30 Years of Commodores – 25 October 1978 – Current.
Thought I'd throw together some consolidated info to celebrate.
As you all know pretty well the G8 is based on the VE Commodore. Well the VE is the 4th generation Commodore, which debut 25 October 1978.
Below are some details. I'm sure I've got some wrong, but here it is anyway.
VB - (1978-79)- 173ci, 202ci, 253ci, 308ci, 350ci (I think)
VC – (1980-82)- engines as above (I think from memory)
VH- (1982-83) 202, 253, 308
Last model with the SL/E and SL/X variants
253ci V8 rated at approximately 114kw
308ci V8 rated at approximately 122kw
VK (1984-85) 202, 308
253ci engine no longer available.
First year model with the Calais (now the top of the line short wheel base model)
(Group 3 Production Car racing homologation)
VL ( 1986 – 1988)
First UNLEADED version of the Commodore.
Holden purchased the 3 Litre RB30 engine from Nissan for fitment rather than redisgn the old 202ci for UNLEADED fuel, which poved to be the strongest 6 ever in a Commodore.
Modified the 308ci (5Litre) V8 to run UNLEADED
VL Group A SS (Walkinshaw Commodore) is the precursor to the HSV marquee.
VN (1989 -1990)
This is the Second Generagion Body style of the Commodore. (some chassis changes not incorporated in this body change)
Incorporation of the 3.8Litre Buick engine as the 6 cylinder option.
VP (1991-1993)
Minor cosmetic, but reasonably major chassis upgrades for this model.
VR (1993-1995)
First clear alteration to the Second Generation body design
V8 was rated at 195kw
VS (1995-1997)
HSV sold a stroked 308 (355ci) V8 rated at 215kw
VT (1997-2000)
Third Generation body design implemented
Series 2 of the VT range incorporated the LS1 Gen3 V8
HSV sold a C5R Callaway LS1 powered GTS. (300kw)
Standard LS1 powered models rated at 250kw
The VT re-established the Commodore as Australia’s highest selling car, a mantle it held for 12 years.
VX
Second offering of the Third Generation body design with only slight cosmetic changes.
VY
Third offering of the Third Generation body design
VZ
The Fourth offering in the Third Generation body design, was leading up to the release of the VE (Fourth Generation) range of Commodore.
This model saw major engine changes.
The L76 6.0Litre (364ci) engine was introduced, with a rated power of 270kw.
The 3.6Litre Alloytec engine was introduced for the V6 range.
VE
The Fourth (and current) Generation body style for the Commodore.
Sold as a number of derivatives, with variations of body and trim, in a number of locations.
Chevy Lumina in South America and South Africa and the Middle East.
Pontiac G8 in the US
HSV derivatives are also sold as Vauxhaul in the UK.
The engine offerings are as follows:
3.6 Litre Alloytec V6 (4 speed auto) 180kw
3.6 Litre Alloytec V6 (5 speed auto) 190kw
6.0 Litre L76 V8 270kw (inc AFM)
6.0 Litre L98 V8 270kw (NON AFM)
6.0 and 6.2 Litre (LS2 and LS3) in the HSV and GXP range