Mechanical improvements to the V6 would make huge
improvements in almost every area – power was
increased by 13%, yet fuel consumption was cut by 5%. Helping
achieve these amazing figures was a new cylinder
block and manifolds, reshaped
cylinder heads, lightweight
pistons and a small increase to the compression ratio,
now at 9.4:1. Smoother, sweeter and much better than
its predecessor, Holden named the new unit the “ECOTEC
3800 V6” – an acronym for Emissions and
Consumption Optimisation TEChnology. A minor cosmetic change would see the side indicator
lights replaced with better looking oval shaped units,
but the big news with the Series II was the introduction
of a supercharged V6, available on the Calais, Statesman
and Caprice. The interior was given a mild make-over,
and from January 1st 1997 Holden changed its new
car warranty to 3 years / 100,000 km.