What’s new about Holden’s limited-edition Commodores

THIS is it. The last special-edition Holden Commodores that will roll off a production line in Australia. A number of visual and mechanical changes make these cars stand above bread and butter Commodores, so as a handy guide we’ve run through all the new features for the Motorsport Edition, Director, and Magnum over the Redline SS-V sedan, Calais V and Redline SS-V ute on which they’re based.

Holden Commodore SS-V Redline Motorsport Edition

Externally, the Motorsport Edition has new 20-inch forged alloy wheels and some extra lipstick in the form of red highlights around the daytime running light surrounds, mirror scalps, and wheel lining. The roof also gets a lick of Phantom Black paint.

There are also new decals to make the car stand out from the crowd, along with new heated sports seats shared with the US-market Chevrolet SS export model up front. There’s embroidering on the instrument panel, along with new “Motorsport Edition” badging.

As standard the Motorsport Edition receives a lip spoiler on the boot, with the option of upgrading it to a wing. Each car will come with a commemorative presentation case, and a 1:18 Biante model of the car.

The sedan also gains Magnetic Ride Control suspension for the first time with three different settings; tour, sport, and performance.

Improvements to the rear sub-frame’s bushes improve stiffness, while charcoal-coloured Brembo calipers wrap around new cross-drilled brake rotors front and rear.

The 6.2-litre normally aspirated LS3 V8 still makes the same power and torque as before, but the bent-eight now comes with an updated powertrain cooling system to meet GM’s Level 3 track capabilities. This includes a new engine oil cooler, an auxiliary transmission oil cooler for the automatic, and an in-tank cooler for the manual transmission. The system was validated with a 24-hour test at race pace around GM’s Michigan proving ground.

Holden Calais V Director

The Director receives a black roof and SS-V Redline hood vents, and for the first time in a Calais V, adds paddle shifters.

The same front seats that appear in the Motorsport Edition appear inside the cabin of the Director, along with the embroidered instrument panel and alloy pedals.

The 20-inch forged alloys also carry over, however they lose the red pinstriping. The Director wears a lip spoiler, but there is no optional wing.

The Magnetic Ride Control featured in the Motorsport Edition also underpins the Director, along with the upgraded brakes, and engine and transmission cooling package.

Holden Commodore Ute SS-V Redline Magnum

The sports seats – although minus the heater function – rims, and embroidered instrument panel are all included on the Magnum. It also gains a hard tonneau cover over the standard SS-V Redline ute, along with a rear-window Magnum graphic and unique badging and decals.

The same brake, transmission and engine cooling packages as seen on the Motorsport and Director appear on the Magnum. Disappointingly, an issue with the exhaust system’s path under the car means the ute can’t take the Magnetic Ride Control fitted to the other two variants. Instead, it gains the FE3 rear-suspension tune originally developed for the SS-V Redline sedan.