VF Commodore: Technology key to sales

Holden has equipped its new VF Commodore with a suite of smart technologies in an attempt to attract new buyers and secure the car's place in the waning large car segment. Many of the technologies are firsts for locally produced cars.

Underpinning what Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux described as a "no excuse... world-class car", the technologies include self-parking, a rear cross-traffic detection system, collision alert, lane departure warnings and a full-colour head-up display (HUD).

And it's not just premium Calais and SS V models that will benefit – by way of example, according to Mr Devereux, every model within the VF range will get self-parking as standard. It's highly likely all VF's variants will also get keyless entry and start.

"This is a technologically advanced car... The most advanced car conceived and created in this country," Mr Devereux told motoring.com.au at the VF's media preview.

Safety technologies incorporated into the new VF include Reverse Traffic Alert, which warns of cross traffic when reversing, and blind spot and lane departure alert systems. A rear camera is also standard across the range, while the HUD (expected to be optional on all but top-spec VFs) includes not only speed but, in its various guises, a tachometer, lateral G meter and turn-by-turn navigation.

The self parking system fitted across the VF range tops many of those offered by overseas manufacturers by providing both parallel and 90-degree parking modes.

The adoption of the self-parking system is possible as all VFs will use electrically assisted power steering (EPAS). EPAS opens the possibility of stability-enhanced self-steering but is in the meantime expected to yield a fuel consumption benefit in the region of 0.5-0.7L/100km. For the record, Holden is keeping the VF's full fuel economy story to itself for the time being.

The VF's high-tech, gadget-rich assault has been made possible thanks to Commodore's adoption of a new electronics platform. The new platform dubbed 'Global A' allows Holden to effectively plug and play systems from across the GM world. It's understood VF's project team has used systems from both GM's European and US arena for the new car.

VF also gets the latest version of GM's MyLink telematics and infotainment system. Centred around a new eight-inch full colour touchscreen interface, the Commodore's MyLink system differs markedly from the Mylink 'lite' fitted to the Barina, by embedding much of its technology within the car. Unlike the Barina, which uses smartphone based navigation and other systems, the VF's smarts are 'hardwired'.

Though no DAB+ digital radio functionality will be offered, MyLink will include Stitcher and Pandora internet radio and streaming music apps as standard. Consumers will need to provide the streaming bandwidth via their own smartphone data plans.

Holden insiders say the company has a wishlist of other apps (including leveraging Apple's Siri voice based app) but there is no timeline for their introduction locally.

The VF's MyLink functionality also includes full iPhone and iPod compatibility as well as the latest Bluetooth connectivity.

See the full Commodore VF gallery at motoring.com.

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