ZB — diesel muscle, fuel economy
Holden’s new ZB line-up drives the Commodore nameplate in several new directions with the inclusion of front-drive models, a liftback body style, four-cylinder turbo engines and a premium V6 all-wheel-drive format.
A little after the first wave of petrol engine ZB arrivals, the Commodore family expanded further to offer another completely new alternative — 2.0-litre turbo diesel powered LT models in liftback and sportwagon body styles.
There had been speculation about diesel Commodores in the past but the combination didn’t come to reality until now. The Germany-built ZB delivers a Euro diesel option for large sedan or wagon drivers who clock up big highway mileages.
Away from the slow grind of city traffic, the torquey 2.0-litre diesel settles at relaxed revs and makes low effort runs up long hills for a combination of fuel efficiency and driving appeal.
The 1956cc turbocharged diesel develops 125kW at 3750rpm and has 400Nm torque peak available from 1750-2500rpm.
Those output numbers don’t quite match the muscle of some diesel rivals — Mazda’s 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D for example — but they are competitive figures and the torque delivery works sweetly with the eight-speed automatic transmission.
The diesel ZB gets an eightspeed Aisin Warner transmission rather than the nine-speed GM inhouse auto matched to the petrol engines.
It shifts smoothly and offers responsive kickdown with the ratios allowing the diesel to settle at just 1500rpm when cruising at 100km/h. There are evenly spaced shifts to 1900rpm in seventh,
THE
NUMBERS
Engine . . Maximum output Maximum torque Length .. .. Width .. .. Height .. .. Wheelbase .. Kerb weight .. Fuel tank capacity Wheels .. .. Tyres .. .. ..
1956cc, 16-valve 4-cyl in-line, direct injection turbo diesel
125kW at 3750pm 400Nm at 1750-2500rpm 4897mm 1863mm
1455m 2829mm
1593kg 61.7 litres Alloy, front 7.5 x 17-inch Bridgestone Turanza T001 225/55 R17 radial 2400rpm in sixth and then 2900rpm if fifth gear urgency is required. You don’t get paddle shifters in the LT specification.
The diesel is refined and settles into a quiet idle soon after starting. Low fuel consumption with hightorque performance is the primary appeal of choosing a diesel car and it was interesting to compare Holden’s claimed 5.6L/100km combined cycle fuel consumption with some real-world experience.
It appears an honest number from Holden and I averaged 5.7L/100km across my road test and the consumption dipped to 5.3L/100km during a relaxed 130km highway run.
A look back into the trip computer history revealed a previous driver had light-footed a best of 4.6L/100km and the test car had averaged 6.4L/100km since the long term tripmeter had last been zeroed 2500km earlier.
Overall, it’s an appealing combination of diesel muscle and fuel efficiency and with a 61-litre
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fuel tank there’s the scope for 1000km between refuels.
The Commodore LT models rides on 17-inch alloy wheels shod with Bridgestone Turanza T001 tyres in 225/55 R17 sizing.
There’s a good amount of cornering grip and the suspension is Holden’s FE1 comfort-oriented tune which provides progressive body control with a relatively compliant feel that soaks up lumpy surfaces without abrupt reactions.
The ZB rides well across undulating surfaces with a surefooted stance on the road while its progressive steering feel rates among the best attributes.
Commodore’s five-seat accommodation and the liftback access to a relatively shallow — but
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