2017 Holden Commodore Motorsport Edition review

Of Holden’s three final special editions, the Motorsport Edition will probably be the popular choice since it’ll be available in manual form and aims to celebrate all that the Commodore has achieved on track.

Based on the Commodore SS-V Redline, the Motorsport builds on that stout 304kW-and-Brembos mechanical package with a revised rear suspension-cradle bush aimed at keeping the rear end in line under big stresses.

Cross-drilled rotors are added to the Brembo calipers and with aluminium top-hats in a two-piece design, these decrease unsprung mass across the front end by 3.5kg.

Holden has also borrowed the Magnetic Ride package from HSV for the Motorsport. This involves a set of dampers that are driver-adjustable via a magnetic fluid in the damper body that can increase or decrease the effective damper rate on the move.

There are three modes; Tour, Sport and Performance with an increase in stiffness from what amounts to FE2 up to FE3-and-a-bit. In Track mode, ESP is disabled and everything else such as the steering assistance, throttle sensitivity and the exhaust’s bi-modal activity is also linked to the mode switch.

Probably the Motorsport’s biggest claim to (future) fame is the adoption of new driveline cooling measures, borrowed from high-end US-market models including the Corvette and Cadillac franchises as well as the Camaro ZL-1.

The package includes auxiliary oil coolers for both the engine and either manual or auto tranny and, with these fitted, the Motorsport Edition gains GM’s global Level 3 Track Readiness tick of approval.

Beyond that hardware, the Motorsport gains heated front seats, a black roof, shift paddles for the auto version and a specific, lightweight 20-inch alloy wheel and tyre package. All yours for $61,790 in manual form and $63,990 with the six-speed auto. But don’t mess around, Holden is only building 1200 examples.

The drive is as good as you’d imagine, too. The Magnetic Ride stuff does the trick in giving the car multiple personalities (not in a `Here’s Johnny!’ way) and the presentation is subtle but different enough to get the car noticed.

And while the driveline cooling system doesn’t make it any faster, it does mean it’ll go hard for longer and a hot afternoon of thrashing the car around Philip Island in 30-ambient proved it.

SPECS
Engine: 6162cc V8, OHV, 16v
Power: 304kW @ 6000rpm
Torque: 570Nm @ 4400rpm
Weight: 1793kg
0-100km/h: 4.9sec (est.)
Price: $61,790/$63,990 (manual/auto)