Date of Introduction
The VN Commodore was introduced August 17 1988, replacing the VL Commodore
August 22 1990 (VG Utility)
March 7 1990 (VQ Statesman and Caprice)
Replaced October 1991 by the VP Commodore. The VN Commodore was on sale for about 38 months
Model Line-Up
Commodore Executive Sedan: (8VK19)
VN Commodore Executive Station Wagon: (8VK35)
Commodore Berlina Sedan: (8VL19)
Commodore Berlina Station Wagon: (8VL35)
Holden Calais Sedan: (8VX19)
VG S Utility: (8VK80)
VQ Statesman Sedan: (8VY19)
VQ Statesman Caprice Sedan: (8VZ19)
Option packages:
VG Utility (A9K)
Commodore S Auto: (A9D)
Commodore S Manual: (A9E)
VN Commodore SS Auto: (A9F)
Commodore SS Manual: (A9G)
Commodore SL (Fleet pack): (A9K)
National Police Pack: (BT1)
Vacationer: (XW4) 3 000 made
Commodore LE Sedan: (A8J)
Group A SS: (XV2) 302 built
Prices at Time of Introduction
VN Commodore Executive V6 Manual Sedan: $20 014
Commodore Executive V6 Manual Wagon: $21 316
Berlina Sedan: $24 781
Berlina Wagon: $26 661
Commodore S V6 Manual Sedan: $21 665
Commodore SS V8 Manual Sedan: $25 375
Holden Calais V6: $31 265
Statesman: $39 950
Statesman Caprice: $41 861
Holden Utility: $18 390
Holden S Utility: $21 390
HSV Maloo Utility: $34 870
Total Number Built
215 180
Identification Information
All new longer and more rounded body shape, slimline rectangular headlights, Holden badge in centre of grille, except on Calais which had a separate badge incorporated into the bonnet. Station wagon, Statesman and Caprice built on extended wheel base floor-pan, incorporate wrap around 3rd window. Statesman and Caprice have individual grille and tail-light treatment totally independent of Commodore models.
Engines
3.8 litre V6
Option Number: LG2
Engine Prefix: VH
Capacity: 3.791 litre
Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, arranged in a Vee
Number of Cylinders: 6
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves, with 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection, speed density fuel control, Bosch director place style fuel injectors and Delco electronic control module, GM Delco MPI
Bore and Stroke: 96.5 x 86.3mm
Power: 125kw at 4800rpm
Torque: 292Nm at 3200rpm
Compression Ratio: 8.5:1
3.8 litre V6 “EV6” (fitted to VN models from September, 1989)
Option Number: LG2
Engine Prefix: VH
Capacity: 3.791 litre
Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Number of Cylinders: 6
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, arranged in a Vee
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves, with 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection, speed density fuel control, Bosch director place style fuel injectors and Delco electronic control module, GM Delco MPI
Bore and Stroke: 96.5 x 86.3mm
Power: 127kw at 4800rpm
Torque: 288Nm at 3200rpm
Compression Ratio: 8.5:1
5.0 Litre V8 Engine
Option Number: LB9
Engine Prefix: VU
Capacity: 4.987 litre
Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Number of Cylinders: 8
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, Vee configuration
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves with two valves per cylinder
Fuel System: Electronic control port fuel injection, speed density fuel control, Bosch director plate style fuel injectors and Delco electronic control module, GM Delco MPI
Bore and Stroke: 101.6 x 77.8mm
Power: 165kw at 4400rpm
Torque: 385Nm at 3600rpm
Compression Ratio: 8.4:1
Transmissions
Manual
5 speed Manual
Option Number: M78
Application: V6
Location: Floor Shift
1st: 3.25:1
2nd: 1.99:1
3rd: 1.29:1
4th: 1.000:1
5th: 0.72:1
Reverse: 3.15:1
5 speed Manual
Option Number: M78
Application: V8
Location: Floor Shift
1st: 2.95:1
2nd: 1.94:1
3rd: 1.34:1
4th: 1.00:1
5th: 0.73:1
Reverse: 2.76:1
Automatic
4 speed Turbo-hydramatic 700 Automatic Transmission
Option Number: MD8
Application: All
Location: Floor or Column Shift (Column shift only available on V6 models)
1st: 3.06:1
2nd: 1.62:1
3rd: 1.00:1
4th: 0.70:1
Reverse: 2.30:1
Rear Axle Ratios
V6: 3.08:1
V8: 3.08:1
Commodore SS: 3.45:1
Statesman and Caprice: 3.08:1
Borg Warner M75
Option Number: GU4
Ratio: 3.08:1
Borg Warner M75 (SV3800)
Option Number: GU5
Ratio: 3.23:1
Borg Warner M75
Option Number: GM3
Ratio: 3.45:1
LSD Optional:
Option Number: G80
Clutch
Single, dry plate. Beleville diaphram spring. Mechanical cable operation, connected directly to pull fork throw-out lever
Chassis
Unitary construction (Monocoque)
Suspension
Commodore:
Front: Independent MacPherson wet strut, linear rate coil springs, wet sleeve shocks, 26mm stabiliser bar.
Sports Suspension (FE2): Firmer spring rate, reduced stabiliser bar diameter, reduced ride height
Rear: Rigid axle, Salisbury type. 5 link location with parallel short upper and long lower trailing arms and a Panhard rod between axle and under body. 16mm decoupled stabiliser bar, 30.2mm diameter dampers
Sports Suspension (FE2): Firmer spring rate, increased stabiliser bar diameter, fuel tank guards
Statesman and Caprice:
Front: Independent MacPherson wet strut design, progressive rate springs, stabiliser bar. Caprice fitted with Bilstein gas pressure dampers
Rear: Hypoid differential, independant semi trailing. Progressive rate minibloc coil springs. Double acting dampers. Stabiliser bar. Caprice fitted with Bilstein gas pressure dampers
Steering
Power hydraulically assisted Rack and Pinion, variable ratio (17.2:1 on centre to 11.8:1 on lock). Direct linkage (rear to front wheels) from rack to steering arms. Turns lock to lock 2.7
Optional manual rack and pinion, variable ratio (19.7:1 on centre to 23.3:1 on lock. Turns lock to lock 4.5
Brakes
Front:
V6: 271mm vented disc with single piston, sliding head and lightweight caliper
V8: 289mm heavy duty ventilated discs
Rear: Solid discs across all models
Electrical
12 volt negative ground
Battery:
V6 75 min/350 amp nine plate
V8 80 min/400 amp eleven plate
Breakerless high energy electronic ignition system.
Exhaust
V6: fabricated dual exhaust manifolds
V8: Cast iron dual exhaust manifolds with single crossover pipe. Single seam welded steel exhaust and tail pipe with two reverse flow mufflers
Wheels
Commodore Executive, Berlina and VG Utility: Steel 6.00JJ x 14 ventilated pressed steel wheels and plastic wheel trims
Commodore SS: 6.00JJ x 15 Alloy
Statesman, Commodore S Sedan/Utility: Steel 6.00JJ x 14 ventilated pressed steel wheels
Holden Calais, Statesman Caprice: Styled cast alloy 6.00JJ x 15
Tyres
Commodore Executive and Berlina: P185/75 HR14 steel belted radials
VG Utility: P195/75 R-14 95H steel belted radials
Calais, Commodore S and SS: P205/65 R-15 92H steel belted radials
Statesman and Caprice: P205/65 R-15 92H steel belted radial
Exterior Dimensions
Commodore Sedan:
Total Length: 4850mm
Width: 1794mm
Total Height at kerb weight: 1403mm
Wheelbase: 2731mm
Front Track: 1451mm (Calais: 1453)
Rear Track: 1478mm (Calais: 1480)
VG Utility:
Total Length: 4866mm
Width: 1780mm
Total Height at kerb weight: 1512mm
Wheelbase: 2821mm
Front Track: 1451mm
Rear Track: 1478mm
VQ Statesman & Caprice:
Total Length: 4960mm
Width: 1812mm
Total Height at kerb weight: 1421mm (Caprice: 1416mm)
Wheelbase: 2826mm
Front Track: 1485mm
Rear Track: 1487mm
Kerb Weight:
Commodore Executive: 1310kg
Commodore Berlina: 1367kg
Holden Calais: 1391kg
Commodore SS Manual: 1403kg
Commodore SS Automatic: 1403kg
VG Utility: 1336kg
VG Utility S: 1327kg
Statesman: 1536kg
Caprice: 1589kg
Turning Circle:
Commodore: 10.4 metres
VG Utility: 10.4 metres
Statesman & Caprice: 11.5 metres
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Commodore: 63 litres
VG Utility: 68 litres
Statesman & Caprice: 80 litres