Last Australian Commodore will be fastest, most powerful The new Commodore: Holden has saved the best for last.
By Andrew Mclean Holden is giving its Australian- made Commodore a tyre-frying farewell. 
The car maker has revealed the final iteration of its locally built sedan in Melbourne today, confirming the range-topping V8 performance variants will be the most powerful in the model's 37-year history.
The VFII update is the last to the Australian-designed and developed Commodore range before Holden officially closes its Elizabeth plant in South Australia in 2017.
It won't be the last Commodore, however, as Holden has committed to maintaining the nameplate on an imported model.
While all Commodore models receive a host of minor visual and specification upgrades, the most significant is the adoption of a larger, more powerful 6.2-litre V8 in the flagship variants.
The engine - which has been exclusively available in Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) models since 2008 and dubbed LS3 - is available in five model variants; the Commodore SS, SS-V, SS-V Redline, Calais V and Caprice V.
Holden says it produces 304kW of power and 570Nm of torque, enough to slingshot the car from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.9 seconds - the fastest acceleration ever for a mainstream Holden product. Prices for most models have increased over their predecessors, although the entry-level Evoke remains unchanged at $35,490 (plus on- road costs) for the sedan.
Holden's new chairman and managing director, Mark Bernhard, made his first media appearance unveiling the updated Commodore, claiming that, despite the common trend for car makers to downsize engines, Holden customers still demand performance.
"We made a commitment to keep this iconic car exciting and relevant for Australian motorists, and that is exactly what we have done. This is the vehicle that our Commodore customers have been asking for," he said.
"Commodore VFII is powerful and refined, it will evoke emotion in its driver and exhibits all of the hallmarks Commodore has become renowned for over the years.
"Commodore represents 37-years of innovation, performance and technological advancements and has earned its place as Holden's longest- standing and most successful nameplate."
Holden says VFII Commodore models will be available in showrooms from   October.