Holden Commodore (VP)

The Holden Commodore (VP) is a full-size car that was produced by Holden from 1991 to 1993. It was the second iteration of the second generation of the Commodore. 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. It launched shortly after the Ford EB Falcon. 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 which launched in January 1993. Additional security features were introduced across the range, including an ignition-disabling device and a driver's door deadlock. Central locking and power mirrors were also a standard feature across the model range.[1]

Limited edition and other specification levels

transmission	5-speed Borg-Warner T-5 manual 4-speed 4L60 automatic

length	4891 - 4910 mm

width	1812 mm

height	1403 - 1422 mm

weight	1332 kg

predecessor	Holden Commodore (VN)

successor	Holden Commodore (VR)

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 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. BT1 with IRS had a standard size fuel tank, not a long range tank as found on other models.

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 × 6-inch steel wheels
Transmission Cooler
Country pack suspension (V5W) in lieu of FE2 in some rural areas
Vinyl floor mats
Limited slip differential
Modified shift gate to allow gear change from overdrive to second gear without engaging lever. (Standard models only allow shift from overdrive to drive position).

Commodore Vacationer

The Commodore Vacationer was a limited-edition model based on the Commodore Executive. It 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 logos in the centre cap and the interior was black over tan, with tan partial leather/suede seats, and special leather SS style steering wheel.

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 from 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

The VP GTS program was rushed into production to compete with the ford EB GT in September 1992. Essentially a parts bin special from the VN GRP A model, Like motor, brakes, spoiler kit. Being very popular at the time HSV continued with the GTS label, as HSV's top of the range performance model,[6] with some 130 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.[7]

engine
aka	Holden Berlina (VP) Holden Calais (VP) Holden Utility (VP) Holden Ute Toyota Lexcen (VP)
manufacturer	Holden (General Motors)
production	September 1991–July 1993
assembly	Australia: Adelaide, South Australia (Elizabeth)
class	Full-size
platform	GM V platform
body style	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 2-door coupé utility
related	Holden Statesman/Caprice (VQ) HSV (VP) Opel Omega Opel Senator

Holden Commodore (VP)

Overview

Models

Commodore Executive

Commodore S

Commodore SS

Commodore Berlina

Commodore Berlina LX

Calais

Gallery

Limited edition and other specification levels

Commodore SS V6

Commodore BT1

Commodore Vacationer

Calais International

Toyota Lexcen (T2)

Ute

HSV range

Clubsport

GTS

Maloo

External links

References

Senator