Holden Shows New Models, Concepts in Melbourne

Motoring Channel Staff - 13/Feb/2006

Vehicles such as the diesel-powered Astra and a Barina sedan were some of the new products to grace GM Holden's large exhibit at the Melbourne Motor Show, but the vehicle that attracted the most attention was without doubt the EFIJY.

First seen in October 2005 at the Sydney Motor Show, the foreboding concept car with its retro stylings and supercharged V8 engine appeared to be one of the more popular exhibits at the show, surrounded by the Holden faithful (and a few curious Ford fans).

With its Chevrolet Corvette underbody, Soprano Purple paint scheme, 480kW V8 engine and 5.2 metre long body, it makes a huge impact wherever it goes. For a detailed report on the Holden EFIJY concept, go here.

Another concept car, the T2X, made its Australian debut in Melbourne, and is Holden's second sports utility concept to in just six months, following in the footsteps of its big brother, the S3X (which has been confirmed for sale in Australia).

Led by former Holden senior designer Max Wolff, the GM company explains that the T2X's design combines a compact sport utility body style with dynamic coupe lines. Wolff directed the T2X design team in his role as Deputy Director Advanced Design at GMDAT in South Korea. Like the S3X, the smaller T2X could also be molded into a production model, which would potentially give Holden a vehicle to compete in the popular compact SUV segment against vehicles such as the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4.

Also of note at the Holden stand was the company's new range of 2006-model VZ Commodores, which will be the last of the current  Commodore's to be based on the omega (or GM2800) platform, which was first seen on the VT Commodore in 1997.The the new VE will be arriving later in 2006, based on the new Zeta platform.

Holden showed off its new V8 Commodores and light commercial vehicles (utes, crewmans, etc.) at the automotive event, including the VZ Commodore SS, Caprice and Ute SS, all featuring the new 6.0-litre alloy engine which delivers 260kW of peak power @ 5600rpm and 510Nm of peak torque at 4400rpm.

Holden says that the new engine, codenamed L76, enables torque delivery to be significantly increased at lower revs offering improved acceleration, low speed engine response and improved ease of towing than the previous 5.7-litre engine.

Other new models for GM Holden included the diesel Astra hatch, featuring a 1.9-litre engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. It produces 110 kilowatts of @ 4000rpm and 320Nm of peak torque @ 2000rpm. An optional 6-speed automatic transmission is available, but power and torque is reduced with this gearbox,(88kW/280Nm).

Holden says that the Astra diesel will also be a highly specified model, featuring ESP, ABS, driver, front passenger and front side impact airbags, full size curtain airbags, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, plus a 6-stack CD player and trip computer.

Holden says that while it will be welcoming the new Astra, Holden will also be farewelling the last of the current generation Monaro coupe. The global auction for the coupe is taking place eBay.com.au with all proceeds donated to The Leukaemia Foundation, a long-term partner of Holden. Car enthusiasts will have until midday on February 19, when the auction ends, to make further bids.

The last Monaro is hard to miss with its “Torque” custom paint scheme, an orange-yellow colour with a fine metallic highlight, which the company says was developed as an interpretation of the classic colors for which the original late 1960s Monaro coupes were famous. The last Monaro also gets special embossed 18-inch wheels, leather seats and color accents.

For the Holden faithful who have not yet been to the Motor Show, here's the list of vehicles on display:

 TK Barina sedan
 TK Barina 2 door
 TK Barina 5 door
 Astra CDTi diesel
 AH Astra CDX Coupe
 Astra Convertible
 AH Astra CDX Wagon
 Tigra Cabrio
 Viva Hatch
 Viva Sedan
 Viva Wagon

 Efijy concept vehicle
 S3X concept vehicle
 T2X concept vehicle

 VZ Commodore SV6
 VZ Commodore SS
 VZ Commodore Calais
 VZ Last Monaro CV8
 VZ Adventra SX6
 VZ Ute SS
 VZ Crewman SS
 WL Caprice
 WL Statesman International

 Rodeo LT V6 Crew cab petrol 4x4

 HSV Clubsport
 HSV Maloo R8
 HSV LE GTO
Holden Racing Team vehicle