Commodore engine downsizes and powers up

THE VZ Commodore will be powered by a 3.6-litre version of the new HF V6 engine, not a 3.8-litre as has been widely speculated.

GoAuto sources in the US have debunked the expectation that Holden would go with a 3.8-litre version of HF to match the capacity of the outgoing 3.8-litre Ecotec V6.

But the 3.6-litre version will trounce the old pushrod engine for both power and torque. Our sources say to expect figures roughly similar to the Cadillac CTS that produces 190kW at 6200rpm and 346Nm at 3200rpm. This compares to the Ecotec’s 152kW at 5200rpm and 305Nm at 3600rpm.

The HF V6 outdoes the Barra 182 Ford Falcon inline 4.0 engine for power (182kW at 5000rpm) but misses out substantially to the Ford on torque (380Nm at 3750rpm).

Key technical features of HF include all-aluminium construction, double overhead camshafts, 24 valves and continuously variable cam phasing.

The VZ-specified version of the engine will start production in late May at its new $400 million plant in Port Melbourne.

But Holden has actually been building HF engines at its new plant since last November, although production has been slowed by a lack of demand for the engine from Buick, which installs it in the low-selling Rendezvous Ultra model.

It will soon begin building 2.8 and 3.6-litre versions for the Daewoo LWB luxury car based on the W-car Statesman.

VZ, the last update of any significance for V-car before it is replaced by the all-new VE in the first half of 2006, is expected on sale in August.

The engine will be mated to GM’s 5L40-E five-speed automatic gearbox in VZ specification but that will be replaced by a six-speed around VE time.

That could be the new 6L80-E automatic gearbox revealed with the Buick Velite concept convertible at the New York auto show last week.

Velite is based on the Zeta architecture developed by Holden for VE and GM brands across the world. It was powered by a twin turbo version of the 3.6-litre V6 developing 300kW.

With its all-new drivetrain, VZ is tipped to be more expensive than the outgoing VY II.