The Holden Commodore (VP) is a
full-size car
Full-size car—also known as large car—is a vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than mid-size cars, it is the largest size class for cars. In Europe, it is known as E-segment or F-segment.
Af ...
that 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 1991 to 1993. It was the second iteration of the second generation of the
Commodore
Commodore may refer to:
Ranks
* Commodore (rank), a naval rank
** Commodore (Royal Navy), in the United Kingdom
** Commodore (United States)
** Commodore (Canada)
** Commodore (Finland)
** Commodore (Germany) or ''Kommodore''
* Air commodore ...
. Its range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VP) and Holden Calais (VP).
Overview
![Holden Commodore Executive (1993 VP II series) 03](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Holden_Commodore_Executive_%281993_VP_II_series%29_03.jpg)
The VP series was released in September 1991 with mainly cosmetic and feature changes to the outgoing
VN Series Commodore. It launched shortly after the
Ford EB Falcon. The 3.8 litre
V6 and 5.0 litre
V8 engine
A V8 engine is an eight-cylinder piston engine in which two banks of four cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration.
The first V8 engine was produced by the French Antoinette company in 1904, developed and us ...
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 watt (symbol: W) is the unit of power or radiant flux in the International System of Units (SI), equal to 1 joule per second or 1 kg⋅m2⋅s−3. It is used to quantify the rate of energy transfer. The watt is named after James Wa ...
. The 2.0 litre
straight-4
A straight-four engine (also called an inline-four) is a four-cylinder piston engine where cylinders are arranged in a line along a common crankshaft.
The vast majority of automotive four-cylinder engines use a straight-four layout (with the ...
engine which had been offered on the VN in certain export markets was discontinued.
Semi-trailing arm
A (semi) trailing-arm suspension, sometimes referred to as (semi) trailing-link is a vehicle axle or wheel suspension design in which one or more horizontal arms (or "links"), perpendicular to and forward of the axle, are connecting the axle or w ...
IRS
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the revenue service for the United States federal government, which is responsible for collecting U.S. federal taxes and administering the Internal Revenue Code, the main body of the federal statutory tax ...
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
An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a safety anti-skid braking system used on aircraft and on land vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. ABS operates by preventing the wheels from locking up during braking, thereby mainta ...
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 which launched in January 1993. Additional security features were introduced across the range, including an ignition-disabling device and a driver's door deadlock. Central locking and power mirrors were also a standard feature across the model range. The VP series was replaced in July 1993 by the
VR Series Commodore.
The VP Calais was also sold in Thailand, with 3.8 V6 version, later it used an
Opel
Opel Automobile GmbH (), usually shortened to Opel, is a German automobile manufacturer which has been a subsidiary of Stellantis since 16 January 2021. It was owned by the American automaker General Motors from 1929 until 2017 and the PSA Grou ...
2.6-litre ''
C26NE
The Opel cam-in-head engine (CIH) is a family of automobile engines built by former General Motors subsidiary Opel from 1965 until 1998. Both four- and six-cylinder inline configurations were produced. The name derives from the location of the ...
'' inline-six Dual Ram engine.
Models
Commodore Executive
The Commodore Executive was the base model of the range.
Commodore S
The Commodore S was the cheapest sports variant of the 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 range with a V8 engine.
Commodore Berlina
The Commodore Berlina was the cheapest luxury variant of the range.
Commodore Berlina LX
The Commodore Berlina LX was the semi-luxury version of the range. This model was essentially a stepping stone between the Berlina and Calais. The VP was the only version to offer this trim level.
Calais
The Calais was the luxury version of the range. It was however not badged or marketed as a Commodore.
File:1992 Holden Berlina (VP) sedan (2015-07-10) 02.jpg, VP Berlina sedan
File:1993 Holden Berlina (VP II) station wagon (2010-05-04) 02.jpg, VP II Berlina station wagon
File:1992 Holden Commodore (VP) Executive (2007-02-24) 01.jpg, VP Executive sedan
File:1993 Holden Calais (VP II) sedan (2010-07-05) 02.jpg, VP II Calais sedan
File:1992 Holden Commodore (VP) SS sedan (2010-05-01).jpg, VP Commodore SS
File:1992 Holden Berlina (VP) LX sedan (2009-07-15) 01.jpg, VP Berlina LX
File:1992 Holden Commodore (VP) S station wagon (2009-12-09) 02.jpg, VP Commodore S
Limited edition and other specification levels
Commodore SS V6
The SS V6 was a 1992 limited production model which had all the features of the regular Commodore SS but utilized the 3.8L V6 engine in place of the 5.0L V8. It was produced to homologate a suitable model for the
Group 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 formerly contested the Australian Manufacturers' Championship and Australian Production Car Champion ...
motor racing category, which required a small minimum run of cars to be built. The SS V6's main rival was the
Ford EB2 Falcon
The Ford Falcon (EB) is a full-sized car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1991 to 1993. It was the second iteration of the fifth generation of the Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (EB)—the luxury-oriented version. It launche ...
XR6.
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. BT1 with IRS had a standard size fuel tank, not a long range tank as found on other models.
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 × 6-inch steel wheels
* Transmission Cooler
* Country pack suspension (V5W) in lieu of FE2 in some rural areas
* Vinyl floor mats
* Limited slip differential
* Modified shift gate to allow gear change from overdrive to second gear without engaging lever. (Standard models only allow shift from overdrive to drive position).
Commodore Vacationer
The Commodore Vacationer was a limited edition model based on the Commodore Executive. The VP Commodore Vacationer was released in October 1992.
File:1992 Holden Commodore (VP) Vacationer sedan (2009-07-15) 01.jpg , VP Vacationer sedan
File:1992 Holden Commodore (VP) Vacationer station wagon (20734497099).jpg , VP Vacationer station wagon
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
The Holden Caprice (VQ) and Holden Statesman (VQ) were Holden's top-of-the-line luxury sedans produced between 1990 and 1994. It was the first Statesman to be based on the Commodore line. The rear end was an all-new design, with independent rea ...
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 but with Holden logos in the centre cap and the interior was black over tan, with tan partial leather/suede seats, and special leather SS style steering wheel.
Toyota Lexcen (T2)
![1993 Toyota Lexcen (T2) CSi sedan (22906668490)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/1993_Toyota_Lexcen_%28T2%29_CSi_sedan_%2822906668490%29.jpg)
A
badge engineered
In the automotive industry, rebadging is a form of market segmentation used by automobile manufacturers around the world. To allow for product differentiation without designing or engineering a new model or brand (at high cost or risk), a manu ...
variant of the Holden VP was marketed by Toyota as the Toyota Lexcen.
[Toyota Lexcen Review and Specs, www.gumtree.com.au]
Retrieved on 2 June 2014 The T2 series Lexcen was available in CSi, VXi, and Newport trim levels,
[ with a choice of sedan and wagon body styles.][Tony Davis, ''Toyota Lexcen'', The New Car Buyers Guide, No 5, 1993, Page 106] It was offered only with the 3.8 litre V6 engine and the four speed automatic transmission, the V8 not being available in the Lexcen.[
]
Ute
A 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 ...
variant of the VP Commodore was also produced and launched in January 1992. It was marketed as the Holden Ute
The Holden Ute was 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 (VG) and Holden Commodore utility (VP, ...
and was not badged as a Commodore. No Toyota equivalent was ever produced.
File:1993 Holden Commodore (VP II) utility (2011-03-10) 01.jpg , VP II Ute
File:1993 Holden Commodore (VP II) utility (2011-03-10) 02.jpg , VP II Ute
HSV range
The enhanced performance VP range sold by Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) comprised the variants listed below (including VQ II):
* LS Utility (VG and VP) — 54 built, September 1991 – June 1993
* Club Sport — 387 built, October 1991 – June 1993
* 5th Anniversary Club Sport — 65 built
* Sport Wagon — 43 built, October 1991 – June 1993
* 5th Anniversary Sport Wagon — 5 built
* SV91 — 103 built, October 1991 – June 1992
* + Six 1992 — 82 built, February 1992 – June 1992
* + Six 1993 — 58 built, March 1993
* Maloo — 34 built, March 1992 – April 1993
* 5th Anniversary Maloo — 15 built
* Senator — 201 built, April 1992 – August 1993
* 5th Anniversary Senator — 15 built, March 1993 – May 1993
* Senator 5000i — 136 built, June 1992 – September 1993
* 5th Anniversary Senator 5000i — 30 built, June 1993 – August 1993
* Nitron — 50 built, July 1992 – August 1992
* GTS — 130 built, September 1992 – December 1992
* SV93 Statesman — 46 built, September 1992 – March 1993
* Formula — 67 built, May 1993 – June 1993 (different from the "Formula" body kit offered by Holden)
* Club Sport 5000i — 50 built, May 1993 – June 1993
* Statesman (VQ II) — 84 built, April 1992 – April 1993
* 5th Anniversary Statesman (VQ II) — 8 built, June 1993 – September 1993
Clubsport
The VP series HSV Clubsport was launched in 1991 with the same 180 kW (245 PS; 241 hp) V8 used in the VN Clubsport. A special edition was launched for both the Senator and Clubsport called the 5000i.
GTS
The VP GTS program was rushed into production to compete with the ford EB GT in September 92. Essentially a parts bin special from the VN GRP A model, Like motor, brakes, spoiler kit. Being very popular at the time HSV continued with the GTS label, as HSV's top of the range performance model, with some 130 produced in total. As in the case of the VN series, a V6 version was sold exclusively in New Zealand.
Maloo
The VP series Maloo utility was released in March 1992. Only 49 examples were made in the thirteen months of production, of which 15 were special ''HSV Fifth Anniversary Edition'' models, and the final eight were ''All-Black'' limited editions. These exclusive build quantities confirm the VP series to be the least production numbers Maloo ute of all.
Senator
The VP Senator 5000i was introduced in June 1992, effectively replacing the VP SV 91 as HSV most luxurious well appointed model, and is equivalent of the VN SV 5000 model. Exclusive colours called Senator Quartz either soft purple or Dark grey metallic are only available on Senator 5000i model. Other features that distinguishes the 5000i over the base model Senator are leather bolstered , velour trimmed Group A devenish front seats, and a Caprice rear bench seat, with a suede trimmed centre console. Brakes from the VN GRP A , Variotronic power steering rack, 5000i badges & Rear boot 5000i decal, level ride suspension, three different engine cover colours - Red - Maroon - Orange - indicating a 200KW motor, ABS, Fog lights from the Caprice is standard for the 5000i model The Senator was created in an attempt to design a vehicle that offered both luxury and performance as well as to complement the existing long-wheelbase Statesman
A statesman or stateswoman typically is a politician who has had a long and respected political career at the national or international level.
Statesman or Statesmen may also refer to:
Newspapers United States
* ''The Statesman'' (Oregon), a n ...
models. Offering smoother styling compared to the HSV Clubsport and GTS models, which favoured performance rather than luxury, the Senator took advantage of the independent rear suspension
Independent suspension is any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically (i.e. reacting to a bump on the road) independently of the others. This is contrasted with a beam axle or deDion axle system in w ...
which was offered on high-priced VP Commodores and Statesman/Caprices at the time and was only one of a handful of Commodore-based cars that had automatic climate control
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is the use of various technologies to control the temperature, humidity, and purity of the air in an enclosed space. Its goal is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality. HV ...
air conditioning. Other features included a leather interior, 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 ste ...
and limited slip differential
A limited-slip differential (LSD) is a type of differential that allows its two output shafts to rotate at different speeds but limits the maximum difference between the two shafts. Limited-slip differentials are often known by the generic tr ...
. A three-spoke steering wheel was featured. Top speed was . The car is available with HSV's 5.0-litre V8 engine
A V8 engine is an eight-cylinder piston engine in which two banks of four cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration.
The first V8 engine was produced by the French Antoinette company in 1904, developed and us ...
coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission or five-speed manual. There was actually two versions built: the standard Senator and the Senator 5000i which featured a more powerful engine and a top speed. The 5000i was only available with the automatic option. The total number built for both versions was 337.
File:1991-93 VP Clubsport.JPG , HSV Clubsport sedan
File:1992-1993 HSV VP Senator sedan 01.jpg , HSV Senator sedan
File:1993 HSV Maloo (VP II) utility (26886664965).jpg , HSV Maloo utility
File:1993 HSV Maloo (VP II) utility (26280929314).jpg , HSV Maloo utility
References
External links
Holden Model History - Holden Commodore / Calais - VP Series October 1991 - July 1993
* ttp://www.users.on.net/~%20nweber/commodore/vp/index.html The Unofficial Holden Commodore Archive - VP Commodore / Calaisbr>Unique Cars and Parts: Holden Commodore VP
{{Holden timeline
Cars of Australia
VP
Full-size vehicles
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
Coupé utilities
Sedans
Station wagons
Cars introduced in 1991