Holden puts V6 twin turbo project ‘on hold’
Holden has put its plan to replace the V8 engine in its Commodore Supercar with a twin turbocharged V6 on hold.
The company originally planned to introduce the new powerplant into its Supercars programme alongside the brand new ZB bodyshape at the start of this year. However, the carmaker instead decided to use the V8 in the new car, while testing the V6 engine later in the season, before rolling the engine out more fully in 2019.
Now however, Holden, along with its Triple Eight Race Engineering squad and engine supplier KRE has shelved the plan indefinitely, instead deciding to use the popular V8.
“After working closely with all Holden teams we have decided to put a hold on the development of the V6 Supercars engine,” explained Holden marketing director Mark Harland. “We are 100 per cent committed to motorsport and our sponsorship of the Red Bull Holden Racing Team and supporting all Holden teams in both the Supercars and SuperUte paddock.”
Triple Eight’s owner, Roland Dane, meanwhile emphasised that the decision will enable to team to focus on winning races with its current V8-powered ZB package.
“We at Triple Eight are extremely proud of and grateful for the hard work and effort put in by all those involved in the development of the V6TT engine thus far,” he said.
“We’re very confident that the package would have been fully competitive and know that we have an extremely valuable bank of knowledge to refer to as and when a different engine platform is explored again in the future. For now, we can turn our focus solely onto ensuring that the all-new 2018 Commodore is a race-winner for not just Triple Eight, but for our valued customers, partners and fans as well.”