Ford and Holden aren’t the only brands to keep a design presence here once the tap fully turns off local car production.

Toyota Australia has just called for more staff to join its Port Melbourne-based product and planning division after snaring a big jump in workload.

The design team, currently located at Toyota Australia’s Bertie Street headquarters until it relocates to Altona after the carmaker’s Australian engine casting and assembly line closes later this year, will add nine staff to help it get over the production hump.

“Our product planning and development division recently advertised some contract based positions. Around nine roles were advertised in total, specifically for our product design team,” Toyota Australia spokeswoman Beck Angel said.

“The roles will be based in Port Melbourne and are to assist product design with a number of upcoming projects,” she said.

“Whilst I am currently not in a position to provide details of these projects, it is standard process for us to hire fixed term employees to assist during peak times.”

The jobs advertised are deep inside Toyota’s top-secret automotive design studio, and include a programmer who can work the studio’s new full-vehicle five-axis mill – a giant 3D printer for cars.

According to the advertisement, the positions are for “an expanding list of local and overseas projects”.

The design team’s most recent big-ticket project was the Toyota 86 Shooting Brake, a Ferrari GTC4 Lusso/Honda CR-Z style reinterpretation of the 2+2 sports coupe as a more practical wagon-rumped load lugger.

Toyota’s design team turned the 86 coupe into a two-door hatchback-style vehicle by changing the roofline, reshaping the rear quarter section and stretching the side glass to taper into the extended upper sheetmetal.

The bulk of the 86, including doors, front end and rear tail-lights and lower bumper were retained. However, while the concept was penned here, it was built in Japan.

“The silhouette is still sporty, taut and energetic, but it’s more practical as it allows the roof to be used to carry surfboards, bikes or storage pods for a weekend away while the larger opening of the new boot enables much easier loading,” Toyota Australia chief designer Nicholas Hogios said at the car’s reveal ahead of the Festival of 86 event in Sydney last year.

Is the 86 Shooting Brake one of the studio’s projects?

“While we never say never, and I would love this concept to become a production reality, it is very much a concept that demonstrates the passion within Toyota for cars that are fun to drive,” Tetsuya Tada, the 86’s chief engineer, said.

Toyota is in the process of shifting many of its cars to all-new modular architectures called the Toyota New Generation Platform.

It currently underpins Toyota products including versions of the Camry sold overseas, the Prius hybrid, the soon-to-launch Toyota CH-R small SUV and the upcoming all-new Corolla small car. It also sits under the Lexus LC coupe and the recently revealed LS large saloon.

Australia’s design centre could also be working on final tweaks to the Toyota Supra ahead of its global debut, expected sometime this year.

A reborn version of the Supra, previewed several years ago by the US-designed FT-1 concepts, will share its BMW-engineered underpinnings with the upcoming Z5.

While Toyota’s version of the car will have a fixed roof, the BMW-badged one will remain a folding-roof roadster.

Nostalgia’s a powerful thing. Remember the HDT Director?

Of course you do. No other Commodore has proved as polarising (geddit?) or magnetic (c’mon people) as the crystal-enhanced VL Calais-based HDT Director of 1987 – the one that famously severed the relationship between Holden and Peter Brock’s HDT tuning outfit.

But there’s another Director in Holden history – the VK Calais Director that was the VL’s immediate predecessor. Originally intended as a stealthier alternative to racier HDT metal like the VK SS Group A, the VK Calais Director had an understated bodykit cloaking a Group 3-derived 308- or 304-cubic-inch V8 powerplant.

Precise mechanical specification varied somewhat: thanks to an extensive menu of options, the scope for individualisation meant transmissions, driveline, wheels, suspension and interior equipment differed wildly according to buyer preference. Even a precise total build number is hard to pin down.

And then there’s the Magnum. Depending on who you ask, that name either applies to high-powered ammunition, an (objectively terrible) cop show, a big ol’ bottle of champagne, an ice cream or a prophylactic. Fun stuff, but in 1983 the Magnum moniker was applied to another appealing device: a cushy Statesman-based cruiser with a Group 3-spec 5.0-litre V8, three-speed auto and a sports-tuned suspension.

With a 5.0-litre V8, performance headers, a lowered suspension and bodykit, it’s the VS Magnum load-lugger that today’s Magnum, based on a VF Redline SS-V, harkens back to.

So, in naming terms at least, the odd one out in Holden’s special-edition trio is the Motorsport Edition.

The intent was real enough that Holden even applied for a trademark on the Bathurst badge back in mid-2015, but in the end company execs felt the Bathurst label ignored the Commodore’s broad-ranging motorsport success at circuits around the country.

For Mount Panorama die-hards, that may smack of a highly rational, slightly passionless decision. But Holden is banking that the Motorsport Edition will have the broadest appeal of its limited-edition triplets – there will be 1200 built, compared to 360 Directors and just 240 Magnums.

As is often the case with swansong models, Holden looks to have saved its best locally-produced Holden Commodores till last, with a trio of track-focused special-edition cars celebrating the iconic model’s performance legacy.

The Holden Commodore SSV-Redline-based Motorsport Edition, Calais V-based Director and the Magnum ute (based on the SS-V Redline ute) feature a raft of changes intended to make them better suited to extreme road use or track driving.

RELATED: Roadtrip to Mount Panorama in a 2017 HSV Clubsport Track Edition

While the trio’s LS3 engine’s output remains at 304kW/570Nm, all three have been given a series of ride, handling and stopping enhancements that sets them apart from other hi-po Commodores. These changes include: 3.25kg lighter ‘floating disc’ front and rear cross-drilled brake rotors, an engine and transmission cooling package and 20-inch split rims and tyres.

2017 Holden Commodore Motorsport Edition

The Motorsport Edition celebrates the Commodore’s racing success over the years and is uniquely styled with red mirror scalps, red DRL surrounds in the front bumper, 20-inch wheels and Motorsport Edition decals.

• Magnetic Ride Control suspension
• High-rate rear sub-frame bush
• Cross-drilled brake rotors, front and rear
• charcoal Brembo calipers
• Engine and transmission cooling packages
• Heated performance front seats
• Embroidered instrument panel
• 20-inch Split forged alloy wheels/high-performance tyres
• Motorsport Edition badging and decals
• Unique lip spoiler (optional wing)
• Phantom black roof
• Individual vehicle numbering and unique build option code (KOM, for King of the Mountain)
• Commemorative presentation case
• 1:18 Motorsport Edition Biante model

2017 Holden Commodore Director

The Director is named in tribute to its excellent, if controversial HDT luxury sports sedan namesake and its legendary creator, the late Peter Brock.

Key features include:

• Magnetic Ride Control suspension
• Paddle shifters
• Bonnet vents
• Cross-drilled brake rotors, front and rear
• Charcoal Brembo calipers
• Engine and transmission cooling packages
• Heated performance front seats
• Embroidered instrument panel
• 20” Split forged alloy wheels/high-performance tyres
• Unique Director badging and black highlights
• Alloy pedals
• Unique lip spoiler
• Phantom black roof
• Individual vehicle numbering and unique build option code (DIR)
• Commemorative presentation case

2017 Holden Commodore Magnum Ute

The Magnum ute takes its name, curiously, from the Statesman-based Holden Dealer Team car of 1983, and now runs the same FE3 rear suspension tune seen on the SS-V Redline sedan. No Magnetic Ride Control is offered here, due to a packaging conflict with the exhaust system.

• Sedan-tune FE3 rear suspension
• Cross-drilled brake rotors front and rear
• Charcoal Brembo calipers
• Engine and transmission cooling packages
• Hard tonneau cover
• New performance front seats
• Embroidered instrument panel
• 20” Split forged alloy wheels/high-performance tyres
• Unique Magnum badging and decals
• Unique Magnum rear window graphic
• Individual vehicle numbering and unique build option code (UTE)
• Commemorative presentation case

What’s this? Another name lifted from the Brock files?

Yep, the Magnum tag was applied to both a Brock-modified Statesman and a WB Ute back in the day and now it returns on a Commodore Ute as the third of Holden’s Special Edition Commos.

This one starts as a SS-V Redline Ute and it, too, gets those cross-drilled brake rotors, the powertrain cooling kit, the seats from a Calais V, 20-inch alloys and a hard-tonneau.

But that doesn’t mean there haven’t been some positive changes. Those start with re-jigging the Ute’s rear end to wind up with more or less an FE3 suspension tune.

The downside is that payload has fallen from 620kg to 540, but even that’s enough for the sort of stuff high-end utes like this are usually tasked with carting.

On the track, the Magnum soon reveals itself to be a true drift-meister. The extra wheelbase makes it incredibly stable mid-skid, yet the revised rear end also makes it turn in pretty well, too, and hold a line at race-pace.

The Magnum starts at $59,290 for the manual and $61,490 as an auto. That sounds pricey compared with the sedans with their MRC, but here’s the catch: as a trayback, the Magnum is probably the most Aussie of all the three Special Editions models. And, with production of just 240 planned, it will also be the most exclusive.

Full marks to Holden for giving its Special Edition Commodores interesting names. But Director?

I mean, won’t that name always be remembered as the car that drove the wedge between Holden and P Brock? Whatever, when you look at the latter-day Director as part of the final Commodore special models thing, it becomes clear that this is a pretty special thing.

Based on a Calais V, the Director gets the SS’ 6.2-litre, 304kW V8 and the six-speed automatic gearbox. Beyond that, it’s mechanically very similar to the other Special Editions sedan, the Motorsport Edition, and that is very good news.

The Director also cops the Magnetic Ride Control gear that gives it selectable drive modes, all of which are a bit more purposeful than the standard Calais settings. Like the Motorsport, the drive modes also control the amount of throttle sensitivity, steering assistance and the bimodal flap in the exhaust. Also, like the Motorsport, the Director gets the driveline cooling package lifted from the Stateside-spec Camaro ZL-1

Externally, you’ll pick the Director by its slightly more subtle presentation compared with the Motorsport, although the Director does pick up the SS’ bonnet vents and gets a thin, strip spoiler for the bootlid.

If you can pick a dynamic difference between the Motorsport and Director, you’re a better man than I, and Holden admits that the one real difference, that revised rear-cradle bush in the Motorsport, will only make its presence felt in a situation where you’re probably already about to crash anyway.

SPECS Engine: 6162cc V8, OHV, 16v Power: 304kW @ 6000rpm Torque: 570Nm @ 4400rpm Weight: 1805kg 0-100km/h: 4.9sec (est.) Price: $63,990

Of Holden’s three final special editions, the Motorsport Edition will probably be the popular choice since it’ll be available in manual form and aims to celebrate all that the Commodore has achieved on track.

Based on the Commodore SS-V Redline, the Motorsport builds on that stout 304kW-and-Brembos mechanical package with a revised rear suspension-cradle bush aimed at keeping the rear end in line under big stresses.

Cross-drilled rotors are added to the Brembo calipers and with aluminium top-hats in a two-piece design, these decrease unsprung mass across the front end by 3.5kg.

There are three modes; Tour, Sport and Performance with an increase in stiffness from what amounts to FE2 up to FE3-and-a-bit. In Track mode, ESP is disabled and everything else such as the steering assistance, throttle sensitivity and the exhaust’s bi-modal activity is also linked to the mode switch.

The package includes auxiliary oil coolers for both the engine and either manual or auto tranny and, with these fitted, the Motorsport Edition gains GM’s global Level 3 Track Readiness tick of approval.

The drive is as good as you’d imagine, too. The Magnetic Ride stuff does the trick in giving the car multiple personalities (not in a `Here’s Johnny!’ way) and the presentation is subtle but different enough to get the car noticed.

SPECS Engine: 6162cc V8, OHV, 16v Power: 304kW @ 6000rpm Torque: 570Nm @ 4400rpm Weight: 1793kg 0-100km/h: 4.9sec (est.) Price: $61,790/$63,990 (manual/auto)

Holden is saying goodbye to the V8 Commodore in style, with three limited editions based on the SS-V Redline, Calais V and Redline ute.

Much more than a badge-and-stickers exercise, the engineering improvements ensure all three models are the first Holdens to receive General Motors’ coveted Track Three Competent status, which is usually reserved for hardcore muscle cars like the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

The first model is the Motorsport Edition. Based on the SS-V Redline sedan, it adds adaptive magnetorheological dampers that until this point have been reserved for HSV’s Senator and GTS and the US-only Chevrolet SS.

In addition, there’s a new rear cradle bush and cross-drilled brake rotors front and rear. The fronts are two-piece rotors with alloy top hats which reduce unsprung weight by 3.5kg.

Arguably the biggest change, however, is the driveline cooling package, consisting of engine-oil and transmission-oil coolers lifted from the Camaro ZL1. It’s these external coolers that bestow the coveted Track Three status.

For those who prefer their Commodores a little more understated, Holden has revived one of the most controversial nameplates in its history for its Calais V-based special edition. The Director scores all the same mechanical goodies as the Motorsport Edition bar the rear cradle bush, and just 360 will be offered (plus 51 for NZ) at $63,990.

The downside of these changes is a reduction in payload from 620kg to 540kg, however we’re betting that not too many people are going to be using their Magnums as workshorses, not when just 240 will be built (again, plus 51 for NZ) and they cost $59,290 for the manual and $61,490 for the auto.

Holden’s Special Edition Commodores are available to order now and you can read our reviews below.

HOLDEN’S last-ever true performance ute – the Magnum – shows how Australia does a two-door sports car.

WHAT IS IT? The pinnacle of 67 years of Holden utilities, without a single concession to its workhorse heritage besides having a massive rear tray. Wearing the name of an HDT-modified WB Statesman from the ’80s, the Magnum ute gains upgraded brakes and track-certified cooling, plus several luxury and special-build extras, and the suspension tune from the Holden Commodore SS-V Redline sedan.

WHY WE’RE TESTING IT? This is our only opportunity to drive the Magnum, and at the Phillip Island circuit no less. Orders open on January 19, with production set to start in April. Holden will build just 240 Magnums, plus 51 for New Zealand.

THE WHEELS VERDICT Purest expression of a Holden-badged two-door sports car, defining the whole idea of a sports truck in unique-to-Australia ute form. And what’s not to love – great styling, comfortable and useful yet loud and brutish when you want it to be, and mixed with the sophistication of a contemporary sports sedan.

THE WHEELS REVIEW AUSTRALIAN Lewis Bandt invented the ‘ute’ concept back in 1934 – in those days called the ‘Coupe Utility’ – but without the ability to time travel, no Depression-era farmer could’ve ever have imagined we’d see a high-performance ute such as the Holden Magnum. And hot-lapping Phillip Island raceway, no less.

Unlike the sedans, however, the Magnum ute ($59,290 manual; $61,490 auto) receives its own suspension set-up. It foregoes the Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) adaptive-damping arrangement from the Motorsport Edition and Director due to an exhaust contact issue, and instead features the regular SS-V Redline sedan’s excellent FE3 suspension for true sporting dynamics. Ignoring any need for load-carrying duties, the Magnum’s rear spring rate is 26 percent softer than an SS-V Redline Ute’s, allowing maximum use of its long-wheelbase balance and grip. Yet the Magnum shares the cooling and braking packages of the Motorsport and Director sedans to complement its upgraded suspension.

The cooling pack brings all three limited-edition VFIIs up to ‘GM Level 3’ track spec, as per Chevrolet’s Camaro and Corvette coupes. This involves an engine oil cooler (as fitted to the US police-spec Caprice) as well as an in-tank cooler for the manual (already on the V8 auto) and an auxiliary transmission cooler for the auto ’box.

Less weight over the rear introduces a playfulness to the Magnum’s balance adjustability that makes it feel pointy and lively. While it may not have the ultimate purchase of the sedans – or be able to match their max-attack lap times – there’s an entertainment factor to the Magnum ute’s handling that makes it just as brilliant at what it does. And yet there remains an underlying degree of safe, progressive and clearly telegraphed grip that allows the driver to use the LS3 V8’s riotous acceleration without fear of the Magnum swapping ends.

SPECS Model: Holden Magnum Ute Engine: 6162cc V8 (90°), ohv, 16v Max power: 304kW @ 6000rpm Max torque: 570Nm @ 4400rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual Weight: 1755kg 0-100km/h: 4.9sec (claimed) Fuel economy: 12.8L/100km Price: $59,290 On sale: Now

It looks as though Holden has saved its best Holden Commodores until last, with a trio of big V8 track-focused special edition cars with a unique trim and sophisticated track-focused driving technology.

The Holden Commodore SSV Redline-based Motorsport Edition and Calais V-based Director feature adaptive suspension to better harness the power of the 304kW/570Nm 6.2-litre LS3 V8 engine. The SS-V Redline ute-based Magnum, meanwhile, misses out on the trick suspension due to an exhaust contact issue.

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Holden’s limited editions lead development engineer, Daniel Pinnuck, said the limited-edition cars “blend performance and technology to create the most capable Commodores we’ve ever built”.

The Motorsport Edition and Calais V-based Director combine performance and “higher plane” luxury, while the Magnum ute explores the unique ability of “Australia’s own sports car”.

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Ride and handling enhancements that set them apart from other Commodores include 3.25kg lighter ‘floating disc’ front and rear cross-drilled brake rotors, an engine and transmission cooling package and 20-inch split rims and tyres.

The sedan models also feature a driver mode control system including the first Holden-badged application of Magnetic Ride Control, which allows the driver to change the suspension tune through Tour, Sport and Performance modes. It also automatically adjusts the dampers (shortened by 10mm) up to 100 times a second to suit driving conditions for greater handling and ride comfort.

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The Motorsport Edition celebrates the Commodore’s racing success over the years and includes unique trim including red mirror scalps, red running light surrounds in the front bumper, red-lined 20-inch wheels and Motorsport Edition decals.

The Motorsport Edition is limited to 1200 vehicles and is priced from $61,790 for six-speed manual transmission versions and from $63,990 for six-speed auto ones.

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Key features of the 2017 Holden Commodore Motorsport Edition

• Magnetic Ride Control suspension
• High-rate rear sub-frame bush
• Cross-drilled brake rotors, front and rear
• Charcoal Brembo calipers
• Engine and transmission cooling packages
• Updated heated performance front seats
• Embroidered instrument panel
• 20-inch split-forged alloy wheels/high performance tyres
• Motorsport Edition badging and decals
• Unique lip spoiler (optional wing)
• Phantom black roof
• Individual vehicle numbering and unique “King of the Mountain” build option code (KOM)
• Commemorative presentation case
• 1:18 Motorsport Edition Biante model

Priced from $63,990 (auto only) the Calais V-based Director is limited to 360 vehicles and represents the “ultimate blend of performance and luxury”.

Key features of the 2017 Holden Commodore Director

• Magnetic Ride Control suspension
• Paddle shifters
• Hood vents
• Cross-drilled brake rotors, front and rear
• Charcoal Brembo calipers
• Engine and transmission cooling packages
• Updated heated performance front seats
• Embroidered instrument panel
• 20-inch split-forged alloy wheels/high performance tyres
• Unique Director badging and black highlights
• Alloy pedals
• Unique lip spoiler
• Phantom black roof
• Individual vehicle numbering and unique build option code (DIR)
• Commemorative presentation case

Priced from $59,290 (manual) and $61,490 (auto) the Magnum is limited to just 240 vehicles.

Key features of the 2017 Holden Commodore Magnum ute

• Sedan-tune FE3 rear suspension
• Cross-drilled brake rotors front and rear
• Charcoal Brembo calipers
• Engine and transmission cooling packages
• Hard tonneau cover
• New performance front seats
• Embroidered instrument panel
• 20-inch split-forged alloy wheels/high performance tyres
• Unique Magnum badging and decals
• Unique Magnum rear window graphic
• Individual vehicle numbering and unique build option code (UTE)
• Commemorative presentation case

HOLDEN will soon release a Motorsport Edition of the Holden Commodore as it attempts to build excitement in the large car in the lead-up to the end of manufacturing.

WHAT IS IT? A farewell to bent-eight, rear-drive sedans as much as it is will be a farewell to Aussie manufacturing once production starts in April. And it’s a cracker – Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) suspension, upgraded brakes and track-certified cooling, plus several luxury and special-build extras.

RELATED: What’s new about Holden’s limited-edition Commodores

MAIN RIVALS In terms of what the Motorsport Edition offers for the money, how it sounds, and how it drives, a big, fat zero. This is a proper V8 muscle sedan for the price of a turbo-four, all-wheel-drive Volkswagen Passat. Or an optioned-up Skoda Superb with the same oily bits.

PLUS: Brilliant dynamics; excellent brakes; megaphone engine; seat comfort; space; styling; relative affordability; practicality; rarity MINUS: We’re not completely sold on the Motorsport Edition styling ‘extras’; no cars for the press fleet; signals the fast-approaching end of Aussie manufacturing and our V8 rear-drive car culture

Less than a year before the pin is finally pulled on domestic production, Holden has gathered together all the best components from global Zeta-platformed cars to create three limited edition models – the ‘Motorsport Edition’ sedan, ‘Director’ sedan and ‘Magnum’ ute (see separate web story).

The Motorsport Edition ($61,790 manual; $63,990 auto) is the headline variant (with the greatest production volume). Based on the VFII Holden Commodore SS-V Redline sedan, it scores the Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) suspension as fitted to the Chevrolet SS export model (and various HSVs), completely re-tuned by Holden.

The Motorsport also scores unique high-rate rear subframe bushes that are much stiffer in fore/aft, diagonal and vertical planes, preventing the rear cradle from rolling and pitching in extreme (track) situations.

Braking and cooling packages complement the upgraded suspension. Mounted behind lightweight forged 20-inch split-rim wheels, the ventilated brake rotors receive cross-drilling front and rear, and a floating-disc two-piece front rotor design for shorter, more consistent brake-pedal travel. An aluminium hat for each front rotor saves 3.25kg across the front axle.

The Calais V-based ‘Director’ ($63,990) plays its Q-car card to understated perfection. Lacking only the high-rate rear subframe bushes of the Motorsport, the Director is otherwise an engineering ringer of its bespoilered brother. Its black roof, bonnet vents, forged 20s, red-rimmed front air intake and ‘D I R E C T O R’ bootlid lettering may give the game away, but this auto-only sleeper is a true Calais-on-the-juice, straight from the factory.

The Motorsport also gets ‘KOM’ on its build plate (for ‘King of the Mountain’), reflecting Commodore’s 24 Bathurst victories and 470 ATCC/V8 Supercar wins. Buyers can also opt for ‘NOPD’ (no pre-delivery), meaning your car arrives collector-friendly, wearing full plastic protection. And a car cover is optional, which buyers can personalise with their own name.

We kicked off hot laps in a manual Motorsport. The LS3’s grunt means you can hold the car in these lovely, flowing oversteer drifts across the top of the track, yet there’s real precision to its turn-in and mid-corner purchase, and tireless stopping force from its brakes. About the only limiting factor is the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres after countless laps at max-attack.

Yet it’s bittersweet, all of this. Going out on a high note is one thing; knowing there will never be a car like the rear-drive VFII again makes the whole experience a lot harder to swallow. Greatness, however, is everlasting.

How many hot Commodores?

With just 1800 limited-run Commodores planned for 2017 – 1200 Motorsports, 260 Directors and 240 Magnums – you’ll need to be quicker than the V8 manual’s launch control to score one, though not all will be available to Joe Public. Holden employees (current and retired) and dealer principals will be offered cars first, leaving 1000 Motorsports, 250 Directors and 200 Magnums for general consumption.

In a nod to Greg Murphy’s race number, New Zealand gets 51 Directors, 51 Magnums and 151 Motorsports.

Dealers start taking orders for all three MY17 Limited Edition models from today (January 19), though deliveries won’t start until July.

SPECS Model: Holden Commodore Motorsport Edition Engine: 6162cc V8 (90°), ohv, 16v Max power: 304kW @ 6000rpm Max torque: 570Nm @ 4400rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual Weight: 1780kg 0-100km/h: 4.9sec (claimed) Fuel economy: 12.6L/100km Price: $61,790 On sale: Now