Holden Commodore (VF)

The Holden Commodore (VF) is a full-size car that was produced from June 2013 to October 2017 by Holden, the former Australian subsidiary of General Motors. It was available under the luxury Holden Calais nameplate; utility models were sold as the Holden Ute.

It succeeded the VE series, and was the second iteration of the fourth generation of the Holden Commodore. It was the last model in the series to be manufactured in Australia. It was offered as a sedan and wagon. The long-wheelbase Holden Caprice (WN) released in 2013.

From 2013 to 2017 the VF Commodore was rebadged in the United States as the Chevrolet SS. Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) sold VF Commodore-based models in the Gen-F series, HSV also sold models in the United Kingdom under Vauxhall VXR8 range.

In December 2013, General Motors (GM) announced that it would discontinue all Australian production in 2017.

The VF Commodore was built on the GM Zeta platform, first used by the VE Commodore. The VF was an evolution of the VE, with several visual changes. The VF featured new styling at the front and rear; changes included altered headlights, altered tail lamps (on sedans only), alterations to the plastic of the intake and grille and the use of a lip-spoiler instead of a rear wing on the performance models. The body shell, windows, doors, mirrors and roof were all carried over from the VE. The wheelbase and track also remain unchanged. The long-wheelbase Holden Caprice (WN) released in June 2013.

The interior underwent major changes, with switches such as the boot lid release being relocated from the glovebox to the doors and the fitting of an electronic handbrake. All models were fitted with an eight-inch touch screen in the centre console, with keyless entry and auto-park assist also standard across all models. Optional features included: a head-up display on the windscreen, forward and rear collision warning systems, blind spot monitors and a lane departure warning system. The VF used an electric power steering system, replacing the hydraulic system used on previous Commodores, improving fuel economy at the expense of steering feel.

The majority of the testing for the VF was completed in Australia but it was also driven in Germany, the Middle East, North America and Sweden. Show-car versions of the SS V and the Calais V were unveiled to the public on 10 February 2013, with the first pre-production models completed in April 2013.

The VF achieved five stars in the ANCAP safety ratings. On top of the ratings tests, the VF was found to have good whiplash protection for occupants, though pedestrian protection was classified as marginal, with the car scoring 15.41 of a possible 36 points in this area.