Struggling Adventra V8 gets the axe

HOLDEN has decided to discontinue its V8 variants of its Adventra all-wheel drive and concentrate on Adventra V6s only.

The decision was made partly because the V8 model has been a slow seller in the competitive sports utility vehicle segment and also “the need to reduce manufacturing complexity at the Elizabeth, South Australia operations” according to spokesman, David Ellis.

The company has also decided to discontinue Holden One Tonner variants in preparation for the all-new VE Commodore in the second half of 2006.

Holden has sold about 3000 Adventras this year, compared to more than 22,000 Ford Territorys and the car has struggle despite the addition of a V6 in February.

Holden launched the Adventra as a V8 only model in 2003 with the V6 arriving in February 2005.

The V8 initially struggled because of its high $50,000-plus price, forcing the company to slice $4000 off the car’s price.

In 2004 just 2500 Adventras were sold, well short of Holden's 4800 target.

Another issue overshadowing the Adventra's future is the arrival of the GM-Daewoo sourced Captiva sports utility vehicle, based on the S3X concept car.

Holden is yet to release full details on the Captiva but it is likely to be available in five, or seven-seater configurations as well as front or all-wheel drive.

There are several powertrain options too – a 2.4-litre four-cylinder, a Holden built 3.2-litre Alloytec V6 as well as two Korean-built 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines.

The state-of the-art Euro-4 compliant common-rail diesels will be available in fixed geometry turbo (FGT) form, which develops 88kW at 4000 rpm and 280Nm at 2000rpm, as well as a higher performing variable geometry turbo (VGT), which develops 110kW at 4000rpm and 310Nm at 2000rpm.

Meanwhile, from January 1, Holden's domestic and imported petrol vehicle range will all comply with strict Euro3 (ADR 79/01) regulations.

Federal Government legislation requires all 2006 petrol engine cars and light commercial vehicles to meet Euro3 requirements – including new standards for exhaust emissions and restrictions on fuel evaporation.

Current exhaust emission limits (ADR 79/00 or Euro 2) restrict hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen emissions to 0.5 grams per kilometre and carbon monoxide to 2.2gm/km.

Euro3 (ADR 79/01) requirements restrict hydrocarbon emissions to 0.2gm/km, oxides of nitrogen to 0.15gm/km and carbon monoxide to 2.3gm/km.

Holden also announced model changes to its model year 2006 line-up of locally produced vehicles in preparation for an all-new Commodore in the second half of the year.

The high-tech 3.6-litre Alloytec engine introduced in the VZ Commodore series in 2004 required minor changes to the engine, exhaust system and calibration to meet Euro 3 requirements.

These changes included new fuel injectors and a new exhaust catalyst.

As reported by GoAuto in November, the new 6.0-litre L76 alloy engine, a member of GM’s fourth-generation small block V8 family, joins the lineup for 2006.

The engine develops 260kW at 5600 rpm and 510Nm at 4400 rpm when tested with 98RON premium unleaded petrol.