Holden had edged it's high-performance credentials closer to Holden Special Vehicle (HSV) lineup with the release of a new `hero' car, the Redline Edition which includes sedans, ute and wagon.
While HSV use a 6.2 litre V8s, the off-the-rack Holden Redline Edition will continue with the 6.0 litre V8s. Redline will be available in Calais V-Series and SS V-Series sedan, Sportwagon and Ute. They headline Holden's midlife upgrade of the VE Commodore Series 11 range, launched on Friday in Adelaide.
In other major changes coinciding with Commodore's facelift, the 3.0 litre SIDI engine and 6.0 V8 engines will come standard with the ability to run on E85 – an alternative fuel that contains up to 85 per cent ethanol. The company has also dropped the long-standing Statesman which will be replaced by an entry-level Caprice V6 and has included a high-tech entertainment/information system called Holden iQ in all Commodores and Caprice.
In addition Holden has partnered with Caltex to ensure the E85 capable cars will have fuel available – if drivers wish to use E85 instead of unleaded – with a roll-out of 100 service stations proving E85, which Caltex will market as Bio E-Flex. Caltex has already started selling the high ethanol blend at 31 service stations in the Eastern states capitals and Adelaide, and will increase to 100 outlets by the end of 2011. In Adelaide on Friday Bio E-Flex was selling for 92.5 cents a litre.
The Redline Edition is aimed at enthusiast drivers – HSV heartland - and will offer higher levels of braking and sports handling to match the grunty 6.0 litre V8. The improvements include chassis dynamics developed by Holden engineers with track-inspired FE3 super sports suspension set up to match the stopping power of four-piston Brembro high performance front brakes.
The Redline edition is easily distinguished by forged and polished 19 inch alloys wheels fitted with low-profile tyres. As the cars roll out of the Elizabeth GM Holden factory, Holden will also paint the inside of the V badging in red as a subtle `Redline' signature. The Redline Edition cars will also feature the latest Commodore inclusions with full-colour mapping satellite navigation and rear camera as standard fare in the V-Series models, (not in ute) including the new Holden i-Q system. The Redline Edition also gains the E85 capability – fuel already used in V8 Supercars. Redline Edition adds $2500 to the bottom live, but Holden is offering a $1500 special on the Edition until the end of 2010.
As part of Holden's push for cleaner, more fuel efficient cars that rely less on fossil fuels, the company had also launched a new information website on bio fuels called ethanolanswers.com.au. This is aimed at answering any questions motorists may have about ethanol and the ethanol-based alternative fuel, E85. Holden is not new to developing cars to run on E85 having exported E85-capable cars to the home of alternative ethanol fuel, Brazil where more than 9 million cars run on flex fuel and 45 per cent of their fuel comes from renewable energy. In Brazil 93.5 per cent of service stations offer ethanol blend fuel.
The new Series II Commodore can run on E85, E10 and unleaded with a seamless transition between the three fuels types with no driver input other than the fuel itself. E85 has an up side and a down side for drivers. It comes to market significantly cheaper than premium unleaded and with a higher octane rating gives extra power to both the SIDI V6 and the 6.0 litre V8 engines. The downside is E85 is less efficient than unleaded and you need more to drive the same distance as you would with petrol. Holden says it's long term goal for Commodore is improved economy which had dropped from 10.9 litre/100 km in 2006, to 9.3 litres/100 km in 2009 and the latest improvements will see that drop to 9.1 litres/100 km with the new Series II. The aim is to drop this to around 8.5 litres/100 km in the next two years.
While this latest facelift is minor externally, the new Holden i-Q multi media system sees an entirely new look for the centre stack with the new touch screen elevated near gear-lever height of the previous model to a much more user-friendly height just under the air conditioning vents on top of the dash. The system delivers full Bluetooth, USB, iPod and MP3 player integration across the entire range.
The system is controlled by a user-friendly touch screen and introduces increased plug-and-play music functions and can rip and store up to 15 CDs on an internal flash drive.
The system also has an advanced satellite navigation system on selected models including live traffic condition alerts to assist drivers to avoid heavy congested areas. Information upgrades for the life of ownership of the car come free with the package, including being able to locate E85 service stations throughout Australia. Pricing remains the same on all models apart from the entry-level, or tradies, Omega ute which is up by $2000 and features the 3.0 litre SIDI engine replacing the 3.6 litre V6 – now only used in LPG conversions – and also upgraded from the four speed automatic to the six speed auto. The ute also gets the entry-level Holden i-Q multimedia system and dual zone airconditioning.
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