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Holden Commodore (VK)

Holden Commodore (VK)
1984-1986 Holden VK Commodore SL sedan 02.jpg
Commodore SL sedan
Overview
Manufacturer Holden (General Motors)
Also called Holden Calais (VK)
Production 1984 – 1986
Assembly Dandenong, Victoria, Australia
Elizabeth, South Australia, Australia
Trentham, New Zealand
Body and chassis
Class Mid-size
Body style 4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
Platform FR GM V platform
Related Opel Rekord E
Opel Senator
Powertrain
Engine

(New Zealand market only)

Transmission 4-speed manual
5-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,668 mm (105.0 in)
Length 4,714 mm (185.6 in)
Width 1,722 mm (67.8 in)
Height 1,360–1,378 mm (53.5–54.3 in)
Curb weight 1,220–1,366 kg (2,690–3,012 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor Holden Commodore (VH)
Successor Holden Commodore (VL)

(New Zealand market only)

The Holden Commodore (VK) is a mid-size car that was produced by the Australian manufacturer Holden from 1984 to 1986. It was the fourth iteration of the first generation of this Australian made model and introduced the luxury variant, Holden Calais (VK) sedan.

The VK series was in production between February 1984 and February 1986 and was the first Commodore to have plastic (polypropylene) bumpers and introduced rear quarter windows for a six-window design (styled by Holden, but similar in appearance to the Opel Senator) as opposed to the four-window design on previous Commodore models. Apart from the bumpers and "glasshouse", other changes for the VK Commodore included a front grille redesign and revamped dashboard instrumentation that included a full digital (vacuum fluorescent display) arrangement for the new luxury version, the Calais.

The exterior of the VK Commodore was also updated with a more modern and aggressive appearance. This included a new grill design very different from previous models, with three bold strips rather than a metallic grill, the now plastic front and rear bumpers/skirts replacing the obsolete metal guards, and a new rear tail light assembly, whereby they now spread from one side to another with a black panel in between. This all added up to a more prominent, sharper look for the 1980s. Changes were also made to the interior whereupon the panel of instruments were now square-shaped rather than the more conventional circular layout. In total, 135,705 VK Commodores were built.

The VK range introduced new names for the specification levels, with Executive now a stand-alone nameplate alongside the base model SL. The Commodore Executive was basically a Commodore SL appointed with automatic transmission and power steering, and was aimed at capturing the fleet market, a market that Holden had lost its share in when the smaller bodied Commodore originally replaced the Kingswood. Also introduced was the Commodore Berlina (replacing the SL/X) and the Holden Calais (replacing the Commodore SL/E). The station wagon body style was available in SL, Executive or Berlina variants only, however the limited edition Vacationer name plate was also continued over for a period from the VH Commodore. Other variants produced were the Commodore SS sedan which featured its own specification – courtesy of HDT – high-performance 4.9-litre V8, and the limited edition – available only through affiliated HDT Holden dealers – LM 5000, SS Group 3, SS Group A (502 made) and Calais Director sedans.


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