Holden Commodore being exported to US again

[1930fordpickup]

Nope, the Impala is staying FWD (new FWD Impala due for '14 on the Epsilon II platform). The current rumor is the car will be called the 'Chevrolet SS Performance'. Odd name, I would have thought 'Chevelle' or 'Monte Carlo' would have worked better (esp. MC because of the NASCAR angle).

I like the current Charger quite a bit, it will be nice to see a competitor from GM again after the short-lived Pontiac G8 (which this car is basically an updated version of). I wish Ford would also get back into the RWD sedan game, but alas they are stuck w/ FWD in the US.

Try looking at the Taurus SHO 365 hp All Wheel drive and better looking that any GM .http://www.ford.com/cars/taurus/specifications/engine/ Just saying. A little FYI the G8 has a problem with the front ends from time to time.

[Longbox55]

The rumor I've seen on GM forums is the sedan is the first step...that the Ute and wagon will likely follow in '15 or so...and that it may be built in NA in a few years (also providing a replacement for the currently-imported Caprice PPV police car).

From what I understand, there's already a second line that was built into the Camaro plant to build the Ute version of that platform back when they were considering the "G8 Sport truck".

[Junkman]

Try looking at the Taurus SHO 365 hp All Wheel drive and better looking that any GM .http://www.ford.com/cars/taurus/specifications/engine/ Just saying. A little FYI the G8 has a problem with the front ends from time to time.

But the Taurus has only 3/4 of an engine, no?

[Rob Hall]

Try looking at the Taurus SHO 365 hp All Wheel drive and better looking that any GM .http://www.ford.com/...cations/engine/ Just saying. A little FYI the G8 has a problem with the front ends from time to time.

It's AWD based on a FWD platform..I'm no fan of FWD cars. The Taurus is very slab sided w/ tiny windows and tall doors, kind of awkward looking, IMO.

Edited May 17, 2012 by Rob Hall

[Eshaver]

Leave it to a fellow Texan to bring me a lifesaver ! THANK YOU Steve !!!!!!!! I enjoyed looking at the picture . it at least gives me an idea as to what General Motors is doing in the land of Under ..................... Ed Shaver

[martinfan5]

Leave it to a fellow Texan to bring me a lifesaver ! THANK YOU Steve !!!!!!!! I enjoyed looking at the picture . it at least gives me an idea as to what General Motors is doing in the land of Under ..................... Ed Shaver

He beat me to it, I was going to get you a pic, so another fellow Texan let you down

[1930fordpickup]

But the Taurus has only 3/4 of an engine, no?

It is a 6 yes , but with 365 hp it is worth a ride .

It's AWD based on a FWD platform..I'm no fan of FWD cars. The Taurus is very slab sided w/ tiny windows and tall doors, kind of awkward looking, IMO.

All the cars have the tiny windows today.

[Duggz]

I read a couple of years ago that GM was thinking about bringing the Chevelle name back on the Commodore. Could this be it? If so I hope they bring it back with 2 doors, like they did when they revived the GTO.

Doug

[moparfarmer]

I'll get flamed for this but that Holden or whatever is above looks like a cross between a Camry and a Mazda. Not too exciting.

[Chuck Most]

From what I understand, there's already a second line that was built into the Camaro plant to build the Ute version of that platform back when they were considering the "G8 Sport truck".

Ah the G8 pickup, which was originally slated to be a GMC offering. Does GM really think there's a market for a 'ute' in North America anymore? Yeah, it looks cool, but it would be my guess the thing would flop harder than the '04-5 GTO, which flopped pretty hard, if you remember. The four door sounds like a good idea, but the G8 sedan was much easier on the eyes, and it didn't sell well either.

Sure, the styling is uninspiring, and it's a four-door, but a V8, rear-drive car is always something worth having. Now... could they have given it a better name? SS? I'm not a Chevy guy, so when I hear SS I think 'Schutzstaffel', not 'Super Sport'. Call it a Chevelle or something! Heck, actually calling it the Chevy Something would be better than simply Chevy SS.

Guess I have mixed feelings about this...

[martinfan5]

I am among the few, but I am excited about this coming state side, now that makes two Australian built Chevys being imported here, the Caprice and the Commodore , I believe the Caprice is only going to be sold as PPV, I dont think it will be sold as a civilian model, not 100% sure on that though

[moparfarmer]

The Caprice PPV is smaller than both the Charger and the Taurus. I know the police like big vehicles with lots of room for equipement and I don't know if the Chevy does it. Also place of manufacture is in question. Most departments/states/provinces like to buy North American built. Especially for parts if needed.

[Longbox55]

I beleive that's the reason they never built the G8 Sport Truck, not enough market for it in North America. However, the way I understand it, the line caould easily be setup to make any vehicle built on the same platform.

As far as the Caprice goes, I've been told by a GM rep that there will not be a civilian version, but they may produce a Taxi variant using the same lengthned wheelbase and a detuned engine. The Commodore/SS (or whatever they finaly deside to call it) will be the civvie version.

[Longbox55]

The Caprice PPV is smaller than both the Charger and the Taurus. I know the police like big vehicles with lots of room for equipement and I don't know if the Chevy does it. Also place of manufacture is in question. Most departments/states/provinces like to buy North American built. Especially for parts if needed.

I've seen the Caprice in person. It is about the same width and hight as the Charger, but is about 12' longer overall length. When it goes into full production, it will be built in Canada.

[Joe Handley]

I read a couple of years ago that GM was thinking about bringing the Chevelle name back on the Commodore. Could this be it? If so I hope they bring it back with 2 doors, like they did when they revived the GTO.

Doug

I'm almost willing to bet that the crybabies would whine that it isn't a real Chevelle like they did with the GTO......

[mcandela]

Here we go again, this time it will be called the Chevrolet SS

Remember what happened to the GTO. Adios!

[mcandela]

NASCAR does not mandate that the cars raced in the NASCAR series have to be American or made in the USA, if a manufacture wants to race in NASCAR, they can, they just have to meet requirements set by NASCAR , one of them is it has to be production car.

The are rumors that VW and Honda have thought about coming to NASCAR,

The other is MONEY!!!!

[Danno]

Word is that the Chevrolet SS will also be pressed into duty as a law enforcement "Black & White" . . .

[Harry P.]

I thought maybe GM had learned a lesson after the Holden "GTO" thing...

[Guest Johnny]

The problem with the GTO was they were limited by the UAW rules as to how many could be imported.(18,000 I believe)

This car is slated to be produced here eventually and Nascar will help push sales along with it is a RWD car that so many have wanted to see!

[SteveG]

I thought maybe GM had learned a lesson after the Holden "GTO" thing...

Although I have to agree the Holden GTO missed the mark .... The 08-09 Pontiac G8 GT in my opinon is one of the best cars to ever to have worn the Pontiac nameplate. For $30,000 new you got a RWD 361 HP V8, 6-spd Auto with a true Limited Slip diff and almost perfect 50/50 weight balance. It does the Qtr mile in the mid 13's all day long and seats 5 adults in comfort. At the time the only American Sedan to match it's performance was the SRT Charger which is only a fender length faster in the Qtr mile but cost about $10,000 more. Cover the nameplates and do a test drive ...... you'd think your driving a European Sedan like a M Series BMW costing twice as much. If the Holden based Chevy SS sedan is anything like the G8 GT..... Chevy's got a winner !

-Steve

[Rob Hall]

I've seen the Caprice in person. It is about the same width and hight as the Charger, but is about 12' longer overall length. When it goes into full production, it will be built in Canada.

Actually, it's about 4 inches longer...(204.2 vs 199.9). The Caprice is slightly narrower and taller.

[Rob Hall]

I'm almost willing to bet that the crybabies would whine that it isn't a real Chevelle like they did with the GTO......

Definitely...and if they call it Monte Carlo (which has also been rumored and makes sense from a NASCAR angle for the branding) they would whine about it being a 4dr..

However, it sounds like the name is definitely going to be just 'SS' based on the articles I've seen today.

Edited May 17, 2012 by Rob Hall

[ZTony8]

I've seen some of the Caprice cop cars advertised for sale on a used car website so they're out there for someone to obtain one privately.

[Rob Hall]

I've seen some of the Caprice cop cars advertised for sale on a used car website so they're out there for someone to obtain one privately.

I've seen them on ebay also...slightly used.