Holden Commodore (VP)

Holden VP Commodore
Holden VP Executive Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Holden (General Motors)
Also called	Holden VP Berlina Holden VP Calais Holden VP Ute Toyota Lexcen (T2)
Production	1991–1993
Assembly	Elizabeth, South Australia, Australia
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 2-door coupé utility
Platform	GM V platform
Related	Holden VQ Statesman/Caprice Opel Omega Opel Senator HSV VP Series
Powertrain
Engine	V6 3.8 L 127 kW (170 hp): 3800 V6 V8 5.0 L 165 kW (221 hp) HEC 5000i V8 5.0 L 180 kW (241 hp): HSV enhanced HEC 5000i V8
Transmission	5-speed manual Borg-Warner T-5 4-speed automatic GM GM HydraMatic 4L60
Dimensions
Length	4,891 mm (192.6 in)–4,910 mm (193.3 in)
Width	1,812 mm (71.3 in)
Height	1,403 mm (55.2 in)–1,422 mm (56.0 in)
Curb weight	1,332 kg (2,937 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Holden VN Commodore
Successor	Holden VR Commodore

The Holden Commodore (VP) is a full-size car that was produced by the Australian manufacturer Holden from 1991 to 1993. It was the second iteration of the second generation of this Australian made model. Its range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VP) and Holden Calais (VP).

Overview

The VP series was released in September 1991 with mainly cosmetic and feature changes to the outgoing VN Series Commodore. The 3.8 litre V6 and 5.0 litre V8 engines 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 2.0 litre straight-4 engine which had been offered on the VN in certain export markets was discontinued. Semi-trailing arm IRS 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 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. Additional security features were introduced across the range, including an ignition-disabling device and a driver's door deadlock. Power mirrors were also a standard feature across the model range.^[1] 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 2.6-litre C26NE inline-six Dual Ram engine.

Models

Commodore Executive

The Commodore Executive was the base model of the VP Commodore range.

Commodore S

The Commodore S was the cheapest sports variant of the VP Commodore 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 VP Commodore range.

Commodore Berlina

The Commodore Berlina was the cheapest luxury variant of the VP Commodore range.

Commodore Berlina LX

The Commodore Berlina LX was the semi-luxury version of the VP Commodore range. This model was essentially a stepping stone between the Berlina and Calais.

Calais

The Calais was the luxury version of the VP Commodore range. It was however not badged or marketed as a Commodore.

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 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 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.

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" X 7" Steel wheels (sometimes called "chaser", "pursuit" or "interceptor" rims)
• Transmission Cooler
• LPG
• country pack suspension
• vinyl floor mats
• limited slip differential

Commodore Vacationer

The Commodore Vacationer was a limited edition model based on the Commodore Executive. The VP Commodore Vacationer was released in October 1992.

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 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 logo's in the center cap and the interior was black over tan, with tan partial leather/suede seats, and special leather SS style steering wheel.

Toyota Lexcen (T2)

Toyota Lexcen (T2) CSi sedan

A badge engineered variant of the Holden VP was marketed by Toyota as the Toyota Lexcen.^[2] The T2 series Lexcen was available in CSi, VXi, and Newport trim levels,^[2] with a choice of sedan and wagon body styles.^[3] 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.^[3]

Ute

A utility variant of the VP Commodore was also produced and launched in January 1992. It was marketed as the Holden Ute and was not badged as a Commodore. No Toyota equivalent was ever produced.

Holden VP II Ute  Holden 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 to 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

This was HSV's top of the range model,^[4] with some 120 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.^[5]

Senator

Introduced in 1991 when the VN series was replaced with the VP generation. The year after that the Senator was introduced, based on the VP Commodore. 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 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 which was offered on high priced VP Commodores and Statesmans at the time and was only one of a handful of Commodore-based cars that had automatic climate control air conditioning. Other features included a leather interior, cruise control and limited slip differential. A three spoke steering wheel was featured. Top speed was 220 km/h (137 mph). The car is available with HSV's 180 kW (241 hp) 5.0 litre V8 engine coupled to a GM 4-speed automatic transmission or 5-speed manual. There was actually two versions built the standard Senator and the Senator 5000i which featured a more powerful engine. The total number built for both versions was 382.^[6]

Gallery

• 

  VP Commodore Executive sedan

• 

  VP Commodore Executive wagon

• 

  VP Commodore Executive interior

• 

  VP Commodore Vacationer sedan

• 

  Holden VP Vacationer station wagon

• 

  VP Berlina sedan

• 

  Holden VP Calais

• 

  Holden VP Commodore SS

• 

  HSV Clubsport

• 

  HSV Senator

• 

  HSV Maloo utility

• 

  Holden VP II Executive sedan

• 

  Holden VP II Executive sedan

Notes and references

1. "1991–93 VP Commodore". Retrieved 2015-11-13.
2. Toyota Lexcen Review and Specs, www.gumtree.com.au Retrieved on 2 June 2014
3. Tony Davis, Toyota Lexcen, The New Car Buyers Guide, No 5, 1993, Page 106
4. The HSV Classic Programme Retrieved from web.archive.org on 18 October 2010
5. "20th Anniversary Maloo R8 Brochure". HSV.com.au. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
6. "VP Senator". Retrieved 2007-03-08.

External links

• Holden Model History - Holden Commodore / Calais - VP Series October 1991 - July 1993
• The Commodore Info Page - Holden Commodore / Calais - VP Series October 1991 - July 1993
• The Unofficial Holden Commodore Archive - VP Commodore / Calais
• Unique Cars and Parts: Holden Commodore VP