Top safety marks for Holden’s new Commodore

HOLDEN’S new VF Commodore has already outperformed the model it replaces, earning an even higher score from Australia’s crash safety watchdog The Australasian New Car Assessment Program today awarded the sedan, wagon, ute and long-wheelbase Caprice models a maximum five-star safety rating, making the new home-grown hero the safest Commodore yet.

The VF maintains the same five-star rating as the outgoing model, but its overall score of 35.06 points out of a possible 37 improves on the VE’s 33.45 points earned in 2008.

However, ANCAP had upgraded the VE Commodore from a four-star rating after testing in 2006 showed the base-model Omega needed several alterations to make the top safety mark.

The Commodore sedan and wagon scored well for occupant protection in the frontal offset test, achieving 14.06 out of a possible 16 points, with ANCAP saying the passenger compartment held its shape well, and driver head and leg protection was acceptable.

Full marks were given for the pole test, and the Commodore was rated as ‘good’ in both the side impact test for head protection and the whiplash test.

ANCAP suggested Holden may have more work to do in terms of pedestrian safety after achieving a score of 15.41 out of 36 points.

The report of the test said the Commodore’s pedestrian protection performance had improved over previous models, “however, many improvements could still be made”.

The VF Ute scored slightly lower the other variants in the Commodore range with an overall score of 34.06 out of 37.

Holden has upped the safety equipment for the VF, including standard gear such as dual frontal, side chest and side head-protecting airbags, advanced seat belt reminders and a cross-traffic alert that detects vehicles pulling out behind or to the side of the car.

Collision avoidance technology including a blind spot alert, lane-keeping assistance and a following distance warning are available as options in the VF.

From top: Nissan Pulsar undergoes ANCAP testing and regular VF Commodore production commences.

ANCAP chairman Lauchlan McIntosh praised the Commodore’s result and said more private and fleet buyers were prioritising safety performance when choosing their next car.

“General Motors Holden is to be commended for their efforts in developing the VF Commodore for the world stage,” he said.

Other top scorers announced today include the Nissan Pulsar sedan and Audi’s A3 hatch and sedan range, both achieving a top five-star rating.

Nissan’s newly-released Pulsar sedan scored 32.67 out of 37 for a five-star rating. The upcoming hatch is yet to be tested.

In the side impact test, ANCAP said that “mostly good protection was provided for the driver”, but there was slight risk of serious chest injury in the Pulsar.

Unsurprisingly, the Audi A3 achieved a high overall mark of 36.41 out of 37 in EuroNCAP tests that were adapted for Australia.

The A3 scored well for occupant protection in the frontal offset test with 15.41 out of 16 and an ‘acceptable’ for pedestrian protection.

The VF Commodore’s five-star safety ranking comes as production starts on the crucial new model at Holden’s Elizabeth plant earlier this week.

A Calais V painted Prussian Steel was the first VF to roll off the production line that will produce vehicles using aluminium bonnets and boot lids that are 30 per cent lighter than their steel equivalents.

Holden director of business and launch strategy Nick Baloglou said the VF was the most advanced car ever built in Australia.

“In terms of both technology and the manufacturing process, VF is a huge leap forward for Holden,” he said. “It’s the best quality car we’ve ever built it’s bursting with technology and we’ve reduced our cost to build.

“Everything we have done is focused on giving the customer the best possible car at the best possible price.”