The next-generation 2018 Holden Commodore Sportwagon has been revealed today, thanks to an online reveal of the new model in its European form.
At the same time, Holden has confirmed it will continue the Sportwagon name, rather than introduce the Sports Tourer badge worn by the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia version shown in today’s reveal.
Before today’s virtual unveiling, the new Commodore wagon was unceremoniously revealed in December when an undisguised car was spotted during promotional filming.
Identical to its liftback sedan companion up front, the wagon is set apart not only by the obvious body differences, but also courtesy of a chrome roof trim that runs along the top of the windows and down the D-pillar, terminating inside the deep red LED tail lamps.
The new wagon measures 4986mm long and rides on a 2829mm wheelbase, the latter matching the liftback while the former represents an 87mm stretch.
By comparison, the current Commodore Sportwagon rides on a much longer 2915mm wheelbase, although its overall length is shorter at 4919 to 4939mm (depending on variant).
In the rear cargo area, the Sportwagon claims 520 litres of storage space with the rear seats upright, growing to 1640 litres when laid flat. The new liftback model offers 490 to 1450 litres.
On the convenience front, access to the loading area will be improved through the addition of a powered tailgate operated by foot gesture. A second swipe of the foot beneath the rear bumper will close the tailgate, and an obstruction detection sensor will stop the process if needed.
As with the liftback, the Sport Tourer will be offered with 2.0-litre turbo petrol and turbo diesel engines. Front- and all-wheel drive configurations will also be on offer, depending on the specification.
Australian variants of the new Commodore will also get four-cylinder engines, although a naturally aspirated 230kW/370Nm V6 will also feature at the top end of both the liftback and Sportwagon lines.
GM’s new nine-speed automatic transmission – developed together with Ford – will make its local debut in the new Commodore range, while the all-wheel drive system will be the same ‘Twinster’ design that features in the Ford Focus RS, supplied by UK company GKN.
Standout technology in the new Commodore will include IntelliLux LED matrix headlights, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist with steering correction and lane departure warning, rear-cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, adaptive suspension, and a head-up display.
Other features will include massaging seats, rear one-touch folding seats, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, auto up/down for all windows, and active noise cancellation.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will also feature, operated through an 8.0-inch main display.
A jacked-up Country Tourer model, rivalling the likes of Subaru’s Outback, will also be offered in Europe and, while not confirmed for Australia, the massive popularity of anything vaguely SUV-styled could make this one a shoo-in for our market.
Watch for more on the local version to be revealed in the weeks or months ahead. Expect to see the new Insignia Sports Tourer at next month’s Geneva motor show.
| A CarAdvice release - more images and links | February 7, 2017 ||
