Date of Introduction
The VL Commodore was introduced February 19, 1986, replacing the VK Commodore
Turbo Models: 29 July 1986
V8 Models: October 1986
Discontinued August 1988, replaced by the VN Commodore. The VL Commodore was on sale for about 30 months
Model Line-Up
Commodore SL sedan: (8VK19)
Commodore SL station wagon: (8VK35)
VL Commodore Berlina sedan: (8VL19)
Commodore Berlina station wagon: (8VL35)
Calais sedan; (8VX19)
Option Packages:
Executive, 3.0L non-turbo: (A8Q)
Executive, 3.0L Turbo: (A8R)
V8 Executive, 5.0L: (A8S)
Vacationer: (XW4)
Calais Wagon: (A9Y)
Commodore Series 200 Sedan: (V5B)
Commodore SS Group A Brock: (A9L)
VL Commodore SS Group A Walkinshaw: (XV2)
National Police Pack: (BT1)
Prices at Time of Introduction
$13 830 (SL six-cylinder manual sedan)
$14 744 (SL Wagon)
$16 978 (Berlina Sedan)
$18 309 (Berlina Wagon)
$15 150 (Executive six-cylinder automatic sedan)
$16 064 (Executive Wagon)
$18 381 (SL six-cylinder turbo manual sedan)
$23 540 (Calais automatic sedan)
$42 250 (1988 HSV Group A)
$40 850 (HSV Calais SV88)
Total Number Built
151 801 including 500 1986 HDT Holden Commodore VL SS Group A’s, 750 1988 Group A’s and various other HSV and HDT models.
Identification Information
Substantial reworking of previous Commodore body shell with new lowered front-end bodywork featuring wide slim headlights and a small louvred grille; Calais has transparent grille and semi concealed headlights; all models have integral plastic front bumper/ spoiler/ air intake and raised lip at the rear of the boot lid.
Engines
3.0 inline 6 (RB30-E)
Option Number: LF1
Engine Prefix: 6
Type: Conventional, watercooled, four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 2.962 litres (181 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: Nissan – JECS MPI
Bore and stroke: 86 x 85mm (3.39 x 3.35 inches)
Power output: 114kW (153bhp) at 5200 rpm
Torque: 247Nm (182lbs/ft) at 3600rpm
Compression ratio 9.0:1
3.0 Turbo inline 6 (RB30-ET)
Option Number: LW5
Engine Suffix: 8
Type: Conventional, watercooled, four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 2.962 litres (181 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: Nissan – JECS MPI
Bore and stroke: 86 x 85mm (3.39 x 3.35 inches)
Power output: 150kW (120bhp) at 5600 rpm
Torque: 296Nm (182lbs/ft) at 3200rpm
Compression ratio 7.8:1
5.0 V8
Option Number: LV2
Engine Prefix: VJ
Type: Conventional, watercooled, four-stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 4.987 litres (304 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: One four barrel carburettor, Rochester Quadrajet M4MC
Bore and stroke: 101.6 x 76.8mm (4.00 x 3.02 inches)
Power output: 122kW (164hp) at 4400rpm
Torque: 323Nm (238lbs/ft) at 3200rpm
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Transmissions
Manual
Type: Five-speed manual gearbox
Option Number: MF5
Location: Floor Shift
1st: 3.32:1
2nd: 1.902:1
3rd: 1.308:1
4th: 1.00:1
5th: 0.759:1
Reverse: 3.382:1
Type: Five-speed heavy-duty manual gearbox (for turbo)
Option Number: MX7
Location: Floor Shift
1st: 3.580:1
2nd: 2.077:1
3rd: 1.350:1
4th: 1.00:1
5th: 0.760:1
Reverse: 2.18:1
Automatic
Type: Four-speed heavy-duty automatic transmission (for turbo)
Option Number: MS1
Location: Floor Shift
1st: 2.45:1
2nd: 1.45:1
3rd: 1.00:1
4th: 0.68:1
Reverse: 2.18:1
Type: Three-speed Trimatic automatic transmission (for V8)
Option Number: M40
Location: Floor Shift
1st: 2.31:1
2nd: 1.46:1
3rd:1.00:1
Reverse: 1.85:1
Rear Axle Ratios
Borg Warner M75 (6 cylinder)
Option Number: GM3
Ratio: 3.45:1
Application: Six Cylinder
Borg Warner M75 (V8)
Option Number: GM4
Ratio: 3.08:1
Application: V8
LSD Optional
Option Number: G80
Clutch
Single, dry plate
Chassis
Unitary construction (Monocoque)
Suspension
Front:MacPherson struts, progressive rate coil springs, wet sleeve dampers, stabiliser bar.
Rear:Live axle. Hypoid differential on six cylinder, Salisbury differential on V8. Trailing arm with 5-link location, panhard rod, progressive rate coil springs, double-acting dampers and stabiliser bar.
Steering
Variable ratio rack and pinion. Power assistance on all models except SL.
Brakes
Front: 271mm discs
Rear: 230mm drums, 277mm discs
Electrical
12 volt negative ground. Battery i6: 75 min/235 amperes, V8 90 min/450 amperes, I6: Electronic ignition, V8 Breakerless high energy electronic ignition system.
Exhaust
New exhaust system incorporating catalytic converter.
Wheels
SL, Executive, Berlina Powertech i6: 14 x 6.00JJ Steel,
SL, Executive, Berlina Powertech i6 turbo: 15 x 6.00JJ steel
Calais: 15 x 6.00JJ styled cast alloy wheels.
Tyres
SL, Executive, Berlina Powertech i6: P185/75 HR 14 steel belted radials
SL, Executive, Berlina Powertech i6 turbo and Calais: P205/65 HR 15-SL low profile tyres.
Exterior Dimensions (Sedan)
Total length: 4766mm (187.64 inches)
Width: 1722mm (67.80 inches)
Total height at kerb weight: 1367.5mm (53.84 inches) SL, Executive; 1363mm (53.66 inches)
Wheelbase: 2668mm (105 inches)
Front track: 1451mm (57.13 inches)
Rear track: 1433mm (56.42 inches)
Kerb Weight: 1250kg (2756lb) SL; 1280kg (2822lb) Executive; 1290kg (2844lb) Berlina; 1350kg (2976lb) Calais
Turning circle: 10.2 meters non power steering, 10.7meters power steering
Fuel tank capacity: 63 litres