Next-gen Holden Commodore SS to get Focus RS all-wheel drive

Holden's next-generation replacement for the Commodore SS could come with the state-of-the-art all-wheel drive system that was developed for the Ford Focus RS, according to new reports.

Featuring full torque vectoring on the rear axle and a front electronic differential that helps manage torque across the axle to reduce understeer, according to Autocar GM European arm Opel will team up with engineering experts, GKN, to develop a rear-wheel drive biased all-wheel drive system.

That means the fastest Insignia VXR five-door liftback, that will be renamed the Commodore SS Down Under, should come close to matching the agility of the outgoing Aussie-made sedan with the security of all-wheel drive.

Despite no official confirmation from either GKN or Opel that the next Insignia VXR/Commodore SS will get the clever all-wheel drive system, branded Twinster, the engineering firm has already gone ahead and created prototypes, based on the current Holden Insignia VXR, to prove how effective the tech is.

Said to offer significant benefits over a normal all-wheel drive system the Twinster tech can apply torque to one or both wheels independently and can torque vector at any speed.

The system, originally developed for the Ford Focus RS, can also deliver far more torque to the rear wheels than its rivals. According to GKN the clever all-wheel drive has the ability to be able to drive the rear wheels faster than the front - hence allowing for oversteer or a controlled drift mode.

GKN says its system doesn't rely on a vehicle's braking system that can slow a vehicle down or cause significant brake wear.

Boosting agility further, is the next all-wheel drive Insignia VXR/Commodore SS will be up to 200kg lighter than the current model with the range-topping VXR or SS model weighing in at around 1600kg. Most of the weight-saving will come from using GM's all-new E2XX platform that underpins Chevrolet's new Malibu in the US.

We also know, from recent spy pics, that the 2017 Opel Insignia will have an Audi A7-style profile and that the SS models will come with a new twin-turbo V6.