Guest Review: Holden Commodore VF 2013
The 2013 Holden Commodore VF, the second series car in the fourth generation of the iconic Australian Commodore series, is due to take the reins from the Commodore VE in June of 2013. The Commodore VF is based in General Motors’ Zeta platform, the same platform on which its predecessor is based, and also the same platform on which the Chevrolet Camaro is produced. The Commodore’s engines are not slated to change from the VE to the VF, but the transmissions will, and both the exterior and interior styling has been updated and improved. Holden is planning to manufacture the VF until 2016, as the Commodore’s next model is scheduled to be debuted in 2017.
The new 2013 Commodore VF’s exterior appearance has been described by the company as more ‘organic’ than previous models. While it shares virtually the same rear end as the VE (though the Sedan variant has updated taillights), the deeper, sleeker lines on the front and sides do move it further into the realm of sleek contemporary automobiles from its origins as a boxy Australian sedan. New headlamps, and a newly designed grille and intake, also help to distinguish the VF from previous models.
The Commodore VF SS boasts even more unique updates, such as blacked out bezels on the headlamp and tail-lamps and 20-inch alloy wheels. Most notably, the huge wing of the Commodore VE SS has been replaced by a much less pronounced lip-spoiler on all but the VF SS-V Redline model.
The Commodore VF’s interior will receive some noticeable upgrades as well. The new models feature cleaner surfaces, premium materials and chrome highlights (wood grain in the Calais) that all add to an elegant, high-class feel that is altogether superior to the previous series. The layout of the vehicle’s cabin has been almost completely redesigned, but most significant additions to the new models include an eight-inch, Bluetooth-capable center console touchscreen display, as well as a heads-up display on the windshield above the dashboard. The HUD, currently only found in high-end luxury brand automobiles, will display information such as the current speed, gear setting, and navigational information, and allow the driver to remain focused on the road while still seeing all of the relevant information.
Some of the new models will even come with such advanced new technologies as lane-keeping assistance, a rear cross-traffic camera, a blind-spot warning system and a collision alert system. Significantly, a new self-parking system will also be included in the set of available features, and will be capable of both parallel and perpendicular parking.
Finally, even though the VF’s line of engines is not scheduled to change, Holden has ensured that the new models will show an improvement in fuel efficiency over the VE series. A redesigned automatic transmission, as well as the introduction of aluminium components, will result in an estimated 10% improvement in fuel efficiency.
Unfortunately for Holden, the large, rear-wheel drive sedans of the Commodore series have not been selling well in Australia recently, and it is rumored that the VF may turn out to be the last series of the Commodore. There is hope for Holden, though, as there are also rumors that the Commodore VF SS will makes its way to American in the form of the Chevrolet SS. Only time will tell.
