VTII & VX COMMODRE

THE VT’S first minor update was the VTII announced in June 1999. Blinkers went to white lenses across the range and some of the wheel covers were revised, but who cares? The big news was the new LS1 V8. The ‘Gen III’ – in Holden-speak – debuted with the famous ‘Ninja Turtle’ engine cover appearing in HSVS first, then across the rest of the range in the third quarter of the year.

The last pair of heads were screwed onto the final Holden 304 in June 1999, over 30 years and half-amillion units since its introduction. HSV saw off the five-litre with the 195kw VSIII Maloo.

Less weight from the new all-alloy V8 meant revisions to the front suspension, but best of all the 5.7-litre LS1 was available on any model, right down to the povo Exec. The cops loved ’em.

The VTII was followed by the VX series of August 2000, still sporting Omega B-inspired sheet metal, but barely. Berlina and Calais featured a different headlight shape and rear valance to the lesser specs, while a new spec level, Acclaim, was introduced for the safety-conscious family man. Although Holden toyed with fitting a 3.8-litre Isuzu V6 to the new model, drivelines carried over from the VT.

The VS ute soldiered on, selling alongside the VT and VX until replaced by the VU in December 2001. A VX in all but model designation, the VU heralded a new direction for the local load-lugger. As buyers looking for a straight tradie vehicle dwindled in favour of cheap dual-cabs, Holden rebranded the ute as a lifestyle vehicle, placing heavy emphasis on the Ls1-powered SS and ensuring the tub could swallow a motorbike whole. These were not priorities when Opel designed the Omega B!