2018 Holden Commodore: what it’s missing

IT’S all change for Holden’s new Commodore – the first imported Commodore – due in February 2018.

And for the Holden faithful it won’t all be good news.

As expected, a V8 engine will be missing from the options list. Blame it on a general downsizing of engines and the fact Australia is unique in wanting big sedans with big power.

As reported exclusively by Wheels, the mainstream Commodore will be a hatchback for the first time. It’s been called Sportback to add some marketing pizazz (there will also be a wagon, or Sportwagon).

There also won’t be a manual transmission for the imported Commodore, with Holden instead settling on automatics across the range.

The Commodore will also do without rear-wheel drive. Four-cylinder models will drive the front wheels, while the V6 will power all four wheels.

That’s a big shift for Holden, which in the past has said rear-wheel drive is crucial to the feel and ability of a Commodore.

One good change is the shift to a fuel filler door that incorporates the cap. It means no fussing with separate filler caps, instead just pop the fuel door and start refuelling.

It’s not yet known whether Holden will offer a full-sized spare wheel on any Commodore. The reality is, in Europe – the prime market of the car where it will be sold as an Opel Insignia – they would prefer to save the weight and space of carrying around a sizeable wheel.