VFII Commodore ute

GM Holden released the facelifted VF Series II Commodore in September 2015, with the same V8 engine found under the bonnet of more fancied machinery from HSV.

The 6.2-litre LS3 V8 in the SS, SS-V and SS-V Redline made 304kW and 570Nm of torque, up 34kW and 40Nm over the previous V8. It did a claimed 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds in six-speed manual guise, and a tenth slower when backed by the six-speed automatic transmission.

The Calais V could be optioned with the LS3 V8 engine for an uptick of $7500. Automatics across the range cost $2000.

An all-new dual-mode exhaust arrangement has been designed for the LS3-equipped machines, with a specially constructed central pipe arrangement combining with a cleverly designed rear box and under-bonnet induction noise.

The rear tip is named after its inventor, Dr David Baillie, a respected senior Holden engineer who died early in 2015.

The Australian-made 3.6-litre V6 remained untouched in VF Series II as did the transmissions, though the final drive ratios in both auto and manual-equipped cars were shortened by approximately 12 per cent.