89
Counting since August 2004

I have many people to thank for help over the years. I would never be able to thank you all individually but you know who I mean!
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Welcome to the all new Holden Heaven
This site was first established in 1999
 
VN Commodore
For the first time since Commodore appeared in 1978 it had an all new body and it was also a return to larger dimensions for Holdens main model.  This all new body also brought with it a new engine which for the first time in a Holden was a V6, it was based on the Buick which was an excellent move as this engine was bullet proof.  It had been around in the States for a while and proved itself time and time again to be one of the all time best engines GM had ever produced.  These engines have been a mainstay in many classes of racing and the hot-up gear that is available is almost endless.  These engines can be tuned for huge horsepower gains using bolt on parts as Holden did in the later model XU-6.  The V6 was just a matter of time for Holden as the torque characteristics of these engines are better than an inline 6.  Coming in 3.8 litre form the engine complimented the fuel injected 5.0 nicely and gave a sensible choice for those who wanted a no-fuss large family car or wagon that was reasonable on fuel.  You could hitch up a caravan or boat and tow it to China and back with no problems at all.  The VL 3.0 wasn't a slouch in performance but the VN 3800 eclipsed it in 0-100 km/h and 400 metre times and wasn't far off the 5.0 litre.  The back room boys at Holden came up with a larger car that didn't feel big on the road and that was a good feeling for those coming from the VL.  With the extra aerodynamics package of spoilers it changed the appearance of the VN so much it didn't even look like the same car.  The V8 was a good all round car although with only 205x65x15 tyres it was probably a little undershod and was better feeling with 225 size tyres.  The engines of both V6 and V8 could amble in the slowest traffic and if called upon would rev hard until you decided to grab another gear.  The 4-speed auto although not super smooth under hard acceleration was if the right foot wasn't used to the extreme.  If you are not used to the power of these engines you will find you tend to depress the foot further than needed.  The variable rate rack and pinion power assisted steering is exactly what is needed by a large car and performs admireably. The suspension has been built for Australian conditions and performs very well anywhere and combines well to compliment the engines available.
The Group A touring car proved to be just as succesful as preceding models even if at first there were limitations aerodynamically. 
If I  remember rightly Larry Perkins opted to use the older VL at Bathurst because under the homologation rules he believed the VN was not a good enough package!
 Specifications
Year of Introduction: 
1988 

Price:
$20,014 Executive V6
$61,861 Statesman

Engine:
3.8 litre EFI V6
5.0 V8 EFI 
2.0 (New Zealand only)

Power:
125 kW @ 4800 rpm (V6) 
292 Nm @ 3200 rpm (V6)

165 kW @ 4400 rpm (V8) (221 hp)
385 Nm @ 3600 rpm (V8)

210 kW (5.0 SS Group A)
200 kW (5.0 HSV5000)
180 kW (5.0 HSV SV90)
180 kW (5.0 HSV Maloo)

Transmission:
5 speed manual 
4 speed Turbohydramatic 
6 speed ZF manual (Group A) 

Weight: (approx)
1226kg 2.0
1320kg 3.8
1413kg 5.0
Weights vary depending on equipment levels and transmission type.

Performance: 0 - 100 km/h (62.5 mph)
7.89 seconds (V6 auto) 
7.70 seconds (V6 manual)
7.30 seconds (V8 S manual)
6.57 seconds (V8 SS Group A manual)
7.93 seconds (V8 Calais auto)
8.83 seconds (V8 Statesman auto)
8.22 seconds (V8 Caprice auto)
These figures may vary slightly

Standing 400 metres:
15.62 seconds (V6 auto)
15.65 seconds (V6 manual)
15.24 seconds (V8 SS manual)
14.74 seconds (SS Group A manual)
15.76 seconds (V8 Calais auto)
16.29 seconds (V8 Statesman auto)
15.94 seconds (V8 Caprice auto)
15.33 seconds (HSV SV5000 auto)
15.63 seconds (HSV SV90 auto)
15.47 seconds (HSV Maloo auto)

Top speed:
3.8 auto 208 km/h (131 mph)
3.8 manual 212 km/h (134 mph)
5.0 manual SS 228 km/h (144 mph)
5.0 manual Group A 250 km/h (157 mph)
5.0 auto Calais 226 km/h (142 mph)
5.0 auto Statesman 225 km/h (142 mph)
5.0 auto Caprice 225 km/h (142 mph)
5.0 auto HSV 5000 247 km/h (155 mph)
5.0 auto HSV90 242 km/h (152 mph)
5.0 auto Maloo 236 km/h (148 mph)
 

Production:
215,180 

** Most performance based cars are speed limited to 250 km/h to keep the tyres within a specific range!
 Pics
 
This shows the 3.0 litre Opel Senator which a few are 
seen around New Zealand.  The Opel though is not able 
to accept the V8 as Holden had to re-engineer the body 
to accept the huge increase in power of the V8.


Calais
 


The Racer
 


The V6