Item: 2000 Holden VX Commodore
Rating: 3.5

Economical 3.8-litre L36 V6 engine
Spacious and comfortable interior
Accomplished ride/handling balance
Quiet, well-insulated cabin
Improved build quality and rear toe-control links for VX.II Commodore

V6 engine coarse above 3000rpm
Clunky downshifts for automatic transmission
Heavy steering lacks feedback
Thirsty 5.7-litre LS1 V8 engine
For VX.I Commodore, low standard of interior fit and finish

Holden VX.I Commodore (2000-01)

Overview

Released in October 2000, the Holden VX Series I (VX.I) Commodore was available as a large sedan or wagon. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, the rear-wheel drive VX Commodore was available with 3.8-litre V6, supercharged 3.8-litre V6 and 5.7-litre V8 petrol engines. The VX.I Commodore range consisted of Executive, Acclaim, S and SS variants. For the VX range, the Berlina was no longer a variant within the Commodore range but was released as a distinct model.

Engines: V6, Supercharged V6 and V8

Of the engines,

The 3.8-litre L36 pushrod V6 petrol engine had a cast iron block and cylinder head, multi-port fuel injection, two valves per cylinder, a single balance shaft and a compression ratio of 9.4:1. For the VX range, changes included a new design propshaft with dual rubber couplings, a more powerful Powertrain Control Module (PCM), larger idle air control valve, improved idle quality and improved distribution of crankcase ventilation gases between cylinders (for more balanced performance and better spark control);
The 3.8-litre L67 supercharged V6 engine was based on the L36 engine but distinguished by its Eaton M90 supercharger (which provided boost pressure of 6 psi or 0.41 bar), fuel injectors, cylinder heads and lower intake manifold; the compression ratio was also lowered to 8.5:1; and,
The 5.7-litre LS1 pushrod V8 engine had all-aluminium construction, a 99 mm bore, 92 mm stroke, sequential multi-port fuel injection, flat-topped pistons, two valves per cylinder, twin knock control sensors and a compression ratio of 10.1:1. For the VX range, changes included a higher-flow inlet manifold, higher dynamic range fuel injectors, new PCM software and improved idle quality.

Transmissions: 4L60, M35 and T56

All engines were available with four-speed 4L60E automatic transmissions; models with V6 engines were available with M35 Getrag (‘Getrag 260’) manual transmissions, while models with V8 engines were available with six-speed Tremec T56 manual transmissions.

Dimensions and VT comparison

The VX Commodore sedan was 4891 mm long, 1842 mm wide, 1450 mm tall and had a 2788 mm long wheelbase; the VX Commodore wagon, however, 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). Compared to the VT Commodore , the VX Commodore introduced a modified B pillar for improved side-impact protection; the pillars were also foam-filled for improved insulation.

Visually, the VX Commodore could be identified by its teardrop headlights with complex reflectors and clear polycarbonate lenses; at the rear, there were separate, transparent tail-light assemblies and oval-shaped bumper reflectors. The Executive and Acclaim variants featured a short overhang front bumper with three-slot air intake, while the S and SS were differentiated by their black-bladed grille, larger air dam, black-bezelled headlights, rocker mouldings and decklid spoilers.

Suspension

Both the VX Commodore sedan and wagon had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms. For the VX range, changes were made to the front suspension lower control arm pivot and stabiliser strut link for more progressive steering response.

Holden VX.I Commodore specifications
Variant	Body	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
Executive	Sedan, wagon	3.8-litre L36 petrol V6	4sp auto, 5sp man.	152 kW at 5200 rpm	305 Nm at 3600 rpm
	Sedan	3.8-litre L67 s/charged petrol V6	4sp auto	171 kW at 5200 rpm	375 Nm at 3000 rpm
	Sedan, wagon	5.7-litre LS1 petrol V8	4sp auto, 6sp man.	225 kW at 5200 rpm	460 Nm at 4400 rpm
Acclaim	Sedan, wagon	3.8-litre L36 petrol V6	4sp auto	152 kW at 5200 rpm	305 Nm at 3600 rpm
Acclaim	Sedan	3.8-litre L67 s/charged petrol V6	4sp auto	171 kW at 5200 rpm	375 Nm at 3000 rpm
S	Sedan	3.8-litre L36 petrol V6	4sp auto, 5sp man.	152 kW at 5200 rpm	305 Nm at 3600 rpm
S	Sedan	3.8-litre L67 s/charged petrol V6	4sp auto	171 kW at 5200 rpm	375 Nm at 3000 rpm
SS	Sedan	5.7-litre LS1 petrol V8	4sp auto, 6sp man.	225 kW at 5200 rpm	460 Nm at 4400 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the VX Commodore included a driver’s airbag, ABS (Bosch 5.3), front seatbelt pretensioners and anti-submarining seat ramps.

The Commodore SS was further equipped with a front passenger airbag and traction control (for both automatic and manual models), while the Acclaim was also equipped with front side airbags.

Brakes

The VX Commodore 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.

ANCAP crash testing

In ANCAP crash testing , the VX.I Commodore Executive received a three star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 17.14. In the offset crash test, there was a moderate risk of serious head injury for the driver as the driver’s head struck the steering wheel and, on rebound, hit the centre pillar; lower leg protection for the driver was also poor. Occupant protection was better in the side impact test, though the centre pillar and doors were pushed inwards substantially.

Features: Commodore Executive and Acclaim

Standard features for the Commodore Executive included 15-inch steel wheels, a four speaker sound system with CD player, a power adjustable driver’s seat, height and reach adjustable steering wheel with audio controls, remote central locking, power mirrors, a power antenna, trip computer and an immobiliser.

Beyond this, the Acclaim added air conditioning, cruise control and power windows.

Features: Commodore S and SS

Compared to the Executive, the Commodore S added 16-inch alloy wheels with FE2 sports suspension, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and a two-textured leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Commodore SS was differentiated by its 17-inch alloy wheels, limited slip differential, contoured sports seats and front fog lights.

2000 VX Commodore Lumina

In November 2000, a limited-run Lumina variant was released. Available as a sedan or wagon, the Lumina was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Based on the Executive, the Lumina added 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, power windows, body-coloured side mouldings, a chrome exhaust tip and unique interior trim. Sedans were also fitted with a rear spoiler, while wagons had roof racks.

2001 VX Commodore Equipe

In May 2001, a limited-run Equipe variant was released. Available as a sedan or wagon with a 3.8-litre V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, the Equipe was based on the Executive but distinguished by its 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, body-coloured side mouldings and chrome exhaust tip; wagon models were also fitted with roof racks.

Holden VX.II Commodore (2001-02)