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2018 Holden Commodore:: Fresh clues about future large car

The first imported Holden Commodore may still be more than two years away, but new details of the car it’s set to be based on – the all-new Opel Insignia – have provided us with fresh clues about the local brand’s future large car.


Any fears that the new model wouldn’t be a proper large car appear to have been allayed by German publication Auto Bild, which claims the all-new sedan will be up to 15cm longer than the current Insignia sedan.

With the 2015 Insignia measuring 4842mm from nose to tail, the new model could stretch to just shy of five metres long, potentially making it even bigger than the current Commodore sedan (4964mm).

As we’ve previously reported, the wheelbase of the new car is also set to grow significantly – Auto Bild claims by around 9cm. That would take it to approximately 2830mm, which is still about 8cm shorter than the 2915mm wheelbase of the current Commodore.

As such, the new Insignia/Commodore will have longer overhangs, as revealed in spy photos captured in August. The new report says the next-generation sedan’s sweeping, coupe-inspired lines are more reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz CLS than the current Insignia.

The new model will become the first Opel inspired by the Monza concept (pictured below) that debuted at 2013’s Frankfurt motor show, and has been described by Opel design director Malcolm Ward as “one of the most beautiful cars you will have seen in years”.

A wagon body style will again be offered alongside the sedan, and Auto Bild’s report claims cargo space will grow “strongly” from the current model’s smallish 500-litre boot. It’s also understood that the car’s designers and engineers have worked hard to improve the wagon’s rear visibility – a criticism of the current Insignia.

Despite its growth inside and out, the new model is set to be around 100kg lighter than its predecessor, which should make it lighter than the current versions of both the Commodore and Insignia.

The new Insignia will also be offered with a range of diesel engines, paving the way for the first diesel-powered Holden Commodore if the local brand decides to offer an alternative to its anticipated range of four- and six-cylinder petrol engines. Among those could be the twin-turbocharged 1.6-litre unit that’s currently offered in the smaller Opel Astra with outputs of 118kW and 350Nm.

While the V8-powered Commodore won’t survive into the next generation, a turbocharged six-cylinder petrol model is rumoured to produce up to 300kW – comparing closely with the current 304kW Commodore SS V Redline flagship, while promising better fuel consumption.

Front- and all-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic transmission and adaptive suspension will all be features of the new large car.

The new model will benefit from the latest technology systems, gaining adaptive LED Matrix headlights and the full suite of OnStar connectivity features.

The most advanced form of OnStar currently available incorporates a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot that allows passengers to connect to the internet on up to seven devices, the ability to speak with a call centre operator and have navigation destinations sent to your car as you drive, and access to a smartphone app that can operate certain functions of the car remotely and display real-time vehicle diagnostic information.

OnStar also features a red SOS button that allows drivers to request emergency assistance as well as an automatic emergency response function that notifies emergency services of a vehicle’s location if it has been involved in a crash and its occupants are unresponsive to a call from an operator.

Holden has previously told us it’s determined to bring OnStar to Australia as soon as possible. A launch to coincide with the introduction of the new Commodore in late 2017 or early 2018 would no doubt be an internal target.

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