Euro-sourced model benchmarking premium models

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The 2018 Holden Commodore has this week gone on sale in Europe as the new Opel Insignia, with the local arm of General Motors releasing new details of the upcoming family car - including the target 0-100km/h time for the front-wheel-drive 2.0-litre turbo model. As previously reported, the new Commodore will be available locally with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine driving the front wheels, while an all-wheel drive naturally-aspirated V6 will serve as the new performance flagship. Both engines will be mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. While performance figures for the V6 model are yet to be confirmed, Holden said in a release this week it is targeting a 0-100km/h acceleration time of around 7.0 to 7.5 seconds for the 2.0-litre turbo. Interestingly, in describing its targeted acceleration figures, the company called out premium offerings like the Audi A6 1.8 TFSI, Jaguar XF 25t, Mercedes-Benz E200 and Lexus GS200t as "direct" competitors.

Despite being potentially just a half-second off the pace of established hot hatches like the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the timing of today's announcement does see it follow Kia's promise this week of a 4.9-second run to 100km/h in the new 272kW/510Nm 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 Stinger GT. Of course, Holden's 2.0-litre Commodore models won't be presented as a rival to the turbo-six Stinger. Holden's flagship all-wheel-drive 230kW/370Nm V6 Commodore will be a more obvious rival - although it will likely take HSV involvement to deliver more comparable numbers. Regardless of its acceleration abilities, Holden has promised the new Commodore will be well-suited to the driving needs of Australian buyers - even those looking for a sporting feel. “We’ve been involved with the new Commodore’s development from the very beginning and have been working to tune to the specific tastes of Aussie buyers who like responsive steering and sporty suspension, yet composed ride quality when cruising. These are the hallmarks of Commodore and we are going to deliver again with the next-gen car," says Holden engineering executive director, Brett Vivian.

Away from power, key highlights for the new Commodore will include a range of advanced driver assistance systems such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Holden also this week confirmed the 2018 liftback sedan and wagon models will debut new comfort and convenience technologies like massaging seats, heated and ventilated front seats, rear seat heating, an electric tailgate for wagon models, and active noise cancellation. Stay tuned to CarAdvice for more Holden Commodore updates in the coming months. MORE: 2018 Kia Stinger 0-100km/h time confirmed

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