General Motors has just announced that production of its next-generation 2014 Chevrolet Impala will be shifted to its Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing plant. At this plant it will be produced alongside the Chevrolet Volt and Malibu and this decision to move Impala production is an early indication that the Holden Commodore won’t be returning to U.S. shores.

The next American-market Impala will use a stretched version of GM’s Epsilon II platform, with a front-wheel drive layout. While it’s not a popular move with some enthusiasts who want their Chevy large sedan to be rear-wheel powered it lessens the chances of the Commodore ever returning to the U.S., in either sedan, wagon or ute bodystyles.

The main reason is an awareness of fuel economy regulations. GM’s decision to keep almost all of its range front-wheel drive shows that the automaker has a preference for better fuel economy over performance. The front-wheel drive architecture also helps with developing more modern interiors due to the absence of a bulky driveshaft running the length of the car. In simple terms the Commodore just doesn’t fit into GM’s new politically correct range. It was popular in Pontiac G8 form but with the new Malibu owning its spot for now it will have a tough time finding its way back into the lucrative America market. (more…)

The fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro has only been around for less than a year but according to fresh reports, GM is already considering its replacement. The current model is based on GM’s Zeta rear-wheel drive platform that was developed by Holden, Australia. While the Zeta platform, also used in the Commodore is generally praised for its dynamics, it still isn’t perfect. The platform is heavy and many of the originally planned applications have not been developed, which has raised the per vehicle cost in the process.

Last year during its bankruptcy, GM showed off many of its upcoming vehicles to members of the media, including a new smaller Cadillac dubbed ATS. The ATS makes use of a new rear-wheel drive platform that has been referred to as Alpha. GM hadn’t officially named the ATS platform, but it did state that it would be shared with the next-generation CTS which will likely increase in size to better compete with the BMW 5 Series. Given the harsh economics of profitable car manufacturing and the volumes expected for both the Cadillacs and the Camaro, it makes sense that the Camaro would move over to the Alpha architecture. Especially because one of the goals for all three models will be reduced mass, necessary to meet new fuel economy standards and improve performance.

After recent rumours that the Holden Commodore-based Pontiac G8 might be reborn as a law-enforcement-only vehicle in the States, GM has revealed the 2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV), based on the Holden Statesman.

Announced at the International Association of Chiefs of Police convention in Colorado, the Caprice PPV will be available from next year, with patrol duties expected to begin in early 2011.

Instead of reworking the Holden Commodore-based platform of the retired Pontiac G8, GM has built the Caprice PPV on the longer version of the Zeta platform that underpins the Holden Ute and Statesman.

The cars will be built in Australia at Holden’s assembly plant in Elizabeth, SA, and are set to provide a shot in the arm for the plant’s total output.

“North American law enforcement fleets account for about 70,000 sales a year so securing a fraction of those sales would be a major manufacturing boost for GM’s operations in Australia,” said Holden Executive Director Sales and Marketing, John Elsworth. “Opportunities like this don’t come around very often, so we are working hard to deliver a world class product worthy of serious consideration by the police.”

The 2011 Chevrolet Caprice PPV will be powered by a 6.0 litre LS2 V8 engine developing 265kW and 520Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It’s competitor, Dodge’s law enforcement version of the Charger develops 253kW, and the outgoing Ford Crown Victoria produces a lowly 187kW.

The Caprice PPV is capable of reaching 60mph (96km/h) in under six seconds. A V6-powered version is expected in 2012, and will make use of the SIDI-equipped 3.6 litre engine used by the 2010 VE Commodore.

“The new Chevrolet Caprice police car is the right tool at the right time for law enforcement,” Jim Campbell, general manager for GM Fleet and Commercial Operations said. “We asked for a lot of feedback from our police customers, which helped us develop a vehicle that is superior to the Crown Victoria in key areas.”

As a vehicle on law-enforcement duties, the Caprice PPV will get a full range of police-specific equipment, including 18-inch steel wheels and heavy-duty four-wheel independent suspension.

The police-specific mechanical list includes a high-output alternator and engine oil, transmission and power steering coolers.

A “police-calibrated stability control system” will also feature in the Caprice PPV. Extra large seats have been fitted to accomodate officers’ gun/equipment belts and also mean an extra donut can be enjoyed care free. It’s good news for American criminals too with the Caprice PPV offering 100mm more leg space in the rear than the outgoing Crown Vic car.