Wraps off next- gen Commodore

THE FIRST OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE FIVE- DOOR LIFTBACK ARE RELEASED, WRITES COLIN SMITH

Holden has described the camouflage worn by its next- generation Commodore as the most effective disguise it’s had on a preproduction car.

But the concealment provided by strategic dummy panels and deceptive black and white graphics was peeled away this week with the five- door Liftback body style revealed — even though the next- gen Commodore won’t go on sale until early 2018.

Holden is still keeping the styling of the Sportwagon version under wraps at this stage although plenty of spy photos have surfaced.

Key elements of Holden’s fifthgeneration Commodore programme were confirmed when it showed the camouflaged cars in October. The car is part of the General Motors Europe Insignia programme and it will be manufactured in Germany after Holden ends VF II production and closes its Australian manufacturing operation in late 2017.

There has been styling input from Holden designers as well as engineering work on the suspension tuning, electric power steering calibration and NVH characteristics for Australasia.

This week’s first batch of official pictures is being matched by a simultaneous reveal in Europe of the new Insignia in Opel and Vauxhall branded variants.

The pictures reveal the sleek silhouette of the five- door design with a steeply raked rear windscreen and short rear deck giving a coupe- like appearance.

Slimline headlights and the chrome feature line running from the base of the A- pillar, above the glasshouse and kicking back in the C- pillar echo the design of the Opel Monza concept car from the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.

A lower grille position, pumpedout wheel arches, short overhangs front and rear and a so- called “blade” light catcher in the lower doors give the Commodore a confident stance. The pictures show cars fitted with 20- inch diameter wheels.

The rear end has a slim doublewing LED signature that enhances the wide look of the car. Holden Next generation ( 2018) Holden Commodore. says the Commodore will achieve a 0.26 drag co- efficient.

The new Commodore will be offered in both a five- door Liftback and Sportwagon configuration with 2.0- litre direct injection and turbocharged petrol and diesel engine choices in front- wheeldrive.

An upgraded 3.6- litre direct injected V6 engine will top the range and deliver its performance via a new nine- speed automatic transmission and the world- first