Holden has released the first official pictures of the fully imported Commodore ahead of its Australian launch in early 2018. This of course, follows the cessation of local manufacturing by Holden at a date yet to be revealed late in 2017.
It’s a big, bold design and is visually way ahead of the previous generation Opel Insignia which was on sale briefly in Australia a couple of years back. The new model is virtually identical in size inside and out to the outgoing Aussie designed Commodore. The NG is slightly shorter overall, but sits on a longer wheelbase to provide added legroom, especially in the rear seats.
The NG (Next Generation) Commodore is being engineered in Germany and has a significant amount of Australian engineering input, road testing has been done in local conditions as well as at Holden’s Lang Lang proving ground in Victoria.
It will be offered with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and, interestingly, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel. Both these engines drive through the front wheels. A hot NG series model will have a V6 engine and feature the extra traction and handling ability of all-wheel-drive.
The NG Commodore will be sold as a five-door hatchback and station wagon. The lack of a sedan may hinder sales, but time will tell.
Infotainment will included Apple Car Play and Android Auto on an 8.0-inch configurable LCD instrument display, but Holden has asked us not to provide further details at this time.
Holden tells us the new Commodore has a full suite of safety systems but has asked us to hold off on the full details on this important area.
