Holden Commodore / Calais / Ute - VR Series July 1993 - April 1995

The VR Series was the first Australian built car to offer a driver's airbag. The introduction of the airbag, plus webbing clamps on the front seats and a lap/sash belt for the centre rear passenger, made the VR the safest Holden ever. The new Commodore Acclaim was introduced, and it featured all these safety features, plus ABS and IRS as standard. There was also a new electronic automatic transmission, and a new engine/auto computer module (IPCM 6) which had more memory and was faster than the previous model. Now standard on all models were a body computer, power mirrors, tachometer and gas bonnet struts. There was a new security system, and some minor improvements to the V6.

Models:

• Commodore Executive
• Commodore Vacationer (Limited edition)
• Commodore Acclaim
• Commodore S Pak
• Commodore SS
• Berlina, Calais
• Commodore BT1 (Police Pack)
• Ute

Engines :

• 3.8L V6: 3800
  OHV design with cross flow cylinder heads. Multipoint, grouped fuel injection. Engine Control Module, or Powertrain Control Module (with auto trans.). Computer diagnostics. 91 octane fuel. Low friction technology. High energy distributorless, ignition fired by magnetic pulse from crankshaft, via computer. Triple coils. Electric cooling fan. Induction: multipoint EFI Valvetrain: overhead valves, 2 valves / cylinder Bore x Stroke (mm): 97.0 x 86.0 Compression ratio: 9.0:1 Max Power: 130 kW@4800 RPM Max Torque: 295 Nm@3200 RPM Redline /
  Cutout: 5500 / 5600 RPM
• 5.0L V8: HEC
  OHV design with cross flow cylinder heads. Multipoint, grouped fuel injection. Engine Control Module, or Powertrain Control Module (with auto trans.). Computer diagnostics. 91 octane fuel. Breakerless high energy electronic ignition system. Induction: multi-point EFI Valvetrain: overhead valves, 2 valves/cylinder Bore x Stroke (mm): 102.0 x 77.0 Compression ratio: 8.4:1 Max Power: 165kW@4400 RPM Max Torque: 385Nm@3600 RPM Redline/Cutout: 5500 / 5600 RPM
• 5.0L V8: HSV 185kW option
  Large air intake. High flow air cleaner. Extractor, and low restriction dual exhaust. Recalibrated engine management. Knock sensor. Max Power: 185kW@4800 rpm Max Torque: 400 Nm@3600 rpm

Transmissions:

• 5-speed manual: Borg Warner T5
• 4-speed automatic: GM HydraMatic 4L60-E with electronically controlled dual-mode

Suspension:

Front: MacPherson strut, incorporating wet sleeve shock absorbers. Direct acting stabiliser bar. Progressive rate coil springs. 5-link live axle rear: Trailing arm with 5-link location. Panhard rod. Progressive rate coil springs. Double acting shock absorbers. Stabiliser bar.

IRS (sedan only): Independent, semi-trailing arm. Progressive rate miniblock coil springs. Double acting shock absorbers. Stabiliser bar.

Sports Suspension (available with 5-link or IRS, excluding Country Pack): Front: Firmer spring rate. Revised stabiliser bar diameter. Reduced ride height. Rear: Firmer spring rate. Revised stabiliser bar diameter. Gas pressure shock absorbers. Fuel tank guard.

Country Pack (available with 5-link, excluding Sports Suspension): Front: Revised spring and shock absorber rate. Revised stabiliser bar diameter. Increased ground clearance. Engine sump guard. Rear: Revised spring rate. Larger shock absorbers. Revised stabiliser bar diameter. Increased ground clearance.

Steering:

Type: Variable ratio rack and pinion. Power assisted with variable assist. Turns lock to lock: 2.8 Turning circle (m): Sedan: 11.0 Wagon: 11.1

Brakes:

Front: Ventilated disc with finned caliper Rear: Disc

ABS option: Bosch

On ute, load sensing brake pressure proportioning valve

Fuel Consumption:

V6 Manual: (City / Highway): 11.0 / 7.0 L/100km
V6 Automatic: (City / Highway): 12.0 / 7.6 L/100km
V8 Manual: 14.0 / 8.5 L/100km
V8 Automatic: 15.0 / 9.0 L/100km

Fuel Tank:

V6 Sedan: 63L
V6 Wagon: 68L
V8 Sedan: 80L
V8 Wagon: 68L

Differential:

hypoid differential. Ratio: 3.08:1

Towing Weights:

Ute axle capacity (rear) : 1260 kg
Ute Payload (including driver and 2 pass): 710 kg Towing Capacity (kg):

Sedan:
500 with standard towbar.
1200 package
1590 package: includes heavy-duty towbar, load equalising trailer hitch, bodyside bracing, trailer brakes (power steering oil cooler kit mandatory, with auto oil cooler is mandatory)
2100 package available on auto transmission, includes superlift shock absorbers, equaliser hitch and special towbar (power steering oil cooler kit mandatory, with auto oil cooler is mandatory)

Model features:

Commodore Executive

3.8L V6, 5 speed manual, 5 link live rear axle, steel wheels, body computer, height and reach adjustable steering column, 4 speaker radio/cassette, front seatbelt webbing clamps, rear centre lap/sash seatbelt (sedan only).

Commodore BT1 (Police Pack)

The BT1 pack contains the following: ABS, FE2 Sports Suspension, IRS, LSD, Driver's Airbag (SRS), 80L fuel tank, Sump protector plate and fuel tank protector plate, Door interior light switches disabled, map reading light/interior light, special brake pads (front and rear), certified police speedometer, with light in instrument binnacle over speedo (to read speedo no lights on), and can be V6, V8 or HSV V8. With the V8, the seats have SS embroided on them. The BT1 pack is added to an Executive, but (in Queensland at least) can also be added on to SS with HSV V8 for pursuit vehicles.

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