Editing Holden Commodore (section)

=== {{anchor|VC}} VC (1980–1981) ===
{{main|Holden Commodore (VC)}}{{multiple image
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| image1 = 1980-1981 Holden VC Commodore L sedan 04.jpg
| caption1 = VC Commodore SL sedan
| image2 = 1980-1981 Holden VC Commodore L station wagon 02.jpg
| caption2 = VC Commodore L station wagon
}}
[[File:1980 Holden Commodore (VC) L 1.9 station wagon (2015-07-14) 01.jpg|left|thumb|VC Commodore L]]

The most significant change to the VC Commodore of March 1980 was the engine upgrading to "XT5" specification. Now painted blue and thus known as the ''[[Holden motor#Blue|Blue]]'' [[straight-six engine|straight-sixes]] and [[Holden V8 engine|Holden V8s]], these replaced the ''[[Holden motor#Red|Red]]'' units fitted to the VB and earlier cars.<ref>[[#Bebbington (1998)|Bebbington (1998)]], p. 61. "In March 1980, the VC Commodore was released. [...] The big news for the VC was the upgrading of all engines to XT5 specifications. Blue sixes and V8s replaced the Red units in the VB and earlier Holdens".</ref> Changes included a new twelve-port [[cylinder head]], redesigned [[combustion chamber]]s, [[Inlet manifold|inlet]] and [[exhaust manifold]]s, a new two-barrel [[carburetor|carburettor]] .<ref>[[#Gribble (1980)|Gribble (1980)]], p. 23. "The L6 has a new cylinder head with separate ports (six inlet and six exhaust), larger valves and revised combustion chambers. Also new is a two-barrel Varajet carburettor and re-designed inlet and dual exhaust manifolds. [...] A Bosch high energy breakerless ignition system has been incorporated..."</ref> Tweaks and changes to the V8s surrounded the implementation of electronic ignition, revised cylinder head and inlet manifold design and the fitment of a four-barrel carburettor on the 4.2-litre variant. These changes brought improved efficiency, increased outputs and aided driveability.<ref>[[#Bebbington (1998)|Bebbington (1998)]], p. 61. "The V8s received new heads, inlet manifold and electronic ignition (and four-barrel carburettor for the 4.2-litre). Major improvements were made to power output, driveability and economy."</ref> In response to increasing [[price of petroleum|oil prices]], a [[Straight-four engine|four-cylinder]] variant was spawned in June 1980.<ref>[[#Tuckey (1999)|Tuckey (1999)]], p. 89–90. "In June 1980, after the second oil shock, came the four-cylinder Commodore."</ref> [[Engine displacement|Displacing]] 1.9-litres, this powerplant known as ''[[Holden motor#Starfire|Starfire]]'' was effectively Holden's existing straight-six with two cylinders removed. The four's peak power output of {{convert|58|kW||abbr=on}} and torque rated at {{convert|140|Nm|ftlbf|0|abbr=on}} meant its performance was compromised.<ref>[[#Norton (2008)|Norton (2008)]], p. 80. "An interesting introduction was the fitting of Holden's 1.9&nbsp;litre "Starfire" four cylinder in L and SL. [...] the Starfire was GMH's six cylinder engine literally with two cylinder lopped off. [...] The engine was not a fast nor high revver nor particularly impressive economy wise [...] The Starfire was regarded as lacking power and performance."</ref><ref>[[#Robinson (1980)|Robinson (1980)]], p. 28.</ref> Reports indicate that the need to push the engine hard to extract performance led to real-world [[fuel economy in automobiles|fuel consumption]] similar to the straight-sixes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/car_info_holden_commodore_vc.htm |title=Holden Commodore VC |publisher=Unique Cars and Parts |access-date=15 June 2007 |archive-date=16 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616124726/http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/car_info_holden_commodore_vc.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:1980 HDT Commodore (VC) sedan 03.jpg|thumb|Interior]]

Holden's emphasis on fuel economy extended beyond powertrains, with a fuel consumption [[Pressure measurement|vacuum gauge]] replacing the [[tachometer]] throughout the range, although this could be optioned back with the sports instrumentation package.<ref>[[#Gribble (1980)|Gribble (1980)]], p. 22. "Another indication of the fuel saving image is the fact that the vacuum gauge fuel meter becomes standard throughout the range, with a tachometer available only with the optional sports instrumentation package."</ref> Visual changes were limited: the relocation of the [[Logo|corporate crest]] to the centre of the redesigned [[Grille (car)|grille]], black-coloured trim applied to the [[Automotive lighting#Rear position lights (tail lights)|tail lamp]] surrounds on sedans, and the embossment of model badging into the side rubbing strips. The previously undesignated base car, was now the Commodore L, opening up the range for a new unbadged sub-level car.<ref>[[#Bebbington (1998)|Bebbington (1998)]], p. 61. "The model lineup was basically as before with the base Commodore now badged as the Commodore L. Externally, the VC could be identified by its egg-grate-style grille, with the lion and HOLDEN badge in the centre, black trim added to the sedan tail-lights and model badging now set into the leading edge of the rubbing strip on the front doors."</ref> This delete option model, was de-specified and available only to [[fleet vehicle|fleet]] customers.<ref>[[#Bebbington (1998)|Bebbington (1998)]], p. 62. "A9K fleet package (with many items deleted) available on L sedan and station wagon."</ref> On the premium Commodore SL/E, a resurrected "Shadowtone" exterior paint option became available in a limited range of dark-over-light colour combinations.<ref>[[#Jeeves (2008)|Jeeves (2008)]], p. 70. "The VC SL/E offered a Shadowtone dark over light paint finish..."</ref> According to contemporary reviews, changes made to the VC's steering produced a heavier feel and inclined [[understeer]], while the revised suspension gave a softer ride and addressed concerns raised while riding fully laden.<ref>[[#Lake (1980)|Lake (1980)]], p. 22. "[[General Motors|The General]] decided that the Commodore should have softer ride and, at the same time, improved handling while fully laden with passengers and luggage. [...] All who drove the VC found it heavier in the steering, [... and] the VC was more inclined to understeer".</ref>