Holden

Calling all cars – futuristic cop cruiser takes to LA streets

By Darren Quick

21:41 July 7, 2009 PDT

A new vehicle billed as the most technologically advanced police car in the world is due to begin testing in the US. Based on the Australian-built Holden Commodore, which were rebadged as Pontiac G8s in the US, the car aims to turn a standard vehicle into a ‘virtual office’ for emergency services personnel. It replaces the cluttered, cockpit-style gadgets that abound in current police cars with a large single touchscreen display embedded in the passenger dash and throws in some Bond style crime fighting gear like an air gun that fires a laser guided GPS tracking device onto fleeing vehicles. Read More

Opel Ampera: Europe's Chevrolet Volt unveiled

By Paul Evans

23:52 March 3, 2009 PST

After various sneak peeks and spy shots, we now have official pictures of the European version of the Chevrolet Volt. To be officially launched at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, the left hand drive Opel/Vauxhall Ampera will go on sale late 2011 with a right-hand drive Vauxhall version available in 2012. Read More

GM Holden unveils new Commodore, Statesman and Caprice models

By Mike Hanlon

July 16, 2006 General Motors Holden, the Australian division of the world’s largest car company, General Motors, released details of its all-new Holden Commodore range, designed and engineered to extend a decade-long record as Australia’s best selling car today. The 2006 VE Commodore is Australia’s first $1 billion car program and also holds global responsibilities for rear-wheel-drive engineering development and vehicle design for future programs outside Australia. Holden’s sports performance hero SS model and prestige leader Calais were chosen to debut the VE Commodore at an event in Melbourne. The all-new upmarket WM series Statesman and Caprice flagship models, were also shown in an historic double reveal. The cars are powered by 195 kilowatt Alloytec V6 engines, and a range-topping 270 kilowatt 6.0 litre V8 will deliver the performance Holden buyers know and love. A new six-speed automatic transmission is now available for V8 models, similar to GM’s premium cars such as Cadillacs and the Chevrolet Corvette. Other features include all-new front and rear suspension systems to provide outstanding handling without sacrificing ride comfort and the car’s microprocessing capability has more than doubled to provide new levels of safety and user-friendly features. Read More

Holden shows wild Hot Rod concept

By Mike Hanlon

The FJ Holden is an Australian icon – Australian designed and built, the Australian public identified with the car and it remains as an instantly recognisable and much loved symbol of Australia during its most prosperous period. As the runaway best seller of the fifities, a goodly proportion of Australia’s population either owned one or was conceived in one. Now the car has been reprised by Holden in a wild 21st Century hot rod concept unveiled today at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. Known as the EFIJY (an effigy is a stylistic representation of someone or something famous) is a radical pillarless custom coupe boasting a supercharged six-litre V8 engine, a Chevrolet Corvette underbody and state-of-the-art automotive technology throughout. Read More

Holden and CSIRO research powertrain technologies

By Gizmag Team

November 24, 2004 Holden has announced an Australian based joint research program with CSIRO to explore future global powertrain technologies. The program will contribute to parent company General Motors' mission to design and develop hybrid and hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles.

Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Denny Mooney, announced the joint program at the GM 'Road To Hydrogen' seminar in Sydney, where participants were able to drive Hy-wire, the latest hydrogen fuel cell concept vehicle from GM which could revolutionise the way future cars are developed. Read More

Holden and Elfin show MS8 CLUBMAN AND MS8 STREAMLINER

By Mike Hanlon

March 12, 2004 Holden showed two retro-cool V8 racer roadsters at the Melbourne Motor Show. Created in collaboration with the Elfin sports car marque, the low-slung racers are an open wheeler track machine and a smooth-bodied Le Mans style roadster respectively, and will be called the Clubman and the Streamliner. They are hand-built specials which are thoroughly modern interpretations of an earlier motorsport era. Read More

Holden's SSX offers a practical outlook

By Mike Hanlon

Holden's contribution to the multi-purpose vehicle trend - the SSX concept - injects flexibility into the sporting hatch design. Read More