Date of Introduction
February 29, 1984
Discontinued February 1986. Produced for approximately 24 months
Model Line Up
Commodore SL sedan: (8VK19)
Commodore SL station wagon: (8VK35)
Commodore Berlina sedan: (8VL19)
Commodore Berlina station wagon: (8VL35)
Commodore Calais sedan: (8VX19)
Option Packages:
Executive: (A8Q)
National police Pack: (BT1)
1984 Vacationer: (XW4)
1985 Vacationer: (XY8)
Commodore SS Group A Sedan: (AL9)
HDT Commodore LM5000 (BT1) (Approximately 120 built)
HDT Commodore SS (XV2)
Auto and power steering standard for executive models
Prices at Time of Introduction
$11 152 (Commodore SL six-cylinder sedan)
$12 484 (Commodore SL 6 cylinder Wagon)
$12 439 (Commodore Executive Sedan)
$13 456 (Commodore Executive Wagon)
$13 994 (Berlina six-cylinder sedan)
$15 392 (Berlina 6 Cylinder wagon)
$19 315 (Calais six-cylinder sedan)
$23 995 (HDT Holden Commodore VK SS Group 3)
$21 950 (HDT Holden Commodore VK SS Group A)
$27 355 (HDT Calais Director) (Approximately 150 built)
Total Number Built
135 705 including HDT Holden Commodores
Identification Information
Similar to VB/VC/VH models but with additional side window near roof pillar and grille composed of three horizontal louvers merging into a polypropylene bumper; lower front panel integrated with bumper and includes air intake.
Engines
3.3 inline 6 (Black Engine)
Option Number: L14
Engine Prefix: VL
Type: Conventional, watercooled, four-stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 3.298 litres (201 cubic inches)
Number of cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head design: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves with two valves per cylinder
Fuel System: GM Strasbourg Varajet II, 2BBL downdraft carburettor
Bore and stroke: 92.1 x 82.5mm (3.63 x3.25 inches)
Power output: 86kW (115bhp) at 200rpm
Torque: 232nM (171lbs/ft) at 2600rpm
Compression ratio: 8.8:1
3.3 EFI inline 6
Option Number: LL9
Engine Prefix: VK
Type: Conventional, watercooled, four-stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 3.298 litres (201 cubic inches)
Number of cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head design: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves with two valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Bosch LEII-Jetronic fuel-injection MPI
Bore and stroke: 92.1 x 82.5mm (3.63 x 3.25 inches)
Power output: 106kW (142bhp) at 4400rpm)
Torque: 266Nm (196lbs/ft) at 3200rpm)
Compression ratio: 8.8:1
5.0 V8
Option Number: L31
Engine Prefix: VT
Type: Conventional, watercooled, four-stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 5.044 litres (308 cubic inches)
Number of cylinders: Eight
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, with cylinders arranged in a vee
Head design: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves with two valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Rochester Quadrajet 4 BBL downdraft carburettor, M4MC
Bore and stroke: 101.5 x 77.8mm (4.00 x 3.06 inches)
Power output: 126kW (169bhp) at 4200rpm
Torque: 361Nm (269lbs/ft) at 4400rpm
Compression ratio: 9.2:1
Transmissions
Manual
Type: Four-speed manual
Option Number: MC6
Application: SL six-cylinder
Location: Floor shift
1st: 3.50:1
2nd: 2.02:1
3rd: 1.41:
4th: 1.00:1
Reverse: 3.57:1
Type: Five-speed manual
Option Number: M76
Application: 3.3 EST
Location: Floor shift
1st: 3.24:1
2nd: 1.96:1
3rd: 1.26:1
4th: 1.00:1
5th: 0.79:1
Reverse: 3.37:1
Type: Four-speed manual
Option Number: M21
Application: 5.0 V8
Location: Floor shift
1st: 2.54:1
2nd: 1.83:1
3rd: 1.38:1
4th: 1.00:1
Reverse: 2.54:1
Automatic
Type: Three-speed Trimatic auto
Option Number: M40
Application: 3.3 EST, 3.3 EFI and 5.0 V8
Location: Floor shift
1st: 2.31:1
2nd: 1.46:1
3rd: 1.00:1
Reverse: 1.85:1
Rear Axle Ratios
3.08 rear axle ratio standard on all models.
Optional gearbox ratios:
GM-H Large Salisbury
Option Number: G70
Ratio: 2.60:1
GM-H Small Salisbury
Option Number: GU7
Ratio: 2.78:1
GM-H Small or Large Salisbury
Option Number: GU4
Ratio: 3.08:1
Borg Warner M75
Option Number: GU5
Ratio: 3.23:1 (introduced during production)
GM-H Small or Large Salisbury
Option Number: GV4
Ratio: 3.36:1
GM-H Small or Large Salisbury
Option Number: GV7
Ratio: 3.55:1
LSD optional
Option Number: G80
Clutch
GM-H single dry plate. Belleville diaphragm spring.
Chassis
Unitary construction (Monocoque)
Suspension
Front:Macpherson strut, coil springs, wet sleeve dampers and stabiliser bar
Rear:Salisbury type differential. Rigid axle. Trailing arm with five-link location, Panhard rod, progressive rate coil springs and double acting dampers, stabiliser bar.
Steering
Rack and Pinion. Power assisted on executive and Berlina, Calais. Turning circle 10.7 meters (Executive, Berlina, Calais), 10.2 meters (SL)
Brakes
Front: 268mm disc
Rear: 230mm drum (274mm discs on Calais and V8)
Electrical
12 Volt negative ground. Battery AS2049. I6: 80 min/215 amp. V8: 75 min/235 amp. Electronic high energy ignition or Bosch high energy. Bosch tapered seat. 5/8’ Hex. coil
Exhaust
3.3-litre i6 EST: Single piece cast iron split header connected in cylinder sequence 1,2,3&4,5,6. Single flange dual outlet.
3.3-litre i6 EFI: Fabricated tuned length stainless steel tubular. Three branches connected in cylinder sequence: 1 & 6, 2 & 5 and 3 & 4.
5-litre V8: Single piece cast iron left and right cylinder banks. One outlet per bank.
5-litre V8 V5H: Low restriction exhaust system with white heat proof coated headers.
Wheels
SL and Executive: 5.50JJ x 14 steel
Berlina: 6.00JJ x 14 steel
Calais: 6.00JJ x 15 cast alloy
Tyres
SL and Executive: BR78S14/4 ply steel belted radials
Berlina: CR78S14/4 Ply steel belted radials
Calais: P205/60HR15 steel belted radials
Exterior Dimensions (Sedan)
Total length: 4146mm (185.59 inches)
Total width: 1722mm (67.80 inches)
Total height at kerb weight: 1378mm (54.25 inches); 1360mm (53.54 inches) for Calais
Wheelbase: 2668mm (105.00 inches)
Front track: 1451mm (57.13 inches)
Rear track: 1416mm (55.75 inches)
Kerb weight: 1220kg (2690lb) SL; 1231kg (2714lb) Executive; 1265kg (2789lb) Berlina;
Turning circle kerb to kerb: 10.2 meters (33ft) non power steering; 10.7 meters (35ft) power steering
Fuel Tank capacity: 63 litres (13.85 gallons)
Boot capacity: 398 litres