HSV Commodore

[gang$tarr]

That's the 2003 Viper... that's what it's gunna look like

[Jimster]

The Commodore has a Buick (3.8 V6) or Chev (5.7 V8) engine and IS built on an Omega platform........Is it true the the new VY Commodore is going to replace the Omega in the UK????????????

[crayzayjay]

WOW.. all i can say is the new viper looks like the most evil thing i've ever seen!! and i thought they wouldnt be able to better the original styling... silly me
cheers
jay

[Chris]

Yeah, the Commodore is really nice. Car and Driver said the only reason it lost to the M5 (they did a comparison test) was because of cheaper and crappier interior materials. But they loved the seats!

And CrazyJay, the only cars I can think of that we get and you dont rignt now are Panoz, Mosler, Saleen, and Acuras. But I would gladly trade (except mosler) for Elise's, HSV's, VX220's, etc.

The thing that really get me, though, is that we have the Catera, which is based on the Commodore, so it would be super-easy to certify it for American sale, but dumb GM wont give us it

[Thunda Downunda]

quote from Jimmy_11_cars

"The Commodore ... IS built on an Omega platform"


Oh really? You seem very sure about this.

So tell me, which parts are shared between the current Holden & Opel? Or even interchangable?
What critical dimensions do they share, as in track, wheelbase, length, height, width etc?

[Chris]

Look at the VW golf, Audi TT, old A4, VW Jetta/Bora, VW Beetle. All of those are based on the same platform, no matter how different they may seem. Wheelbases are different, widths are different, but they are the same basic cars. And the 5.7L V8 in HSV's are in Camaros and Corvettes. So a car doesnt have to be exactly the same to be closely related.

[crayzayjay]

I think he's an angry Holden owner refusing to believe his car is in any way related to an Omega! LOL

cheers
jay

[Downunder]

The only interchangable parts the Holden has with the omega is the door handles and i think the handles in the car to rest your arm and that's it.
The holden is longer, wider and taller. There might be a good resemblence with the omega but it aint the same car.

The reason commodores arent sold in the US is that the fuel tank isn't in front of the rear axle. But don't worry the 2005 replacement will have this rectafied for the US market.

Oh and that 6.2 litre 350kW will be put to use but it won't be in the GTS. Can you guess what (with four doors)

[Thunda Downunda]

Chris: Thanks for your explanation but I DO understand the relevance of those VW Group vehicles (Beetle, Skoda et al) sharing the same floorpan and basic structural architecture - although that Holden use US-sourced powertrains is irrelevant to my post.

However Chris even Holden's basic structural components are NOT shared with the Omega. Holden has spent 23 years evolving the Commodore away from the original unsuitable 1978 European design and their subsequent lousy rehashes, albeit closely following general Opel styling themes. Please note that the floorpan is distinct. The front chassis rails are of a completely different design. And on it goes. There are NO common structural parts whatsoever shared between these otherwise visually similar vehicles. The similarity is superficial.

Nor indeed, as Downunder courteously points out, do they share ANY parts in common, either externally, mechanically etc, save for a scant few generic GM bits. So it is erroneous in fact to label it as merely a platform variation, or the bold yet bogus claim by Jimmy_11_cars that it "IS built on an Omega platform".

We aussies have grown accustomed to the jealousy such as is exhibited by some kiwis (who are othwerise our friends) on this board in that they do not enjoy an automotive manufacturing industry in their fine country, and are reduced to chasing sheep whilst wearing oversize gumboots ...
... hoping perhaps for that 'special' interlude :licker:

Crazyzajay: I am not angry. Rather dissappointed that a fellow enthusiast would cite a throwaway quote from a pissant Eurocentric magazine as 'proof'. This quote tells me more about the Kwality of 'Car Magazine' than any facts about Holdens. You should realise this, and also hopefully begin to accept that the Australian Automotive Industry has not only the long-held capacity of car manufacture .. but design as well.

Next you'll be claiming that the 1979 XD Falcon is really of british design, and uses the platform of the almost identical yet thoroughly decrepit Ford Granada!

[Chris]

I think its time to send an e-mail to Holden and Opel. Off I go...

[Chris]

OK, I sent my queries off to HSV and Opel, and got 2 separate answers (both from Vauxhaul, the parent company, just under GM.) Here they are:

Dear Mr ------ Name omitted for my secrutiy

Thank you for your recent E-mail inquiry.

Our Technical Department has confirmed that the Commodore does share the same
platform as the Omega.

I hope this clarifies this matter for you.

Thank you again for contacting the Customer Care Centre.

Yours sincerely

Karen Quinn
Customer Service manager


And



Dear Sir/madam

Thank you for your E-mail regarding our Vauxhall vehicles.

I have taken the opportunity to consult our Technical Department who have
confirmed that the HSV Commodore is based on the Vauxhall Omega.

Many thanks for contacting us, I hope that this information settles your
debate.


Regards
Amanda Addison
Customer Service Manager





SO thats it, I was right

[Downunder]

the Commodore does share the same
platform as the Omega.

Well it may share the same platform but doesn't mean they are the same cars. Look at the new Jaguar X type it's platform is the Ford Mondeo but they share no parts except for the 4wd system i think.
The Omega platform has been stretched and widened. So there are many cars in the world which share the same platform such as the new GM platform that will be shared with Alfa Romeo, Saab, GM, the Omega and Commodore i think.

[crayzayjay]

Crazyzajay: I am not angry. Rather dissappointed that a fellow enthusiast would cite a throwaway quote from a pissant Eurocentric magazine as 'proof'. This quote tells me more about the Kwality of 'Car Magazine' than any facts about Holdens. You should realise this, and also hopefully begin to accept that the Australian Automotive Industry has not only the long-held capacity of car manufacture .. but design as well.

first of all, its crayzayjay, not crazyzajay.
second of all, you shouldnt feel so offended by what i wrote, it was just a bit of banter, i have nothing against the Commodore, quite the opposite.
finally, i was merely stating facts about the Holden to enlighten people who have never heard of the car. as it happens, the (correct) statement I made was challenged by you so i obviously found it appropriate to quote a well known car magazine which i am sure is more resourceful than both of us put together. this proved my point, which has further been backed up by someone who is more resourceful than me and actually wrote to the car comps. this eurocentric car magazine also rated the car extremely highly so id love to know what you think of that.

From what i have gathered at your reply, you seem somewhat insecure at the thought that your car shares its platform with an Omega, which i find unnecessary and was not something I intended to invoke. In addition to that, you also defend the australian car industry when i did not even mention it.

Next you'll be claiming that the 1979 XD Falcon is really of british design, and uses the platform of the almost identical yet thoroughly decrepit Ford Granada!

theres really no need to say that, i dont know anything about the 79 Falcon and quite frankly i dont particularly want to make any statement about it (which is what forums are about correct me if im wrong) if it is going to spin off some long argument.

so to end things off on a high, i have done more research and found that the HSV Commodore is actually a re-bodied F40.

cheers
jay

[Chris]

Look at this way, if you like: The Opel is based on the Commodore

[Jimster]

Originally posted by Chris
Look at this way, if you like: The Opel is based on the Commodore

Yeah you could do that, but the Opel is older than the Commodore