| Vk Ss Group A |
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Information AboutVk Ss Group A |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT HOLDEN VK COMMODORE | |
| holden commodore | |
| vk commodore | |
| mid-size cars | |
| rear wheel drive vehicles | |
The Holden VK Commodore was introduced in 1984 and replaced the VH. It was the first Commodore to have plastic (polycarbonate) bumpers and introduced rear quarter windows for a six-window design (styled by Holden, but similar in appearance to the Opel Senator ) as opposed to the four-window design on previous Commodore models. Apart from the bumpers and 'glasshouse', other changes for the VK Commodore included a front grille redesign and revamped dashboard instrumentation that included a full digital LED arrangement for the new luxury version, the Calais. The exterior of the VK Commodore was also updated with a more modern and aggresive appearance. This included a new grill design much different then previous models with three bold strips rather then a metallic grill, the now plastic front and rear bumpers/skirts replacing the obselete metal guards, and a new rear tail light assembly, whereby they now spread from one side to another with a black panel in between. This all added up to a more prominent, sharper look for the 80's. Changes were also made to the interior where upon the panel of instruments were now square-shaped rather then the more conventional circular layout. In total, 135,705 VK Commodores were built. ENGINES Engine choices (not necessarily available on all cars in the VK range) were two versions of a 5.0 litre V8 Engine (replaced by the 4.9 litre V8 when Group A rules entered Australian motorsport in 1985) and two versions of a 3.3 litre inline 'black' Straight-6 engine (essentially a refined 'blue' I6 with slight increases in power and efficiency), the latter of which was available with either a Carburetor or Fuel Injection . The 3.3 EST carburetor engine was standard equipment for most VK Commodores, with the 3.3 EI injection engine nominated as standard equipment for the Calais sedan. The 2.85 litre six-cylinder and the 4.2 litre V8, mainstays of the previous Commodore ranges were dropped, hence unavailable to the VK. MODELS The VK range introduced new names for the specification levels, with Executive now a stand-alone nameplate (basically a Commodore SL appointed with automatic transmission and power steering, although the SL was still available in its own right), Berlina (replacing SL/X) and Calais (replacing SL/E). The station wagon body style was available in SL, Executive or Berlina variants only, however the limited edition Vacationer name plate was also continued over for a period from the VH Commodore . Other variants produced were the Commodore ''SS'' sedan which featured its own specification - courtesy of HDT - high performance 5.0 litre V8, and the limited edition - available only through affiliated HDT Holden dealers - ''LM 5000'', ''SS Group 3'', ''SS Group A'' and ''Calais Director'' sedans. MOTORSPORT The VK also had an impressive racing pedigree, winning the Bathurst 1000 on two occasions, in 1984 in Group C specification with Peter Brock and Larry Perkins, and in 1986 in Group A specification with Allan Grice and Graeme Bailey. NEW ZEALAND The VK was assembled by General Motors New Zealand at their Trentham assembly plant, near Wellington . New Zealand VKs were similar, but had slight differences to their Australian sold counterparts, notably the lack of emissions gear, and that a Holden Starfire powered 4-cylinder model was also available. Instead of the Calais, an upmarket model badged 'Royale' was sold, available with both 4 and 6-cylinder engines. |
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