Holden out on Acadia

Holden’s Project C1UH began in 2015, with the GMC Acadia chosen over the related, but stretched, Chevrolet Traverse because of the former’s premium V6 powertrain combination (and sub-3000mm wheelbase). No four-pot turbo petrol or diesel is available.

Overseen by chassis guru Rob Trubiani, Lang Lang developed the Continuous Damping Control (CDC) adaptive damper set-up – as per Commodore VXR’S – fitted to the LTZ-V on 20-inch wheels. CDC uses the GMC ‘Sport’ as the normal setting, with our ‘Sport’ setting firming up steering, suspension and throttle responses even further.

While the standard chassis (on 18in alloys) is as per GMC’S, “Rob’s had his hands all over it,” says Lead Development Engineer Dan Pinnuck. The benchmarks were Mazda’s CX-9 and CX-8.

Ground clearance is 198mm (18s) and 203mm (20s). Towing capacity is 2000kg. Predominantly front-drive, the ‘pre-emptive’ AWD system employs a single clutch rear differential, rather than the ZB V6’s Twinster torque vectoring and twinclutch diff’ arrangement.

Holden undertook 10,000km of active safety validation for the AEB with pedestrian and cyclist alert, lane-keep assist with road-edge detection (so it can identify gravel borders without painted lines) and nationwide traffic sign recognition tech. Plus, a 360-degree digital camera in LTZ-V offers a Gm-first trailer-hitch view.

Finally, the Holden debuts GM’S next-gen multimedia infotainment system. Developed in Melbourne, it brings greater clarity, speed and functionality.