Key Specifications

Spec	Value
Production Years	1988-2006
Manufacturer	General Motors-Holden
Assembly	Elizabeth, South Australia
Body Styles	4-door sedan, 5-door wagon, 2-door ute (VN-VS, VZ), Statesman/Caprice (LWB)
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive (AWD available on VZ Adventra)
Platform	VN-VS: GM V-platform (widened). VT-VZ: Holden VT/Zeta platform
Wheelbase	2,735 mm (VN-VS sedan), 2,789 mm (VT-VZ sedan)
Overall Length	4,830 mm (VN sedan), 4,862 mm (VR sedan), 4,885 mm (VT sedan), 4,917 mm (VZ sedan)
Overall Width	1,803 mm (VN), 1,831 mm (VT-VZ)
Overall Height	1,422 mm (VN sedan), 1,430 mm (VT sedan)
Kerb Weight	1,400-1,620 kg (varies by model, engine, and specification)
Fuel Tank Capacity	68 L (VN-VS sedan), 73 L (VT-VZ sedan), 80 L (wagon)
Boot Capacity	505 L (VT-VZ sedan)

Engine Specifications

Buick 3.8L V6 (VN-VP)

Spec	Value
Configuration	V6, OHV, 12-valve
Displacement	3,791 cc
Bore x Stroke	96.5 mm x 86.4 mm
Compression Ratio	8.5:1
Power	125 kW @ 4,800 rpm (VN), 130 kW @ 4,800 rpm (VP)
Torque	295 Nm @ 3,200 rpm
Fuel System	Multipoint injection
Ignition	Electronic, coil pack (waste spark)
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Aluminium alloy

Ecotec 3.8L V6 (VS-VY)

Spec	Value
Configuration	V6, OHV, 12-valve
Displacement	3,791 cc
Bore x Stroke	96.5 mm x 86.4 mm
Compression Ratio	9.4:1
Power	152 kW @ 5,200 rpm (VS-VT), 155 kW @ 5,200 rpm (VX-VY)
Torque	305 Nm @ 3,600 rpm
Fuel System	Sequential multipoint injection
Ignition	Electronic, coil pack (waste spark)
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Aluminium alloy

Ecotec 3.8L Supercharged V6 (L67)

Spec	Value
Configuration	V6, OHV, 12-valve, supercharged
Displacement	3,791 cc
Bore x Stroke	96.5 mm x 86.4 mm
Compression Ratio	8.5:1
Power	172 kW @ 5,200 rpm (VS S), 180 kW @ 5,200 rpm (VT onwards)
Torque	340 Nm @ 3,600 rpm
Supercharger	Eaton M90 Roots-type
Boost	6 psi
Fuel System	Sequential multipoint injection

Alloytec 3.6L V6 (VZ)

Spec	Value
Configuration	V6, DOHC, 24-valve
Displacement	3,564 cc
Bore x Stroke	94.0 mm x 85.6 mm
Compression Ratio	10.2:1
Power	175 kW @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	320 Nm @ 3,200 rpm
Fuel System	Sequential multipoint injection
Ignition	Coil-on-plug
Variable Valve Timing	Dual (intake and exhaust)
Block Material	Aluminium alloy
Head Material	Aluminium alloy

Holden 304 5.0L V8 (VN-VT I)

Spec	Value
Configuration	V8, OHV, 16-valve
Displacement	4,987 cc (304 ci)
Bore x Stroke	101.6 mm x 77.0 mm
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Power (VN)	165 kW @ 4,800 rpm
Power (VR-VS)	185 kW @ 5,000 rpm
Power (VT I)	185 kW @ 5,000 rpm
Torque	380-395 Nm @ 3,600 rpm
Fuel System	Sequential multipoint injection
Ignition	Coil pack (VN-VP), distributorless (VR onwards)
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Aluminium alloy

LS1 5.7L V8 (VT II-VY)

Spec	Value
Configuration	V8, OHV, 16-valve
Displacement	5,665 cc
Bore x Stroke	99.0 mm x 92.0 mm
Compression Ratio	10.1:1
Power	225 kW @ 5,200 rpm
Torque	460 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Fuel System	Sequential multipoint injection
Ignition	Coil-near-plug (individual coils)
Block Material	Aluminium alloy
Head Material	Aluminium alloy
Oil Capacity	5.7 L (with filter)

LS2 6.0L V8 (VZ)

Spec	Value
Configuration	V8, OHV, 16-valve
Displacement	5,967 cc
Bore x Stroke	101.6 mm x 92.0 mm
Compression Ratio	10.9:1
Power	260 kW @ 5,600 rpm
Torque	517 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
Fuel System	Sequential multipoint injection
Ignition	Coil-near-plug (individual coils)
Block Material	Aluminium alloy
Head Material	Aluminium alloy
Oil Capacity	5.7 L (with filter)

HSV Enhanced Engines (selected)

Model	Engine	Power	Torque
VN Group A SS	304 stroker (5.0L)	215 kW	420 Nm
VS GTS	304 stroker (5.7L)	220 kW	460 Nm
VT-VX GTS (LS1)	LS1 5.7L (enhanced)	255 kW	475 Nm
VY GTS (LS1)	LS1 5.7L (enhanced)	255 kW	475 Nm
VZ GTS (LS2)	LS2 6.0L (supercharged)	297 kW	530 Nm

Transmission Options

Transmission	Type	Gears	Applications
4L60-E (early)	Automatic	4-speed	VN-VS (V6 and V8)
4L60-E (revised)	Automatic	4-speed	VT-VY (V6 and V8)
4L65-E	Automatic	4-speed	VZ V8 (some)
6L80-E	Automatic	6-speed	VZ V8 (some, including HSV)
Borg Warner T5	Manual	5-speed	VN-VS (select models)
Getrag 260	Manual	5-speed	VN-VP (select models)
Tremec T56	Manual	6-speed	VT II-VZ (SS and HSV)

Suspension

VN-VS

Component	Front	Rear (Sedan, IRS)	Rear (Ute/Wagon, live axle)
Type	Independent, MacPherson strut	Independent, multi-link	Live axle
Springs	Coil	Coil	Coil (wagon) / Leaf (ute)
Dampers	Gas telescopic	Gas telescopic	Gas telescopic
Anti-roll Bar	Yes	Yes (IRS models)	Optional

VT-VZ

Component	Front	Rear (Sedan)	Rear (Ute)
Type	Independent, MacPherson strut (revised)	Independent, multi-link (revised)	Live axle (semi-trailing arm on some)
Springs	Coil	Coil	Coil (VT-VY) / Leaf (VZ)
Dampers	Gas monotube	Gas monotube	Gas telescopic
Anti-roll Bar	Yes	Yes	Optional

Brakes

Component	VN-VS Base	VN-VS SS	VT-VZ Base	VT-VZ SS	HSV (VT-VZ)
Front	Ventilated disc, 287 mm	Ventilated disc, 300 mm	Ventilated disc, 296 mm	Ventilated disc, 322 mm	Ventilated disc, 330-355 mm (AP Racing/Brembo)
Rear	Solid disc, 279 mm	Solid disc, 287 mm	Solid disc, 286 mm	Solid disc, 303 mm	Ventilated disc, 322 mm
ABS	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard
Traction Control	Not available	Not available	Optional	Standard	Standard
Stability Control	Not available	Not available	Not available (VT-VX)	Standard (VY-VZ)	Standard (VY-VZ)

Model Variants

VN (1988-1991)

Variant	Engine	Key Features
Executive	3.8L V6	Base model, cloth trim
Berlina	3.8L V6, 5.0L V8	Mid-range, improved trim
Calais	3.8L V6, 5.0L V8	Top luxury, leather, full electrics
SS	5.0L V8	Performance, body kit, sports suspension
HSV SV89	5.0L V8 (enhanced)	250 units, HSV specification
HSV Group A SS	5.0L stroker	302 units, homologation special

VP (1991-1993)

Variant	Engine	Key Features
Executive	3.8L V6	Base model
Berlina	3.8L V6, 5.0L V8	Mid-range
Calais	3.8L V6, 5.0L V8	Top luxury
SS	5.0L V8	Performance
HSV ClubSport	5.0L V8 (enhanced)	HSV sports sedan
HSV GTS	5.0L stroker	HSV flagship

VR-VS (1993-1997)

Variant	Engine	Key Features
Executive	3.8L V6	Base model
Acclaim	3.8L V6	Entry mid-range (VS)
Berlina	3.8L V6, 5.0L V8	Mid-range luxury
Calais	3.8L V6, 5.0L V8	Top luxury
S (VS)	3.8L supercharged V6	Supercharged performance
SS	5.0L V8	Performance
HSV ClubSport	5.0L V8 / 5.7L stroker	HSV sports sedan
HSV GTS	5.7L stroker	HSV flagship
HSV Maloo	5.0L V8	HSV performance ute

VT-VX (1997-2002)

Variant	Engine	Key Features
Executive	3.8L V6	Base model
Acclaim	3.8L V6	Entry mid-range
Berlina	3.8L V6, 5.0L V8 (VT I) / LS1 (VT II+)	Mid-range luxury
Calais	3.8L V6, 5.0L V8 / LS1	Top luxury
SS	5.0L V8 (VT I), LS1 5.7L (VT II onwards)	Performance
HSV ClubSport	LS1 5.7L (enhanced)	HSV sports sedan
HSV GTS	LS1 5.7L (enhanced, 255 kW)	HSV flagship
HSV Senator	LS1 5.7L (enhanced)	HSV luxury-performance
HSV Maloo	LS1 5.7L (enhanced)	HSV performance ute

VY-VZ (2002-2006)

Variant	Engine	Key Features
Executive	3.8L Ecotec V6 (VY) / 3.6L Alloytec (VZ)	Base model
Acclaim	V6	Entry mid-range
Berlina	V6, LS1 (VY) / LS2 (VZ)	Mid-range luxury
Calais	V6, LS1/LS2	Top luxury, full electrics
SS	LS1 5.7L (VY), LS2 6.0L (VZ)	Performance
Adventra	V6, V8	AWD wagon (VZ)
HSV ClubSport	LS1 (VY) / LS2 (VZ)	HSV sports sedan
HSV ClubSport R8	LS1/LS2 (enhanced)	HSV track-focused
HSV GTS	LS1 (VY, 255 kW) / LS2 supercharged (VZ, 297 kW)	HSV flagship
HSV Senator	LS1/LS2	HSV luxury-performance
HSV Maloo R8	LS1/LS2	HSV performance ute

Performance (approximate, period road tests)

Model	0-100 km/h	Quarter Mile	Top Speed
VN Executive V6 (auto)	10.5 s	~17.5 s	195 km/h
VN SS 304 V8 (auto)	7.8 s	~15.8 s	220 km/h
VS SS 304 V8 (manual)	7.2 s	~15.2 s	225 km/h
VT II SS LS1 (manual)	5.8 s	~14.0 s	250 km/h (limited)
VX SS LS1 (manual)	5.7 s	~13.9 s	250 km/h (limited)
VY SS LS1 (manual)	5.7 s	~13.8 s	250 km/h (limited)
VZ SS LS2 (manual)	5.4 s	~13.4 s	250 km/h (limited)
VZ GTS LS2 S/C (auto)	4.8 s	~12.8 s	250 km/h (limited)

Fuel Economy (ADR combined cycle, approximate)

Model	L/100 km
VN-VP V6 (auto)	12.5
VS-VY Ecotec V6 (auto)	10.8
VZ Alloytec V6 (auto)	10.0
VN-VS 304 V8 (auto)	14.0
VT-VY LS1 (auto)	12.8
VZ LS2 (auto)	13.5
VZ LS2 (manual)	12.5

Service Intervals

Service Item	Interval
Engine oil and filter (V6)	10,000 km or 6 months
Engine oil and filter (V8)	10,000 km or 6 months
Spark plugs (V6)	60,000 km
Spark plugs (LS1/LS2)	60,000 km
Automatic transmission fluid	40,000 km
Manual gearbox oil	40,000 km
Coolant	100,000 km or 5 years
Brake fluid	24 months
Timing chain (Alloytec, VZ)	Inspect at 120,000 km, replace if rattling
Drive belt(s)	80,000 km or inspect annually
IRS bushings	Inspect at 100,000 km

Engine Oil Specifications

Engine	Recommended Grade	Capacity (with filter)
3.8L V6 (Buick/Ecotec)	5W-30 semi-synthetic	4.5 L
3.6L V6 (Alloytec)	5W-30 full synthetic	6.0 L
304 V8	10W-40 semi-synthetic / 15W-40 mineral	4.7 L
LS1 5.7L	5W-30 full synthetic	5.7 L
LS2 6.0L	5W-30 full synthetic	5.7 L

Tyre Specifications

Variant	Size
VN-VS Executive V6	195/70R14
VN-VS SS V8	235/45ZR17
VT-VX Executive V6	205/65R15
VT-VX Berlina	215/55R16
VT-VX SS V8	235/40ZR18
VY-VZ Executive V6	215/55R16
VY-VZ SS V8	235/40ZR18
HSV ClubSport (VT-VZ)	235/35ZR19
HSV GTS (VT-VZ)	235/35ZR19 (front) / 275/30ZR19 (rear, staggered)

Differential Ratios

Model/Engine	Ratio	LSD
V6 (auto)	3.08:1	No
V6 (manual)	3.45:1	No
304 V8 SS (auto)	3.08:1	Yes
304 V8 SS (manual)	3.45:1	Yes
LS1 SS (auto)	3.46:1	Yes
LS1 SS (manual)	3.73:1	Yes
LS2 SS (auto)	3.46:1	Yes
LS2 SS (manual)	3.73:1	Yes
HSV GTS (VT-VZ)	3.73:1 / 3.90:1	Yes (Torsen or plate-type)

Production Numbers (approximate)

Model	Total
VN (all variants)	~200,000
VP (all variants)	~170,000
VR (all variants)	~150,000
VS (all variants)	~185,000
VT (all variants)	~190,000
VX (all variants)	~120,000
VY (all variants)	~140,000
VZ (all variants)	~115,000
HSV VN (all variants)	~600
HSV VP-VS (all variants)	~5,000 (estimated)
HSV VT-VX (all variants)	~8,000 (estimated)
HSV VY-VZ (all variants)	~7,000 (estimated)