Holden Apollo
Encyclopedia
The Holden Apollo is a compact
and later mid-size car
that was distributed from 1989 to 1997 by Holden
, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors
(GM). As a successor to the GM-engineered Holden Camira
, the Apollo was a badge engineered
version of the Toyota Camry
, also sold in Australia. In paralleling two generations of the Toyota, there were minor cosmetic differences in the grille, lights and trim, et cetera.
The Apollo was one of thirteen vehicles involved in the Button car plan
, which aimed to make the Australia
n motor business more efficient and eliminate import tariff
s. However, the plan was considered to be unsuccessful, with many of the badge-engineered vehicles selling in significantly less numbers than the original manufacture's vehicle. Production ceased in late 1996, although enough cars remained until the replacement Holden Vectra
arrived in mid-1997.
, JK versions of the Apollo began sales in August 1989—a collaboration with Toyota Australia
, which also produced the car as the Toyota Camry
(SV21/SV22) for local consumption. The Apollo versions of the Camry were differentiated by a redesigned grille
, tail lamps and other trim items. This badge engineering
scheme was the result of the Button car plan
, introduced by the Australian Government
in May 1984 to rationalise and make the Australian automotive industry
more competitive on a global scale by means of reducing import tariff
s.
Toyota Australia
began local manufacturing of the Toyota Camry
(SV21/SV22) in 1987 at its Port Melbourne, Victoria
facility as a replacement for the Toyota Corona
(T140) and the Camry before it. Engine production and panel-stamping was undertaken at Toyota's Altona, Victoria
plant. In the same year, Toyota and Holden formed United Australian Automobile Industries
(UAAI), a joint venture
that resulted in model sharing between both automakers from August 1989. Other UAAI badge engineered cars were the Holden Nova
(based on the Toyota Corolla
) and the Toyota Lexcen (based on the Holden Commodore
). Prior to UAAI, Holden had ventured with Nissan
.
Powertrain
s were also as for the Camry, with a twin-cam
, multi-valve 2.0 litre straight-four engine and five-speed manual transmission
. A four-speed overdrive
automatic
was made optional. All models bar the SLE had a two-barrel carburettor
version of the engine (3S-FC); the SLE featured an electronic fuel-injected
(EFI) version of the same (3S-FE). The base engine produced 82 kW and 166 newton metres (122.4 ft·lbf) of torque
, with 88 kW and 171 newton metres (126.1 ft·lbf) for the EFI version. In May 1991, the EFI version of the engine was made standard upon the carburettored engine's deletion. This was the result of the introduction of more stringent emission standard
s in Australia.
Like the Camira before it, the JK Apollo was available in "SL", "SLX" and "SLE" equipment variants in either sedan or station wagon
body styles. An "SLX" option pack, known as the "Executive" was also available. The "SL" opened up the Apollo range with remote exterior mirrors
, intermittent windscreen wipers, heated rear screen demister
, remote boot
release for sedans and fuel filler door, a two-speaker radio cassette player
and tinted
side and rear glass. "SLX" variants were distinguished by their full wheel covers, as opposed to the "SL" model's steel wheels with centre caps. The "Executive" variant was not a stand alone model, but an option pack for the "SLX", adding power steering
and automatic transmission. The JK range was finished off with the "SLE". Unique-to-"SLE" equipment included the EFI engine, four-wheel disc brake
s, variable intermittent windscreen wipers, a four-speaker stereo, body-coloured bumpers, dual odometer
s, automatic headlamp
cut-off system, velour
seat upholstery, centre back-seat armrest
, power antenna
, central locking with illuminated driver's door lock and front map lamps.
Holden have issued several product recall
s for the JK Apollo. The first, issued on 12 December 1989, involved a potential brake fluid
leak, leading to reduced stopping efficiency. A defect involving the air filter
baffle was issued on 6 September 1990 for SLE sedans and wagons. The recall was issued after the discovery of a possible dislodge of the baffle which could be drawn into the air intake
system and lodge in the throttle
. On 21 April 1991, a third recall involving incorrectly fitted rear brake hoses was announced followed by a fourth 2 October 1992 recall. This 1992 recall affected July 1989 to July 1990 models equipped with central locking whereby the relay
s in the electronic door lock control unit may fail, causing their contact
s to weld.
and redesigned tail lamps on sedans. These lights now have the stop lens above the orange turn signal lens.
The Used Car Safety Ratings, published in 2008 by the Monash University
Accident Research Centre, found that first-generation Holden Apollos (JK/JL) provide an "average" level of occupant safety protection
in the event of an accident
.
The larger size of the new car was heavily advertised by Toyota as the "wide-body" Camry. Holden's advertising differed in this sense, with a more subdued tone to help set it apart. Holden was also granted additional design input with the new JM model, on the grounds of further differentiation between it and the Camry clone. Following the establishment of UAAI, Holden instituted a high-security design centre within the company responsible for producing visual distinction between venture models. Its autonomy
and secrecy from the remainder of the firm permitted the exchange of information regarding the new Camry from 1989, thus allowing a unique-to-Apollo identity to be crafted. The end result was an Apollo with its own bumper, bonnet
, grille and headlamp
assemblage up front, coupled to a markedly different rear, with re-styled tail lamps and a decklid
-mounted, as opposed to bumper-mounted, registration plate
cavity.
Mechanically, the Apollo's setup was a verbatim copy of the Camry, with steering and suspension
calibrations left unchanged. Likewise, the powertrain
s were also as fitted to the Toyota with a twin-cam
, EFI
2.2 litre 5S-FE straight-four producing 93 kW and 185 newton metres (136.4 ft·lbf), with an optional quad-cam EFI 3.0 litre 3VZ-FE
V6
making 136 kW and 264 newton metres (194.7 ft·lbf). This figure is 3 kW down on the equivalent Camry V6. These V6-engined Apollos featured larger-diameter 15-inch wheels over the 14-inch diameter used on the 2.2. The 2.2 litre models also featured a five-speed manual
as standard fitment, although an optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission
was offered at an extra cost—standard and the sole choice on V6s. Both four-door sedan and five-door station wagon variants were available as before, although trim levels were limited to SLX and GS:
SLX: was aimed at fleet markets, fitted with power steering
, a radio cassette player
, a remote boot
and fuel cap release, and electric side-view mirrors
. The sedan-only SLX V6 added four-wheel disc brake
s over the 2.2 model's front-disc, rear-drum
layout, with anti-lock brakes
(ABS) on the V6 available as an option. Wagons without ABS fitted made do with a load-sensing valve mechanism to control rear brake lock-up.
GS: built on the SLX level, adding 60/40 split-fold rear seats, variable intermittent windscreen wiper
s, a four-speaker stereo, tachometer
, central locking
and a more luxurious interior upholstery style.
At the same time as Toyota's Camry upgrade in April 1994, Apollo specifications were also uprated slightly. SLXs now had a four- and GSs a six-speaker stereo system, up from two and four, respectively. The SLX also received a tachometer and rear mudflap
s, while the GS variant gained standard fitment cruise control
and power window
s. A second update in June 1994 fitted a driver's airbag
as standard on all models bar the four-cylinder SLX.
Holden have issued three JM Apollo-related recalls
. Models manufactured between November 1993 and May 1994 were found to have a potential steering failure. The defect, circulated on 7 September 1994 outlined a possible loosening of the steering wheel, causing a loss of steering control. In a second recall dated 21 July 1995, Holden stated cars produced from 26 May to 16 June 1995 may have been built with a kink in the wire of the front seat track locking mechanism, leading to the seat moving forward in the event of a collision. Holden reported a final JM series recall on 15 March 1996. Here, the headlamp
dimmer
switch contact points and arms may become overheated and cause erratic headlamp operation.
The JP series update succeeded the JM from August 1995. A new grille insert with dual "U"-shaped apertures tied in with the existing VS Commodore
range. The redesigned Holden logo was also relocated from the JM's grille position to the bonnet, and the rear-end was treated to white tail lamp pin striping
. At the same time, the model range was revised, the GS wagon removed, and manual transmission could now only be specified in conjunction with the SLX four-cylinder. The availability of ABS was also extended to these four-cylinder models, with four-wheel disc brakes now fitted across the board. In addition to this, remote central locking came standard to the SLX along with rear head restraints
. Further enhancements were also made for the GS's sound system.
Like the previous generation, JM/JP Apollos were assessed in the 2008 Used Car Safety Ratings, and were shown to provide an "average" level of protection.
From its launch in 1989, the Apollo was always less successful than the Camry from which it was based. By the end of 1993, the UAAI venture cars—the Holden Apollo and Nova
, along with the Toyota Lexcen
—realised sales of 21 percent at best when compared to the models retailed by their original manufactures. Apollo production in 1992 totalled 4,490 units (17.5 percent of the Toyota Camry figure, excluding exports); 5,314 Apollos were manufactured in 1993 (16.6 percent), and in 1994 production amounted to 5,519 units (13.1 percent). Thus, Apollo production ceased in late 1996 when Toyota and Holden severed their model sharing relations. Its replacement, the Opel Vectra B
arrived in mid-1997 as the Holden Vectra
and was also locally manufactured after several months of captive import
s.
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
and later mid-size car
Mid-size car
A mid-size car is the North American/Australian standard for an automobile with a size equal to or greater than that of a compact...
that was distributed from 1989 to 1997 by Holden
Holden
GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors in 1931...
, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
(GM). As a successor to the GM-engineered Holden Camira
Holden Camira
The Holden Camira was a mid-size car produced by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors between 1982 and 1989. It was Holden's version of GM's J-body family of cars—GM's third "global" car platform....
, the Apollo was a badge engineered
Badge engineering
Badge engineering is an ironic term that describes the rebadging of one product as another...
version of the Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a series of mid-size automobiles manufactured by Toyota since 1982, and sold in the majority of automotive markets throughout the world...
, also sold in Australia. In paralleling two generations of the Toyota, there were minor cosmetic differences in the grille, lights and trim, et cetera.
The Apollo was one of thirteen vehicles involved in the Button car plan
Button car plan
The Button car plan, also known as the Button plan was the informal name given to the Motor Industry Development Plan. The plan was an Australian federal government initiative, intended to rationalise the Australian motor vehicle industry. Industry consultation had begun in 1984 with a proposed...
, which aimed to make the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n motor business more efficient and eliminate import tariff
Tariff
A tariff may be either tax on imports or exports , or a list or schedule of prices for such things as rail service, bus routes, and electrical usage ....
s. However, the plan was considered to be unsuccessful, with many of the badge-engineered vehicles selling in significantly less numbers than the original manufacture's vehicle. Production ceased in late 1996, although enough cars remained until the replacement Holden Vectra
Opel Vectra
The Opel Vectra is a large family car that was engineered and produced by Opel. In the United Kingdom, the car was sold under the Vauxhall marque as the Vauxhall Cavalier and later as the Vauxhall Vectra, from 1995 onwards...
arrived in mid-1997.
JK (1989–1991)
As a replacement for the JE CamiraHolden Camira
The Holden Camira was a mid-size car produced by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors between 1982 and 1989. It was Holden's version of GM's J-body family of cars—GM's third "global" car platform....
, JK versions of the Apollo began sales in August 1989—a collaboration with Toyota Australia
Toyota Australia
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia, or Toyota Australia, is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, which is based in Japan. TMCA markets Toyota products and manages motorsport, advertising and business operations for Toyota Motor Corporation in Australia...
, which also produced the car as the Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a series of mid-size automobiles manufactured by Toyota since 1982, and sold in the majority of automotive markets throughout the world...
(SV21/SV22) for local consumption. The Apollo versions of the Camry were differentiated by a redesigned grille
Grille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
, tail lamps and other trim items. This badge engineering
Badge engineering
Badge engineering is an ironic term that describes the rebadging of one product as another...
scheme was the result of the Button car plan
Button car plan
The Button car plan, also known as the Button plan was the informal name given to the Motor Industry Development Plan. The plan was an Australian federal government initiative, intended to rationalise the Australian motor vehicle industry. Industry consultation had begun in 1984 with a proposed...
, introduced by the Australian Government
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
in May 1984 to rationalise and make the Australian automotive industry
Automotive industry
The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the world's most important economic sectors by revenue....
more competitive on a global scale by means of reducing import tariff
Tariff
A tariff may be either tax on imports or exports , or a list or schedule of prices for such things as rail service, bus routes, and electrical usage ....
s.
Toyota Australia
Toyota Australia
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia, or Toyota Australia, is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, which is based in Japan. TMCA markets Toyota products and manages motorsport, advertising and business operations for Toyota Motor Corporation in Australia...
began local manufacturing of the Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a series of mid-size automobiles manufactured by Toyota since 1982, and sold in the majority of automotive markets throughout the world...
(SV21/SV22) in 1987 at its Port Melbourne, Victoria
Port Melbourne, Victoria
Port Melbourne is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 km southwest of Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government areas are the cities of Port Phillip and Melbourne. At the 2006 Census, Port Melbourne had a population of 13,293....
facility as a replacement for the Toyota Corona
Toyota Corona
The Toyota Corona is an automobile manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota between 1957 and 2002. Traditionally, the competitor from Nissan was the Nissan Bluebird. The word Corona is Latin for "crown"...
(T140) and the Camry before it. Engine production and panel-stamping was undertaken at Toyota's Altona, Victoria
Altona, Victoria
Altona is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 13 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hobsons Bay. At the 2006 Census, Altona had a population of 9685....
plant. In the same year, Toyota and Holden formed United Australian Automobile Industries
United Australian Automobile Industries
United Australian Automobile Industries was a firm founded in Australia in 1989 as the result of an agreement between Holden and Toyota. For Holden, it replaced the earlier Holden-Nissan joint venture that had existed since 1983.UAAI produced three vehicles: the Holden Apollo, Holden Nova and...
(UAAI), a joint venture
Joint venture
A joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
that resulted in model sharing between both automakers from August 1989. Other UAAI badge engineered cars were the Holden Nova
Holden Nova
The Holden Nova was a compact car that was produced by the GM-Holden-Toyota alliance, known as United Australian Automobile Industries in Australia between August 1989 and 1996. The alliance, and therefore the car, was a result of the failed Button car plan which attempted to rationalise the...
(based on the Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is a line of subcompact and compact cars manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota, which has become very popular throughout the world since the nameplate was first introduced in 1966. In 1997, the Corolla became the best selling nameplate in the world, with over 35 million...
) and the Toyota Lexcen (based on the Holden Commodore
Holden Commodore
The Holden Commodore is an automobile manufactured since 1978 by the Holden subsidiary of General Motors in Australia, and, formerly, in New Zealand. In the mid-1970s, Holden established proposals to replace the long-serving Kingswood nameplate with a smaller, Opel-based model...
). Prior to UAAI, Holden had ventured with Nissan
Nissan Motors
, usually shortened to Nissan , is a multinational automaker headquartered in Japan. It was a core member of the Nissan Group, but has become more independent after its restructuring under Carlos Ghosn ....
.
Powertrain
Powertrain
In a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive...
s were also as for the Camry, with a twin-cam
Cam
A cam is a rotating or sliding piece in a mechanical linkage used especially in transforming rotary motion into linear motion or vice-versa. It is often a part of a rotating wheel or shaft that strikes a lever at one or more points on its circular path...
, multi-valve 2.0 litre straight-four engine and five-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
. A four-speed overdrive
Overdrive (mechanics)
Overdrive is a term used to describe a mechanism that allows an automobile to cruise at sustained speed with reduced engine RPM, leading to better fuel economy, lower noise and lower wear...
automatic
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
was made optional. All models bar the SLE had a two-barrel carburettor
Carburetor
A carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
version of the engine (3S-FC); the SLE featured an electronic fuel-injected
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
(EFI) version of the same (3S-FE). The base engine produced 82 kW and 166 newton metres (122.4 ft·lbf) of torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
, with 88 kW and 171 newton metres (126.1 ft·lbf) for the EFI version. In May 1991, the EFI version of the engine was made standard upon the carburettored engine's deletion. This was the result of the introduction of more stringent emission standard
Emission standard
Emission standards are requirements that set specific limits to the amount of pollutants that can be released into the environment. Many emissions standards focus on regulating pollutants released by automobiles and other powered vehicles but they can also regulate emissions from industry, power...
s in Australia.
Like the Camira before it, the JK Apollo was available in "SL", "SLX" and "SLE" equipment variants in either sedan or station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
body styles. An "SLX" option pack, known as the "Executive" was also available. The "SL" opened up the Apollo range with remote exterior mirrors
Wing mirror
A wing mirror is a mirror found on the exterior of motor vehicles for the purposes of helping the driver see areas behind and to the sides of the vehicle, outside of the driver's peripheral vision .Although almost all modern cars mount their side mirrors on the doors, normally at the "A" pillar,...
, intermittent windscreen wipers, heated rear screen demister
Defogger
A defogger, demister, or defroster is a system to clear condensation and thaw frost from the windshield, backglass, and/or side windows of a motor vehicle...
, remote boot
Trunk (automobile)
The trunk or boot of an automobile or car is the vehicle's main storage, luggage, or cargo compartment. Trunk is used in North American English and Jamaican English; boot is used elsewhere in the English speaking world. Trunk is also primarily used in many non-English speaking regions, such as...
release for sedans and fuel filler door, a two-speaker radio cassette player
Compact Cassette
The Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
and tinted
Window film
There are many types of window tint available in the market for a wide variety of uses from solar heat reduction to UV protection, privacy to safety and security, decorative applications to heat retention.- Primary properties :...
side and rear glass. "SLX" variants were distinguished by their full wheel covers, as opposed to the "SL" model's steel wheels with centre caps. The "Executive" variant was not a stand alone model, but an option pack for the "SLX", adding power steering
Power steering
Power steering helps drivers steer vehicles by augmenting steering effort of the steering wheel.Hydraulic or electric actuators add controlled energy to the steering mechanism, so the driver needs to provide only modest effort regardless of conditions. Power steering helps considerably when a...
and automatic transmission. The JK range was finished off with the "SLE". Unique-to-"SLE" equipment included the EFI engine, four-wheel disc brake
Disc brake
The disc brake or disk brake is a device for slowing or stopping the rotation of a wheel while it is in motion.A brake disc is usually made of cast iron, but may in some cases be made of composites such as reinforced carbon–carbon or ceramic matrix composites. This is connected to the wheel and/or...
s, variable intermittent windscreen wipers, a four-speaker stereo, body-coloured bumpers, dual odometer
Odometer
An odometer or odograph is an instrument that indicates distance traveled by a vehicle, such as a bicycle or automobile. The device may be electronic, mechanical, or a combination of the two. The word derives from the Greek words hodós and métron...
s, automatic headlamp
Headlamp
A headlamp is a lamp, usually attached to the front of a vehicle such as a car or a motorcycle, with the purpose of illuminating the road ahead during periods of low visibility, such as darkness or precipitation. Headlamp performance has steadily improved throughout the automobile age, spurred by...
cut-off system, velour
Velour
Velour or velours is a plush, knitted fabric or textile. It is usually made from cotton but can also be made from synthetic materials such as polyester. Velour is used in a wide variety of applications, including clothing and upholstery....
seat upholstery, centre back-seat armrest
Armrest
In an automotive context, an armrest is a feature found in many modern vehicles on which occupants can rest their arms. Armrests are also found on chairs in general.Armrests are more prolific in larger, more expensive models of car....
, power antenna
Antenna (radio)
An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
, central locking with illuminated driver's door lock and front map lamps.
Holden have issued several product recall
Product recall
A product recall is a request to return to the maker a batch or an entire production run of a product, usually due to the discovery of safety issues. The recall is an effort to limit liability for corporate negligence and to improve or avoid damage to publicity...
s for the JK Apollo. The first, issued on 12 December 1989, involved a potential brake fluid
Brake fluid
Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid used in hydraulic brake and hydraulic clutch applications in automobiles, motorcycles, light trucks, and some bicycles. It is used to transfer force into pressure...
leak, leading to reduced stopping efficiency. A defect involving the air filter
Air filter
A particulate air filter is a device composed of fibrous materials which removes solid particulates such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from the air. A chemical air filter consists of an absorbent or catalyst for the removal of airborne molecular contaminants such as volatile organic compounds...
baffle was issued on 6 September 1990 for SLE sedans and wagons. The recall was issued after the discovery of a possible dislodge of the baffle which could be drawn into the air intake
Intake
An intake , or especially for aircraft inlet, is an air intake for an engine. Because the modern internal combustion engine is in essence a powerful air pump, like the exhaust system on an engine, the intake must be carefully engineered and tuned to provide the greatest efficiency and power...
system and lodge in the throttle
Throttle
A throttle is the mechanism by which the flow of a fluid is managed by constriction or obstruction. An engine's power can be increased or decreased by the restriction of inlet gases , but usually decreased. The term throttle has come to refer, informally and incorrectly, to any mechanism by which...
. On 21 April 1991, a third recall involving incorrectly fitted rear brake hoses was announced followed by a fourth 2 October 1992 recall. This 1992 recall affected July 1989 to July 1990 models equipped with central locking whereby the relay
Relay
A relay is an electrically operated switch. Many relays use an electromagnet to operate a switching mechanism mechanically, but other operating principles are also used. Relays are used where it is necessary to control a circuit by a low-power signal , or where several circuits must be controlled...
s in the electronic door lock control unit may fail, causing their contact
Contact mechanics
Contact mechanics is the study of the deformation of solids that touch each other at one or more points. The physical and mathematical formulation of the subject is built upon the mechanics of materials and continuum mechanics and focuses on computations involving elastic, viscoelastic, and plastic...
s to weld.
JL (1991–1992)
In August 1991 there was a small facelift, given the designation JL, with an altered model range. The "SL" and "SLX" continued, with the "SLE" now available only as a sedan. The Executive pack was now no longer offered, and a sports version, dubbed "GS" was introduced in both body variants. Equipment levels mostly mirrored the previous JK, although the "SLX" was now similar in specification to the discontinued "Executive" and the "GS" to the JK "SLE", albeit without standard automatic transmission. Appearance-wise, the JK and JL are very similar, with the JL's grille treated with bolder chrome highlightingChrome plating
Chrome plating, often referred to simply as chrome, is a technique of electroplating a thin layer of chromium onto a metal object. The chromed layer can be decorative, provide corrosion resistance, ease cleaning procedures, or increase surface hardness.-Process:A component to be chrome plated will...
and redesigned tail lamps on sedans. These lights now have the stop lens above the orange turn signal lens.
The Used Car Safety Ratings, published in 2008 by the Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
Accident Research Centre, found that first-generation Holden Apollos (JK/JL) provide an "average" level of occupant safety protection
Automobile safety
Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of automobile accidents. Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of...
in the event of an accident
Car accident
A traffic collision, also known as a traffic accident, motor vehicle collision, motor vehicle accident, car accident, automobile accident, Road Traffic Collision or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction,...
.
JM (1993–1995)
The new-generation JM Apollo arrived at Holden dealerships in March 1993, based on the enlarged Toyota Camry (SDV10/VDV10). These SDV10/VDV10 Toyotas had been introduced to Australia a month earlier, in February 1993.Autonomy
Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political and bioethical philosophy. Within these contexts, it is the capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, un-coerced decision...
and secrecy from the remainder of the firm permitted the exchange of information regarding the new Camry from 1989, thus allowing a unique-to-Apollo identity to be crafted. The end result was an Apollo with its own bumper, bonnet
Hood (vehicle)
The hood or bonnet is the hinged cover over the engine of motor vehicles that allows access to the engine compartment for maintenance and repair. In British terminology, hood refers to a fabric cover over the passenger compartment of the car...
, grille and headlamp
Headlamp
A headlamp is a lamp, usually attached to the front of a vehicle such as a car or a motorcycle, with the purpose of illuminating the road ahead during periods of low visibility, such as darkness or precipitation. Headlamp performance has steadily improved throughout the automobile age, spurred by...
assemblage up front, coupled to a markedly different rear, with re-styled tail lamps and a decklid
Decklid
The decklid is the cover over the trunk/boot of motor vehicles that allows access to the main storage or luggage compartment...
-mounted, as opposed to bumper-mounted, registration plate
Vehicle registration plate
A vehicle registration plate is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. The registration identifier is a numeric or alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies the vehicle within the issuing region's database...
cavity.
Mechanically, the Apollo's setup was a verbatim copy of the Camry, with steering and suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
calibrations left unchanged. Likewise, the powertrain
Powertrain
In a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive...
s were also as fitted to the Toyota with a twin-cam
Cam
A cam is a rotating or sliding piece in a mechanical linkage used especially in transforming rotary motion into linear motion or vice-versa. It is often a part of a rotating wheel or shaft that strikes a lever at one or more points on its circular path...
, EFI
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
2.2 litre 5S-FE straight-four producing 93 kW and 185 newton metres (136.4 ft·lbf), with an optional quad-cam EFI 3.0 litre 3VZ-FE
Toyota VZ engine
The Toyota VZ engine family is a series of V6 gasoline piston engines ranging from 2.0L to 3.4L in displacement and both SOHC and DOHC configurations. The family introduced many changes for Toyota, including various EFI, ECU, and engine improvements from generation to generation. The VZ was...
V6
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
making 136 kW and 264 newton metres (194.7 ft·lbf). This figure is 3 kW down on the equivalent Camry V6. These V6-engined Apollos featured larger-diameter 15-inch wheels over the 14-inch diameter used on the 2.2. The 2.2 litre models also featured a five-speed manual
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
as standard fitment, although an optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
was offered at an extra cost—standard and the sole choice on V6s. Both four-door sedan and five-door station wagon variants were available as before, although trim levels were limited to SLX and GS:
SLX: was aimed at fleet markets, fitted with power steering
Power steering
Power steering helps drivers steer vehicles by augmenting steering effort of the steering wheel.Hydraulic or electric actuators add controlled energy to the steering mechanism, so the driver needs to provide only modest effort regardless of conditions. Power steering helps considerably when a...
, a radio cassette player
Compact Cassette
The Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
, a remote boot
Trunk (automobile)
The trunk or boot of an automobile or car is the vehicle's main storage, luggage, or cargo compartment. Trunk is used in North American English and Jamaican English; boot is used elsewhere in the English speaking world. Trunk is also primarily used in many non-English speaking regions, such as...
and fuel cap release, and electric side-view mirrors
Wing mirror
A wing mirror is a mirror found on the exterior of motor vehicles for the purposes of helping the driver see areas behind and to the sides of the vehicle, outside of the driver's peripheral vision .Although almost all modern cars mount their side mirrors on the doors, normally at the "A" pillar,...
. The sedan-only SLX V6 added four-wheel disc brake
Disc brake
The disc brake or disk brake is a device for slowing or stopping the rotation of a wheel while it is in motion.A brake disc is usually made of cast iron, but may in some cases be made of composites such as reinforced carbon–carbon or ceramic matrix composites. This is connected to the wheel and/or...
s over the 2.2 model's front-disc, rear-drum
Drum brake
A drum brake is a brake in which the friction is caused by a set of shoes or pads that press against a rotating drum-shaped part called a brake drum....
layout, with anti-lock brakes
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
(ABS) on the V6 available as an option. Wagons without ABS fitted made do with a load-sensing valve mechanism to control rear brake lock-up.
GS: built on the SLX level, adding 60/40 split-fold rear seats, variable intermittent windscreen wiper
Windscreen wiper
A windscreen wiper or windshield wiper is a device used to remove rain and debris from a windscreen or windshield. Almost all motor vehicles, including trains, aircraft and watercraft, are equipped with such wipers, which are usually a legal requirement.A wiper generally consists of an arm,...
s, a four-speaker stereo, tachometer
Tachometer
A tachometer is an instrument measuring the rotation speed of a shaft or disk, as in a motor or other machine. The device usually displays the revolutions per minute on a calibrated analogue dial, but digital displays are increasingly common...
, central locking
Power door locks
Power door locks allow the driver or front passenger to simultaneously lock or unlock all the doors of an automobile or truck, by pressing a button or flipping a switch....
and a more luxurious interior upholstery style.
At the same time as Toyota's Camry upgrade in April 1994, Apollo specifications were also uprated slightly. SLXs now had a four- and GSs a six-speaker stereo system, up from two and four, respectively. The SLX also received a tachometer and rear mudflap
Mudflap
A mudflap is used in combination with the vehicle fender to protect the vehicle, passengers, other vehicles, and pedestrians from mud and other flying debris thrown into the air by the rotating tire...
s, while the GS variant gained standard fitment cruise control
Cruise control
Cruise control is a system that automatically controls the speed of a motor vehicle. The system takes over the throttle of the car to maintain a steady speed as set by the driver.-History:...
and power window
Power window
Power windows or electric windows as well as electric or power window lifts are automobile windows which can be raised and lowered by depressing a button or switch, as opposed to using a hand-turned crank handle.- History :Packard introduced the first power windows in the 1940 Packard...
s. A second update in June 1994 fitted a driver's airbag
Airbag
An Airbag is a vehicle safety device. It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupants from striking interior objects such as the steering wheel or a window...
as standard on all models bar the four-cylinder SLX.
Holden have issued three JM Apollo-related recalls
Product recall
A product recall is a request to return to the maker a batch or an entire production run of a product, usually due to the discovery of safety issues. The recall is an effort to limit liability for corporate negligence and to improve or avoid damage to publicity...
. Models manufactured between November 1993 and May 1994 were found to have a potential steering failure. The defect, circulated on 7 September 1994 outlined a possible loosening of the steering wheel, causing a loss of steering control. In a second recall dated 21 July 1995, Holden stated cars produced from 26 May to 16 June 1995 may have been built with a kink in the wire of the front seat track locking mechanism, leading to the seat moving forward in the event of a collision. Holden reported a final JM series recall on 15 March 1996. Here, the headlamp
Headlamp
A headlamp is a lamp, usually attached to the front of a vehicle such as a car or a motorcycle, with the purpose of illuminating the road ahead during periods of low visibility, such as darkness or precipitation. Headlamp performance has steadily improved throughout the automobile age, spurred by...
dimmer
Dimmer
Dimmers are devices used to vary the brightness of a light. By decreasing or increasing the RMS voltage and, hence, the mean power to the lamp, it is possible to vary the intensity of the light output...
switch contact points and arms may become overheated and cause erratic headlamp operation.
JP (1995–1996)
Holden VS Commodore
The Holden VS Commodore, released in 1995, was the ninth model of the Holden Commodore, a large car built by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors. The VS Commodore served as a mechanical update of the second generation architecture, destined to assist sales before the all-new VT model...
range. The redesigned Holden logo was also relocated from the JM's grille position to the bonnet, and the rear-end was treated to white tail lamp pin striping
Pin striping
Pin striping is the application of a very thin line of paint or other material called a pin stripe, and is generally used for decoration. Freehand pin stripers use a specialty brush known as a pinstriping brush...
. At the same time, the model range was revised, the GS wagon removed, and manual transmission could now only be specified in conjunction with the SLX four-cylinder. The availability of ABS was also extended to these four-cylinder models, with four-wheel disc brakes now fitted across the board. In addition to this, remote central locking came standard to the SLX along with rear head restraints
Headrest
In an automobile, head restraints are attached or integrated into the top of the seats in each seating position to limit the rearward movement of an adult occupant's head relative to his torso in a crash, so as to reduce the danger of whiplash or other injury to the cervical vertebrae...
. Further enhancements were also made for the GS's sound system.
Like the previous generation, JM/JP Apollos were assessed in the 2008 Used Car Safety Ratings, and were shown to provide an "average" level of protection.
From its launch in 1989, the Apollo was always less successful than the Camry from which it was based. By the end of 1993, the UAAI venture cars—the Holden Apollo and Nova
Holden Nova
The Holden Nova was a compact car that was produced by the GM-Holden-Toyota alliance, known as United Australian Automobile Industries in Australia between August 1989 and 1996. The alliance, and therefore the car, was a result of the failed Button car plan which attempted to rationalise the...
, along with the Toyota Lexcen
Holden Commodore
The Holden Commodore is an automobile manufactured since 1978 by the Holden subsidiary of General Motors in Australia, and, formerly, in New Zealand. In the mid-1970s, Holden established proposals to replace the long-serving Kingswood nameplate with a smaller, Opel-based model...
—realised sales of 21 percent at best when compared to the models retailed by their original manufactures. Apollo production in 1992 totalled 4,490 units (17.5 percent of the Toyota Camry figure, excluding exports); 5,314 Apollos were manufactured in 1993 (16.6 percent), and in 1994 production amounted to 5,519 units (13.1 percent). Thus, Apollo production ceased in late 1996 when Toyota and Holden severed their model sharing relations. Its replacement, the Opel Vectra B
Opel Vectra
The Opel Vectra is a large family car that was engineered and produced by Opel. In the United Kingdom, the car was sold under the Vauxhall marque as the Vauxhall Cavalier and later as the Vauxhall Vectra, from 1995 onwards...
arrived in mid-1997 as the Holden Vectra
Opel Vectra
The Opel Vectra is a large family car that was engineered and produced by Opel. In the United Kingdom, the car was sold under the Vauxhall marque as the Vauxhall Cavalier and later as the Vauxhall Vectra, from 1995 onwards...
and was also locally manufactured after several months of captive import
Captive import
Captive import is a marketing term and a strategy for an automobile part or entire vehicle that is foreign-built and sold under the name of an importer or by a domestic automaker through its own dealer distribution system....
s.