Holden Commodore (VL)

Holden Commodore (VL)
Holden Commodore Executive sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Holden (General Motors)
Also called	Holden Calais (VL)
Production	1986–1988
Assembly	Australia: Dandenong, Victoria; Elizabeth, South Australia New Zealand: Trentham
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Platform	GM V platform
Related	Opel Rekord E Opel Senator
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L RB20E I6 (New Zealand) 3.0 L RB30E I6 3.0 L RB30ET I6 5.0 L Holden V8 engine
Transmission	5-speed manual 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,668 mm (105.0 in)
Length	4,766 mm (187.6 in)
Width	1,722 mm (67.8 in)
Height	1,363–1,368 mm (53.7–53.9 in)
Curb weight	1,250–1,350 kg (2,760–2,980 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Holden Commodore (VK)
Successor	Holden Commodore (VN)

The Holden Commodore (VL) is a mid-size car that was produced by the Australian manufacturer Holden from 1986 to 1988. It is a significantly re-engineered fifth and final iteration of the first generation of this Australian made model and included the luxury variant, Holden Calais (VL).

The VL Commodore represented a substantial makeover of the VK, and would be the last of the mid-size Commodores. The total build number for the VLs, between February 1986 and August 1988, was 151,801.

The designers sought to soften the lines for the VL, rounding off the panels and introducing a small tail spoiler built into the boot lid. Holden also implemented rectangular headlamps as opposed to the square-type fitted to earlier models. For the top-of-the-range Calais model, the design incorporated the use of semi-retracting headlight covers, the first for a production Holden. This had been previously attempted on the never released Torana GTR-X which featured fully retractable headlights. Interestingly the Calais covered headlights were the same as the regular VL Commodore headlights.

Major changes were made to the dashboard with new instruments, touch switches mounted either side controlling wipers, rear window demister, electric antenna (Berlina/Calais), and the headlight switch moved from the right-hand dash side to the indicator stalk. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning control graphics changed slightly, the center console offered more storage with new transmission shifter and surround.

A comprehensive makeover for the VK Black engine was completely dropped in favour of an imported 3.0-litre RB30E straight-six unit designed and manufactured by Nissan in Japan. This featured an overhead camshaft (OHC) and an alloy cylinder head. The reason for the Nissan-Holden combination was because all cars manufactured in Australia from 1 January 1986 had to run on unleaded 91 octane fuel. The previous six-cylinder Black motor was unable to do this, as was the V8, hence the later release date of this engine. As the tooling for the Holden straight-six engine had become worn by this stage, it also was not considered cost-effective to adapt the design to unleaded petrol. The new engines included features such as an Electronic Combustion Control System (ECCS) and a ram-tuned intake manifold.