Holden Commodore VR

The VR Series was more than a simple facelift of the VP, the only body panels being carried over being the roof and door skins.

The shape was now softer and more aerodynamic, and with additions such as the first Australian built car to offer a driver's airbag, the VR was unquestionably superior in every department over previous iterations.

While the newly introduced Acclaim (and Calais) had the air-bag fitted as standard equipment, it was made available across the range at a (for the time) extremely affordable $990.

To further improve safety, webbing clamps were fitted to the front seats, while a lap/sash seat belt was provided for the centre rear passenger. The Acclaim also boasted ABS and IRS as standard.

There was also a new electronic automatic transmission, and a new engine/auto computer module (IPCM 6) which, boasting a larger capacity memory module which proved considerably faster than the previous model.

Now standard on all models were the body computer, power mirrors, tachometer and gas bonnet struts.

There was a new security system, and some minor improvements to the V6, making the engine both smoother and marginally more powerful, while reducing fuel consumption.

The interior benefited from a softer looking dash and instrument panel, a smaller diameter steering wheel, while the VR was now fitted with a tilt/telescopic steering column adjustment.

The VR Series II was introduced in September 1994, and boasted a plethora of improvements such as

• Convex passenger side rear mirror
• Speed Alert
• Warning chime for handbrake on
• Fuel low warning light and chimes
• Superior cloth trim
• Red trim on the boot rather than grey (Executive only)
• Black grill inserts (Executive)
• Series II badges under the front side indicators
• V8 optioned cars were fitted with a different starter motor
• New exhaust manifold for V6 models (in an attempt to make it quiet

Most revered (apart from HSV models) was the SS, naturally enough fitted with the 5.0 litre V8, although you could option it with a HSV enhanced unit good for 185kW. The SS featured an integrated brake light within the rear wing, along with an aerodynamically designed rear bumper. The grille was blacked out, and featured red highlights, while fog-lamps were integrated into the front bumper.

For the upmarket Holden’s the VR Statesman’s received new front and rear end treatments, now clearly differentiating them from the rest of the Commodore range. While the V6 was made available to the Statesman with the VQ series, with the VR series Holden now made it also available to the Caprice.