Holden Commodore VY

The VY came onto the market in September 2002 with both a new interior and exterior and became the Australians’ immediate favourite. The new VY line was equipped with a wide variety of features including mechanical and chassis refinements. Holden had always striven hard to incorporate various automobile technologies into its cars, but this time it also used physics. The VY line’s new shape reduced aerodynamic drag by 4.2%, thus reducing fuel consumption considerably at highway speeds. The interior of the VY got a new dashboard and steering wheel. The production of the VY line lasted until 2004.

Design features of the Commodore VY

Holden had always relished doing “Holden-only” things, so they continued to use some of these “unique” features in the Commodore VY line. The air conditioning option on its base model made Holden the only auto company not to provide this feature as standard. Other features provided in the Commodore VY line included automatic headlights in low light conditions, a passenger’s side airbag on both the sedan and the wagon, and a radio system. The newer features “24-hour Holden Assist”, “Park Assist”, and an audible proximity warning when backing up, were provided as optional.

The VY Commodore line was powered by a new SV8 engine, which featured elements of both the Supercharged Commodore S- 6cyl. and the Commodore SS-V8. This included the high-output Gen III V8 engine, which could produce power up to 235 kW. To assist this increased power and to balance the vehicle properly for high-speed driving, Holden introduced 18” wheels as standard on the VY SS class.

The VY Series II

Holden launched its VY Series II in 2003 to introduce further improvements in the VY line. A new high-output Gen III 5.7 L V8 engine was introduced in this series, which produced a peak power level of 245 kW at 5,600 rpm. Every model in the VY line featured fresh, individual interior trim treatment, cruise control, front power windows, and adjustable front seat lumbar support.

Limited editions of the VY line

In December 2002, Holden launched the Commodore Lumina, a limited edition with a total of 3,500 cars produced. . It was available in six colours: Heron (solid white), Delft (metallic cobalt blue), Shanghai (medium-toned solid red chromatic), Turbine (metallic deep gunmetal), Phantom (metallic black with silver highlights), and Quicksilver (metallic silver).

A limited edition run of Holden by Design (HBD) Commodore Luminas was launched in January 2003, with a total of 300 cars produced and three packages offered: the Sedan Package One, Sedan Package Two, and the Wagon Package.

The Commodore Equipe, another limited edition, was launched in May 2003 with 3,500 cars produced. The 25th Anniversary Commodore was launched in October 2003 as a limited edition to celebrate 25 years of the Holden Commodore, with only 4,700 cars produced and 6 colours offered: Heron White, Barbados, Redhot, Turbine, Phantom, and Quicksilver.

The Commodore SS Wagon was launched in May 2003, in a choice of two exterior colours- Red Hot and Phantom Black.

The Series II SS wagon was launched in May 2004, in a choice of two exterior colours- Phantom Black and Quicksilver.

The Berlina International Wagon was launched in December 2002,with 325 wagons produced. It was available with either the V6 or V8 engine, and in only one colour—Turbine.

 

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