Review: Holden VY Calais (2002-04)

Holden VY.I Calais (2002-03)

Overview

Released in October 2002, the Holden VY Series I (VY.I) Calais was a large drive sedan. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, the rear-wheel drive Calais was available with 3.8-litre V6, supercharged 3.8-litre V6 and 5.7-litre V8 petrol engines.

Engines: L36 V6, L67 Supercharged and LS1 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 VY range, service intervals for the V6 engines were extended to 15,000 kilometres;
• 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.

All engines were available with four-speed 4L60E automatic transmissions which had recalibrated gearshift mapping and, for V8 versions, greater durability.

DDevelopment and dimensions

Developed in conjunction with the VY Commodore , the VY Calais had greater off-centre steering response (through increased torsion bar stiffness and valve revisions), a stiffer body structure (through the use of finite element analysis) and greater refinement with new dashboard insulation, aerodynamic door mirrors and a plenum ramp which deflected air over the windscreen wipers.

Compared to the VX Calais , the VY Calais sedan had the same measurements, i.e. 4891 mm long, 1842 mm wide, 1450 mm high and the wheelbase was 2788 mm long. Visually, the VY Calais could be identified by its trapezoidal grille and more angular styling. Inside, there were new Blaupunkt audio systems, a new instrument panel, centre console, steering wheel, transmission lever and park brake.

Suspension

The VY Calais had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms and toe control links.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the VY Calais included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The VY Calais 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 , a 2003 VY Commodore Executive – equipped with dual front airbags but not side airbags – received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 26.74. In the frontal offset impact test, there was a marginal risk of serious chest injury for the front occupants. In the side impact test, protection from serious chest injury was weak for the driver.

Features

Standard VY Calais features included 16-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels, a ten speaker sound system with six-stack CD player, dual zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, power adjustable driver’ s seat, rear parking sensors, front fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, two-tone paint, luggage net, automatic projector headlights with ‘twilight sentinel’ (i.e. auto-off) function, power mirrors and windows, a 12 volt power outlet, trip computer, alarm and an immobiliser.

Holden VY.II Calais (2003-04)

Overview

Released in August 2003, the VY Series II (VY.II) Calais introduced a more powerful V8 engine due to the fitment of a twin exhaust system and all engines were recalibrated to satisfy emissions requirements, with the V6 and supercharged V6 engines fitted with revised exhaust systems. For the VY.II range, the Calais was repositioned as a sports/luxury vehicle and fitted with a firmer suspension tune (‘FE1.5’) as standard.

Visually, the VY.II Calais could be identified by its 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, bolder front fascia with sports bar grille, hexagonal mesh inserts, black bezel headlamps, side and rear fascia skirts and unique tail-lamps. Inside, there was suede-finish soft fabric trim, black headlining and pillar trim, sports steering wheel and colour-keyed console surround.

Safety equipment

Compared to its VY.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the VY.II Calais was extended to include active front seat head restraints, audible and visual driver’s seatbelt warnings and modifications to the steering column for improved occupant protection.

Features

Inside, the VY.II Calais featured driver’s seat and mirror memory settings and heated door mirrors that automatically dipped when reversing to display low level hazards.

Related links

• Holden Media Archive: Holden Adds Refinement Across The Range (August 2003)
• Wikipedia.org: Holden VY Commodore