It’s official! Holden’s most powerful Commodore ever built (HSVs excluded) comes with a massive V8 engine, putting down 407 HP (304 kW) and 570 Nm (420 lb-ft) of peak torque.

The 6.2-liter LS3 V8 unit is new to the VFII, as are numerous upgrades such as the bi-modal exhaust, mechanical sound enhancer and several styling cues. Holden celebrated the launch of the VFII by bringing together more than 30 Commodores, starting with the very first model from 1978, at the brand’s headquarters in Port Melbourne.

In terms of speed, Holden wanted to make sure that this was the quickest Commodore ever. The top of the range SSV Redline got Brembo brakes on all four wheels, allowing for excellent braking performance under all conditions, as well as new 20″ forged wheels (option) and a color Head Up Display.

The pure V8 soundtrack is quite delightful, and luckily you can hear it at the end of the video below. Holden engineers worked to make sure that the engine sound would impress and so they introduced the bi-modal exhaust with a unique Holden designed “Baillie Tip” and mechanical sound enhancer.

Mark Bernhard, Holden’s Chairman and Managing Director, described the VFII as the culmination of nearly four decades of design, engineering and manufacturing expertise. “We made a commitment to keep this iconic car exciting and relevant for Australian motorists, and that is exactly what we have done. This is the vehicle that our Commodore customers have been asking for.”

In addition to being the most powerful Commodore ever, the VFII also brings with it superior refinement and handling. The car was tested across Australia and tuned at Holden‘s Lang Lang proving ground – where the revised FE3 rear sports suspension retained its sharp handling characteristics while offering increased ride comfort.

Holden’s Lead Development Engineer, Amelinda Watt added that “This is absolutely the best car we have ever engineered and we are confident we are giving all our customers a compelling reason to put the latest Commodore in their driveway. We know that they will enjoy driving VFII as much as we enjoyed creating it.”

The VFII also features functional hood vents and fascia ducts, developed using Melbourne’s Monash University wind tunnel and resulting in better aerodynamics around the front corners of the vehicle.

Aesthetically, aside from the hood vents, the VFII also introduces clear lens taillights on sedan models and new LED taillights on all Sportwagon models.

The new Commodore VFII will go on sale in October, as demand for the V8 model is expected to be strong.

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