SIDI « Car & SUV

Holden improves fuel economy for V6-powered Commodore

September 5th, 2011 by Car and SUV

Holden has made slight fuel-efficiency improvements across its V6-powered Commodore range with a model year 2012 update on-sale early October.

The Commodore Omega sedan, powered by the 3.0 litre SIDI V6 engine, achieves new fuel economy of 8.9L/100km, down from 9.1L/100km on the previous model.

Fuel consumption has been an area of development and improvement since the launch of the VE range in 2006. Fuel economy on the entry-level Omega sedan has improved 18% over the life of the model with the addition of Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) technology, calibration improvements and other weight saving and aerodynamic tweaking.

With the model year update all Commodore vehicles will become flex-fuel capable, with 3.6L SIDI V6 engine powering models like the popular SV6, now also able to run on bio-ethanol/E85; a blend of up to 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol. While Bio-ethanol isn’t available from many service stations yet, it can be found at some Gull service stations.

Speaking at the Alternative Fuels Summit in Australia this week, Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mike Devereux, said Holden had taken a leadership position, advocating for and stimulating demand for bio-ethanol. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: bio ethonol, direct injection, E85, economy figures, flex-fuel, Holden, Jeff Murray, Mike Devereux, SIDI, V6 | Posted in News | No Comments »

Holden Omega SII Sportwagon (2011) — Road Test

January 21st, 2011 by Car and SUV

Holden station wagons are known to many Kiwis as the quintessential family hauler, which when mentioned can easily trigger nostalgia and stories of camping trips away. Able to accommodate mum, dad the kids and even the dog there has never been any doubt of the Holden wagons practical value. However, times change and now Holden’s large wagon needs to compete not just against other wagons but also SUVs and crossover vehicles. The only way to stay ahead is to retain the traditional practicality while placing extra focus on aesthetics and fuel economy. The VE Series Commodore Sportwagon has done just that and the base-model Omega has an extra weapon — price. After a mid-cycle refresh the new Series II Omega is looking better than ever but can it put a stop to buyers deserting wagons for crossover vehicles. Car and SUV spent a week playing happy families with the latest Omega Sportwagon to find out.

The new Series II upgrades have been particularly kind to the Omega and while it remains the budget model in the Commodore range the once large gap between itself and the other model variants has closed up. Visually, the Omega is looking sharp, the updates have brought subtle changes to the front end including a larger chrome-rimmed grille and new yet familiar-looking headlights. At the rear, changes include chrome detailing and a revised boot lid with integrated aerodynamic spoiler. You can forget any no frills steel wheels as well because the Omega comes sporting a set of 7-spoke 16-inch alloys. While the alloys don’t quite fill the large guards they add largely to the huge improvement in presentation. Overall, the styling is spot on, the Omega exterior offers no clues to its base-model status, it also has some fine detailing like colour coded caps on the side mirrors and black painted dual exhaust tips. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Commodore, Holden, Omega, review, road test, Series 2, Series II, SIDI, Sportwagon, V6 | Posted in Holden, Road Tests / Car Reviews | No Comments »

Holden Commodore GTR edition coming to NZ

March 3rd, 2010 by Car and SUV

Holden’s GTR badge is ready for a comeback with a limited number of Sedans and Sportwagons due to arrive in NZ this April.

With only 114 Limited Edition GTRs being produced customers will need to be in quick to snap up the hot sports styling and spectacular features the GTR offers.

The GTR delivers over $6,000 of additional value with features such as integrated DVD player, 19″ Veloce wheels, Rear Park Assist, leather seats and a reversing camera on the Sportwagon, for just $2,000 more than SV6 pricing.

Simon Carr, Holden New Zealand’s managing director, says the 2010 Limited Edition GTR is the most powerful GTR yet. “The last GTR model was launched in 2007 and since then Commodore has come a long way in terms power and fuel economy, with the 3.6l SIDI direct injection V6 engine in the 2010 GTR delivering 210kW of power and a 10% improvement in fuel economy.”

The 2010 Limited Edition GTR Sedan and Sportwagon are available in four colours Redhot, Phantom, Poison Ivy and Nitrate.

All GTR buyers will also receive a numbered certificate of authenticity.

Pricing:

Limited Edition GTR Sedan $56,090
Limited Edition GTR Sportwagon $58,290

Tags: GTR, Holden Commodore, SIDI, SV6 | Posted in News | No Comments »

Holden Commodore Omega (2010) – Road Test

February 26th, 2010 by Car and SUV

The Commodore Omega has long been seen as the budget base model brother to the rest of the range. A true fleet special used by sales reps and the Police to help make sales calls or collar crooks. Being used in this capacity probably won’t change for the Omega but what has changed is the addition of a new engine and gearbox for the 2010 model year. Is this update enough to push the Omega further into the consciousness of the private car buyer? Car and SUV spent a week searching for evidence with the upgraded Holden Omega.

The 2010 updates to the Commodore range are all about the new powertrains and the Omega has benefitted from a new six-cylinder engine. Codenamed LF1 the new motor has a 3.0-litre capacity and a 210kW power output with 290Nm of torque. It’s a modern bent-six and is equipped with Holden’s fancy Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) system that directly injects fuel into the combustion chamber. The result is more power from less fuel.

Compared to the outgoing engine there is a power increase of 10kW but a 20Nm drop in torque because of the new units smaller capacity. Anyone who thinks this will make evading the Police easier is mistaken because the new engine has some pace and accelerates the Omega smoothly and with strength. It’s also very flexible, remaining well mannered in stop start traffic but still capable of decent mid-range grunt making for confident overtaking at open road speeds.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: 2010, Commodore, Holden, Omega, review, road test, SIDI, VE | Posted in Holden, Road Tests / Car Reviews | No Comments »

Fuel-saving engines for Holden Commodore range

August 5th, 2009 by Car and SUV

Holden SIDI engine

The Holden Commodore, is set to lower fuel use and running costs with more economical V6 engines and other technology improvements.

The Model Year 10 (MY10) Commodore range will go on sale in late September in New Zealand with the most fuel efficient Australian built six cylinder engine in the market.

The Commodore Omega achieves just 9.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres in the official ADR81/02 testing — up to 13 per cent better than current models.

At 9.3 litres, a motorist travelling 20,000 kilometres could save $423.80 at a current indicative price of $1.63 and produce 600 kilograms less carbon emissions.

Holden will deliver the savings through two new engines offering a mew technology, Spark Ignition Direct Injection, a first for an Australian built vehicle.

An all-new 3.0-litre engine — and the familiar 3.6-litre displacement will be offered, depending on model.

The changes will be effective across the petrol sedan and Sportwagon range, as well as the SV6 Ute and the Statesman long-wheelbase variant.

The engines are the centrepiece of a model year upgrade with fuel efficiency and lower running costs firmly in mind.

A new six-speed automatic transmission will be matched with the new SIDI engines, weight reductions have been achieved, low rolling resistance tyres introduced and other fuel-saving upgrades installed.

The Engines

An all-new 3.0-litre SIDI engine — codenamed LF1 – will power the Omega and Berlina Commodore sedan and Omega Sportwagon.

The 3.6-litre SIDI engine — codenamed LLT — will be available for the premium Commodore range including SV6, Calais and Calais V-Series models, as well as the SV6 Ute and the long wheel-base Statesman.

The 3.6-litre SIDI engine improves fuel economy in the premium models. Calais boasts a 12 per cent improvement with fuel economy dropping from 11.2 to 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres on the ADR81/02 test cycle while keeping its luxury fit.

CO2 emissions are significantly reduced with the 3.0-litre SIDI Omega sedan and Sportwagon boasting a 12 and 14 per cent improvement respectively.

All V6 SIDI models will receive a power upgrade. The 3.0 litre has an increased output of 190kW from the 175kW of the previous engine, while the 3.6 litre is up from 195kW to 210kW per ECE regulations.

The new engines will be available on NZ spec Commodores from late September.

Gallery

Tags: Berlina, Commodore, Holden, Omega, SIDI, SV6, V6 | Posted in News | No Comments »