Despite being revealed this week, the next-generation Holden Commodore will launch in Australia in far-off 2018… and it won’t be quite the same as the Opel Insignia.
IT’S BEEN WELL reported that the next-generation Holden Commodore is just a re-badged Opel Insignia, however, looking at the releases from both Holden and Opel there was a key difference. The transmission…
And the reason for that is because the Opel Insignia will be launched next year (2017) and the Holden Commodore in 2018. Why the lag? Holden hasn’t said. But it did say the year’s difference in launch timing was the reason why one would get an eight-speeder and the other a nine.
When the flagship Opel Insignia hits the market next year it will hit the street with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, when the Commodore comes it will run a nine-speed automatic transmission, but everything else will be identical to its Opel badged sibling.
While Holden has been talking about a nine-speed automatic transmission appearing in the Commodore/Insignia for a few months now, General Motors in the US has only just announced the roll-out of the nine-speed automatic. And it won’t say whether the Buick Regal (the Holden Commodore, Opel Insignia) will get the eight, or nine-speed transmission.
Back in 2013, GM and Ford announced they would work together to produce both nine- and 10-speed automatic transmissions. And both companies last week announced that they would roll out the nine-speed automatics in a number of refreshed models; GM said it would offer the nine-speed automatic in front-drive vehicles, including Malibu, Cruze and Equinox. A 10-speed automatic will be used in rear-drive vehicles and larger SUVs.
Question: GM has said the nine-speed automatic transmission will only save a few per-cent in fuel consumption… should Holden have launched the new ‘Commodore’ earlier with an eight-speed transmission instead of waiting for the nine-speeder?
I really don’t see why you would wait for the 9 speed. In my opinion anything above a 6 speed is more marketing than true benefit. Certainly having that many speeds means any manual control is needlessly difficult and the improvements in economy & gearing for power get less and less with each extra gear yet more and more expensive. The only exception may be offroaders where having extra low gears instead of a transfer case, but I certainly see no benefit for a run if the mill passenger car.
They do it for fuel economy mainly. They have shown the 9 spd uses considerably less fuel than the 6spd in otherwise identical cars and is a bit quicker.
They will eventually all end up cvt transmissions anyway. Cheaper to produce and last the life of the car without needing to be serviced.
Overkill.
Sort of funny – 9 speed would make more sense in Germany on the Autobahn …
Das Bombadoor
They’ll have old school Commodores made until end October, to sell until late December if they make enough.
If it is an early 2018 release, the 6-8 week supply should be pretty well dried up.
Aus car making’s bitten the dust – that’s just a fact. 200 kilos lighter, gutsy engine and 4WD. Styling looks OK, so for a mass-market hopeful, what’s not to like?
I left my crystal ball at work, I see others have theirs with them.
I wonder if they could cram a compact 5 litre blown v8 in there?
They say “no”, never say never 🙂 More model development depends on whether this car sells. If the quality’s there I’d say they’re in with a shot. Ford hasn’t been genuine competition for nearly 15 years, the Japs have.
The really big iron will probably only come in recycled yankee cars.
It’s a shame what they are offering on the last commodores such as motorsport edition was not something offered for the last few years.
FROM THE ARTICLE: “And the reason for that is because the Opel Insignia will be launched next year (2017) and the Holden Commodore in 2018. Why the lag? Holden hasn’t said. ”
Well. I’d have thought it was quite obvious, especially to someone of your industry savvy Isaac . . . Holden stops production in November 2017, then there’s Xmas/new year, then it is 2018 and NG Commodore is on sale. December and the early new year Holden will be selling the last of stock in the VF2. Quite easy to reason, that one. Am I missing something? Please explain Pauline?