Review: Holden VZ Adventra (2005-06)

Overview

Released in March 2005, the Holden VZ Adventra was a four-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, the VZ Adventra was available with newly introduced 3.6-litre V6 and 5.7-litre V8 petrol engines. As per the table below, the VZ Adventra range consisted of CX6, SX6, LX6 and LX8 variants.

V6 and V8 Engines

Of the engines,

• The newly-introduced 3.6-litre ‘Alloytec’ LY7 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 and exhaust camshaft phasing, electronic throttle control, a dual stage intake manifold, a compression ratio of 10.2:1 and coil-on-plug ignition. Impressively, ninety per cent of peak torque was available from 1570 to 5870 rpm; and,
• 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 Adventra, the introduction of electronic throttle control and improvements to engine calibration, induction and the exhaust increased peak power to 250 kW.

5L40E and 4L60E transmissions

The V6 engines were mated to five-speed 5L40E automatic transmissions, while the V8 engines were mated to four-speed 4L60E automatic transmissions. For the VZ range, the 4L60E automatic transmissions were upgraded with new torque converters.

Dimensions and VY comparison

Like the VY Adventra , the VZ Adventra was 5036 mm long, 1934 mm wide, 1654 mm tall and had a 2948 mm long wheelbase. Visually, however, the VZ Adventra could be identified by its creased bonnet, bolder front fascia with new headlights, wide air intake, black mouldings and aluminium protector plates. In addition to its new V6 powertrains, the VZ Adventra also had a new brake booster and brake master cylinder.

Suspension

The Adventra 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.

For the Adventra LX6 and LX8, the rear suspension included an electronically-controlled self-levelling system.

Cross Trac: permanent four-wheel drive system

The Adventra was fitted with Holden’s ‘Cross Trac’ permanent four-wheel drive system which included a New Venture NV124GM transfer case and three open differentials (front, centre and rear). In normal conditions, the Cross Trac system provided a 38:62 front:rear torque split.

In the event that excessive wheel spin was detected at any wheel, the brakes would be applied to that wheel to redistribute torque to the wheels with more traction – this operation was termed an ‘automatic brake differential’ or ABD by Holden. Developed by Holden for local conditions, the Cross Trac system included calibrations for dirt roads and loose surfaces.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the V6 Adventra models included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS (with corner braking control), electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, anti-submarining front seat ramps and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters; the LX8, however, omitted electronic stability control. The LX6 and LX8 were also fitted with active front seat head restraints.

Models with V6 engines were also fitted with a Hill Descent Control (HDC) function which could control the speed of the vehicle without the driver having to touch the brake pedal. With HDC activated, the system would automatically apply the brakes and limit the speed of the vehicle, avoiding lock-up of the wheels; the vehicle’s speed could also be increased or decreased using the cruise control switches.

Brakes

The VZ Adventra had 302 mm by 27 mm vented front brake discs with twin-piston calipers and 286 mm by 16 mm solid rear discs with single piston calipers.

Features

Standard features for the Adventra SX6 included 17-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker stereo with CD player, air conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors, power adjustable driver’s seat, automatic headlights, 60/40 split rear seats, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, roof rails, remote tailgate operation, a retracting cargo blind, trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Adventra CX6 was further equipped with a six-stack CD player with graphic equalizer, climate control air conditioning, ‘Neutral Pewter’ leather seats, chromed projector headlamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel with gearshift paddles, 12 volt power outlet and multi-mode trip computer.

Beyond this, the Adventra LX6 and LX8 added a ten speaker sound system with a subwoofer and 260 watt amplifier, dual zone climate control air conditioning, leather and suede interior trim, eight-way power adjustable front seats, memory settings for the driver’s seat, front fog lights, heated door mirrors (with automatic dipping on reverse), cargo and tie-down nets, a first aid kit and roof racks with an integrated luggage carrier; the LX8, however, omitted gearshift paddles.

Visually, the Adventra LX6 and LX8 were distinguished by their five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels with graphite inserts, jewelled projector headlamps with ‘optic fibre’ twin bar parkers and black bezels, clear lens fog lights, chrome grille headers and stainless steel sill plates.

Related links

• Specifications: Holden VZ Adventra (May 2005)
• Specifications: Alloytec V6 engine (July 2004)
• Holden Media Archive: VZ Holden Adventra All Road Wagon (February 2005)
• Wikipedia.org: Holden VZ Adventra