- Responsive V6 and V8 engines
- Impressive ride/handling balance
- Spacious and comfortable interior
- Accurate steering provides good feedback
- Alloytec V6 engine lacks refinement
- Four-speed automatic transmission has clunky downshifts and lacks ratios
- Outdated interior design and plastics
- January ’06 to May ’07 Alloytec V6 petrol engines susceptible to stretched timing chains
Overview
Released in August 2004, the Holden VZ Berlina was available as a large sedan or wagon. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, the rear-wheel drive VZ Berlina was initially powered by newly-introduced 3.6-litre V6 and continued 5.7-litre V8 petrol engines. Production of VZ Berlina sedans ended in July 2006 due to the release of the VE Berlina ; the wagons, however, continued until August 2007 as the VE Sportwagon was not released until July 2008.
Engines: LE0 V6, LS1 V8 and L76 V8
Of the engines,
- The newly-introduced 3.6-litre ‘Alloytec’ LE0 V6 petrol engine had all-aluminium construction, a forged steel crankshaft, forged powdered metal connecting rods, twin knock control sensors, double overhead camshafts (DOHC), sequential electronic fuel injection, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable intake camshaft phasing, electronic throttle control, a compression ratio of 10.2:1 and coil-on-plug ignition. Impressively, ninety per cent of peak torque was available from 1630-5460 rpm. Due to the introduction of Euro III emissions standards in 2006, this engine was detuned, fitted with new fuel injectors and a new exhaust catalyst;
- The 5.7-litre LS1 pushrod V8 engine had all-aluminium construction, flat-topped pistons, two valves per cylinder, twin knock control sensors and a compression ratio of 10.1:1. For the VZ range, electronic throttle control was introduced for this engine;
- For 2006 and beyond, the 5.7-litre LS1 V8 was replaced with the 6.0-litre ‘Gen IV’ L76 V8 engine. The 6.0-litre L76 engine had similar properties to the LS1 but had a bigger bore (101.6 mm compared to 99 mm) and an increased compression ratio (10.4:1). Although the L76 engine was fitted with displacement on demand hardware, this technology was not utilised by Holden until 2009.
Transmissions
The V6 and LS1 V8 engines were mated to four-speed 4L60E automatic transmissions. For the VZ range, these transmissions were upgraded with new torque converters.
Upon its introduction in 2006, the L76 V8 engine was mated to the 4L65E automatic transmission which was revised with the addition of an input shaft speed sensor for improved shift quality and consistency.
Development and dimensions
At a cost of $189 million, the VZ range was developed in conjunction with the WL Statesman and Caprice models and also introduced new brake boosters, brake master cylinders, power steering pumps and traction control systems. Compared to the VY Berlina , the VZ Berlina could be identified by its ‘twin spear’ bonnet, new fascias, radiator grilles, larger air intake openings and more compact headlamp designs.
The VZ Berlina sedan was 4891 mm long, 1842 mm wide, 1450 mm tall and had a 2788 mm long wheelbase. Relative to the sedan, was 155 mm longer (at 5046 mm), 5 mm wider (1847 mm), 95 mm taller (1545 mm) and had a 150 mm longer wheelbase (2938 mm).
Suspension
The VZ Berlina had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms and toe control links. For the VZ range, a new front anti-roll bar pick up point with ball-jointed mounts (previously rubber bushes) was introduced.
| Body | Engine | Trans. | Years | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan, wagon | 3.6-litre LE0 petrol V6 | 4sp auto | 2004-05 | 175 kW at 6000 rpm | 320 Nm at 2800 rpm |
| 2006-07 | 172 kW at 6000 rpm | 320 Nm at 2800 rpm | |||
| 5.7-litre LS1 petrol V8 | 4sp auto | 2004-05 | 235 kW at 5600 rpm | 460 Nm at 4000 rpm | |
| 6.0-litre L76 petrol V8 | 4sp auto | 2006-07 | 260 kW at 5600 rpm | 510 Nm at 4400 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the VZ Berlina included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, brake assist, traction control, anti-submarining front seat ramps and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters; models with V6 engines were also equipped with electronic brake assist and electronic brake force distribution.
Berlina
The VZ Berlina had 296 mm by 28 mm vented front brake discs with twin-piston calipers and 286 mm by 16 mm solid rear brake discs with single piston calipers.
Features
Standard features for the Berlina included 16-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with a six-stack CD player, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, power adjustable driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, remote central locking, front fog lamps, automatic headlights, power windows, power antenna, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, 12 volt power outlet (in the centre console), trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser. Sedan models were also fitted with rear parking sensors.
Related links
- Specifications: Alloytec V6 engine (July 2004)
- Specifications: Holden VZ Berlina and Calais (August 2004)
- Specifications: Holden VZ Berlina and Calais (January 2006)
- Features: Holden VZ Berlina and Calais (January 2006)
- Wikipedia.org: Holden VZ Commodore
