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2018 Holden Commodore plays the name game

It’s the “NG” Commodore for now, but Holden’s first imported large car is still to have its official model code announced

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WHAT’S in a name or a model code? Plenty it seems, at least if that model is a next-generation Holden Commodore.

Despite revealing pictures of the first imported model 15 months before it goes on sale, Holden remains tight-lipped on the model code for the controversial new model that is tasked with replacing Australia’s former top-selling car.

For now Holden is referring to the upcoming Opel-produced version of the rebadged Insignia as the NG Commodore, or “new generation” Commodore.

2017-Holden -Commodore -rearBut its official model code will be different, likely to be determined by Opel’s naming strategy, which used GA for the previous model (and for the Vectra before it JR, JS and ZC).

One option, then, could be GB – or Holden may go for something completely different.

Looking at the Commodore lineage, logic suggests the new car would simply follow convention and use the letter V followed by another letter.

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The first Commodore was a VB, for example, then VC, VH, VK, VL, VN, VP, VR, VS, VT, VX and VZ before spinning back around to the most Aussie car of all - the 2006 Holden Commodore VE. That VE has since been updated as a Commodore VF.

However, the V represents parent company General Motors' designation for its large rear-wheel-drive car platform.

The latest Opel Insignia – while it will be classified as a large car – drives the front wheels or, in the case of V6 versions, all four wheels.

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Holden dismisses questions over the new Commodore’s name as non-story, arguing it’s only motoring journalists who want to know.

“It’s 16 months away from launch,” said Holden communications director Sean Poppitt. “We’ll share it at the right time.”

Toby Hagon

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