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The Holden Commodore (VT) is a full-size car that was produced by the Australian manufacturer Holden from 1997 to 2000. It was the first iteration of the third generation of this Australian made model and the last one to be powered by a locally made V8 engine (1999). Its range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VT) and Holden Calais (VT) but not a new generation utility version. Introduced in August 1997, the VT-series represented Holden's largest development yet. On debut, it won the 1997 Wheels ''Car of the Year'', resulting in the fourth time that this award was won by the Commodore. It found ready acceptance in the market as many buyers steered away from the Ford Falcon (AU), becoming the best selling Commodore to date and cementing its place as number one in Australian sales.〔 A VT Series II (VT II) was released in 1999, before being replaced by the re-styled VX model in 2000. In 1998, the VT formed the basis of a prototype that became the catalyst for the re-introduction in 2001 of the Holden Monaro coupé—a nameplate on hiatus since 1977. == History of development == . The VT project was the outcome of an A$600 million development program that spanned more than half a decade. The new model sported a rounded exterior body shell, improved dynamics, and many firsts for an Australian-built car.〔McCarthy, McKay, Newton, Robinson (2006), p. 158〕 A stronger body structure—30 percent stiffer than its predecessor, the VS series—increased crash safety.〔Tuckey (1999), p. 224.〕 As with previous Commodore models, Holden looked to Opel in Germany for a donor car. The VT series was derived from the Omega B by broadening that vehicle’s width and adapting the mechanical setup for Australian conditions. The alternative to the above, would have been to adopt the Omega (which, notably, was also sold as the Cadillac Catera between 1997 and 2001) as is, save for the engines and transmissions or just reskinning the existing second generation (VN–VS) architecture.〔Robinson (2006), p. 27〕 In 1999, the VT wagon platform served as the basis for the second generation Statesman and Caprice luxury cars. This third generation Commodore also formed the basis for the resurrection of the iconic Monaro coupé from the 1960s and 1970s.〔Robinson (2006), p. 29〕 Presented as the "Holden Coupé" concept car at the 1998 Australian International Motor Show held in Sydney. Overwhelming public interest resulted in the coupé finally reaching production in 2001 as the Monaro albeit by then based on the VX series. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Holden Commodore (VT)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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