GM's new Holden Commodore likely previews the next Buick Regal

By Stephen Edelstein October 27, 2016

General Motors’ overseas brands have some news that may affect U.S. buyers. GM is rolling out a new version of the Opel Insignia which, for the first time, will also be sold in Australia, as the Holden Commodore. Since the current Insignia shares a platform with the Buick Regal, the new Insignia will likely serve as the basis for a redesigned version of that model as well.

The merger of the Insignia and Commodore is also significant because it marks the end of Holden’s rear-wheel drive, V8-powered sedans. These enthusiast-friendly cars survived in Australia long after they were phased out in the U.S., but GM’s decision to end Australian car production will be their death knell. Versions of the current-generation Commodore are sold in the U.S. as the Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle, and the civilian Chevrolet SS.

Instead of a tire-smoking V8 muscle car, the next Holden Commodore will be a mild-mannered machine based on the same “E2” platform used by the Chevy Malibu. Front-wheel drive will be standard, with all-wheel drive optional. The all-wheel drive system can split torque between the front and rear axles, as well as between the rear wheels to improve handling. The system may make its way into the next Regal.

In Australia, the Commodore will be offered with 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline and diesel four-cylinder engines, as well as 308-horsepower V6. The latter will only be available with all-wheel drive, and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Both gasoline engines may make it to the U.S., but the diesel seems less likely. While the Commodore and Insignia will be offered as hatchbacks and wagons, expect the U.S.-market Buick to be offered only as a sedan.

Using the same platform for multiple models in different regions will undoubtedly save GM money, and the switch to front-wheel drive in Australia is ultimately a sensible decision (there’s a reason why other markets largely abandoned rear-wheel drive decades ago, after all). But the plan is still a blow to car enthusiasts, who will miss the sportier rear-wheel drive Holdens.

The next-generation Opel Insignia is expected to debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in March, with the Holden Commodore and Buick Regal derivatives following sometime after that.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Should you buy a used EV? Maybe, but it’s complicated

Electric cars are slowly but surely getting cheaper. Over the past year or so, Ford and Tesla have been discounting their most popular electric cars while other brands, like Rivian, are laying the groundwork for all-new cheaper models.

But you'd still be hard-pressed to call electric cars cheap, and buying a completely new car in the first place is a hurdle in and of itself for many potential buyers. According to Statista, used car sales represented around 74% of all car sales in 2022, and while this figure is likely to change as electric cars get cheaper, the fact remains that most car buyers would prefer to save cash and buy used rather than buy something new.
Buying a new car ain't what it used to be
Buying a car with an electric powertrain doesn't necessarily need to be all that different from buying an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. But there's a little more to it than that.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Will the R2 be a better buy?

Side of the Rivian R2

The Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it could end up being the go-to EV for drivers who want a decently affordable electric car with a rugged look and feel. But when it finally launches to the public, it won't be the only option in its price range -- the Ford Mustang Mach-E could be one of its main competitors.

The Mustang Mach-E may not be quite as rugged-feeling as the Rivian R2, but it does have a lot going for it -- like an increasingly low price, sleek design, and comfortable interior. Is one of these EVs better than the other? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The first thing to note about the two cars is their design, as they’re pretty different. The Rivian R2 is built to be a little more rugged and outdoorsy, while the Mach-E instead has a sleeker and sportier look to it. Both cars look stylish and modern.

Cars

2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan gets new face, bigger battery

2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan front-quarter view.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan arrived during the 2022 model year as the flagship of Mercedes' EV fleet. But now that it's been on sale for a few years, it's time for this flagship to get a refit so that it can stay competitive with other six-figure electric sedans like the BMW i7, Lucid Air, and Tesla Model S. The updated EQS sedan is scheduled to reach dealerships later this year as a 2025 model.

One of the most controversial features of the EQS has been its unorthodox streamlined shape, which makes the EQS one of the most aerodynamic sedans around, but also means it doesn't look much like a traditional Mercedes. For 2025, the EQS takes a step closer to that traditional look with a new grille featuring chrome bars like on the Mercedes S-Class. It also sports the brand's trademark hood ornament.