Holden Commodore V8 send-offs confirmed

Holden has confirmed a trio of limited-edition Commodore V8s will be a final swansong for the VF Series II range and the final rear-drive Australian-made large car next year.

Limited-edition models based on the SS V Redline sedan, Calais V sedan and SS V Redline ute have been officially announced and will make their public debut in five weeks’ time on January 19. The announcement follows the activation of an interest-register microsite: holden.com.au/cars/commodore/limited-edition

A single teaser image has been provided, showing a Commodore with a black alloy wheel featuring a red outer circle and lower grille, alongside clear but minimal text – “One iconic nameplate. Three limited editions”.

Although not officially confirmed, the long-rumoured Director nameplate is hot on its way to being revived on the limited-edition Calais V that should pick up the magnetic ride adaptive suspension currently reserved for HSV models – and possibly a manual gearbox.

The teaser image most likely points to the more aggressive SS V Redline sedan and ute variations that point to a racetrack-focused edition possibly with stickier tyres than the current Bridgestone Potenza RE050 rubber, and potentially reviving the Bathurst name – or Magnum for the ute, which was last used on the HDT-tweaked two-door for the 1996 VS.

Adding weight to the rumours: Holden has trademarked Director, Bathurst and Magnum.

The Elizabeth, South Australia, factory also already produces the Commodore SS V Redline as the US-export Chevrolet SS with features we don’t see locally including magnetic suspension, ventilated front seats with specific sports buckets, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Given the 6.2-litre LS3 V8 migrated from Chevy SS to VF Series II Commodore SS after some time, expect the trickle-down effect to be a simple matter of flicking a switch in the factory.

Of the export suspension, Chevrolet says: “The SS sports sedan combines the precision handling of a sports car and the remarkably smooth ride of a sedan with the help of the standard third-generation Magnetic Ride Control.”

“With Tour, Sport and Performance settings that each provide unique performance capabilities, this system continually adapts for ultimate control.”

Holden hasn’t said how many of each limited edition Commodore it will make, but it has directed buyers to register their interest at the microsite ahead of the January 19 reveal.