Holden Rumored to Decide on the Future of the Commodore by the End of December

Once a production hub, Australia's motoring industry is now facing the prospect of losing one of its most acclaimed model series, the Holden Commodore (and apparently, its Caprice derivatives) after the upcoming redesign, which is scheduled for 2013.

While production of the 2013 Commodore VF will endure at least until 2017, The Sydney Morning Herald (via its Drive car site) is reporting today that Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux confirmed that the brand will decide on its local manufacturing future beyond 2018 before the end of December.

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HDT Commodore VL / VE Group A is a Retro Throwback to the 1980s

HDT Commodore VL / VE Group A is a Retro Throwback to the 1980s

If you're not from the Land of Down Under or at least an avid Holden fan, then you're probably unfamiliar with the 1987 HDT Commodore VL SS Group A prepped by Australian racing legend Peter Brock. So before we get into the details on the new VL/VE Group A package, allow us to fill you in on a bit of the history. Up until the late 1980s, Peter Brock was running HDT, or Holden Dealer Team, but GM's Australian division subsequently cut ties with him after he began publicly supporting and fitting all HDT models with the a device called the "Energy Polariser".
It seems that Brock was undergoing a weird phase in his life then and had somehow been convinced that the "Energy Polariser", which was a box containing crystals and magnets, mysteriously gathered all the lost energy from the car and put it back, bettering performance and handling through "aligning the molecules". Weird stuff indeed…
More than two decades after and following Brock's death in a racing accident in 2006, the "Energy Polariser" is making a comeback as a tribute to the Australian legend in HDT's new VL/VE Group A Plus Pack based on the latest Commodore.
Along with the magical box, HDT's proposal comes with all the styling hallmarks of its classic predecessor including 1980's type aero components, a huge bonnet scoop, large 20-inch alloy wheels, original Peppermint Red body finish, a Bilstein suspension package, performance brakes and a heritage interior with rectangular headrests.
Power comes courtesy of a modified 6.2-liter V8 LS engine delivering a healthy 350kW or 470-horses along with a peak torque of 610Nm (450 lb-ft), and if that ain't enough, HDT also offers an optional supercharger package.
Only 250 examples of the VL/VE Group A Plus Pack Commodore will be built, each with its build papers, Peter Brocks’ signature and individual build plate.

VL/VE Group A Plus Pack Vehicle Specs Group A
Based on VE SS or SSV V8 Commodore
350kw performance engine package
HDT modified Bilstein suspension package
HDT Custom style body kit including bonnet scoop
Body finished in original Permanent Red
Performance brake package by Harrop
Custom Momo-like 20” custom wheels and tyres
HDT Custom Heritage interior
HDT Build plate (1 of 250)
DB Tech Energy Polariser
OPTIONS
HDT Supercharger Package
HDT Coil Over Suspension Package
HDT High Performance Brake Package
And all new to the VL/VE Retro
HDT Track Pack

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