Holden Commodore (VL)
Final first-generation Commodore with Nissan-sourced engines and a turbocharged police interceptor variant.
The Holden Commodore (VL), a mid-size car, was built by Holden between 1986 and 1988. It was the last model of the first-generation Commodore, and also came as the luxury Holden Calais (VL). A total of 151,801 VL Commodores rolled off the line from February 1986 to August 1988.
The VL was a major update of the VK, and it marked the end of the mid-size Commodore until 2018. Designers softened the body lines, rounded off panels, and added a small spoiler built into the boot lid. Lower, rectangular headlamps replaced the taller, squarer lights of earlier models. The top-tier Calais got semi-retracting headlight covers—a first for a production Holden, though fully retractable lights had been tried on the never-released Torana GTR-X. This was a cost-saving trick: the Calais used the same headlight units as other VL Commodores.
Inside, the dashboard was overhauled with new instruments. Touch switches on either side controlled the wipers, rear demister, and electric antenna (on Berlina and Calais models), while the headlight switch moved from the right side of the dash to the indicator stalk. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning graphics were slightly updated, and the center console offered more storage with a new shifter and surround.
For powertrains, Holden dropped its own Black straight-six engine in favor of an imported 3.0-litre Nissan RB30E unit from Japan. This switch happened because all Australian cars from 1 January 1986 had to run on unleaded 91 octane fuel. The old six-cylinder Black motor couldn’t handle it, nor could the V8, which delayed the V8’s release. Tooling for the Holden six was worn out, making it uneconomical to adapt. The new Nissan engine featured an Electronic Combustion Control System (ECCS) and a ram-tuned intake manifold.
Six months after launch, a turbocharged version—the RB30ET—arrived, producing 150 kW. A Garrett turbo sat inside a water-cooled housing for durability. New pistons lowered the compression ratio, and a revised camshaft reduced overlap. The turbo model quickly gained a reputation, with a top speed of 200 km/h that rose to 220 km/h with the turbocharger. These cars got larger brakes and Girlock finned alloy front calipers. Australian police used turbocharged models as “interceptor” Highway Pursuit cars, denoted by “BT1” on the Body & Option plate.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Holden (General Motors)
- Aka
- Holden Calais (VL)
- Production
- February 1986 – August 1988
- Assembly
- Australia: Adelaide, South Australia (Elizabeth), / Melbourne, Victoria (Dandenong) / New Zealand: Wellington (Trentham) / Indonesia: Surabaya (PT. Udatin)
- Class
- Mid-size
- Platform
- GM V platform
- Related
- Opel Rekord E / Opel Senator
- Layout
- Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
- Engine
- 2.0 L RB20E I6 (New Zealand, Southeast Asia) · 3.0 L RB30E I6 (Australia, New Zealand) · 3.0 L RB30ET I6 (Australia) · 5.0 L Holden V8 engine (Australia, New Zealand)
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual / 3-speed automatic / 4-speed automatic
- Wheelbase
- 2668 mm
- Length
- 4766 mm
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The VL Commodore represented a substantial makeover of the VK, softening the lines with rounded panels and a small tail spoiler built into the boot lid. Lower profile rectangular headlamps replaced the taller squarer style, and the top-of-the-range Calais featured semi-retracting headlight covers, the first for a production Holden. Major dashboard changes included new instruments, touch switches for wipers and demister, and the headlight switch moved to the indicator stalk.
Powertrain changes were significant: the Holden Black straight-six was dropped in favor of an imported 3.0-litre Nissan RB30E straight-six, as all cars manufactured in Australia from 1 January 1986 had to run on unleaded 91 octane fuel. Six months into release, a 150 kW turbocharged RB30ET version was added, with a Garrett turbo unit in a water-cooled housing. The turbo models had larger brakes and Girlock finned alloy front calipers, and were commissioned by Australian Police as 'interceptor' Highway Pursuit cars, denoted by 'BT1' in the model code. A 5.0-litre V8, adapted to unleaded fuel, was released in October 1986 with a Rochester four-barrel carburettor, producing 122 kW and 323 Nm.
New Zealand assembly offered a 2.0-litre Nissan RB20E six-cylinder option, and the V8 remained available in carbureted form with a three-speed automatic. The VL was the last Holden assembled and sold in Indonesia, shown there on 19 February 1987 as the Holden Calais 2000 and Holden Calais Enterprise.
Reader's Guide
The VL Commodore is notable as the final first-generation Commodore and the first to use Nissan-sourced engines, a direct result of Australian unleaded fuel regulations. Its turbocharged variant became the Australian Police interceptor of choice, and the model's success in New Zealand drove a 64 percent increase in Holden sales in the first half of 1987. The VL also marked the debut of semi-retracting headlight covers on a production Holden, a cost-effective design element. The SS Group A homologation special, heavily modified by the Holden Dealer Team, was created for Group A touring car racing, with 5,000 base models and 500 'Evolution' specials required under FISA regulations. The VL's adoption of the Nissan straight-six and its turbocharged performance flagship established a new direction for Holden, while the V8 continued through public demand until 1999. The model's production run ended in August 1988, with 151,801 units built.
Did You Know?
- The VL Commodore was the first production Holden to feature semi-retracting headlight covers, on the Calais model.
- The turbocharged VL Commodore had a top speed of 220 km/h and was used by Australian Police as 'interceptor' Highway Pursuit cars.
- Only 198 Calais station wagons were ever produced, from March to August 1988.
- The 2.0-litre Nissan RB20E engine was used in New Zealand-assembled VLs and exported to Singapore and Thailand.
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