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By
EWAN KENNEDY
10 November 2008
COMMODORE
Who says Holden doesn’t listen to the people, and even to us
critics? Because the iconic Australia company has just made
announcements on two of its most important models.
Biggest
news is that the best-selling car in Australia, the VE Commodore
is now more economical. Engineers have detuned the powerplant
slightly and its power curve now peaks at 175 kW, instead of 180
kW as previously. This has resulted in an official fuel
consumption rating of 10.6 litres per hundred kilometres, which is
down from the 10.8 litres per hundred kilometres, on the Omega and
Berlina sedan. The fuel saving on the same vehicles as station
wagons is 0.4 litres per hundred kilometres, 10.7 litres versus
11.1 litres. Ute numbers are 10.9 instead of 11.3 litres per
hundred.
Even
more important in the minds of caring drivers is the reduction in
exhaust emissions. The Holden Alloytec V6 engine now meets Euro 4
regulations which don’t come into effect until 2014.
The
best fuel reduction has been in the LPG engines. However it’s
much easier to achieve big things when you start from a low base
and the decrease in LPG use from a very thirsty 15.5 litres per
hundred kilometres to a V8-like 14.2 litres, while worthwhile,
still means you'll be visiting the gas station fairly often. On
the positive side, Holden has built a dual-fuel engine for the
Commodore so you can run it on petrol as well.
BARINA
Then there's the safety story. Holden's smallest car, the Barina,
had been justifiably criticised for its poor results in crash
testing. When thumped into a concrete block to see how it fared in
the Australian NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) in 2005, the
three-door Barina scored a paltry two stars out of a possible
five.
Following
changes to its body structure and the installation of side airbags
as standard, the three-door Barina now holds a much more
respectable rating of four stars. The same as the Commodore.
Changes
to the design of the body see the Holden Barina having
high-strength steel in its B-pillars (those closest to the heads
of the front seat occupants). There are also changes to the way
collision forces are distributed throughout as much of the body
structure as possible. Thus cushioning the occupants as much as
possible.
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Marque Publishing Company
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