Review: Holden VP Commodore (1991-93)

Holden VP.I Commodore (1991-92)

Overview

Released in October 1991, the Holden VP Series I (VP.I) Commodore was available as a large sedan or wagon. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, the rear-wheel drive VP Commodore was available with 3.8-litre V6 engine and 5.0-litre V8 engines. As per the table below, the VP Commodore range consisted of Executive, Berlina, Vacation, S and SS variants.

Engines and transmissions

The 3.8-litre V6 and 5.0-litre V8 petrol engines were carried over from the VN Commodore. Of these,

• The 3.8-litre L27 pushrod V6 petrol engine had a cast iron block and cylinder head, multi-port fuel injection, two valves per cylinder, a single balance shaft, three coil-packs for ignition, a Delco electronic control module and a compression ratio of 8.5:1; and,
• The 5.0-litre LB9 pushrod V8 engine had a cast iron block, two valves per cylinder, multi-point fuel injection, a Delco electronic control module and a compression ratio of 8.4:1.

Both the V6 and V8 engines were available with four-speed 4L60 automatic and five-speed Borg Warner M78 T5 manual transmissions.

Dimensions and VN comparison

Compared to the VN Commodore , dimensions for the VP Commodore were unchanged: 4850 mm long, 1794 mm wide, 1403 mm tall and with a 2731 mm long wheelbase. The VP Commodore wagon was 46 mm longer (at 4896 mm), 19 mm taller (1422 mm) and had a 91 mm longer wheelbase (2822 mm).

Visually, the VP Commodore could be identified by the acrylic grille covers for Executive variants, colour-coded grille covers for other variants, squarer front headlight indicators, revised tail-lights and more pronounced bumpers.

Suspension

The VP Commodore had MacPherson strut front suspension and all variants other than the SS had a live rear axle (with upper and lower trailing arms). The SS, however, had independent rear suspension (IRS) – with semi-trailing arms and gas-pressurised rear shock absorbers – that was adapted from the VQ Statesman/Caprice For other variants, IRS was available as an extra-cost option.

Safety equipment

From August 1992, ABS was available as an option on models with IRS.

Features: Executive and Berlina

Standard features for the Commodore Executive included 14-inch steel wheels with 185/75 HR14 tyres, a two speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, cloth seats, remote central locking, power mirrors, a height adjustable driver’s seat, power-operated boot release and a newly developed anti-theft system which could included automatic ignition disabling and key-activated deadlocks.

The Commodore Berlina was further equipped with 15-inch steel wheels, a four speaker sound system, air conditioning, soft velour seat fabrics, power-operated front windows, a tachometer and cut-pile carpets. The Berlina LX was fitted with 15-inch alloy wheels that were shared with the Calais.

Features: S and SS

Compared to Executive, the Commodore S was fitted with 15-inch heels with 205/65 HR15 tyres, FE2 sports suspension settings and sports interior trim.

In addition to its V8 engine, the Commodore SS was further equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, Calais-style seats (albeit with blue material) and front fog lights. The Commodore SS was also available with a V6 engine to satisfy homologation requirements for the Group 3E Series Production Cars.

Features: Vactioner

The Vacationer was based on Executive but further equipped with air conditioning and power windows; models with automatic transmissions also had cruise control and a power-operated antenna. Visually, Vacationer variants could be identified by their eponymous decals.

Holden VP.II Commodore (1993)

Overview

Released in January 1993, the VP Series II (VP.II) was a minor update for the Commodore. The Executive was fitted with a colour-coded grille panel (as per the other variants), the Commodore S was fitted with 15-inch alloy wheels and ABS was made available as an option across the range.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Holden VP Commodore