Editing Holden Commodore (section)

=== {{anchor|VH}} VH (1981–1984) ===
{{main|Holden Commodore (VH)}}
{{multiple image
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| image1 = 1981-1984 Holden VH Commodore SL sedan 01.jpg
| image2 = 1981-1984 Holden VH Commodore SLX station wagon 01.jpg
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| caption1 = VH Commodore SL sedan
| caption2 = VH Commodore SLX station wagon
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[[File:1982 Holden Commodore 3.3 (VH) (26672894339) (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|VH Commodore]]

The VH series Commodore introduced in September 1981 brought moderately updated frontal bodywork, with a new [[hood (vehicle)|bonnet]] and front [[fender (vehicle)|guards]] to facilitate the reshaped headlamps and a horizontally slatted [[Grille (car)|grille]].<ref>[[#Bebbington (2009)|Bebbington (2009)]], p. 84. "VH Commodore introduced in September 1981 [...] received Australian designed front guards, bonnet, grille, headlights and new louvre style sedan tail-lights".</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/holden_commodore_VH_technical_specifications.htm |title=Holden Commodore VH Technical Specifications |publisher=Unique Cars and Parts |access-date=15 June 2007 |archive-date=29 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629052210/http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/holden_commodore_VH_technical_specifications.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> These front-end design changes worked to produce a longer, yet wider look. At the rear, sedans featured redesigned tail light clusters, the design of which borrowed from [[Mercedes-Benz]] models of the day, using a louvered design.<ref name = "Holden Commodore VH">{{cite web |url=http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/car_info_holden_commodore_vh.htm |title=Holden Commodore VH |publisher=Unique Cars and Parts |access-date=15 June 2007 |archive-date=16 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616101054/http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/car_info_holden_commodore_vh.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> At the same time, the [[nomenclature]] of the range was rationalised. The SL superseded the L as the base model, with the old SL level becoming the mid-range SL/X, and the SL/E remaining as the top-of-the-line variant.<ref>[[#Bebbington (2009)|Bebbington (2009)]], p. 84. "The L model became SL, the middle trim level (previously SL), became SL/X. The SL/E nameplate remained unaltered."</ref> Wagons were restricted to the SL and SL/X trims.<ref>[[#Jeeves (2008)|Jeeves (2008)]], p. 73.</ref> Redesigned pentagonal [[alloy wheel]]s<ref>[[#Bebbington (2009)|Bebbington (2009)]], p. 84. "New pentagonal patterned alloy wheels for SL/E."</ref>—replacing the original SL/E type used since 1978<ref>[[#Davis, Wright (1994)|Davis, Wright (1994)]], p. 10. "...on the VH SL/E [...] new alloy wheels replaced the original design that had been used since 1978".</ref>—along with a black painted [[Pillar (automobile)|B-pillar]], wrap-around [[chrome plating|chrome]] rear [[bumper (automobile)|bumper]] extensions to the [[fender (vehicle)|wheel arches]],<ref>Image comparison of VH Commodore: [[commons:File:1981-1984 Holden VH Commodore SLX sedan 01.jpg|SL/X sedan]] and [[commons:File:1981-1984 Holden VH Commodore SLE sedan 01.jpg|SL/E sedan]].</ref> and extended tail lamps that converged with the [[license plate]] alcove—distinguished the range-topping SL/E from other variants.<ref name = "Holden Commodore VH"/> The new pentagonal wheels were initially in short supply, such that only Shadowtone option SL/E sedans received them during 1981 production.

[[File:Holden Commodore SLX (1981-1984 VH series) 06.jpg|left|thumb|Interior]]

Mechanical specifications carried over, except for a new five-speed [[manual transmission]], optional on the 1.9-litre four-cylinder and 2.85-litre six-cylinder versions.<ref>[[#McKay (1981)|McKay (1981)]], p. 27. "The engineering standouts are the availability of a five-speed manual transmission as an option with the 1.9-litre four-cylinder and 2.8-litre six-cylinder models".</ref> In an attempt to improve sales figures of the [[straight-four engine]], Holden spent considerable time improving its performance and efficiency. Modifications were also made to the 2.85-litre six to lift economy, and the powerplants managed to reduce [[fuel economy in automobiles|fuel consumption]] by as much as 12.5 and 14&nbsp;percent, correspondingly.<ref name = "Holden Commodore VH"/><ref>[[#McKay (1981)|McKay (1981)]], p. 27–28. "Because the 3.3 was upgraded during the VC development programme, it was decided to concentrate on lifting the efficiency of the smaller 2.8 six. Likewise, the four-cylinder 1.9 Starfire, criticised for its thirst and lack of throttle response, was the other major project. The engineering refinements have resulted in heartening gains in fuel economy, while maintaining performance."</ref> Holden released the sports-oriented Commodore SS sedan in September 1982<ref name = "Bebbington (2009), p. 84">[[#Bebbington (2009)|Bebbington (2009)]], p. 84. "Another limited-edition model was the Commodore SS [...] released in September 1982. [...] SS models were powered by the 4.2-litre V8 engine, matted to [a] 4-speed gearbox. The 5.0-litre V8 was optional."</ref>—reintroducing a nameplate used briefly ten years prior with the [[Holden HQ|HQ]] series.<ref>[[#Bebbington (2009)|Bebbington (2009)]], p. 51.</ref> Provisioned with a choice of 4.2- or optional 5.0-litre V8 engines, both versions of the VH SS were teamed with a four-speed manual transmission.<ref name = "Bebbington (2009), p. 84"/> Racing driver [[Peter Brock]]'s [[Holden Dealer Team#Brock HDT special vehicles|Holden Dealer Team]] (HDT) high performance outfit produced three upgraded versions, known as ''Group One'', ''Group Two'' and ''Group Three'', the latter version available in either 4.2-litre or more commonly 5.0-litre V8 configuration.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Butler |first1=Glenn |last2=Short |first2=Mark |date=16 July 2006 |url=http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/history-of-brock-commodores-20060918-13z6b.html |title=History of Brock Commodores |work=Drive |access-date=15 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722054407/http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/history-of-brock-commodores-20060918-13z6b.html |archive-date=22 July 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

By the time of the VH series, Commodore sales were beginning to decline. [[Holden motor|Holden's six-cylinder engine]], which was carried over from the [[Holden Kingswood|Kingswood]], could trace its roots back to 1963 and was no longer competitive.<ref name = "Crossing the Lion"/> Continual improvements made to Commodore's [[Ford Falcon (Australia)|Ford Falcon]] rival meant the VH was not significantly more fuel-efficient or better performing despite the smaller size.<ref name = "Crossing the Lion"/><ref>[[#Wright (1998)|Wright (1998)]], p. 269. "[T]he smaller Commodore could not dramatically outperform the Falcon in the fuel economy stakes."</ref> This was curtailed by the absence of any major [[powertrain]] revisions by the time of the VH and the lack of visual departure from the original VB.<ref>[[#Robinson (2006)|Robinson (2006)]], p. 24. "Sales of the Commodore faltered. The third 1981 VH model looked far too similar to the VB [...] and introduced no significant new engine technologies".</ref> Holden also had to deal with the influx of their own mid-size [[Holden Camira|Camira]] from 1982, which presented comparable interior volume with lower fuel consumption, and for less than the Commodore pricing point. Camira sales were strong initially, but as fuel prices had stabilised, buyers gravitated away from Camira and Commodore towards the larger Falcon, which overtook the Commodore as Australia's bestselling car for the first time in 1982.<ref name = "Crossing the Lion"/><ref>[[#Robinson (2006)|Robinson (2006)]], p. 24. "In 1982, the year of its launch and in the wake of the second oil shock, there were those inside [Holden] who believed the Camira [...] could become the national bestseller. Sales flared initially at the expense of the Commodore. [...] Just as Australians were slowly coming to the renationalisation that a big country deserved big cars, [...] fuel prices had stabilised and supply was no longer an issue."</ref><ref>[[#Wright (1998)|Wright (1998)]], p. 270. "Then came the [[Ford XE Falcon|XE]], giving the Falcon leadership over its rival for 1982".</ref>