Commodore demoted

Holden has announced that the base Alloytec V6 engine fitted to Commodore Omega and Berlina models has been revised for improved fuel economy. The company optimistically refers to the running change as an "engine upgrade", but the petrol engine now develops 175kW of peak power and 325Nm of torque, versus 180kW and 330Nm previously.

Fuel economy gains are most pronounced in the case of the Omega and Berlina sedans running on LPG. Holden claims that fuel consumption for these variants is reduced by up to 1.3L/100km (formerly 15.5L/100km, now 14.2L/100km). The Berlina sedan's petrol consumption has dropped just 0.2L/100km -- from 10.8 to 10.6L/100km -- but it was already the most economical of all the revised variants anyway.

According to Holden, the revised V6 complies with Euro VI emissions standards which won't be implemented in Europe until 2014 and the noxious tailpipe emissions for the Omega and Berlina V6 variants can only be bettered by electric vehicles.

These reductions in exhaust emissions and fuel consumption have lifted the petrol Omega and Berlina V6 models from a three-star to 3.5-star rating in the Federal Government's Green Vehicle Guide.

"The upgrade to this V6 engine was to enable improved fuel economy and reduced emissions without sacrificing real world performance," says Holden's Director of Powertrain, Ernie Tamburrini.

Holden is fitting the engine to all V6 Omega and Berlina variants of the Commodore sedan, Sportwagon and Ute from November production. The company's press material doesn't mention what modifications were made and Holden's media website lists the same basic specifications for the 175kW engine and the 180kW engine, with both powerplants equipped with a variable inlet valve timing system and variable length inlet manifold.

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