Word is coming from Australia this morning that Holden has signed an agreement to build Commodore sedans for export to the USA, again. The Holden Commodore was first brought to the US as the Pontiac G8. With Pontiac being dead and GM hinting that a new RWD sedan was coming, this all makes perfect sense. The G8 was very well received in this USA but unfortunately it was too little, too late for the Pontiac brand which was killed off shortly after G8 sales really started to catch fire.
This car will also be the new Chevy model in NASCAR as well, so now there will be two out of three companies racing cars that actually come with V8 engines and rear wheel drive (although they do have four doors). We’re looking at you Ford! The current Chevy Caprice PPV is based on the long wheelbase version of the Commodore, also sold in Australia as the Caprice.
The one thing that remains to be seen if what Chevy will actually name this car here in the US. Word is that GM trademarked the name SS in the past couple of weeks, but we’re kind of hoping that they don’t just call this car the SS. Obviously that would be a break from the historical tradition of having a model where an SS package was available, rather than a stand along SS model of itself. Also, if you call the car the SS and there’s a weakling V6 base model, it loses some prestige immediately.
We’re going to be following the news on this one closely, awaiting both the GM name announcement and also the first versions of this car in NASCAR form. We wonder how close it will look to a Aussie V8 Supercar racer.
We’re excited to know that Chevy will have a new V8, RWD car. We’ve already started beating up the press fleet department to get on the list when testers are released on ham fisted journos!
Holden Commodore coming back to USA…this time as Chevy
Now, if they can just avoid wrecking the look of the car by grafting a huge, ugly, gold-colored bow-tie on the front…
Exactly my sentiment on every vehicle Chevy produces. The only reason I’d buy a GMC over a Chevy truck would be to eliminate that same “huge, ugly, gold-colored bow-tie” ! Chevy needs a logo make-over big-time. I wonder if they’ve noticed the swing in women’s jewelry from yellow gold to white gold and platinum ? Let’s move into the 21st Century, GM !
I believe this when I see them on the showroom floor. We’ve been “getting” the Commodore for about 10 years now.
Yawn…
Call me when they bring over the Maloo.
Meh, I never thought the Pontica G8 sold all that well…this is more of the same.
No style, no brand identification…another rounded blob with wheels and headlights.
It seems to me that all of GM’s innovation these days comes from Australia.
The best things not made in USA?
http://www.autocarmagz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-Chevrolet-Caprice-PPV-9C3-Spec-First-Drive-02-640×424.jpg
Don’t fret a v6, SS models have been built with wimpy engines pretty much since the beginning of time.
The V6 isn’t too bad – they rate at 190 KW which is around 255 hp…
As above the V6 isn’t horrendous, will cut mid to low 15s.
I’m wondering if a Commodore Pro Stocker might be on the cards…
It should be the new Impala with V6 engine & SS with V8.
At least it is not made in China, like the Equinox engines! But I stopped buying sh#t Chevys after my Lumina was recalled for potential engine failure!