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GM releases 2011 Holden Series II family for Australia
Filed under: GM, Holden, Australia 
2011 Holden Series II family - Click above for high-res image gallery
We'll admit it - we miss the Pontiac G8. A lot. General Motors' Americanized version of the rear-wheel-drive Holden Commodore met its death with the demise of Pontiac last year, and of all the GM products that we've lost in the past twelve months, the G8 is the one we'd immediately rebirth if we could (especially the GXP). Holden, however, is still alive and well in its native Australia, and the automaker has just released its Series II family, which offers up a host of small changes to nearly the full line of products.
There isn't anything drastically different about the Series II versions of the Commodore, Calais, Caprice, Berlina or Omega - just the typical new model year additions. Most notably, the 3.0-liter V6 and 6.0-liter V8 engines are now capable of running on bio-ethanol fuel, and slight improvements to fuel economy have been made across the range. In addition, small visual tweaks have been made to the fascias of all models and new paint colors have been added.
A similar story can be told about these cars' interiors - minute tweaks to fit and finish have been made, though the big news is the addition of GM's new Holden-iQ infotainment system, available on all Series II models. Holden-iQ incorporates audio, Bluetooth and navigation functions into one 6.5-inch touchscreen interface, as well as a back-up camera (not available on the Ute).
For the full list of changes, browse through Holden's press release, available after the jump, and see the full 2011 Series II range for yourself in the high-res image gallery below. Hat tip to Neil!
[Source: General Motors]Continue reading GM releases 2011 Holden Series II family for Australia GM releases 2011 Holden Series II family for Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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GM to show Cruze hatchback at Paris Motor Show?
Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, GM, Holden, Australia 
The internets are aflame with word that General Motors will unveil a new Cruze hatchback at this year's Paris Motor Show. According to Go Auto, the concept was worked up by none other than The General's Down Under contingent at Holden. Now, before you start hoping for a more functional version of the Chevrolet Cruze to show up in a showroom near you, know that the production version of the car will be built in Australia and sold to, you guessed it, Australians. Chances are looking slim that the long-roof Cruze will ever make it to the Land of the Free in any official capacity.
Shucks.
GM has made it clear that it will debut no less than four new models in Paris, including production versions of the Chevrolet Aveo and Chevrolet Orlando. While the Orlando is another piece of forbidden fruit from the General, buyers in the U.S. can look forward to getting their hands on the Ford Fiesta-fighting Aveo sometime soon. From what we've seen of the new subcompact, the car looks galaxies better than the outgoing model - of course, that's not hard...
[Source: Go Auto] GM to show Cruze hatchback at Paris Motor Show? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Online Find of the Day: Half Ford, half Holden, all awesome
Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Auctions, Ford, Holden  The Folden - Click above for high-res image gallery
Auckland, New Zealand has a different take on the definition of hybrid. While we Americans can't stop scarfing down lithium-ion powered creations by the boatload, the Kiwis are keen to crank out creations like the one you see above. What is it? It's called the Folden, and it's one-half Ford and - you guessed it - one-half Holden. Why would someone intentionally try to mix the oil and water of the automotive universe? Because radio hosts Robert Taylor and Jono Pryor were tired of the constant back and forth between the fans of the two brands and wanted to do something that would equally offend all involved.
The finished product is far from repulsive. It wears a front clip from a '69 Mustang and the haunches of a HQ Holden. Power comes courtesy of a good old-fashioned FoMoCo 302. The whole thing was cranked out in a mere three months, and the station claims that there are over 800 man-hours in the build. The final price tag? No one seems to know for certain, but estimates put it at somewhere between $85,000 and $95,000.
The Folden is currently being auctioned off for charity. The proceeds will benefit the New Zealand Mental Health Foundation for Out of the Blue - a group set up to help combat veterans cope with depression. Thanks, Myke!
[Source: Trade Me]Online Find of the Day: Half Ford, half Holden, all awesome originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 May 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Report: Holden tallies $210M loss, blames Pontiac
Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Holden, Australia  2009 Pontiac G8 GXP - Click above for a high-res image gallery
When General Motors first announced it was sending Pontiac packing, our first thought was a pang for the loss of the most excellent G8 GXP, followed quickly by concern for Holden, the automaker's Australian subsidiary. After all, the General's Australian arm had done well by providing America with left-hand-drive versions of the Commodore to sail under the Poncho flag. Turns out Holden is now feeling the loss of that deal in a big way. According to a report in The Age, the company just announced a loss of $192 million USD. Thanks to the American thirst for Australian V8s, Holden pulled in $5.3 billion in revenue in 2008, but just $3.6 billion last year.
The pinch doesn't just fall on GM shoulders, though. Like the rest of the automaking world, Holden saw sales plummet due to a global recession last year. The loss of the Pontiac contract only added fuel to the fire.
[Source: The Age]Report: Holden tallies $210M loss, blames Pontiac originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Walkinshaw Performance releases the Pontiac G8 wagon we've always wanted... in Australia
Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Holden, Australia  Walkinshaw Performance SS-V Superwagon - Click above for high-res image gallery
Take a Holden SS-V Special Edition Sportwagon, drive it to Walkinshaw Performance and add another $AUS 43,9900 ($39,987 U.S.), and you'll end up with a WP SS-V Superwagon. To make the change, Walkinshaw adds a supercharger to boost the output to 604 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque, with a water-to-air intercooler keeping things in check under the hood and a new exhaust keeps things grumbling out back.
Making sure you, your family and your groceries don't end up in a ditch is a tuned, lowered suspension with new springs and dampers to handle the gumption. And of course, new body parts and 20-inch wheels do the business in the parking lot. The whole thing will get you to 62 mph in under five seconds. You can also mix-and-match, seeing that the parts are available a la carte and good for any Holden VE offerings. You'll notice how we've managed not to mention what might have been with the dearly departed G8... until now...
[Source: Walkinshaw Performance]Walkinshaw Performance releases the Pontiac G8 wagon we've always wanted... in Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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