2008 Holden VE SS V Ute Review
July 25, 2008 by Anthony Crawford
If 270kW and 530Nm isn’t enough for you in a Ute body, then either you have a death wish, or you should seek urgent psychiatric assistance at a reputable facility.
Even with the optional 6-speed auto and weighing in at a substantial 1806kg, this hero-mobile does exactly what it’s supposed to do when you bury the throttle – it launches like no tomorrow. And it keeps going, unrelentingly, no matter what gear you’re in.
And then there’s that heavenly V8 supercar sound, or so it seems like to me – no need to hook up the Ipod Nano to the auxiliary input, you won’t hear it and you’ll be glad for it.
Of course, if you feel the need to hang onto those ratios just a little longer, then don’t go looking for the proverbial “power” button. That’s history. Just move the Auto shift lever to the left and shifts will happen in Sport mode. You can also manually shift if you wish – but I found Sport mode to be more than sufficient, even when egos are at stake.
Does it handle? Yes, but thank God for the comprehensive ESP (Electronic Stability Program) otherwise you could have trouble keeping that rear end on the straight and narrow, particularly in the wet. The program also teams up with Traction Control System (TCS), Anti-lock braking (ABS), (Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and it all works well enough.
There’s mild body lean on turn in, but then it hunkers down and is well behaved through corners. There’s also decent levels of grip from the standard 19-inch alloys although, I might have expected slightly wider rubber than 245’s, at least down the rear on this particular variant, say 265/35’s for a touch more bite.
And while the steering provides better than average feedback, I found it a little too light at highway speeds and thought that less assistance from around 80km/h plus, would provide more driver connection with the road. Not much of a gripe though, especially for those suburban road warriors and tradies, negotiating malls and tight driveways.
Holden has improved their general suspension compliance dramatically in the last few years. The SSV will dismiss speed bumps without any hint of jarring through the cabin.
what sort of a deal did you wrap up wheelnut?
price wise….
Andrew; All up including on road costs rego etc it’ll cost me a little over $45k.. with no trade-in
Then there’s the cost of getting the Remote Controlled Roll-A-Back Tonneau Cover fitted and painted
Niccceeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!! Wheelnut have you got any other cars you drive/own? You know so you dont use the ute all the time or to take more people than 1 other person?
Duck,
who wants to carry more than 2 people??
thats the whole point of buying a ute.
oh, i almost forgot……..
Good stuff DJR!!!!!!!!!
Ha ha so funny Andrew M
The Ute will be used for my mobile car detailling biz..
It will also help carry furniture etc for BM when she opens her Antique shop [which she has always wanted to do]
However; I also have an ‘02 Subaru Impreza RS Sedan which produces approx 150Kw due to a few enhancements to the intake and exhaust.
Wheelnut,
you will have to come over and give my ute a scrub then.
i havent had time to polish it as much as i used to lately.
it needs a good detail soon, because as soon as i get a bit of free time ill be off to the dealership for a trade in.
that will be the time when i bid farewell to yet another trouble free, well served falcon ute.
(but apparently they dont exist, just ask you know who)
Sorry Andrew because BM’s the first in line to be Buffed and Polished…. Wax on – Wax Off…. A Bit of a Touch-Up
Touch me up ? Where?
2 seater only,mmmmm wheres the pita-pata of little feet going to sit?
Touch you up: In the back of the ute; and the bedroom; and the kitchen; and the lounge room and; the pool table and the….
The Pita-Pata of tiny feet: That’s what the Subie is for babe or even the AWD V70 T-6.
Ok so the Hilux has what to do with a SS-V ute?? You’d buy those two cars for completely different reasons, why compare??
Personally I’ve just ordered a VE SS-V. It’s silver, 6sp Manuel and doesn’t have the red interior (stuck to Onyx!). I didn’t buy it as a ‘work ute’ (24yo female with an office job) I bought it because it drives awesome, looks hot and is a lot of fun!
We have another (VE SS) at home and am using 14l/100kms with normal driving, can’t complain too much.
Ive spend some time reading these comments and I have never read so much bull*&$t in my life.
I am absolutely convinced now that review responses are a complete waste of time.
Holden have not made a secret about there utes being for play more then work. Yet time and time again it’s the same old shit written up by death people like post 3.
But anyway, If this ute is shocking for it’s payload, What do we think of the FPV utes with a even lower payload?.
On th A pillars, So dangerous that no accident has been recorded anywhere because of them.
Most people don’t even know they are thicker then any other car. You would need to tell them first, And then they more then likely wouldn’t care.
But this Santa Klaus i think he shouldn’t have posted, Clearly he has issues before he wrote a single thing.
its funny what you all say because i live in a town were tradies are everywhere! and i swear everyone of them either has a ve ss or a hsv. its pretty good actually and they tow massive trailers .. oh about the interior and paint if you read your car manuals correctly it will state that the car should be garaged as much as possible to prevent sun damage. leaving your car always in the sun is just showing the disrespect for your car. handbrake was also made on the ve like this to suit lhd and rhd so yea
FORD’S is a bucket of shit
Holden way betta lookin n has to be Australia’s best Car.
Do any of you guys actually realise that with both the Ford and Holden hot utes, the payload limitiations are actually caused by the load ratings of the low profile tyres?
And H8**** , why don’t you actually try contributing next time, instead of being a total waste of space.
Wheelnut – you got your SS ute yet – whaddya think?
To TP: Remove yourself from the gene pool, stupid moron.
Hi
i have a 1983 el camino and i was wondering where i can find thoes side bars that r on the bed moldings if n e one knows can u please email me at bigmangetstupid@yahoo.com
One question. Why does a ute that doesnt have any rear seats, or the rear part of the roof, or the rear doors for that matter weigh about the same as the sedan equivalent. Shouldnt it weigh about 200kg’s less without all that exrta metal around the rump?
shak,the extra weight comes from the bracing and stiffening of the chasis from the doors back,as you are aware the roof and rear structure does all that on a sedan.
I really like the new VE Ute. AM looking at getting a MY10 SS with 6 sp manual in Voodoo blue. What do you all think of that colour?