CAR News

Holden has confirmed it will expand its SUV portfolio with the launch of an all-new small sport utility vehicle, the Holden Trax, in 2013.

With room for five passengers, plenty of cargo space and class-leading technology, Trax is a global car that will be sold in more than 140 markets around the world.

Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, John Elsworth said Trax would be an important entry for Holden into the increasingly popular small SUV segment which has grown 57.3 per cent year to date over last year.

“Trax will deliver the flexibility, great fuel economy, advanced safety features and car-like handling that more and more customers are looking for in today’s SUVs,” Elsworth said.

“This is another great example of Holden bringing the best new vehicles from GM’s global portfolio to Australia. With cars like Trax we continue to deliver world-class vehicles that meet the changing needs of customers.”

Trax combines SUV toughness and small car convenience with a muscular exterior design and wide athletic stance.

Eagled-eyed car enthusiasts may see a number of Trax models on Australian roads in the near future as Holden engineers complete development work on the global program.

Holden Director of Powertrain Engineering, Simon Cassin said Holden’s engineering know-how had been called upon to work on this important model.

“Holden is well recognised within the GM world for our expertise in engine and transmission calibration and we are very pleased to be involved in the development of this important vehicle,” Cassin said.

“We are working closely with the homeroom on global calibration work and of course making further refinements to ensure Trax will be well suited to Australian roads and conditions when it arrives next year.”

The global Chevrolet version of Trax will make its official debut at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012. More details will be released closer to launch.

First details of the tough, new-generation 2012 Holden Colorado have been released today ahead of its much-anticipated Australian launch mid-year.

Holden’s 2012 Colorado mini-site will go live today, coinciding with the arrival of a number of pre-production vehicles for local engineering evaluation and promotional activities to be held at Holden dealerships around Australia.

The 2012 Holden Colorado range will offer customers three body styles – single cab, space cab and crew cab – and offer two all-new 2.5-litre and 2.8-litre DOHC in-line 4-cylinder turbo diesel engines.
Both engines are tuned to deliver peak torque low in the rev range for maximum driveability and cargo carrying capability, while the 2.8-litre engine – when paired with the optional six-speed automatic transmission – produces 10 per cent more power and 40 per cent more torque than the outgoing 3.0-litre diesel powertrain it replaces.
The new Colorado will boast a class-leading 3.5-tonne towing capacity across the 2.8-litre turbo diesel range and an impressive 3.0-tonne towing capacity on all 2.5-litre variants.

An extensive list of safety features will be standard across the range, including driver and front passenger airbags, side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake force Distribution and Electronic Stability Control.

Colorado will also be equipped with lifestyle and comfort features including Bluetooth® connectivity, air-conditioning, power windows, auxiliary plug and USB port, two auxiliary power outlets and iPod® compatible audio system.

Holden Executive Director Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, John Elsworth said the company had been working hard to finalise the local range ahead of the Colorado’s official launch since the show car was revealed at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne last July.

“The new Colorado is a new era for Holden LCVs and will play a vital role in our product renaissance. We’re so excited about its performance as a tough, daily workhorse and active recreational vehicle that we wanted to preview the range as soon as possible,” Mr Elsworth said.

“This is the most impressive light truck ever designed by General Motors, and we expect it to be a serious challenger in the competitive Australian light commercial market.

“Our diesel-only powertrain strategy means we’ll offer two very competitive, responsive engines that boast impressive towing capacity of up to 3.5-tonne, which we know our customers will love.
“A number of new Colorados are already out on the road gathering important data on engine and transmission performance, drive quality and suspension tune. This evaluation work will continue for the next few months to make sure it is perfectly suited for Australian roads and conditions.”

“And in the meantime customers will have the chance to inspect the new range at Holden dealerships from April, with a number of Colorados touring the country as part of our pre-launch roadshow.”
Holden is currently performing local development work on the new Colorado using a series of engineering tests, which includes a rigorous five-month real-world drive quality evaluation on Australian roads.

The Colorado workhorse will be put through its paces in a range of recreational activities typically experienced by light commercial vehicle customers, including four-wheel driving, towing, farming, camping and fishing.

A no cost warranty and an SS-V Wagon – dubbed ‘Superwagon’ – capable of delivering 450kW of power and 770 Nm of torque are the key highlights of a new range of product specifically developed by Walkinshaw Performance (WP) for Holden customers looking for more out of their VE.

Walkinshaw Performance have released details of new performance upgrades available for Holden VE SS, SS-V, Calais, Statesmen and Caprice product across the sedan, ute and wagon variants.

National Sales and Marketing Manager for WP Tony Harris says the brand is capturing lots of attention with its new warranty offer, which applies equally to customers with a new Holden or Holden Special Vehicle, undertaking a performance upgrade.

“Over 50% of our enquiry is from Holden customers and the fact we are now offering a warranty on supercharged engines gives owners peace of mind, as well as some pretty exciting product to experience.”

The Walkinshaw Performance warranty extends for the balance of the manufacturers new car warranty. If a customer brings in a three month old vehicle for a performance upgrade, WP will warrant the driveline for the remaining 33 months.

Walkinshaw Performance specialises in high quality, expertly crafted modifications to a range of models, with packages starting from $3,590. Price of the WP SS-V Superwagon is $43,990.

GM Holden has released the first images of the highly anticipated Volt extended range electric vehicle as it will appear on Australian roads.

The images, which show a right-hand-drive version of Volt sporting Holden badges on its aerodynamic front and rear, were released as part of Holden’s presentation at the Melbourne International Motor Show.

It is a local take on the vehicle that has won widespread acclaim for its ability to travel up to 64 kilometres on electricity before using petrol or producing exhaust pipe emissions.

GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mark Reuss said the company had been overwhelmed by public interest in Volt since announcing it would launch in Australia in 2012.

“We think Volt has the potential to change the game in Australian motoring,” Mr Reuss said.

“Since we announced our plans to introduce Volt to Australia, we have been overwhelmed by public interest in the car and the technology that makes it work.

“There is no doubt that Volt’s advanced propulsion systems represent some of the most exciting alternative fuel developments in motoring.

“At Holden, we believe Volt will play an incredibly important role in our efforts to make motoring better for the environment,” he said.

General Motors estimates that compared to similar sized petrol-powered vehicles, Volt will save motorists up to 1892 litres of fuel a year. This is based on US research that identifies 75 per cent of commuters travel an average daily distance of less than 40 miles (64 kilometres).

When Volt’s battery energy is depleted, a small petrol engine generates enough electricity to power the vehicle for hundreds of additional kilometres.

GM also calculates that charging the vehicle at night through a standard power outlet will use less electricity annually than an average household refrigerator.

Volt is planned for manufacture at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly and is scheduled for launch in the US in late 2010. The right-hand-drive version will launch later.

Volt – How The Technology Works

Volt is an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV). In a significant advance from conventional hybrids , it uses electricity to move its wheels at all times and speeds.

For trips of up to 64 kilometres, Volt is powered solely by the electricity stored in its battery without using petrol or producing exhaust pipe emissions.

When the battery’s energy is depleted, a small petrol-powered engine generates electric power for the vehicle to travel hundreds of additional kilometres.

Advanced technology enables the vehicle’s battery to be charged in less than three hours on a standard 240v power outlet. Charge times are reduced if the battery has not been fully depleted.

GM estimates that compared to petrol-powered vehicles that average 7.8 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, Volt will save motorists up to 1892 litres of fuel a year.

Volt – Vehicle Details

The design of the Volt production car has evolved from an original concept that was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

General Motors created an energy efficient design for the production vehicle, resulting in one of the most aerodynamic cars in the company’s history.

Many of the design cues from the concept car have been carried over in the production Volt, including the closed front grille, athletic stance and rear design graphics.

Inside, Volt will offer the space, comfort, convenience and safety features that customers expect in a four-passenger sedan.

Volt – Battery Details

GM will establish the first lithium-ion battery pack manufacturing facility operated by a major automaker in the United States to produce the Volt’s battery pack system.

It consists of lithium-ion cells that are grouped into modules, along with other key battery components.

The plant will be located in Michigan, subject to negotiations with state and local government authorities. Facility preparation will begin in early 2009, with production tooling to be installed mid-year and output starting in 2010.