Holden VH Commodore

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Holden VH Commodore
Manufacturer	Holden
Parent company	General Motors
Production	October 5, 1981–February 1984
Predecessor	Holden VC Commodore
Successor	Holden VK Commodore
Class	Mid-size
Body style(s)	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Platform	GM V platform
Engine(s)	Straight-4 1.9 L 54 kW (72 hp) Starfire Straight-6 2.85 L 73 kW (98 hp) Blue 3.3 L 83 kW (111 hp) Blue V8 4.2 L 100 kW (134 hp) Blue 4.2 L 115 kW (154 hp) Blue 5.0 L 117 kW (157 hp) Blue 5.0 L 126 kW (169 hp) Blue
Transmission(s)	4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,668 mm (105.0 in)
Length	4,706 mm (185.3 in)
Width	2,668 mm (105.0 in)
Height	1,363 mm (53.7 in)
Curb weight	1,152 kg (2,540 lb) – 1,326 kg (2,923 lb)
Fuel capacity	63 L (17 US gal/14 imp gal)

The Holden VH Commodore was an evolution of the previous VC model, released in October 1981. The appearance was mildly facelifted with a new horizontal-slat grille to give a lower, wider look, and for interest of aerodynamics. New taillight clusters were also utilized on sedan models.

The engines were carried over but revisions were made to the 1.9 L and 2.85 L engines to improve fuel economy. Gains of 12.5% and 14% respectively were made to the city cycle fuel economy figures.

Mechanical specifications were as before, except for an additional 5-speed manual transmission which was an option only (due to the limits of the transmission-box) on the 1.9 L 4-cylinder and 2.85 L 6-cylinder versions.

This model was marketed as having an "Air Injected" engine. This model was also known for technological advancements for it's time.

At the same time a reshuffle was made to the range - SL was now the base model, SL/X was the mid-range and SL/E was top-of-the-line, as before. The SL/E also came available with cruise control and a trip computer as standard for the first time, the trip computer was also an option on SL/X and measured average speed and fuel consumption. Wagons were available in SL and SL/X variants.

In 1982 the "SS" sports model was released, a model that has been a Commodore mainstay ever since. Offered with Holden's 4.2 L V8 as standard, three upspec versions of SS, known as 'Stage 1', 'Stage 2' and 'Stage 3' (featuring the Holden 5.0 L V8) were produced by the late Peter Brock's HDT factory. To this day, Brock modified VH SS Commodores are considered highly sought after.

In 1983 an 'Executive' pack of the base Commodore was offered primarily to fleet buyers (although not badged as an Executive). Special editions of Commodore released around Christmas 1981, 1982 and 1983 were badged 'Vacationer'.

With the effects of the 1979 energy crisis ending, buyers gravitated towards the larger Ford Falcon rival, rather than the mid-size Commodore. Thus for the first time, the Holden Commodore lost its position as Australia's best selling car.

Production of this model ceased at the beginning of 1984, to be replaced by the much further facelifted VK Commodore.

v • d • e Holden, a subsidiary of General Motors, automobile timeline, 1980s–present
Type	1980s										1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Subcompact						Barina			Barina						Barina							Barina				Barina
	Gemini					Gemini
Compact																										Viva				Viva
					Astra			Astra		Nova					Nova		Astra		Astra						Astra					Astra
Mid-size			Camira							Apollo				Apollo				Vectra						Vectra				Epica
	Commodore
Full-size									Commodore									Commodore									Commodore
											Statesman									Statesman							Statesman
Sports							Piazza					Calibra														Tigra
																						Monaro
Utility		Rodeo							Rodeo															Rodeo					Colorado
	Kingswood										Commodore										Ute								Ute
	1 Tonne																							One tonner
																								Crewman
Van						Scurry											Combo						Combo
			Shuttle
Compact MPV																						Zafira
Mini SUV						Drover																	Cruze
Mid-size SUV																Frontera				Frontera				Adventra			Captiva
		Jackaroo			Jackaroo							Jackaroo
Full-size SUV																			Suburban
List of Holden vehicles