Holden Utility (VG)

Holden Utility (VG)
Holden VG Ute (1990)
Overview
Manufacturer	Holden (General Motors)
Also called	Holden Ute (VG)
Production	August 1990–December 1991
Assembly	Australia: Elizabeth, South Australia
Body and chassis
Class	Coupé utility
Body style	2-door utility
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Platform	GM V platform
Related	Holden Commodore (VN)
Powertrain
Engine	3800 V6 (gasoline) 5.0 L HEC 5000i V8 (gasoline)
Transmission	5-speed Borg-Warner T-5 manual 4-speed GM Turbo Hydra-Matic 4L60 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,821 mm (111.1 in)
Length	4,903 mm (193.0 in)
Width	1,780 mm (70 in)
Height	1,512 mm (59.5 in)
Curb weight	1,327 kg (2,926 lb)–1,336 kg (2,945 lb)^[1]
Chronology
Predecessor	Holden WB
Successor	Holden Ute (VP)

The Holden Utility (VG) is a full-size utility that was produced by the Australian manufacturer Holden from 1990 to 1991. It was based upon the Holden Commodore VN) released in 1988, and was the first utility in Holden's Commodore range. It was not badged as part of the Commodore range.

It was replaced by the Holden Ute VP in January 1992.

Overview

Holden had been without a locally designed utility since the demise of the WB series of light commercials in 1984. In the later years of this decade, the Japanese-made Isuzu-sourced Rodeo had been Holden's offering in this market, and it wasn't until the introduction of the new Commodore VN in 1988 that Holden began designing their locally-built replacement.^[2]

The VG was built on a lengthened version of the VN chassis (the longest within the Commodore VN / Statesman VQ range), with extra strengthening to cater for the increased payload. Unlike every previous Holden ute that had used leaf springs for the rear axle, the VG featured a coil spring rear suspension shared with the VN wagon, fitted with helper springs for its carrying capacity of 720 kg (1,590 lb). Unlike the previous WB, the new VG did not offer a cab-chassis version with an increased one-tonne payload.^[1]^[3]

The VG shared the frontal appearance of the VN Commodore but its 2-door cabin featured a raised roofline, marketed as able to accommodate the Akubra hat favoured by many "bushies".^[1]

The base engine was initially the 3.8L LN3 (or HV6) OHV V6, which was replaced in November with the revised L27 (or EV6) version of the engine. The HEC 5000i V8 was available as an option for the Ute S only. Buyers had the choice of either a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual available for both the V6 and V8 engines.^[3]

Models

Buyers had a choice of two models, the base Utility or the sportier Utility S. Unlike the VN sedan, a SS model was not available in the VG range, nor was the VG produced as a Toyota Lexcen.^[2]^[3]

Total production of all models was 5690 vehicles.^[2]

Utility

The Utility was the base model of the VG range. Its standard features included:

3.8-litre 125 kW (168 hp) V6 engine^[a]
5-speed manual transmission
Power steering
Larger 68-litre fuel tank^[1]
Power assisted brakes on all four wheels, 271mm by 21mm vented discs front, 278mm by 10.5mm solid discs rear^[3]
14 inch steel wheels fitted with P195/75 R-14 95H steel belted radials^[1]
AM/FM radio cassette with 2-speakers
Height adjustable driver's seat
Vinyl seat trim
Rubber cabin flooring

Options included:

4-speed automatic transmission
Air conditioning
3-seat bench with column shift (auto only)^[2]

Pricing of the Utility when new was:^[4]

3.8L V6 manual - $22,365
3.8L V6 automatic - $22,913

Utility S

The Utility S was the sports variant of the VG range. Its features (in addition to or replacing those of the base Utility) included:

Tachometer
Sports trim interior
Sports badges & exterior striping
15 inch alloy wheels fitted with P205/65 R-15 92H steel belted radials^[1]
Larger 289mm by 22mm vented disc brakes (front and rear, V8 only)^[3]

Options included:

5.0 L 165 kW (221 hp) V8 engine
Air conditioning
Metallic Paint

Pricing of the Utility S when new was:^[5]

3.8L V6 manual - $22,365
3.8L V6 automatic - $22,913
5.0L V8 manual - $24,883
5.0L V8 automatic - $25,432

HSV Range

Maloo

The VG marked the first appearance of HSV's Maloo high performance utility in October 1990. The VG Maloo was powered by an uprated version of Holden's 5.0-litre V8 engine producing 180 kW (241 hp) and 385 N⋅m (284 lb⋅ft) of torque.

The Maloo featured the standard VG's MacPherson-strut front suspension but with revised settings based on HSV's VN SV5000. The five-link live rear axle featured stiffer springs similar to those used in the VL wagon. An alloy sports bar was fitted to the rear tray, reducing payload space and capacity to 592 kg (1,305 lb).

Standard features included:^[6]