AutoblogGreen

All-electric Holden sets 'unofficial' 24-hour record with 1,172 miles

Danny King — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 20:08:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, GM, Pacific Region, Holden

G'day, mate. And a mighty long one.

A battery-electric Holden Commodore set what its builders say is an unofficial record for miles driven purely on electric power over the course of 24 hours.

Australia-based EV Engineering said that the Holden (the brand is General Motors' Australian division) traveled 1,172 miles in 24 hours using a smaller version of the battery-switching system that Better Place is using in Israel and Denmark. The powertrain of the Commodore, which has about a 100-mile single-charge range, was built by UQM Technologies. EV Engineering is a collaborative venture that includes companies like Bosch and General Electric in addition to Better Place. Its goal is to "develop a proof of concept Australian electric vehicle."

Various automaking entities appear to be trying to get publicity by announcing distance records for certain EVs. In June, Renault said it got a battery-powered Zoe to go almost 1,000 miles in a single day.

All-electric Holden sets 'unofficial' 24-hour record with 1,172 miles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM's Holden, Better Place reach charging-station agreement for Australia

Danny King — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, Chevrolet, GM, Holden

Better Place is going from Israel and Denmark to the Land Down Under.

The progenitors of electric-vehicle battery-swapping systems have reached a deal with General Motors' Holden division in Australia to provide EV-charging stations that can be used by drivers of the Holden (née Chevrolet) Volt extended-range plug-in.

Better Place will provide so-called "membership packages" for Volt drivers while installing charging stations, including a bunch at Holden Volt dealers. Better Place also said it would work with the Australian government at ensuring that much of the energy used by the charging stations will come from renewable sources for true emissions-free driving (for the first 35 miles or so, anyway).

Better Place recently said that EVs using its battery-swapping systems in Israel and Denmark have surpassed one million kilometers (625,000 miles) driven via Better Place-supplied power. The company has an agreement with Renault to use the French automaker's Fluence Z.E. EVs for the project.

Continue reading GM's Holden, Better Place reach charging-station agreement for Australia

GM's Holden, Better Place reach charging-station agreement for Australia originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda previews Small Sports EV and AC-X plug-in concepts for Tokyo

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:14:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, On Two Wheels, Tokyo Motor Show, Holden

Honda plans to take to the Tokyo Motor Show this December with the largest display of any automaker in attendance. The company will show off a range of production and concept vehicles, including a slew of motorcycles.

The car side of the line will offer visitors the chance to get cozy with a new plug-in hybrid concept as well as an EV. The ACX offers plug-in enthusiasts a vehicle that can function equally as well in urban environs or on the open highway thanks to a two-mode drive system with an engine drive mode for a sportier experience and an automatic drive mode for everything else.

Meanwhile, Honda says that the Small Sport EV Concept "maximizes the fun of driving while achieving excellent environmental performance." Details are markedly absent other than that brief description, so we're hoping Honda will shed more light on the model once it debuts in Tokyo.

The company is also planning to pull the sheets off of a new electric motorcycle based on a 250cc chassis. The RC-E is meant to show off the kind of riding enjoyment that can come from an all-electric drivetrain on two wheels. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Honda previews Small Sports EV and AC-X plug-in concepts for Tokyo

Honda previews Small Sports EV and AC-X plug-in concepts for Tokyo originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden awarded $39.8M to improve Commodore's fuel efficiency

Eric Loveday — Wed, 25 May 2011 11:08:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, GM, Legislation and Policy, Holden

Late last week, Australia-based Holden was awarded $39.8 million from the government's Green Car Innovation Fund. The cash will allow Holden to develop a range of technologies designed to increase the fuel efficiency and reduce emissions of its mid-size Commodore.

Holden intends to transform the Commodore into a more fuel-efficient vehicle by utilizing aluminum body panels to reduce weight and improving its aerodynamic performance. According to Holden, these design changes will reduce fuel consumption by more than seven percent.

This is the second time that Holden has received cash through Australia's Green Car Innovation Fund. Holden received $149 million over three years to ready its facility for production of the Chevrolet Cruze.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Holden awarded $39.8M to improve Commodore's fuel efficiency

Holden awarded $39.8M to improve Commodore's fuel efficiency originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 25 May 2011 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM Holden to build waste-to-ethanol facility

Eric Loveday — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Ethanol, Manufacturing/Plants, GM, Pacific Region, Holden

2011 Holden Series II family - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors Holden Ltd., the firm's Australian branch, announced plans to construct a plant that will turn discarded rubbish into usable fuel. The waste-to-ethanol processing facility will be capable of transforming 1.1 million tons of trash into 52.8 million gallons of ethanol yearly. The facility will be built in the Australian state of Victoria and the ethanol produced within the complex will be used in a range of blended fuels, including E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline), and sold at local Caltex Australia Ltd. stations under the name of Bio E-Flex.

GM Holden's recently launched flex-fuel-capable VE Series II Commodore lineup of vehicles are the company's first Australian-made cars capable of running on E85. Once the waste-to-ethanol facility is complete, owners of Holden's Series II models will be able to fill up with Bio E-Flex, a fuel that is 85 renewable and claimed to reduce "well to wheel" emissions by as much as 40 percent.

[Source: Wards Auto - sub. req.]

GM Holden to build waste-to-ethanol facility originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors Australia reveals new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet, Paris Motor Show, Holden

Chevrolet Cruze hatchback - Click above for high-res image gallery

The long rumored Chevrolet Cruze hatchback was unveiled today by Holden, General Motors' Australian division. The five-door Cruze was designed and built at Holden's Port Melbourne design studio and will be shown publicly at the Paris Motor Show at the end of the month.

The hatchback features a forward sloping rear glass and a shorter rear overhang than the existing four-door sedan but significantly better access to the cargo space. The new body style is labeled as a global model - just like the sedan - but General Motors has not announced if it will come to the U.S. market. If the Cruze hatchback does make it to America, it will be the first C-segment hatchback from Chevrolet since the first-generation Cavalier ended production way back in 1988. GM will no doubt be watching the sales mix for the new Ford Focus, which is being offered as both a sedan and hatch in North America, before deciding. Holden will launch production of the Cruze hatchback down under in late 2011.

Update: Chevrolet has told AutoblogGreen that there are no current plans to offer the hatchback in the U.S. market.

Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze hatchback

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading General Motors Australia reveals new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback

General Motors Australia reveals new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What's Australian for ethanol? GM introduces E85 to Oz

Nik Bristow — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Ethanol, Flex-Fuel, GM, Pacific Region, Holden

Holden Commodore VE family - Click above for high res image gallery

The wounded man lays with his back against the car. An arrow protrudes from his chest. A stranger approaches clad in scuffed black leather - black boots, black pants, a black leather jacket. The stranger is holding a sawed-off shotgun. He must be here to help. The wounded man begins to speak to the stranger, his voice little more than a whisper. "Thank you, thank you," the wounded man says. The stranger's response is heartbreaking, "I'm just here for the ethanol."

You're right, The Road Warrior probably wouldn't have been as cool if the citizens of a dystopian Australia were defending an ethanol plant instead of a gasoline refinery. But if GM's Aussie division Holden has anything to do with it, Lord Humongous will be ruling the wasteland with an armada of flexfuel-burning green machines instead of smoke-belching 70s muscle cars and motorcycles.

Holden announced today that it has joined a think-tank of sorts that "will investigate the viability of establishing Australia's first ethanol plant capable of turning materials such as household rubbish and building waste into more than 200 million liters of ethanol a year." The other members of the consortium are the Victorian State Government, Caltex (Chevron's Australian division), Veolia (a waste management company) and of obvious importance, Coskata (a waste-into-biofuel company).

Holden Energy and Environment Director Richard Marshall is full of Aussie pride about the measure. "We're committed to having locally built Holden cars capable of running on E85 in the market by 2010," he said. "It's about designing and engineering vehicles for Australians, built by Australians, using Australian fuel alternatives."

Click past the break for the complete press release.

Gallery: 2010 Holden Commodore

[Source: Holden via MotoBullet]

Continue reading What's Australian for ethanol? GM introduces E85 to Oz

What's Australian for ethanol? GM introduces E85 to Oz originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australian Premier lobbying for Volt built Down Under

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Manufacturing/Plants, GM, Pacific Region, Holden

2012 Holden Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

As has been reported in the past, GM's Australian arm is waiting in eager anticipation for a Holden-badged version of the Chevy Volt to hit the market Down Under in 2012. That car will be assembled here in the United States and is little more than a standard Volt minus the Bowtie emblem on the front fascia - not that there's anything wrong with that, of course.

According to Wards Auto, though, South Australia Premier Mike Rann is hoping for even more electrification, preferably built in Australia for its own home market. Since Holden is already going to build a version of the upcoming Cruze in Australia, which is based on the same Delta underpinnings as the Volt, might it be possible for Holden to build its own Volt? Says Rann:

While the Cruze will be a fuel-efficient car, I would like to see the Elizabeth plant manufacturing the same model but with an even greater fuel efficiency in the future, as the technology develops.

While it's true the Volt and Cruze share the basic Delta platform, the details of the two cars are radically different and there aren't any plans at present to build a Voltec-powered vehicle in Australia. Still, The General isn't ruling out a locally-built EV for the Australian market, and officials from the country have further visits planned later this year to continue discussing the subject. Stay tuned.

Gallery: Melbourne Motor Show: Holden Volt

[Source: Wards Auto]

Australian Premier lobbying for Volt built Down Under originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden Commodore gets new fuel sipping options

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Holden

Holden Commodore VE family - click above for high res image gallery

General Motors' Holden division down in Australia has been building the company's 3.6-liter high feature V6 at its Melbourne plant since the engine first launched in 2003. Until now, however, the Australian plant has only built the original port fuel injected variant. For 2010, Holden is adding the new 3.0-liter variant that is also being used in a number of North American market models like the new Equinox, LaCrosse and CTS. Another first for Holden is that both engines are now direct injected across the board.

When paired up with the 6L50 6-speed automatic that is now standard on the V6 models, the Commodore Omega is now rated at a combined 25.3 mpg (U.S.) on the Australian driving cycle. The Commodores benefit from weight reductions, new low rolling resistance tires and other upgrades.

The 3.6-liter versions also get fuel efficiency improvements from the direct injection ranging from 7-13 percent while power improves from 262 to 282 hp. The upgraded engines will be available in the Commodore family starting in September.

Gallery: 2010 Holden Commodore

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Holden Commodore gets new fuel sipping options

Holden Commodore gets new fuel sipping options originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Holden Commodore expected to get new smaller 3.0L DI V6

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Holden

For the 2010 model year, the big powertrain news from General Motors in the U.S. has been the launch of two new direct injected engines, a 2.2-liter four cylinder and a smaller 3.0-liter version of its high-feature V6. The latter engine uses its new fuel delivery system to help it achieve similar output to the previous port injected 3.6-liter while using less gas. That engine will see duty in several vehicles for the new model year, including the new Chevy Equinox, Cadillac SRX and CTS and the Buick LaCrosse.

It looks like this powerplant is heading down under to find a home in the Holden Commodore. The new 3.0-liter V6 will be paired up with a new 6-speed automatic transmission and should achieve similar performance to the 3.6-liter while improving efficiency from 22.2 mpg (U.S.) to an estimated 24.8 mpg (U.S.), a nearly 12 percent bump. The new DI V6 joins other alternatives in the Commodore iine-up, including a factory offered LPG system and an upcoming flex-fuel version. For the near term however, Holden isn't planning to offer any turbocharged four cylinder engines in the Commodore.

[Source: Drive.com.au]

2010 Holden Commodore expected to get new smaller 3.0L DI V6 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Top Gear electric car build-off, Aussie rules

Domenick Yoney — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:09:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Suzuki, Pacific Region, Holden

While they might lack the comedic punch of their seasoned British co-frères, the presenters at Top Gear Australia don't seem to have any electric car "issues." Indeed, in a recent episode they even held their own battery-powered build-off. Presenters Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati each took a car of their choosing, stripped out all the combustive components and inserted a rough and (mostly) ready electric drivetrain, before meeting up on a racetrack to compete for bragging rights.

Realizing that a decent electric vehicle shouldn't be too heavy, Pizzati decided to go with the featherweight Suzuki MightyBoy while his competitor settled on that great Australian classic, the HZ Holden Kingswood. This hulking station wagon weighs in somewhere between the QEII and the state of New Hampshire. While we won't tell you which conversion won straight out, we will throw out the hint that the triumphant strains of "Football meat pies kangaroos electric cars" could be heard coming from the passenger compartment of the conquering contestant. Hit the break for the segment in two parts - as well as a bonus video of a very nice MightyBoy conversion.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Top Gear electric car build-off, Aussie rules

VIDEO: Top Gear electric car build-off, Aussie rules originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 28 May 2009 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden to shrink next-gen Commodore but keep rear drive

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:21:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Lightweight, Holden

When the current generation of General Motors' Zeta platform was conceived and developed by the company's Holden division in Australia, we lived in a very different world when it came to life. Gas was still cheap, and GM was planning to revive a range of rear wheel drive performance cars for Pontiac, Buick and Chevrolet. Ultimately, the Pontiac G8 and Chevrolet Camaro were the only North American models to come to fruition, with every other variant canceled as GM teeters on the brink of bankruptcy. Now the crew at Holden is looking at what to do next and smaller and lighter are the order of the day. The Holden Commodore is expected to get an updated version of the Zeta architecture with mass reductions and smaller engines coming in 2013. That platform should run through the end of the decade.

Direct injected V6s and and turbocharged fours will likely supplant V8s with transmissions getting six ratios across the board. Meanwhile hybrid and diesel powertrains may be put on ice due to cost reasons.

[Source: GoAuto.com.au]

Holden to shrink next-gen Commodore but keep rear drive originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Melbourne 2009: GM releases new shots of Holden Volt

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:08:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Pacific Region, Holden

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Holden Volt

Although it won't actually be present at the event, GM has released three new images of the Holden Volt to coincide with the start of the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show. Like the Opel Ampera that will be shown off at the Geneva Motor Show next week, the Holden is a rebadged version of the range-extended electric Chevy Volt. This lightly remodeled car is very important for the Australian market as the automaker tries to shed its fuel-thirsty reputation and switches to smaller, more efficient packages.

The Voltec powertrain that makes the Volt tick isn't likely to see any changes on its trip Down Under, and, as we can see from the image gallery below, there aren't any real changes to the Volt's sheetmetal either. This fact shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone since The General worked to hard to make the overall shape of the original Volt as slippery as possible in the first place. See the full press release after the break.

Gallery: Melbourne Motor Show: Holden Volt

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Melbourne 2009: GM releases new shots of Holden Volt

Melbourne 2009: GM releases new shots of Holden Volt originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Melbourne 2009: GM debuts new Holden Cruze

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:50:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Pacific Region, Holden

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Holden Cruze

Attendees at the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show will be greeted by a nice surprise at the Holden tent as GM's Australian arm has announced it will be bringing what appears to be a production-ready Holden-badged Cruze to display. After taking a brief look at the pics, it's easy to see that nothing much has changed from the Chevy version of the Cruze besides a switch to right-hand drive and, of course, a fresh set of Holden badges all around.

The new Holden Cruze headlines a list of 25 vehicles that the Australian automaker will be showing off in Melbourne. Also on the stand will be Holden's EcoLine range of vehicles, including two Commodores (one sedan and one Ute) running on liquefied petroleum gas and another two vehicles featuring Active Fuel Management, which switches the V8 engine into a V4 when full power isn't required. See the full press release after the break.

Gallery: Meobourne 2009: Holden Cruze

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Melbourne 2009: GM debuts new Holden Cruze

Melbourne 2009: GM debuts new Holden Cruze originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden cuts Commodore V8 power to save gas

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:47:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Holden

For the first time in many years, the engineers at Holden, GM's Down Under division, have cut the power of a V8 engine in the big Commodore sedan. The 6.0L V8 automatic transmission combination in the Commodore is now equipped with Active Fuel Management, GM's terminology for cylinder deactivation. The system allows four cylinders to be shut off at light load conditions. In the Commodore (which is sold in North America as the Pontiac G8) the power drops from 362 hp to 349 hp while combined fuel efficiency goes from 16.44 mpg to 18.23 mpg (US). That's still not particularly impressive, but the 1.8 mpg increase is at least notable.

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Holden cuts Commodore V8 power to save gas originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden to start building Cruze based small car in 2010

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:50:00 EST

Filed under: GM, Holden

Click to enlarge

For the first time since local production of the Vectra ended in 1998, GM's Holden division will, in 2010, build a smaller car in Australia. The new model will be built on the Delta Global compact car platform that also underpins the Opel Astra, Chevy Cruze and, of course, the Volt. Over the past decade, Holden has only built larger, rear wheel drive vehicles based off the Commodore platform (available in the US as the Pontiac G8). However, increased fuel prices and concerns about the environment have caused demand for those vehicles to sag recently.

Holden wants to use the program to take the lead in alternative fuel and drive system development in Australia. Holden is evaluating E85, diesel, LPG and CNG engines for the vehicle. Start-stop hybrid technology is also being evaluated. This would likely be the next-generation GM mild hybrid system which will debut around that time-frame. The new car will be built at Holden's Elizabeth factory in Adelaide.

Gallery: 2010 Holden small car sketch

[Source: Holden]

Continue reading Holden to start building Cruze based small car in 2010

Holden to start building Cruze based small car in 2010 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australia's Holden gets first-ever Energy and Environment Director

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:52:00 EST

Filed under: Pacific Region, Holden

Environmental concerns have made their way to the land of Oz, and GM's Holden division has responded by appointing its first-ever Energy and Environment Director. Richard Marshall will take the post beginning on January 12 of next year and will report directly to the Chairman and Managing Director, Mark Reuss. This addition seems appropriate now that Holden has announced its new EcoLine, which seeks to lower the fuel consumption of all automobiles so equipped. Other steps taken to improve its eco-standing are a reduction in engine power in exchange for fuel efficiency and an increased use of liquified petroleum gas. The automaker has also announced that a Holden-badged version of the Chevy Volt will make it to Australia in 2012.

Interestingly, Marshall's previous role had been as the Director of Innovation Engineering. Odd, we weren't aware that it was possible to engineer innovation, but whatever. We wish Marshall the best of luck in his new post.

[Source: Holden]

Continue reading Australia's Holden gets first-ever Energy and Environment Director

Australia's Holden gets first-ever Energy and Environment Director originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden Volt coming in 2012 without Green Car Innovation Funds

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:47:00 EST

Filed under: Ethanol, EV/Plug-in, Flex-Fuel, Hybrid, GM, Pacific Region, Holden

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2011 Chevy Volt

As we had heard in the past, General Motor's upcoming extended-range electric vehicle will make an Australian appearance in 2012, and it will be wearing a Holden badge. Apparently, rumor and innuendo in Australia had the Volt coming to the continent as a Chevrolet. Holden's Managing Director Mark Reuss also says that the EREV will be introduced without the use of Australia's planned Green Car Innovation Fund. That's nice, but perhaps the General's spokesperson could have been a bit more appropriate if he didn't make such a big deal about the automaker using its own funds, considering what's been going on here in the US these last few weeks.
Also on schedule for Australian consumption in 2010 are flex-fuel Holdens. Along with the ethanol capability, GM is working with Coskata to open its first-ever plant outside the United States. That plant will make the alcohol fuel from waste products.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt Live Reveal

[Source: CarPoint]

Holden Volt coming in 2012 without Green Car Innovation Funds originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden cuts power of V6 Commodore to cut fuel consumption

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Holden

Aside from the United States, Australia has been considered one of the last bastions of the big rear wheel drive V8 sedan as a mainstream product. Like the U.S. for many years, successive models have gotten heavier, more powerful and thirstier. That situation appears to be changing, though, as GM's Australian branch, Holden, is actually reducing the power output of the base engine in the Commodore specifically to reduce fuel consumption. The base 2.8L V6 is going from 241 hp to 235 hp starting in November. That change should increase fuel mileage from 21.6 mpg to 22.2 mpg, a whopping 2.8 percent. OK, that isn't much but every little bit helps. It's estimated that drivers who accumulate 12,000 miles a year will save about $60 in fuel costs. Buyers who opt for the LPG-fueled version of the Commodore will see a more substantial improvement of 8.6 percent. What the Commodore really needs is a diet and something more substantial like a change to using a turbocharged four cylinder engine, or even a direct injected version of the V6. The 2.8L is a smaller displacement version of the 3.6L V6 that GM uses in a wide variety of U.S. models. A direct injected 3.0L has been rumored to be coming in 2009 that will match the performance of the current non-DI 3.6 with significantly better fuel efficiency.

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Holden cuts power of V6 Commodore to cut fuel consumption originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 01 Nov 2008 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden launches ecoline, includes V8 engines

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:34:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Pacific Region, Holden

Australia's Holden, a unit from General Motors, has announced a new badge for all vehicles that it equips with some sort of alternative fuel or gas-saving technology: ecoline. Holden faces a bit of an uphill climb when it comes to environmentally-friendly technology, as the marque is best known for its large, rear-wheel drive, V8-powered coupes, sedans and utes. This new ecoline badge is meant to soften that image somewhat. Unfortunately, the ecoline badge won't mean much until 2012 or so when hybrids and diesels are expected to be offered by Holden in Australia. Until then, the most fuel efficient models that will get the badge will be equipped with V8 engines, though they will get Active Fuel Management, which cuts the number of cylinders that fire when maximum power isn't needed. This type of technology is effective and has been available in the U.S. from GM for a while, but it doesn't seem like quite enough to earn a special badge. Perhaps that should have waited for the hybrids and diesels.

[Source: Fullboost]

Holden launches ecoline, includes V8 engines originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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