Holden will match its high-tech Global V6 engine to the Rodeo to produce the most powerful V6 offering in the light truck’s distinguished 25-year history in Australia.

The 3.6-litre Alloytec engine with power and torque curves tailored for heavy commercial applications will replace the previous 3.5-litre V6 engine.

The 2006 model year Rodeo range will feature no fewer than 15 variants with the new engine, alongside 3.0-litre turbo diesel and 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol powertrains.

Significantly, all Rodeo variants with the new engine will offer carryover pricing into the start of 2006.

The standard Global V6 engine will deliver peak output of 157kW at 5,300rpm, an increase of 10 kilowatts over the previous engine, and peak torque of 313Nm at 2,800rpm, an increase of 33Nm. It also meets strict Euro 3 emission requirements.

Importantly, Holden has produced a flatter torque curve for Global V6 Rodeo compared with the engine’s passenger car applications, allowing Rodeo to tow up to 2,500 kilogrammes with automatic or manual transmissions.

A new five-speed manual transmission has been selected with higher torque capacity while retaining a light shift feel. An upgraded four-speed automatic transmission has also improved shift feel and a new torque converter matched to the Global V6 aids the increased towing capacity.

The new powertrain is manufactured at GM Holden’s $400 million Global V6 engine plant in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The plant makes engines for Holden domestic and export vehicles, other General Motors brands and non-GM customers around the world.

Holden LCV Marketing Manager Philip Brook said Holden engineers had modified the Global V6 performance characteristics to best meet the expectations of commercial vehicle buyers.

He said engineers had driven more than 300,000 kilometres of rugged testing in Japan , Thailand and Holden’s Proving Ground in Lang Lang, Victoria, to improve ride and handling and reduce noise and vibration.

”Rodeo is a great overall package that’s big, tough and even more powerful with the Aussie-built Global V6 engine,” Mr Brook said.

“We set out to make sure it answered all the requirements of the tradespeople, farmers and small businesses who buy Rodeo. The torque curve has been flattened to improve performance from low revs.

“It’s been a very deliberate move and the flexibility of the Global V6 ensured we were able to deliver this with a world-class powertrain.”

Mr Brook said Rodeo was also a critical factor in maintaining Holden’s leadership in the light commercial vehicle market during 2005.

Australians bought 23,176 of the Rodeo 4x2 and 4x4 variants in the 11 months to November, making it Holden’s third most popular nameplate behind only Commodore and Astra.

More than 63,000 Rodeos have been sold since Holden introduced the RA series in February 2003.

“Rodeo is a key ingredient in Holden’s light commercial leadership because it accounts for almost half of our LCV sales,” Mr Brook said.

“Rodeo’s large range of vehicles ensures a tough, reliable workhorse can also be a great truck to get around in on weekends.”

Adding to the new Global V6 engine, 2006 Rodeo’s DX, LX and top-spec LT versions will have several other improvements.

DX Rodeo variants will come in two new colours (Sterling Silver and Glacier Blue) and all models with dual airbags will have bucket seats and a new interior cloth trim.

LX Rodeo comes in three new colours (Sterling Silver, Glacier Blue and Imperial Blonde), all LX models now come with bucket seats, new interior cloth trim and a new keyless entry fob design.

LT Rodeo now boasts a new alloy wheel design, one new exterior colour (Imperial Blonde), indicators on door mirrors, new interior trim and a new keyless entry fob design.

Start of sales for model year 2006 Rodeo variants will be in January 2006.

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