New 2019 Holden Acadia hits the road

GM Holden has kicked off a six-month, 30-vehicle real-world testing program in the lead-up to the Australian launch of its first GMC model, the Acadia, in the fourth quarter of this year.

Described as a premium seven-seat SUV and powered exclusively by a 3.6-litre petrol V6, the 2019 Holden Acadia will aim directly at large family crossover wagons like Toyota Kluger and Mazda CX-9.

It will follow the mid-size Equinox released late last year as the second Holden SUV to be sourced from North America. Together, both models replace the aged but still popular Korean-made Captiva, helping SUVs to account for 35 per cent of Holden sales, forecasts the company.

Released in the US last year, Holden describes the latest GMC Acadia as “unashamedly American”, but claims an intensive Australianisation program that began two years ago with local engineering input will result in a large seven-seat SUV that’s ideally suited to Aussie tastes.

“Acadia boasts all the American presence and swagger you’d expect from a large SUV developed by GMC but, importantly, has had Holden input from early on,” says Holden.

According to Holden this early engineering work applied lessons learned from recent Commodore and Colorado localisation programs that focused on “delivering the direct steering and composed ride that resonates with Australians”.

The final part of the GMC Acadia’s initiation into the Holden range includes a fleet of 14 vehicles that will be driven daily by a variety of Holden staff and their families ahead of its launch.

Combined with 16 GMC Acadia vehicles being tested in North America, Holden says 30 examples will notch up almost 1.5 million testing kilometres, including on tram tracks and gravel roads.

Apart from ensuring its suitability for Australian road conditions, Holden says its Captured Test Fleet (CTF) program will fine-tune some of the Acadia’s high-tech features such as Auto Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning and Traffic Sign Recognition to work with our unique road markings and signs.

Other equipment reinforcing the premium positioning of the Holden Acadia, which will be available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, includes a 360-degree camera, wireless mobile phone charging, hands-free power tailgate and ventilated and heated seats.

Holden cites the Acadia as another example of its plan to source the best vehicles from General Motors’ global product portfolio, following the closure of its Australian manufacturing operations last October.

This week it quoted Phil Brook -- a former Holden marketing chief who is now vice-president of marketing for Buick and GMC, which has manufactured trucks since 1902 – insisting the Acadia will strike a chord with Australians.

“Australians, as with customers around the world, are choosing to drive more SUVs every year. Attracted by the size and space, ride height and the extensive list of comfort, safety and technology features, SUVs are a reflection of people’s lifestyles,” said Brook.

“Nobody does SUVs better than General Motors and GMC. Acadia ticks all the boxes and more. It’s proved very popular here in the US and will be a perfect fit in Australia, too.

“It has a premium feel, outstanding quality, a strong road presence, plenty of cutting-edge technology and enough room for seven adults. It’s a fantastic all-rounder.”

Holden says that beyond the introduction of world-class imported products, recent initiatives like the $16 million Lang Lang Proving Ground upgrade, $150 million dealership network makeover, $500 test drive challenge and Holden Financial Services launch are proof of its commitment to Australia.

Conversely, it says Holden’s importance to GM is evidenced by global engineering programs including emissions testing and multi-brand powertrain calibration, plus Holden’s Advanced Vehicle Design (AVD) and award-winning GM Design teams.