Like Ford and Toyota, GM is pulling the plug on manufacturing operations in Australia after several decades, bringing to an end a legacy of rear-drive performance and powerful V8s. The Commodore is slated to be replaced in Australia by the next-generation Opel Insignia and its American sibling, the Buick Regal, but before the Commodore says goodbye to its rear-wheel drive setup, Holden has a few more special editions in store for loyal fans.
The latest of these is the aesthetics-only 2016 Holden Commodore Black Edition, replacing various trim pieces with ebony versions designed to give the rear-drive sedan a more sinister look. So we have to ask, did it work?
To an extent, we’d say so. Available on both the SV6 and V8 models of the 2016 Commodore, the Black Edition darkens the hue of the grille, front bumper, mirror caps and rear lip spoiler on the sedan model. You can also get the Black Edition as a ute, but that comes sans the rear lip spoiler for obvious reasons.
Unique 18-inch alloy wheels come standard with the Black Edition, though 20-inch wheels are offered as an upgrade. On the inside, red seat stitching helps offset the ebony shades, giving this version of the outgoing Commodore a little more flair than the standard offering.
Besides the aesthetic improvements, GM left the mechanicals of the Commodore well-enough alone, with the SV6 offering 281 horsepower and the SS model a more impressive 407 horsepower. Those seeking even more power can turn to the HSV GTS-R, which boasts the supercharged LS9 engine from the previous Corvette ZR1 as GM prepares to run out the clock on its Aussie manufacturing operations.