VE Commodore diesel confirmed
31 Jan, 2008
38 Comments 
Finally, a V6 turbo diesel is scheduled for an Aussie-built family car. The VE Commodore has today been confirmed as the first to receive the diesel treatment within the next 18 months.
The engine, developed jointly with VM Motori in Italy will see life in all manner of GM products from Opel, through Holden, and even in to Hummer’s H3 (about time!) though is not expected to appear in VE until early 2009.
Dubbed V6 VMM, the diesel will share the lime light with a bigger version (mainly squared at GMC trucks) which boasts 4.5 litre capacity and producing 700Nm.
There is at this stage no word on capacity and spec of the VE’s diesel, but rest assured, we’ll keep you posted.
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January 31st, 2008 at 3:16 pm
*****PRIMO!*****
Its like a Hybrid i tell’ya…..DO THE MATH!!!
+10% extra to buy -v- ulp engine
+10% extra to by the diesel fuel
The figures dont add up if running costs is the main point.
2 good things
1/Its a Italian engine, so thats proven
2/The extra range from a tank [mind u a dual fuel lpg/ulp would get similar range]
I will pass at this time!
Cheers
F-0
PS Factory injected LPG V8 is what i want, a stealth Berlina…
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January 31st, 2008 at 3:19 pm
God on you HOLDEN a V6 diesel at 700Nm, Ford might do something but the diesel is a great idea, but shame its not coming out when the wagon is completely released to the public!
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January 31st, 2008 at 3:20 pm
^^^^^^^^Meant good not God.
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January 31st, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I hope holden bring the diesel into the sedan and ute range also! That would top it off!
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January 31st, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Would the diesel be available from the base model Omega?
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January 31st, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Premium Unleaded (which I’d use anyway - better mileage)and Diesel = same price. Extra 250 - 300kms out of the tank, easier power, fewer emissions … YOU do the math.
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January 31st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Ford have no option now but to release a diesel powered Terri [well advanced] and a Orion too.
I suppose BigT and Mitsu, will drag along a bit and have to release a diesel in the future too.
Had diesels, have a diesel, dont like them.
Cheers
F-0
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January 31st, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Excellent. An even better tow car!
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January 31st, 2008 at 4:42 pm
EEEEEEEEkk!
Put your calculators away, right now!
Frugal, nobody has ever justified the purchase of a Prius or a Civic Hybrid or a diesel passenger car by using a calculator.
I certainly didn’t when I bought my Golf. We know it doesn’t work. You buy for other reasons, which I’ve noted on here before are the shove in the back at 1900 rpm that still raises a giggle, the can-do/stress-free driving characteristics (hills are invisible to diesels) and low fuel usage.
I have no interest in pushing calculator buttons and freaking out when I discover that the extra purchase price isn’t going to be recouped for x years. Couldn’t give a toss, in fact.
So I await with interest this turbo diesel Commodore. The price is the price.
S
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January 31st, 2008 at 5:16 pm
It will be the 3.0l V6 VM motori that has been under separate development jointly with GM.
From memory, 550nm and around 165kw.
Very nice piece of kit, when it goes into the Hummer H3 it will transform it from a fuel guzzler to one of the most desirable off roaders, hopefully they will also give it one of the 5L or 6L transmissions.
For the 1600kg Commodore, it will be a mind-blower - same power specs as the Touareg T2 update, 6 speed tranny, SSSSWWWWWEEEEEETTTTT
Tomorrow won’t be fast enough…….
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January 31st, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Why don’t people who say it’s more expesive to buy a diesel also take into account that the resale vale is also beter than the same petrol version!!!
Maybe because it doesn’t suit their argument.
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January 31st, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Sorry meant resale value is also better!! (batteries must be running low on my keyboard)
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January 31st, 2008 at 5:26 pm
A very good move for holden this should of been done years ago
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January 31st, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Diesel option in something so mainstream is going to change the landscape and perceptions on diesels for forever in Aus.
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January 31st, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I once previously aired the view - and nobody mocked it, incredibly - that the 4cyl turbo diesel currently available with the Captiva could suit as a stop gap.
It has 320 Nm of torque, a well-judged auto tranny and shifts the Captiva along at just over 11 seconds for the nought-to-100, according to our mate No Name, who found the information on the Vauxhall website.
The Commodore’s 100 kilos lighter. Sure, it’d be no ball of fire, but all things are relative. A VC Commodore 4 wouldn’t see which way it went, thanks to all that low-end thrust.
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January 31st, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Why bother with a stopgap 2.0 litre diesel? That engine is a bit weak for a Captiva with passengers and kit, but OK for a driver only vehicle (lets face it, most are driver only most of the time)
The re-work required to fit either one to the VE is the same.
Then again, to offer the 2.0 or 2.5 VM Motori in the Omega (for a super economical tourer) could be a good idea, and also offer the 3.0 as an option in all variants.
I’m already visualising the Torana comeback with the 3.0….. that would also be nice……
Wonder what the engine could do with a bigger blower?????
Could we have a diesel Torana with 245Kw and 700nm, please. Thank you GM…..
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January 31st, 2008 at 7:43 pm
as if we would get a 700nm motor in a family car here in OZ.
sorry but every thing they bring here gets watered down.
i even think the 550nm suggested earlier is a bit prosperous. the 3.0L hilux diesel doesnt even hit 400nm. well actually the hilux diesel doesnt even beat the falcons 383nm.
it would be goo though if we werent subject to the “Watering down import laws” ha ha ha
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January 31st, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Oh well, I think I will wait till the VF now as I would put my money on it being available for the VF. Worth waiting to get a VF Calais V 3.0ltr Turbo Diesel V6 Sportswagon. Now thats a Mouthfull to say after a few drinks.
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January 31st, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Yeah Reckless, it wouldn’t necessarily make sense from a business point of view. I guess I was just thinking out aloud that, y’know, such a configuration could be quite a good and economical car if it existed, and it could have been made to exist with no more difficulty than that which brought the Captiva Diesel into being. For people who want to faster, there’s always the traditional engines.
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January 31st, 2008 at 8:23 pm
GM already have a 3.0 litre derv burner which is currently serving duty in the European Vectra. Its not the best performer compared to similar sizes engines, current output are 138Kw and torques is 540Nm.. I have one and it’s a hoot to drive, a great towing car. It can be chipped up to 165Kw and 640Nm. It would do as a stop gap but assuming there are no problems turning it 90degrees in the engine bay to drive the rear wheels.
Holden are making a good move here judging by the interest. The economical critics are wrong, it will cost more say $2500 more than the petrol equivalent this Is partly recovered in a higher residual value, over about 60,000km the difference is paid off. There’s also greater enjoyment driving due to the huge torque available and gutsy turbos doing their stuff.
Diesel is about 3.5% more than petrol but the economy saving is about 20-30%. Then theres the increase mileage per tankful to consider. I get as much as 768Km out of a tank meaning less time at the fuel station. Also bear in mind servicing periods are greater typically 32000km for my vectra 3.0 diesel. Cam belts at 160,000kms
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January 31st, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Andrew, the fact that the Hilux 3.0 is only 400nm just emphasises how far behind the Japanese are in diesels (except Isuzu trucks).
If the VM 3.0 is used in the GM vehicles, it WILL have 550nm, why would you detune it? The Touareg 3.0 has 550nm already, and the R30 has 850nm. Yes, at $74,990 it’s dearer than a Commodore Omega, but no dearer than a V8 Caprice which is $71,990 - add say $3000 for the diesel and Bingo, same price.
Dare say at that price point, the Touareg will crap all over the Holden offering, but when you consider the Omega at $36,490 plus diesel, the Holden would be a bloody good thing.
Then my little dream of a Torana at say $5,000-7,000 less than a commodore, lighter, with the same engine - YEEEHAAA,
yes please. Then as no-name says, chip it, daddy and look out
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January 31st, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Incidentally, the Captiva diesel is a VM Motori engine made under license in Korea for GM-Daewoo.
VM Motori is/was jointly owned by Penske and daimler/chrysler. Not sure who of the divorcees got to keep the shares in VM, though.
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January 31st, 2008 at 10:37 pm
“i even think the 550nm suggested earlier is a bit prosperous. the 3.0L hilux diesel doesnt even hit 400nm. well actually the hilux diesel doesnt even beat the falcons 383nm.”
My 2.2L Diesel has 400Nm. 550Nm out of a V6 should be achievable.
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January 31st, 2008 at 10:43 pm
A Torana at $5,000-7,000 less than a commodore, lighter, with the same engine would sell soo well!!
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February 1st, 2008 at 12:08 am
/tip hat to Holden
Now Ford need to do the same.
Could and should make the platform a better fit in some export markets.
Now will the uptake of diesel cars in Australia how long is it going to be before Motoring groups start asking for the duty to be taken off deisel to bring it in line with petrol.
The production cost of diesel is far less then that of petrol so why the big price difference
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February 1st, 2008 at 1:40 am
Stumpy - Think about it for a minute, the price of Derv will never go down to match that of Petrol. Its about the amount of energy in a litre of fuel. Diesel you travel further on a litre, you use less, less income then for both the supplier and the Gov’mt. Then the price stays higher to balance it out…at your cost. Pure economics.
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February 1st, 2008 at 9:58 am
NoName, the price of diesel in oz not being the same as ulp has as much to do with its inelasticity of demand. ie if the price went up we’d consume probably about the same as we do now, same as if it went down tommorrow we’d use about the same as today… the reason being that the vast majority is used in transport or commercial applications…trains, buses, trucks ect.
The amount used in these applications is relatively static. These consumers will use the same amount of diesel whether the price is 1.30 or 1.80 per litre.
As such diesel prices aren’t subject to the same discount cycle and competion as ULP which is sold in greater volume and where demand does change in relation to price per litre. Let’s face it if they wont sell ulp at price that reflects their cost in relation to the oil price they wont sell diesel for less than they do now either!
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February 1st, 2008 at 1:06 pm
The article did not say the Holden would have the 700Nm diesel, but it didn’t say HSV would not either….
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February 2nd, 2008 at 8:23 am
Stumpy,
it was announced quite a while ago that by 2010 ford will have a diesel in both the territory and falcon.
my guess is that as usual commy and falcon will get diesel at pretty much the same time. territory would be expexted to have it before the falcon.
does anyone know what sort of economy this proposed commy diesel would expect?
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February 2nd, 2008 at 8:49 am
I cant wait to see this, but I dont expect any more than say 450Nm or 160Kw. Power outputs too high at the expense of economy tends to nullify the advantage of buying a diesel at a premium over the V6.
Then theres also the issue of having a suitable auto box that will handle any more torque and be reliable over a long time. Nothing kills resale values like a car that has gearbox troubels as soon as its out of warranty. Just ask Mitsubishi.
Even with these figures it should match the V6 in acceleration atleast to say 80kmh, and probably average 7 to 8 l/100 in a combined fuel cycle.
2009 is probably 5 or 6 years late but, better late than never.
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February 3rd, 2008 at 7:58 am
yeh yeh volkswagen still have it all over you guys
thanks for trying
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February 8th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Diesel was cheaper in the 80’s before tax/tariff changes, it is cheaper in most countries around the world where the tariffs are equal to that of petrol.
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April 24th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I’m joining the queue to buy one, I’ve got a 2005 Clubsport at the moment and I’ve been waiting for the diesel Commodore. With 550nm of torque from the 2.9 litre Motori it has to be a winner, that’s the same as my 6 litre Clubsport!
For those of you who aren’t convinced about the value of diesel power, take a look at the Hyundai I30 1600 turbo diesel. You can get one for $23000 on the road and it is a pleasure to drive. My wife bought one a few weeks ago and it’s outstanding value. It eats hills and deliveres 17 kilometres per litre in normal driving. It feels like it has a 2.5 litre engine under the bonnet, in fact it drives better than the 2 litre Ford Focys turbo diesel and it’s about $7000 less on the road.
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May 8th, 2008 at 8:24 am
I personal would buy the Diesel if it cames with a Manual transmission. I have vt wagon and i can’t upgrade it because manual are not offerd. I refuse to downgrade to an AUTO. Don’t be lazy like the american, Drive, and enjoy your car don’t just sit in it. if you are buying a car to just sit in it dose it matter what engine is under it?
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May 23rd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
All NOT good,
DO - THE - MATH!!
DIEsel has cracked 0.30cpl MORE than ULP, they do it because they can get away with it.
DIEsel will break through $2/L by XMAS.
I expect the gap between DIEsel and ULP to get even larger [LOL more than Premium PULP!]
DIEsel MUST go up on 01/01/2009 because the sulfer level is being reduced to EURO ?? level, simple math needs more refining, costs more to do, and it will have to passed on to the consumer.
One day soon the hoodwinked blinker-wearing blind buyers of DIEsel will twig and we shall see a flood of cheap DIEsel powered vehicles that nobody will want to buy.
THE SIMPLE ANWSER IS THE AUSSIE-MADE-FUEL L*P*G
Cheers
F-0
PS With high fuel prices will anybody want a large-aussie-sedan anymore?
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May 23rd, 2008 at 2:28 pm
SIMPLE [and cheaper] solution.AND can be had TODAY!
GEN4 on LPG, more power and performance than a DIEsel, complete different league full-stop!.
Made in Australia fuel, $2k back from GovCo
Green and clean fuel too
winxwinxwinxwin!
Cheers
F-0
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May 23rd, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Nothing new there, Frugal One. Even at now 30 cents higher than ULP (you can usually find a narrower price gap than that), price parity remains at the traditional 15-20%. Nothing’s happened to make me feel like a loser yet.
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May 25th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Frugal one:
The price gap for diesel has blown out recently because China is stockpiling diesel to guard against problems during the Olympics but still only 22 cents if you shop around. That won’t last long. Diesel is not as expensive to refine as petrol but the low volumes in Oz are said to contribute to the higher price. That gap will narrow as diesel cars are more common, especially when GM and Ford release a diesel.
I’ve had several vehicles on LPG and yes, it’s cheap to buy but the conversion is still quite expensive even with the subsidy. Have you considered the increased engine wear from diesel and the valve problems? Both cause additional expense and reduce engine life. Diesel engines last longer than petrol engines and compared to petrol engines using timing belts (not chains), the servicing costs over 90000K are much less.
I’m still in the queue for a Commodore diesel and if there’s an option for the 4.5 litre diesel I’ll pay the premium!
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