SPY PICS: Holden's post-2017 Commodore snapped

The car pictured here is Opel's next-generation Insignia, which is likely to be the basis for the Holden Commodore after local production ends in 2017.

It's clear from the pictures that this new Insignia has grown, and international media outlets are suggesting it may be 10cm or more longer than the current car. That resolves any question hanging over the mid-sized Insignia sold here in VXR form stepping up into the large-car Commodore's shoes.

Measured down to the last millimetre, the wheelbase stretch for the new Insignia would result in a car just 5mm shorter than the current VF Commodore, which has been facelifted for its Series II production run and will be previewed to the local media this coming weekend.

The new Insignia/Commodore is based on the same E2XX platform as the Chevrolet Malibu, which is larger and lighter, and expected to be the donor for the new Commodore's mechanicals. Nothing is known for sure at this stage, but the Malibu's 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder and the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four would seem to be more likely for Oz than the 1.5-litre turbo engine also available in the American car or the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel expected in the Insignia. Given the Malibu is already available with an eight-speed automatic transmission, that looks to be a strong prospect for the Commodore.

Since the larger Malibu is up to 130kg lighter than the current Malibu sold in Australia – which is anticipated to be discontinued since the new Malibu is not built in right-hand drive – and the engine(s) will be significantly more frugal than the SIDI V6s in the VF Commodore, its replacement should make huge strides in fuel efficiency over the current car. The trick for Holden will be retaining the VF Commodore's effortless driveability with the new drivetrain(s).

As the pictures indicate, the Insignia will adopt a CLS-style look, and the smart money believes the new car will adopt a lot of styling cues from Opel's Monza concept shown in Frankfurt two years ago. The production  Insignia will be available in five-door liftback (think Skoda Superb) or wagon body styles. According to the European press there will not be a four-door sedan in the new range. Presuming this is the case for the Commodore-badged car as well, that's a major change for Holden's large car – the first time Holden will offer a 'sedan' with a tailgate.