VK Commodore
| Holden Commodore (VK) | |
|---|---|
Commodore SL sedan
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Holden (General Motors) |
| Also called | Holden Calais (VK) |
| Production | February 1984 – February 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 the Holden Commodore 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 grille design very different from previous models, with three bold strips rather than a metallic grille, 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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