Tuesday 13th June 2017

2018 Holden Commodore Supercar renders

Looks like an Insignia, V6 engine on the way... things are changing in Australian Supercars!

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It's no secret that the demise of Holden manufacturing in Australia is seen as very sad news around here, what with the array of fantastically silly V8s that were produced in Victoria. Moreover, with the production cars changing, that means the race cars will too: here's the 2018 Commodore Supercar.

What will a V6 sound like out of those pipes?

Alright, well it's a rendering for now, but this Insignia-based Commodore looks to have all the ingredients for a vehicle formerly known as a V8 Supercar: tarmac-scraping splitter, huge wheels, side-exit exhaust and a rear wing that might also double up as a raft. It's different, sure, though it's looking rather good from here.

"It carries on the tradition of Commodores looking awesome on and off the track and ushers in a new era for our brand," said Holden's Marketing Executive Director Mark Harland. The car is currently being developed by Holden and Triple Eight Race Engineering.

Part of that development is a V6 engine, being built at the GM Performance and Racing Centre in Michigan, although the car will be homologated with the current V8. Triple Eight is said to be seeking approval from the Supercars governing body to trial the car with a V6 in a couple of wild card rounds. Apparently the tech department are aiming for the turbo V6 to achieve parity with the current V8s, which is all well and good, but what it sound like?

The build of the first new Commodore is underway now, with the aim to have it completed for the Supercars Aero Validation in autumn this year. We'll keep you posted!

[cheddar]

Sad but good, may the world's most exciting contemporary saloon racing series continue to shine regardless of how many cylinders power them

[rodericb]

cheddar said:

Sad but good, may the world's most exciting contemporary saloon racing series continue to shine regardless of how many cylinders power them

The formula will move from four door V8 sold-in-Australia to cover also turbo 4 and turbo 6 cylinder engines as well as two door body styles (maybe to entice Ford in with the Mustang). It remains rear wheel drive only. This new Commodore is having a twin turbo engine done for it by GM in the 'states but before one gets any hopes up for a street version, this Commodore sits atop a bespoke chassis to give it rear wheel drive and, one would imagine, a longitudinally mounted engine to boot. Organisers are hoping to also get a team running the Alfa Romeo Giulia QV.

[ZX10R NIN]

Ford will be using the Fusion/Mondeo for the next gen of cars, there is talk of Lexus using a V8 for their RC-F/GS-F if they join Nissan are sticking with their V8 unit for now.

[hardcorehobbit]

There's a control chassis in the formula, so the bodywork, the engine and the aero package are the main differences between the cars.

The same way that a Nissan Altima is able to compete as a rwd V8 when nothing of the sort is available.


More interestingly... I wonder what the deal is with VX/Opel who are helping with the bodywork etc and GM doing the engine and where PSA fit into this.

[Monty Python]

I thought Holden were closing down later this year...is this just a GM car with a Holden badge stuck to the front?

[kambites]

Monty Python said:

I thought Holden were closing down later this year...is this just a GM car with a Holden badge stuck to the front?

It's a space-frame racing car; none of them are actually based on real road cars.

[CDP]

Where do Holden fit in now with GM? I'm surprised they didn't go with Vauxhall and Opel to PSA.

Do GM cover RHD markets - Wikipedia says they're exiting India this year but I just don't understand why they would want to do that as it must be one of the two biggest growth markets in the world.

Maybe it's something to do with managed decline and trying to emulate the success of British Leyland?

[Coatesy351]

ZX10R NIN said:

Ford will be using the Fusion/Mondeo for the next gen of cars, there is talk of Lexus using a V8 for their RC-F/GS-F if they join Nissan are sticking with their V8 unit for now.

Ford have made no commitment to super cars in the near future. DJR/Penske have already said they will be running Falcon fg/x again next year.

[fbc]

Monty Python said:

I thought Holden were closing down later this year...is this just a GM car with a Holden badge stuck to the front?

The Australian manufacturing operations are ceasing, hence the new Commodore is indeed a GM rebadge. The remaining line-up (which already was GM product) continues unaffected, and the brands becomes a pure importer (as Ford and Toyota now are following the closures - pending in Toyota's case - of their respective local manufacturing operations).

CDP said:

Where do Holden fit in now with GM?

No change to Holden's position within GM from a brand perspective. Engineering-wise there's been an impact.

Edited by fbc on Wednesday 14th June 04:32