Commodore achieves Five-Star ANCAP rating
December 4, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Holden today announced the upgraded VE Commodore Omega sedan has achieved a maximum five-star rating under ANCAP testing criteria.
The result comes from the addition of a steering column shroud energy absorber across the VE sedan range that helps to reduce driver knee injuries, and a passenger seat belt reminder on the Omega sedan (introduced in October this year).
These improvements are in addition to the front passenger side impact airbags and curtain airbags that were made standard across the range earlier in 2008.
These improvements add to Omega’s already impressive safety equipment list of ABS, EBA, EBD, ESP and Traction Control – all of which are included as standard.
GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mark Reuss welcomed the result and said it was encouraging to receive this third party endorsement.
“We have always been very confident of this vehicle’s real world safety capabilities. Before we launched VE, we conducted almost 80 real world prototype crash tests and more than 5000 crashtest simulations using leading edge virtual technology. When it comes to safety we are committed to continually improving the passive and active safety features we offer. We are also pleased to see that ANCAP now acknowledges Electronic Stability Control in determining its ratings.”
Holden will adopt the passenger seat belt reminder feature as standard fit across the VE Commodore range from mid 2009 production.
CarAdvice are currently testing the new 2009 Holden Commodore Omega against Ford’s Falcon XT – stay tuned.
Print it: 
Topdog, you really are dreaming calling yourself that as I would classify you as the runt of the litter. My Computer has no virus. What I said is fact. Now name a current Holden passengee car that only has 2 stars? You wont find one. Now stop the personal attacks, read the website code of conduct and talk about the matter at hand.
I don’t why some of you guys are harping on about the seat belt warning sign as getting the VE over the line, they have made quite a few changes in materials and design to meet the required frontal offset score. You can bet this cost quite a bit as well.
Congrats to them however for getting there, well one model for the moment anyway.
Frosty up until a month or so ago the Barina was only 2 stars, now just squeezed into 4 stars, but that sure is a lot better. No need to eat Topdog’s lunch though, it was only 2 stars for 2 or 3 years, he can be forgiven for missing that earth shattering news. Would really love to see ABS become standard on this car.
Max,
Probably the reason for all of the discussion about the seatbelt reminder is because all of the other structural changes are probably accross the range, but the seatbelt reminder gets the Omega “over the line”.
The bottom line being, that all post October 08 VE’s are as safe as each other (if you “remember” to put your seatbelt on??), and are all significantly safer than ALL VE’s built pre-October 08.
Remember there are a whole heap of little detail engineering changes as well as additional equipment.
And yes Duck, this MAY devalue ealier models, however there are far bigger influences on values.
Yep you got it max im reading a mag from last month and was shocked to see the barina with only 2 stars for safety
I think what we all seem to be forgetting is that 4 or 5 star or not, VE and FG crash statistics are very, very close in terms of figures recorded. Seat belt reminders or not, if you are in a crash so severe it would kill you in the VE, you would be dead in an FG too. Both cars are incredibly structurally sound and a seatbelt light isn’t going to save you in a crash either.
On a separate topic: 23,000 kms later my Calais V 6.0 hasn’t had one issue so I really find it hard to believe there are so many VE problems. Perhaps the luxury models are less prone to faults? Finally, sure the Omega interior is kinda foul but the interior on my car is excellent, logical and functional. Why so much bagging?
Also, I think its a tad too early to judge wether or not the FG is fault free, you have to give it some time for the niggles to appear.
Devil,
the VE was out for 6 months and had 3??? recalls and other problems.
the FG has been out for that long and no reported dramas.
when you break down the points you are talking near 5 points difference. the FG got an easy 5 star whereas the early VE’s got a mid 4 star. its near one full star difference when you look at it like that
it not just the seat belt light. if you read they made quite a few changes.
Frosty,
the falcon was the first to include driver, and then passenger airbags as standard. i dont know where you get your facts from, but they aint facts.
Andrew M, you are wrong. The VR Acclaim was the FIRST 9NUMERO UNO) Car to come out with drivers airbag. The VS cam out with dual airbags standard while the EF came with standard Drivers and optional passenger. It was the first to make the passenger airbag optional because the EF came between the VR and VS model cycles. The special edition VT series one Calais came with standard side airbags whilst the VT 2 Calais, Berlina sedan and wagon and Acclaim sedan and Wagon came out with standard side airbags. Don’t dispute my knowledge Andrew as I have been following the car scene most likely longer than you have been alive and I update my cars as often as 6 months and own 3 cars and also drive fleet vehicles so my knowledge of cars is extensive in all aspcts of cars. Cars and Mobile phones are my 2 hobbies and I follow both with a passion and as such if you check when each model Falcon came out and Commodore you will find Holden were the first to offer the airbags as standard.
I meant to say the BF was the first to make the passenger airbag on a locally built car BUT it was a option not standard as you state whilst the VS Acclaim were first to make dual airbags standard. You will find the VR came out before the BF and the Acclaim was introduced in the VR as the safer family car compared to the Executive and as such came with drivers airbag. THe EB which was still on sale when the VR got released did NOT offer any airbag.
Isnt it funny how on one hand people say who cares the ford is the first ausie car with 5 stars and rave on about it dosent matter then on the other hand thay rave on about who was first wit hair bags i mean dose it all matter so long as we all get the stuff and its affordable.I remember when ford offered abs for just 1 dollar and holden offered it for 990 .The point is who cres who is first so long as it dosent take t olong to get it into our cars so thats good that holden got there cars up there for the high ranking
Better late than never i say we can only hope that holden get rid of those dawoes and ge tthe euroepean cars instead
Frosty,
standard means standard across the range.
Would you say the falcon has 6 airbags standard?? No. the upper specs that have 6 are models above standard fitment.
its also like saying the XF Falcon had standard Disc brakes when only the S Pack and up did.
The commodore didnt have a drivers airbag standard until late 97 with the VT. August ‘97 to be exact. i know because at the time my uncle owned a ‘97 VS, and had a 97 VT compant car
The Falcon had an airbag fitted standard in 94 with the EF.
the AU falcon had dual airbags fitted standard with the second series in 2000
The Commodore didnt get dual bags fitted standard until 02 with the VY.
talk yourself up all you like, but do you think you are the only one that might actually know something???
You have just made the biggest mistake of underestimating your oppisosition.
it also wouldnt matter how long you have been following the auto scene, because relating to airbags, that was only 14 years ago. if i wasnt alive to remember that, i wouldnt be old enough to have my own subscription to internet access to be having this conversation.
its like you arguing your point over modern days stats and declaring you are right because you lived with the dinosaurs.
who knows??? i could be 50 and you could still have 20 years on me, but that counts for squat since we are discussing things that have happened over the last 14 years
and i assume when you corrected your typo with “BF” that that was also a typo because surely you know you are well off on that one
ooops,
excuse my typos such as
“oppisosition” ha ha ha ha ha
uh uh Andrew, don’t try to clarify your mistake…. It doesn’t mean standard across the range…. The Holden Acclaim had a standard Drivers airbag from the VR Commodore which was in the showrooms in 1994.The Holden Commodore Acclaim was the first Australian car to have a drivers airbag standard end of argument. So why not just admit your wrong. I am sure doing a search you will find the facts and once I get back home around Lunch I will do a search myself as I am 200% sure bare minimum that you will find that my claim is Correct.
Frosty is right Andrew M.
Also Andrew M the VS was the first to offer a passenger airbag as is also stated in the website unigue cars and parts dot com. Also as per the same website regarding the VR
2. Holden Commodore
Holden Commodore: History, Car Reviews and Specifications
… Latest Classifieds View RSS feed Holden Commodore Monday the 13th November 1978 was a watershed for the General, that day launcing the Opel re-engineered Commodore. GMH engineers had naturally made changes to ensure the durability of the car in … conditions, but the real gamble was whether Australian’s would be accepting of the all-new body style as a suitable replacement for the traditional large family sedan. Under the Opel skin lay the ever reliable assortment of all-Aussie red engines, … and optional across the range, the system being adapted from the long wheelbase VQ. More>> Holden Commodore VR 1993- 1995 The VR Series was the first Australian built car to offer a driver’s airbag. The introduction …
Now I am willing to finish that debate there but I do get annoyed by someone who is either ignorant to the motoring history in Australia or is just so anti Holden to admit that Holden have led the safety path in Australia for many years. I suppose you think Ford were also first with ESP. Personally and I am sure many safety conscious people would agree is that life saving head protecting curtain airbags should be manadatory on all new cars and that NO 5 star rating should apply to one without them. As such I totally disagree that the lower model Falcons should have a 5 star rating with only technology that Holden had in the VT series 2 Commodore which in 1999 had 4 airbags just like the 2008 Falcon has.
Sorry mandatory not manadatory
Andrew M said…….it also wouldnt matter how long you have been following the auto scene, because relating to airbags, that was only 14 years ago. if i wasnt alive to remember that, i wouldnt be old enough to have my own subscription to internet access to be having this conversation.
Andrew M you say that but how can you prove its your own internet subscription? My 5 year old niece can access the internet that her parents have got even if she is watched by her parents to ensure she goes to the Barbie websites…. This is no way can prove ones age. I myself can prove that I am over 18 as I have a couple of websites of my own relating to my old band back in the early 80’s and once you saw my grey hairs you would realise I am far from young.
VR Commodore………
“The rear-end treatment saw raised tail lights, implemented for safety reasons, and a driver’s side airbag was introduced as an option: a first for an Australian-built car.”
Source: Wikipedia
Thanks Duck,
you proved my point.
If its not available on the base model its considered NOT standard. Even as you Quote Wiki, they class it as optional.
Frosty,
well if you knew it all you would realise that the VR actually started in ‘93, NOT ‘94 as you say.
Also if you knew a thing about fords airbags you would realise that if the car isnt optioned with curtain airbags, then the side airbags operate differently to offer head protection.
I think its even worse that the base model commodore didnt get a single life saving front airbag standard until ‘97.
You up ford for the rent for not putting 6 standards on the base model, yet think its ok how long holden held off on putting the most important of all “drivers bag” in its standard kit.
anything above an Omega/Executive isnt a standard commodore.
anything above a GL/Forte/XT etc, isnt a standard Falcon.
thats really what the basis of the whole argument is about
VR Acclaim had standard drivers airbag as did Berlina and Calais so I would say that VR was the first to offer a airbag as standard. So it was still the first aussie built car to have a drivers airbag as standard. It has nothing to do with base model. It was still the first car to offer one as standard.
All this fighting over who was first with standard air bag too much for me to follow.All i know is ford is the first to make a 5 star car good on them i say good to see ford doing things first up
We Aussies should be proud that the two uniquely Australian designed and built family sedans were able to achieve the coveted 5 star safety rating before the world’s wealthiest car company with their “Goal Post Shifting” Aurion.
I mean when you consider the resources and the money that Holden and Ford have access to compared to that of Toyota and the fact that Ford and Holden have made consecutive losses over the years whereas they made record profits you’d think that Toyota would be able to do far more and that they would have been the first to get 5 stars.
Infact you’d expect Toyota to get 5 stars across their entire range.. Wheras the only car company I can think of that has a complete 5 stars range is Subaru.
Wheelnut you hit the nail on the head you would think the aurion would be way out in front with all there resources thay have but the falcon is a lot better ive driven booth and as good as the toyota is the ford is a much better drive for me and felt more solid with a full load on board over some rough roads i had it on ill take the falcon with out quetion
Please dont bring the Aurion into this. In terms of cabin size it dosent come close to the Commodore or the Falcon.
It`s a 200KW V6 Camry, nothing more nothing less.
Although the Falcon has a better safety rating, if I was going to get hit in the side by another car or truck, I would prefer the commodore due to its more solid chassis.
Agree with everyone who commented on Holdens gearbox/engine combo on the Omega/Berlina.
Bring the 5speed out on all models, its pretty good with the 5speed(still not as good as the falcon combo).
And smooth out the 6cyl( I read the caddys six coming to the commodore is alot better power wise but is still a little rough at idle)
I’ve heard that both the Cadillac V6 and “Northstar” V8 engines are destined for Oz…. The engines are okay but they can keep the hideous cars they came from at home in the USA.. Even though I’d like to see Holden [Engine Company] return to the good ol Aussie 5.0 litre
Yeh so would i, we know how to make good engines its just cheaper to get them in i spose. Im glad the falcon has decieded to keep making the ozzy engine for our ozzy car
At least Holden tried later and got the 5 star ANCAP, not like Toyota, like Wheelnut was saying. Toyota still has their “Game changing Aurion” which has still only 4 stars for ANCAP and haven’t even tried for a re-test not like Holden (and of course for Ford got the 5 star ANCAP in the first place, I didn’t forget). They can’t even bother! And their still getting terrible sales results for it’s V6 Camry!!!!!!!!!!!
So what is Toyota thinking!?!?!?!?!?!????!!!!!!!!!?????!!!!!!
Its good to see all round.
Holden supporters really have Ford to thank for this result.
If Ford had’nt had gone the whole hog and grabbed a 5 star, i highly doubt holden would have bothered re-engineering the front to also get the commy over the line.
Now im not being pig headed in saying that, its actually true.
That is just a prime example how the competition means win win for the consumer.
Aussiecar,
i dont know how a “more solid” chassis lessens the brutality of a side impact
Duck – It’s not the “Game Changing” Aurion…. it sthe “Goal Post Shifting” Aurion
As the game hasn’t changed – Holden and Ford are still beating Toyota in tersm of sales of their Family Sedans.
whereas I [and a number of car enthusiasts on this site] don’t consider the Aurion to be a direct rival to the Commodore or Falcon however; Toyota [and some of their fans] like to compare the Aurion to the Commodore and Falcon when something good about the Toyota comes out in the media… but whenever something bad about it is mentioned they say that its not a direct rival to the Commodore or Falcon.. and thats what I mean by “Goalpost Shifting”
It’s like a Rugby League team losing a game but saying “yes we lost but we scored more goals then they did”….aaaahh you still lost!
Then if the same Rugbty league team hppens to win against the same team that they previously lost to they say “yep we won we deserved it and the scoreboard shows it” when its more likely to have been because of the poor refereeing
Aussiecar Says:
December 8th, 2008 at 2:11 am
“Although the Falcon has a better safety rating, if I was going to get hit in the side by another car or truck, I would prefer the commodore due to its more solid chassis.”
I don’t know how you jump to that conclusion. The Falcon chassis always has been stronger, with better crash protection than commodore – and still is!
^^^^MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMmmm??????????
I don’t know Bret if……….. “The Falcon chassis always has been stronger, with better crash protection than commodore – and still is!” ………….is true!
That’s right Wheelnut! In the first place, how can the Aurion be a direct competitor to the Commodore and/or Falcon if it is front wheel drive!!!!!!?????
And if the Aurion is “Game Changing” why doesn’t Toyota upgrade the Aurion (like the VE Commodore) and go for a re-test to try and acheive a 5 star ANCAP rating like Holden did?
P.S. ………… Wheelnut it is more like the “Goal Post Shifting” Aurion! ;)
Duck, exatly. You don’t know, however those with an understanding of engineering and structural design do.
EG.
Commodore limited to 200kg lower towing capacity because of chassis strength.
Commodore notorious for breaking through floor pan behind front row of seats in serious crashes (pre VE). The Commodore previously had a two piece floor pan which failed at the spot welded joint.
Commodore chassis stetched during heavy towing.
etc.
nice one Holden
besides the cosmetics seat belt reminder (+1), and red tape pole test (+2), they physically improved the steering column to remove the knee score penalty (+2)
to keep in perspective, Aurion Camry and 380 still has the knee injury problem
fingers crossed now for Aurion to do the same
(if not physical steering column change then at least a knee airbag like Yaris Corolla and US Camry)
so Aurion can join the 5-star league and everyone is happy
Toyota fans would be even happier so that’ll bump it from from 30.03 to 35.03 to top the group