The Holden Commodore (VR) is an
executive car
Executive car is a British term for a large car which is equivalent to the European E-segment and American full-size classifications. Executive cars are larger than compact executive cars (and the non-luxury equivalent mid-size cars), and small ...
which was produced by
Holden
Holden, formerly known as General Motors-Holden, was an Australian subsidiary company of General Motors. It was an Australian automobile manufacturer, importer, and exporter which sold cars under its own marque in Australia. In its last thre ...
from 1993 to 1995. It was the third iteration of the second generation of the
Holden Commodore
The Holden Commodore is a full-size car that was sold by Holden from 1978 to 2020. It was manufactured from 1978 to 2017 in Australia and from 1979 to 1990 in New Zealand, with production of the locally manufactured versions in Australia endin ...
. The VR range included the luxury variants, Holden Commodore Berlina (VR) and Holden Calais (VR) and a commercial model, the Holden Ute (VR).
Overview
Launched in July 1993 and sold until April 1995, the VR series came with an updated, sleeker and more modern design, as well as safety enhancements such as
anti-lock brakes
An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a automobile safety, safety anti-Skid (automobile), skid Brake, braking system used on aircraft and on land motor vehicle, vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. ABS operates by preventing t ...
(ABS). It launched shortly before the
Ford ED Falcon
The Ford Falcon (ED) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1993 to 1994. It was the third iteration of the fifth generation of the Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (ED)—the luxury-oriented version.
Introductio ...
. From the side, the biggest change was the revised daylight opening around the C-pillar and the use of a round rear wheelarch, instead of a squared-off shape used on the previous VN and VP model Commodores. A Series II model launched in September 1994. The VR Acclaim and Calais included a driver's side Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
airbag as standard, which was a first for an Australian car. They also had standard ABS brakes and
independent rear suspension (IRS). The airbag, ABS brakes and IRS were also available across the range for both
automatic transmission
An automatic transmission (sometimes abbreviated to auto or AT) is a multi-speed transmission used in internal combustion engine-based motor vehicles that does not require any input from the driver to change forward gears under normal driving c ...
and
manual transmission
A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed motor vehicle transmission (mechanics), transmission ...
models. The rear-end treatment saw raised tail lamps, which were recessed high up on the
boot lid for safety reasons. A new electronic version of the ''
Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4'' (TH700) automatic transmission was introduced, known as the ''
GM 4L60-E''. The VR Commodore was
''Wheels'' Car of the Year for 1993.
Models
Commodore Executive
Commodore Executive opened up the VR lineup, although it was primarily projected at
fleet
Fleet may refer to:
Vehicles
*Fishing fleet
*Naval fleet
*Fleet vehicles, a pool of motor vehicles
*Fleet Aircraft, the aircraft manufacturing company
Places
Canada
* Fleet, Alberta, Canada, a hamlet
England
* The Fleet Lagoon, at Chesil Beach ...
customers.
Power steering, electric side mirrors and four-wheel disc brakes were standard, with
automatic transmission
An automatic transmission (sometimes abbreviated to auto or AT) is a multi-speed transmission used in internal combustion engine-based motor vehicles that does not require any input from the driver to change forward gears under normal driving c ...
optional.
Only one limited edition model was offered in the VR range:
* Commodore Equipe: introduced in 1995, a Series II model in either sedan or wagon bodies was based on the Executive.
Commodore Acclaim
With the introduction of the VR Commodore, Holden added the Acclaim model to the Commodore range. Sitting one notch above the Executive, the Acclaim was based on an automatic transmission Executive with a safety pack that was aimed at families and featured ABS brakes, IRS, driver's side airbag and
cruise control
Cruise control (also known as speed control, cruise command, autocruise, or tempomat) is a system that automatically controls the speed of a motor vehicle. The system is a servomechanism that takes over the throttle of the car to maintain a s ...
as standard.
Although the Acclaim came standard with automatic transmission, a buyer could, by taking an Executive with manual transmission, and adding the ABS brakes, IRS, and airbag options, have a Commodore that was almost a manual transmission Acclaim. Only cruise control was not available as an option.
Commodore S
The Commodore S was a sports option based on the Executive, retaining its 3.8-litre engine.
Commodore SS
SS models were similar to the S, except that they were fitted with Holden's 5.0-litre ''
HEC 5000i'' V8. A unique-to-SS alloy wheel design was also featured.
A engine was offered as an option.
Berlina
The Berlina
[The Berlina is referred to as the "Holden Commodore Berlina" in the sales brochure "The New Holden Commodore. Executive, Acclaim, Berlina, S and SS.", AD10508, General Motors- Holden's Automotive Limited, August 1993] was the first of the luxury-oriented variants. Alloy wheels, electric windows and automatic transmission were standard fitment. Sedan and wagon variants were offered.
[
]
Calais
The Calais topped the VR lineup with an automatic transmission, driver's airbag, IRS, and ABS as standard, as well as features, such as climate control and velour
Velour, occasionally velours, is a plush, knitted fabric or textile similar to velvet or velveteen. It is usually made from cotton, but can also be made from synthetic materials such as polyester. Often, it contains a percentage of elastane, ...
trim or optional leather, to differentiate it from the lesser Commodore models.
File:1994-1995 Holden VR II Commodore Executive station wagon 05.jpg , Commodore Executive wagon (Series II)
File:1995 Holden VR II Commodore Equipe sedan 03.jpg , Commodore Equipe sedan (Series II, limited edition)
File:Holden Commodore SS (1993-1994 VR series) 01.jpg , Commodore SS
File:1994 Holden Berlina (VR) sedan (2008-10-09).jpg, Holden Commodore Berlina sedan (VR)
File:Holden Calais (1993-1994 VR series) 02.jpg , Holden Calais
Holden Ute
A coupe utility variant of the VR Commodore was offered in Holden Ute and the Holden 'S’ Ute models.[ Unlike the Ute which carried no external model badging, the 'S’ Ute was fitted with "Commodore" badges.][
File:1995 Holden Commodore (VR II) S utility (2011-11-08).jpg , Holden Ute S (Series II)
File:1993-1994 Holden VR Commodore S utility 02.jpg , Holden Ute S
]
Holden Statesman and Caprice (VR)
Holden also produced longer wheelbase variants of the Commodore VR as the Holden Statesman (VR) and the Holden Caprice (VR).
HSV range
Holden's performance vehicle partner Holden Special Vehicles
Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) was the officially designated performance vehicle division for Holden. Established in 1987 and based in Clayton, Victoria, the privately owned company modified Holden models such as the standard wheelbase Commodore, ...
produced the following range of Holden VR based models, which were each marketed under the HSV brand.
Clubsport
The VR series Clubsport, which was based on the Holden Commodore (VR), was released in August 1993.[Review:HSV VR ClubSport (1193-95), australiancar.reviews]
Retrieved 24 May 2016 It was powered by a 185 kW 5.0-litre V8 engine.[ 1,117 sedans and 77 wagons were produced.][
File:1993-1995 HSV Clubsport (VR) sedan 01.jpg , HSV Clubsport sedan
File:1993-1995 HSV Clubsport (VR) sedan 02.jpg , HSV Clubsport sedan
]
GTS
The GTS came with a six-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic. Its V8 engine produced and . 277 were produced.
Maloo
The VR series Maloo utility
As a topic of economics, utility is used to model worth or value. Its usage has evolved significantly over time. The term was introduced initially as a measure of pleasure or happiness as part of the theory of utilitarianism by moral philosopher ...
was introduced in August 1993 with new front sheetmetal and a reworked interior appearance. The 5.0-litre V8 engine was upgraded slightly to . 156 examples were produced.
Senator
In 1993, the significantly redesigned VR Senator was released. The rear seating was from the Holden Statesman. Along with the rest of the HSV range, the Senator bodykit was penned by designer Ian Callum
Ian Stuart Callum (born 30 July 1954) is a Scottish car designer who has worked for Ford, TWR, and Aston Martin. In 1999 he became the Director of Design for Jaguar Cars, later Jaguar Land Rover, a position he held until mid 2019.
In 201 ...
to produce a sleeker, more aggressive stance along with a version of the 5.0-litre V8. A new suspension setup was developed, known as the touring package which aimed to provide capable handling and a smooth ride. Additionally from May 1994 onwards, the Senator could be optioned with HSV's new 5.7-litre "stroker" V8 known as the "215i". The $10,000 "stroker" engine option was handbuilt as an upgrade over the standard V8. This engine could be coupled to either the four-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission
A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed motor vehicle transmission (mechanics), transmission ...
. 0–100 km/h (0-60 mph) takes 7.8 sec for the 185i and takes 7.3 sec for the 215i. Total number built for both versions was 855.
Toyota Lexcen (T3)
The United Australian Automobile Industries
United Australian Automobile Industries (UAAI) was an automobile model sharing firm that operated in Australia between 1987 and 1996 as the result of an agreement between Holden (the Australian subsidiary of General Motors) and Toyota Australia ...
(UAAI) joint venture agreement with Toyota Australia
Toyota Australia is an Australian subsidiary of the Japanese car manufacturer Toyota. It markets Toyota products and manages motorsport, advertising and business operations for Toyota in Australia. It is also responsible for Lexus vehicles in A ...
first starting with the VN Commodore continued with the VP and VR. The VR Lexcen equivalent was known as the T3 series, and was introduced at or about the same time as the other VR models; featuring subtle styling differences, particularly, the front panels. While the VR badged as a Holden was either first or second in the monthly Australian automotive sales, the Toyota Lexcen sold substantially fewer, as there was an interpretation of the Toyota Lexcen as Japan returning to its copycat roots. This was due to Toyota specifying styling that was in common with the then new "wide body" Camry, while retaining the original Commodore bodywork and interiors. Lexcen sales were still quite low, also another factor in this is Holden restricted Toyota in the number of Lexcens it was to provide to them. The number of technical service bulletins, recalls and customer service exercises on Holden-supplied Lexcens exceeds typical Toyota exercises on Toyota built vehicles in the era by more than five to one.
References
External links
Holden Commodore, Calais and Ute Colour Chart (VR), www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au
{{Holden timeline
Cars of Australia
VR
Full-size vehicles
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
Coupé utilities
Sedans
Station wagons
Cars introduced in 1993