Holden has revealed the VE Series II Commodore range – the first Australian-made vehicle capable of running on bio-ethanol fuel.

The ‘greener’ Series II Commodore – both the 3.0-litre V6 and 6.0-litre V8 – have flex-fuel technology – also brings a raft of interior and exterior styling changes, plus Holden’s latest Holden-iQ touch screen infotainment system.

But the big news is under the bonnet with reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emissions across the Series II Commodore range. 

Holden Commodore’s fuel-sipping 3.0-litre SIDI V6 reduces its fuel consumption by two per cent – now down to 9.1l/100kms. Holden’s 3.6-litre V6 scores a three per cent improvement, while the Gen IV V8 is six per cent more fuel efficient.

Holden is especially proud of its locally-developed flex-fuel technology which enables both the V8 and 3.0-litre V6 to run on bio-ethanol, E10, regular unleaded, premium unleaded or any combination of those fuels.

“We believe that bio-ethanol has huge potential in Australia,” explained Holden’s Energy and Environment Director, Richard Marshall. “It is a cleaner-burning, renewable fuel and long-term we think is has the ability to displace up to 30 per cent of Australia’s petrol use.”

Holden has partnered with fuel giant Caltex to sell bio-ethanol fuel under the ‘Bio E-Flex’ brand name. By the end of October, Caltex will have 31 service stations in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra with Bio E-Flex pumps and plans to have 100 outlets in metropolitan and regional locations next year.

Australia’s current ethanol supply is produced from the by-products created during the industrial production of wheat, sugar and sorghum, however Holden and Caltex are part of a consortium investigating the viability of establishing a second generation ethanol plant capable of producing the fuel from household and industrial waste products.

As well as Flex Fuel technology, some of the other changes for Series II VE Commodore also focus on enhanced fuel economy. These include aerodynamic enhancements, mechanical changes - including a clutch for the air-conditioning compressor, reduced idle speed for the 3.6-litre V6 and fitment of low rolling resistance tyres for Omega and Berlina models.

Aerodynamic changes include underbody panels, air deflectors in front of the rear wheels, a new bootlid with an aero lip and a modified front undertray.

The fuel economy gains flow to the Commodore Omega Ute which secures the 3.0-litre SIDI V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission.

On the styling front, as well as the new bootlid, the VE Series II Commodore is distinguished by a new front fascia, grille and headlights across the range. There are also new design alloy wheels.

Four new exterior colours have been added: Alto Grey, Hazard, Mirage Glow and Sizzle.

Inside the most noticeable changes are new trim features and the revised center stack with the 6.5-inch colour touchscreen for the Holden –iQ system (with satellite navigation function for SS V-Series, Calais V-Series and caprice models). The upgraded infotainment system now delivers full Bluetooth, USB, iPod and MP3 integration.