Commodore Coupe does not work on paper

THE Commodore Coupe will be the first Holden to be designed as a full "maths-based" car. A "maths-based" prototype is a virtual car that exists entirely in GM's design computers where the complete structure of the car can be theoretically tested against GM's total design and development knowledge base.

The process means all parts of the car, as well as the whole car, can be viewed in three dimensions. It eliminates two development prototypes from the design process and save months of development work.

The process means the coupe can be ready for production in just 24 months.

The program includes the building of a "virtual cave" in which management can view product proposals projected onto wrap-around screens in three dimensions.

Holden's $3 million virtual cave will be completed by the end of this year or early next year.

In a similar cave at the Warren Design Centre near Detroit, GM executives viewed more than 1000 prototypes last year - about three a day, every day.

Holden will get the third generation virtual caves. The second generation cave is at Opel in Germany.

The math-based development means the Commodore Crossover 4x4 could be developed in 30 to 33 months.

The speed to market substantially reduces the development costs of the car and gets the return on these costs coming into the company faster.