Holden planning VXR drive days at Lang Lang

GM Holden will throw open the gates of its normally secretive Lang Lang proving ground in Victoria to the public to promote its upcoming VXR performance models.

The company announced on May 1 that it will reintroduce three imported European models previously sold here as Opels – the Astra VXR hatch, Astra GTC coupe and Insignia VXR sports sedan – plus the new Cascada convertible as Holden models in the first half of next year.

Coincidentally or not, on the same day Holden also announced it will retain its historic Lang Lang proving ground in Victoria after it ceases manufacturing in 2017, to carry out local chassis development of imported models. At the time, Holden denied the backflip on its previous plan to sell off the vast test facility was a publicity stunt.

Now, GM Holden's Executive Director of Corporate Affairs, George Svigos, has told motoring.com.au that Lang Lang could be used to host customer drive days like those offered to VXR owners in the UK.

"We've got a great facility at Lang Lang [and] we are looking at how we can utilise that even more in the future. There's a lot of passion for the Holden brand and the VXR brand is a performance brand so, yes, we're looking at many things we can do."

Speaking at the UK's Rockingham circuit on the weekend, when Australian media outlets drove a number of Vauxhall models to be sold here as Holdens next year, Svigos said Lang Lang was the ideal venue to demonstrate the capability of its new VXR performance brand.

"It's part of Australia's history. We know that a lot of people are buying our vehicles — particularly at the performance end — they know Lang Lang, they're keen to have access and it's definitely something we're looking at."

The UK media event followed the reveal of the new Opel/Vauxhall Corsa at last week's Paris motor show, where GM officials revealed that European-sourced models will account for more than a third of Holden's product line-up.

Next year's VXR and Cascada models are expected to be followed by mainstream versions of the Corsa and Astra, and the next-generation Insignia, which could be badged as a Commodore post-2017.

Situated 95km south-east of Melbourne on the Bass Highway, Lang Lang was Australia's first automotive testing and development complex and houses one of the nation's most advanced vehicle safety laboratories.

Purchased by Holden in 1955 and opened two years later, the secure 877-hectare property comprises 44km of sealed and unsealed road systems, including a skid pan, ride/handling course, 'rattle and squeak' track, dust road, test hills, mud and water baths and a 4.7km banked high-speed circular track that received a $1.2 million facelift in 1992.