Holden Aussies shaping Euro-built 2017 Commodore

Holden's imported Commodore successor is being designed by Australians in Germany right now, and there’s a chance it will include a V8 engine.

This is great news after speculation early on that Holden’s first fully imported hero would be a front-drive, four-cylinder model sourced from China.

Holden has reforged an alliance with Opel that will result in more than a third of its future line up coming from GM’s German brand. The next generation Opel Insignia mid-sizer, expected to be built in sedan, hatch and wagon body styles, is a major player in Holden’s plans. So much so that Holden is taking an active role in its development, largely around suspension tuning to prepare it for Australian conditions.

What’s yet to be decided is whether the next generation Insignia, which could be revealed in 2016, will inherit the Commodore nameplate or keep its European badge.

Company insiders confirm that debate is raging within Holden, with vocal supporters arguing that the brand can’t afford to throw away 36 years of heritage built into the Commodore name. Those against, including former boss Mike Devereux, think Holden should make a fresh start.

However, while it won't be made here, the next Commodore will still have a strong Aussie accent.

Wheels has learnt the new Insignia’s chief designer and project manager are both Australian. Holden’s local team, spearheaded by design director Richard Ferlazzo, is heavily influencing the project.

Niels Loeb, an Aussie from Sydney’s northern beaches and Opel’s exterior design director, is penning the next gen Insignia, which will draw heavily from last year’s Monza concept (pictured).

“Look, I can’t confirm details, but the new Insignia is going to be even better-looking and more premium than the current car,” Loeb said. “The Monza show car has had a big influence and Richard’s team [at Holden] have definitely been involved. They’ve added an Australian style which is more muscular, more in your face, more Aussie.”

Performance car fans can breathe easy, too, with Opel’s hard core OPC (Opel Performance Centre) brand already working on an all wheel drive halo model that could produce as much as 370kW from a twin-turbo V6, or even an American-sourced V8.

“We have no plans for a V8 for the European market, but there could be a discussion with North America to get one for Australia,” said Opel’s performance manager, Wilfried Diehl. “I understand it [a V8 engine] is very important for the Australian market.”

Despite the comments, Holden insiders told Wheels that, while a V8 Insignia is not impossible, it’s unlikely given Opel’s small penetration into America. Holden is yet to officially confirm Insignia will succeed Commodore, but Wheels understands the deal
is done.

Come 2017, Holden faces the prospect of having a passenger car line-up with no rear drive models for the first time since 1948. Apart from range topping, all wheel drive OPC/VXR variants, next-generation Commodores will all be front drive