Item: 2004 Holden VZ Commodore
Rating: 3

Responsive 3.6-litre V6 engines
Powerful 5.7-litre LS1 and 6.0-litre L76 V8 engines
Impressive ride/handling balance
Spacious and comfortable interior
Accurate steering provides good feedback

Alloytec V6 engines lack 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Outdated interior design and plastics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 Commodore was available as a large sedan or wagon. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, the rear-wheel drive VZ Commodore was initially available with newly-introduced 3.6-litre V6 and continued 5.7-litre V8 engines, while the range consisted of Executive, Acclaim, SV6, SV8 and SS variants. Production of VZ Commodore sedans ended in July 2006 due to the release of the VE Commodore ; the wagons, however, continued until August 2007 as the VE Sportwagon was not released until July 2008. The full VZ Commodore range is given in the table below.

Engines: Alloytec 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;
For the Commodore SV6, the high output ‘Alloytec 190’ LY7 version of this engine was further fitted with a dual stage intake manifold and continuously variable exhaust camshaft phasing;
For the Commodore SV8 and SS, 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 and WL ranges, the introduction of electronic throttle control and improvements to engine calibration, induction and the exhaust increased peak power to 250 kW; and,
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 engines were available with four-speed 4L60E automatic, five-speed 5L40E automatic and six-speed Aisin D173/AY6 manual transmissions (the latter two units reserved for the SV6). The LS1 engines were available with the four-speed 4L60E automatic and six-speed Tremec T56 MM6 manual transmissions. For the VZ range, the four-speed 4L60E automatic 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. The T56 MM6 manual transmission continued to be offered, though it was fitted with the LS2’s revised clutch and pressure plates due to the engine’s increased torque.

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 Commodore , the VZ Commodore could be identified by its ‘twin spear’ bonnet, new fascias, radiator grilles, larger air intake openings and more compact headlamp designs.

The VZ Commodore 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 Commodore 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.

Holden VZ Commodore specifications
Variant	Body	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
Executive	Sedan, wagon	3.6-litre LE0 petrol V6	4sp auto	175 kW at 6000 rpm	320 Nm at 2800 rpm
Executive	Sedan, wagon	3.6-litre LW2 petrol/LPG V6	4sp auto	175 kW at 6000 rpm	320 Nm at 2800 rpm
Lumina, Equipe, SVZ	Sedan, wagon	3.6-litre LE0 petrol V6	4sp auto	175 kW at 6000 rpm	320 Nm at 2800 rpm
Acclaim	Sedan, wagon	3.6-litre LE0 petrol V6	4sp auto	175 kW at 6000 rpm	320 Nm at 2800 rpm
Acclaim	Sedan, wagon	3.6-litre LW2 petrol/LPG V6	4sp auto	175 kW at 6000 rpm	320 Nm at 2800 rpm
SV6	Sedan	3.6-litre LY7 petrol V6	5sp auto, 6sp man.	190 kW at 6500 rpm	340 Nm at 3200 rpm
SV8, SS	Sedan	5.7-litre LS1 petrol V8	4sp auto, 6sp man.	250 kW at 5600 rpm	470 Nm at 4000 rpm
SV8, SS	Sedan	6.0-litre L76 petrol V8	4sp auto, 6sp man.	260 kW at 5600 rpm	510 Nm at 4400 rpm

Post-2006 engine outputs (Euro III emissions compliant)

Engine	Peak power	Peak torque
3.6-litre LE0 petrol V6	172 kW at 6000 rpm	320 Nm at 2800 rpm
3.6-litre LW2 petrol/LPG V6	172 kW at 6000 rpm	320 Nm at 2800 rpm
3.6-litre LY7 petrol V6 (Alloytec 190)	190 kW at 6500 rpm	335 Nm at 3200 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the VZ Commodore included dual front airbags, ABS, brake assist, 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.

For the sports models, the SV6 and SV8 were further equipped with traction control, while the SS added front seat-mounted side airbags (fitted to the SV6 and SV8 from 2005).

Compared to the Executive, the Acclaim added front seat-mounted side airbags, active front seat head restraints and, for sedan models, electronic stability control with corner braking control.

Brakes

The VZ 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. The limited-run Commodore SSZ, however, had 320 mm by 32 mm vented front brake discs.

From 2006, the VZ Commodore SS had a ‘Performance’ brake package which consisted of 320 mm by 32 mm vented front brake discs and 286 mm by 18 mm vented rear discs; the limited-run Commodore SSZ was also fitted with this braking package.

Features

Standard features for the Commodore Executive included a six speaker Blaupunkt sound system with CD player, a power adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, steering wheel audio controls, automatic headlights, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, 12 volt power outlet (in the centre console), trip computer and an immobiliser. Beyond this, the Acclaim added 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning and power-operated rear windows; Acclaim sedans were also fitted with rear parking sensors.

Compared to the Executive, the Commodore SV6 added 17-inch alloy wheels with FE2 sports suspension, air conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel (with gearshift paddles for models with automatic transmissions), rear power windows, front fog lamps and body kit. From 2005, the SV6 was also fitted with a limited slip differential.

Compared to Executive, the Commodore SV8 added 17-inch alloy wheels with FE2 sports suspension, air conditioning and a limited slip differential. From February 2005, however, the SV8 was fitted with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-operated rear windows, deeper front fascia with fog lamps, body kit (side and rear skirts), mesh grille and black bezel headlamps.

Finally, the Commodore SS was distinguished by its 18-inch alloy wheels, limited slip differential, six-stack CD player, a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel, power-operated rear windows, alloy pedals and a colour-coded instrument cluster. From February 2005, the SS was also fitted with climate control air conditioning, a dash-top storage compartment and fold-out cup holders in the instrument panel.

2004 Commodore Lumina

In December 2004, a limited-run Lumina variant was released. Based on the Executive, the Lumina added 17-inch alloy wheels with FE2 sports suspension, a six-stack CD player, air conditioning, power-operated rear windows, an upgraded trip computer, chrome exhaust tip and leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake; sedans were also fitted with a rear spoiler, while wagons had a roof rack, dust deflector and body-coloured roof rails. The Lumina was again released in September 2005, but sedan models were instead fitted with the FE1.5 sports/luxury suspension tune

2005 Commodore Equipe

Released in April 2005, the Equipe was based on the Executive, but added 17-inch alloy wheels with FE2 sports suspension, a six-stack CD player, air conditioning, power-operated rear windows, chrome exhaust tip, body-coloured side mouldings and mirrors and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake. Sedans were also fitted with rear parking sensors, while wagons received a dust deflector and body-coloured roof rails.

2005 Commodore SSZ

In September 2005, a limited-run Z edition of the SS was released. It was distinguished by its 18-inch VZ Monaro wheels, upgraded brakes, leather seats with SS Z logo, Bluetooth connectivity, rear parking sensors, colour-coded SSZ instrument cluster and black centre-mounted oil and volt meters.

2006 Commodore SVZ

Released in March 2006, the SVZ was based on the Executive but added 17-inch alloy wheels with FE1.5 suspension tune, a six-stack CD player, air conditioning, Anthracite sports seat trim with leather bolsters, Berlina-style front fascia with fog lamps, rear power windows, chrome exhaust tip and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake. Sedans were also fitted with a rear spoiler, while wagons received a dust deflector, body-coloured roof rails and roof racks. The SVZ wagon was released again in May 2007.

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