavalier-based) Holden Camira being put through some highly entertaining paces. Our only problem with this ad is the lack of wagons doing jumps with trailers attached. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=392625&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[What's Your Favorite Australian Car?]]> With the Melbourne International Motor Show in full swing we thought we'd focus on all the things that make us love the cars from down under. On the new side, it's hard not to love the Z06-powered HSV Super Sedan or the new FPV Ford Falcon (a car so hot the Mark Fields personally asked for his own to be delivered to North America). And what about those utes? The HSV Maloo or FPV Falcon Ute? Why not both? And those are just new cars. If the classic cars weren't great people wouldn't be stealing them constantly. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=362362&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[We Ask GM's Rick Wagoner About a New El Camino...Back-Asswardly]]> As we hinted at yesterday — we had the opportunity to sit down (with a group of other auto journos — but it totally felt like it was just the two of us in that room. Or maybe it's just because I could care less about the fuel economy and economic issues surrounding the General, the direction most of the auto hacks were beating their chests to) and talk with GM's big chief exec, Rick Wagoner, yesterday before his keynote address at CES. So what did we talk about? How about future Zeta products hitting US shores — like the reports we've heard of GM greenlighting an El Camino ute and a wagon for Pontiac under the G8 nameplate. Namely we were wondering about the rumors we've heard that if Pontiac builds both the wagon and the ute, the wagon will only come with a V6 engine while the ute would come in both V6 and V8 flavors. Our back-and-forth with His Slickness after the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=342658&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Hello KITT: Aussie Cops Testing Super Police Cruiser]]> Here is where Shakespeare's timeless question gets stretched to it's limit; Does a rose by any other name smell just as sweet? Or adapted: Does KITT, recreated in part by Aussie coppers, bust just as many bad guys? The cool swooshy light show will be roofside instead of in the nose, but it does a lot of the stuff that got our collective 12 year old engines revved. How about starting with the solid base of a Holden Commodore VE, add realtime cameras that stream video back to base, voice recognition, automatic plate recognition, and get this - the ability to fire a GPS enabled tracking dart into a cars' backside. Now doubt hoons everywhere will respond with rotating number plates, hardened trunk lids impervious to darts, and lasers. Also, turbo boost. What? You mean life doesn't imitate art? [couriermail.com.au] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=339433&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Finns Want To Know Your Favorite Color For A New El Camino]]> The friendly Finns at the site all about the Fans of Cars around the World have found themselves an online configuration tool for the new Holden HSV Maloo R8 Ute and they're asking a very important question. Namely — what color would we choose for our very own down-under El Camino re-make. Seriously — they want to know what we think — so give it to 'em boys! [World Car Fans] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=327874&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Edmunds Inside Line Takes The 2007 Holden VE "Utility" Out For A First Drive, We Stew In Anger]]> Why does the Line on the Inside at Edmunds get all the fun with a first drive of the new Holden VE Ute? Doesn't the General know that we've got an entire section devoted to the El Camino? Jeez — we mean, come on, they call it a "Utility" fercrissakes. Don't they know no real fan of the truck-car ever searches for an El Cam, even of the Holden variety, by searching for the word "Utility." SEO, our Ranchero-loving butts. [Edmunds Inside Line] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=327264&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[There Is A God! Automotive News Reports Pontiac To Get G8 Ute, Wagon]]> It would seem that although GM product czar "Maximum" Bob Lutz may be the #2 man at GM and the #1 man in our hearts, it appears he may have lost the battle for making a new GM ute a GMC. While we're disappointed we won't be able to continue hearing his excited desire for a "Caballero," we're excited about news this morning from Automotive News that is quite possibly the most important piece of news we'll see on these pages this year. Here's the scoop — as we've already reported — we won't be getting a new Chevy El Camino. However, we will be getting a ute stateside based on the Holden and it'll be branded with the badge all about driving excitement. That's right kids, it'll be a Pontiac — but not just any Pontiac. It'll be a Pontiac G8. But wait, there's more. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=324251&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Welcome To The Club, Aussies Beaten By Toyota]]> Toyota single-handidly bested the combined efforts of Australia-based Holden and Ford in new car sales in October, a first for the Japanese automaker (though we're guessing not a last). Toyota has been the market leader in Australia for the last four years, but the 20,212 vehicles it sold in October just eclipsed the 19,621 vehicles sold by Holden and Ford combined. Even worse for the homeboys, Holden and Ford were part of only 7 out of 42 brands that didn't post sales increases in October. Toyota execs continued to be annoyingly polite, suggesting that their competitors would bounce back when they updated their lineups later that year. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=318852&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Middle East Gets Special V8 Chevy to Go With All The Oil]]> Because wealthy Middle Eastern families can pretty much get any car they want, Holden is going to officially export their super performance Commodore, the Special Vehicles E Series ClubSport R8, to the land of oil. Powered by a 412HP, 6.0 Liter V8, this sedan is built to tear up sandy roads. The car will not carry the Holden brand, but rather be marketed as a Chevrolet Special Vehicle CR8. It makes sense for Holden to continue to expand in this market as 31,000 of 46,000 vehicles the company exported in 2006 ended up in the Middle East. The launch is also timed to correspond with the Desert 400 V8 Supercar race in Bahrain this weekend, which includes a Chevy-branded Holden. [AAP/The Age] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=318170&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Aussies Want To Send Holden Sportwagon to the States]]> It looks like GM's Holden brand is pushing to have its new VE Commodore Sportwagon shipped off to its cousins on the other side of the world. Built on the same rear-drive platform that underpins the Holden Commodore sedan — and soon-to-be Pontiac G8 — the Sportwagon actually has less cargo space than its predecessor, the VZ Commodore wagon. That, Holden execs say, will likely reduce its competitiveness among local fleet buyers. Thus, they're pitching GM on the car's export potential, saying Holden could make up for the loss in business sales by exporting something like 10,000 units. Imagine the Sportwagon wearing a Pontiac badge, they hint, and it could capture a segment of disaffected SUV buyers. Grand Safari, anyone? [GoAuto] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=314913&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Holden VE Commodore Wagon Revealed (Again) Ahead of Show]]> A new image of Holden's Commodore VE station wagon has emerged from the digi-ether, ahead of the new car's debut at the Australian International Motor Show next week. It's the second shot of the new, Zeta-platformed wagon we've seen; the first was a cameraphone snap taken during a product presentation. This media-ready image shows what's likely a concept version of what Aussies can expect when they head to the forecourt next year, while they're shopping for something that can carry a case of wallaby and still have room for a few bags of lollies. The production model won't likely have those 20-inch wheels, though it will likely come in high-performance SS-V trim. That is, powered by a LS2 V8 producing 362 horsepower, with an optional six-speed manual. (Thanks to Roger for the tip.) [Drive] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=307459&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Holden Wagon Revealed?]]> This week, a provocative pic hit the webs, straight from upside-down land. It's a Holden VE Commodore in wagon form — part of a product presentation of undetermined origin. According to Australia's Drive.au, the wagon will launch next year, giving Holden a virtual lock on the midsize station wagon market in that country. This bodes well for a US version, though we're not convinced US carmakers are as ready to bring back the wagon en masse as we are. They're likely more concerned with market research figures and demographics than pure radness. That's a shame.[Drive.au via GM Inside News] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=294754&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Yes, even the Aussies can play at the Woodward...]]> Yes, even the Aussies can play at the Woodward Dream Cruise — like these hoons in a Holden. At least we think they're hoons. I mean, they are in a Holden. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=290975&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Vauxhall VXR8 Nears UK Launch]]> The Vauxhall version of Holden's VE HSV Clubsport R8 is so close as to be generating its own gravitational field around the UK (hold on to your cider). It's yet another Australian-born teaser for the Pontiac G8, which will appear in the states sometime during the 385th season of "According to Jim." If we can survive another millennium (or so it will seem) of the unfunny Belushi brother, we'll may get a taste of what the VXR8 already has in its toybox. Of course, the most potent of Vauxhalls will get GM's LS2 producing 411 hp, while the G8 will likely get a 6.0-liter L76 producing 362 hp. If only we had a queen... More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=287168&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Holden To Announce LS7-Powered HSV Commodore?]]> Our mates over at Wheels magazine have some news for the followers of power-upgrades in Aussie muscle cars. The Australian buff book claims the Special Vehicles unit of Holden is bringing a 7.0-liter LS7-powered supercar to Sydney's Australian International Motor Show in October. There's no word yet on a name, but Wheels posits that HSV
"...could dust off the unused 427 moniker, or maybe the GTS-R badges from the 2004 concept race car. Our bet is for a combination of the two and the car to wear GTS-R 427 badging..."
All we're betting is if this news is true it greatly heightens the possibilities for dropping that 500 HP-plus LS7 engine into the 2009 Chevy Camaro, the Commodore's Zeta-platformed cousin. And don't even get us speculatin' on an LS7-powered Camino SS for 2011. – Ray Wert More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=272267&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Spy Photos: Chevrolet Camaro Mule?]]> Ok, we've no idea how to call this one, but there's some discussion going on over at GMInsideNews as well as Automochatter about whether or not that picture you see above is a powertrain mule for the new Chevy Camaro. The photo shows what looks to be a Holden Commodore with some bolted on fender flares that's lost a couple of inches from the wheelbase. And since, as one commenter on Automochatter claims: More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=254165&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Spy Photos: Holden VE Commodore Ute]]> The gossiping nellies of the car world (i.e., ours truly) have already speculated on a new ute (i.e., El Camino) based on the Holden VE Commodore (i.e., Pontiac G8) coming to the US on the back of GM's spate of rear-drive models. Oh right. Said spate, chairman Lutz said last week, has been kiboshed by pending higher fleet-mileage standards by the EPA. That means we're probably not getting the VE-based ute — above, wearing the gingham tablecloth — caught by a spy shooter down under. Hold out hope for that Ford Ranchero. – Mike Spinelli More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=253200&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Seoul Motor Show: The GM Daewoo L4X]]> The amortizing of GM's Holden-built rear-drive Zeta platform continues on the Korean Peninsula. It's a rear-drive show car dubbed the L4X, intro'd at the Seoul auto show this week, amid well-dressed salarymen and the prom queens who sweat them. The pre-production model, whose design is based on several Holden models like the Caprice and Statesman, will become the latest GM-Daewoo flagship when the series model arrives in late 2008. It's powered by Holden's 3.6-liter Alloytec V6 (258 hp) hooked to a five-speed automatic transmission. – Mike Spinelli More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=250401&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Holden Commodore SS-V With Manufacturer Plates Spotted In Birmingham!]]> Our friends at How Bourgeois have the scoop for us of what would appear to be a Holden Commodore SS-V with manny plates sitting kiddie corner to the rear-end of the swank Townsend Hotel. That seems to beg the question — what's this bit of Aussie metal with super hoonage potential doing in the middle of downtown Birmingham? Suggested answers to said question involve either the Birmingham-based editor of a certain publication with the name of an always Winding Road doing some road reviews — or maybe it's the easiest and cheapest way to get some cool-weather testing done of the Pontiac G8. Anyone else have any better ideas? – Ray Wert More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=248910&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Say It's So, Mate: Holden Ute Coming Stateside?]]> Our boy Yozzie, the down-under version of Paul Drake, uncovered this tidbit related to the new Holden Commodore Ute (that's the one with the pickup bed). Sources of CarPoint say "substantial" export orders from "the Americas" have led company execs to push up the launch date of the new Commodore Ute to this Spring, instead of the Fall. What's more, the new ute will be built with left-hand drive. Could that mean Chevrolet is planning to revive the El Camino badge? GM is already raiding Holden's work product for the Pontiac G8 and the rear-drive underpinnings of the upcoming Camaro; how hard would it be to send over the next Holden ute on the same boat? We're not holdin' (hiho!) our breaths around here, considering the likely target is Brazil. Still, a renewed sense of truckcarishness would vindicate Jalop to the max. Hold out hope. – Mike Spinelli More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=234286&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Hoons Caned in Australia!]]> Okay, not literally/Singaporean-style caning, but since anti-hoon legislation went into effect last July in Victoria, over 900 vehicular loop-de-loops have lost their vehicles temporarily due to the intervention of authorities. Interestingly enough, our source article points out that many of the vehicles seized were Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons. General, FoMoCo, if you ever needed a reason to bring those vehicles (and their ute derivatives here), we believe we've found it. We're scared of the Holden's intended Pontiac nosejob, though. Quite scared. – Davey G. Johnson More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=230498&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Major News, Hello Is This On? Holden Commodore to Be Pontiac G8]]> As Australian press reports, Pontiac will import 50,000 Holden Commodore SS models to the US, to be rebadged as the new Pontiac G8 — a rear-drive muscle sedan not under the leadership of Val ry Giscard dEstaing (and likely lacking quasi-violent protestations). The new, Zeta-platform model is set for a debut in Chicago next month, though GM's Chairman of Vice, Bob "Ozzfest" Lutz — on announcing the plan yesterday at the Detroit show — wouldn't say when the first models would hit market. New mojo for Pontiac or GTO redux? Hmm. [Thanks to Peter for the tip.] – Mike Spinelli More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=227283&view=rss&microfeed=true