We're familiar with the current Commodore platform through the Pontiac GTO, which is simply a Commodore-based Holden Monaro coupe in Pontiac makeup: strut suspension up front, semi-trailing arms at the rear, disc brakes all around. Sources in Australia say the new Zeta cars feature a more sophisticated multilink rear axle for better ride refinement and smoother handling. The front suspension is still strut-type, but two-piece A-arms may be used to improve ride and steering geometry.
Entry-level versions of the new Holdens will be powered by 235- and 255-horse versions of GM's 3.6-liter quad-cam V-6. The higher-horsepower engine is basically the so-called "high-feature" engine and will drive the rear wheels through GM's 5LE50 five-speed automatic transmission. The lower-output version is a high-feature engine minus the trick intake manifold and variable-cam timing and will be bolted to GM's venerable 4LE60 four-speed auto.
Holden has two choices for V-8s: the 400-horsepower, 6.0-liter LS2 currently in the Monaro and the high-performance Commodores built by its AMG-style in-house hot shop, Holden Special Vehicles, or the all-aluminum 303-horse, 5.3-liter L33 engine that sees duty in the new Impala SS and Pontiac Grand Prix GXP. Our sources in Australia are hinting that Holden will opt for the L33 engine for regular V-8 Commodores to ensure good fuel consumption and save the LS2 for the new Monaro and the HSV cars. Transmission choice will be either a six-speed manual or the smooth new six-speed auto that first appeared in the Cadillac STS-v.
Despite the gloomy pronouncements, GM already has the basic hardware in place to create the real, rear-drive, high-performance SS Chevys it badly needs--if it wanted to. Because of the GTO program, and because they'll be sold in left-hand-drive markets like Saudi Arabia and Brazil (ironically, badged as Chevys), the new Holdens are engineered for left-hand drive and should meet U.S. crash regulations.
It could work like this: Want a 400-horsepower Impala SS that'll nail 60 mph in about 5.0 seconds and lay down standing quarters in the mid-13s? Just slam the Bow Tie and SS badges on the next HSV Commodore Clubsport. A new Chevelle SS? Why, that could be a rebadged version of the next Monaro, given that the next GTO is planned to have its own sheetmetal. There's even potential for a reborn El Camino SS: a rebadged version of the next HSV Maloo pickup.
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