Works best at play
Model Tested:
- 2009 Holden Commodore SS Ute; 6.0-litre V8 AFM petrol; six-speed automatic; utility – $44,490*
Options (as fitted):
- Metallic Paint $500 (Voodoo); Hard Tonneau $3,030; 20-inch Alloy Wheels $2,369; Matching Spare Wheel $350
Torquey engine; assertive appearance; sporty handling; cabin space and comfort
Dull transmission; poor visibility; dated interior; fuel consumption; weak FM reception
CarAdvice Rating: 
As a trade-tough work ute, the Commodore SS is an awesome Commodore Coupe … And the boot space is a real winner. With a load carrying capacity of just over half a tonne, it’s a perfect ‘boss’s’ ute, to complement the fleet of HiLuxes for the blokes who do the real work.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that. The VE Commodore SS ute has, since its 2007 release, carved itself a tidy little niche. The customer base seems happy enough to drop more than $40K on what’s essentially a sporty two-door Commodore with a really big boot.
You know the type, outdoorsy, yet well manicured, with a penchant for an adrenalin filled weekend aback a jet ski or dirt bike, perfect for unleashing some pent up testosterone, and for them at least, the Commodore SS ute is ideal.
Inside the spacious and surprisingly quiet cockpit the vivid blue cloth upholstery neatly compliments the Voodoo metallic paintwork of the exterior, and in doing so, provides a pleasant contrast to the otherwise drab and somewhat ‘base-model’ looking surrounds.
The symmetrical centre console, and its much-maligned flush-fit park brake, still allows enough room for two cup holders and a spacious console bin, while behind the seats there’s more than enough room for the grocery shopping or a couple of backpacks – perfect if you don’t so happen to want your groceries distributed like a dog’s dinner all over the tray.
On the downside, however, the VE’s notoriously thick ‘A’ pillars and small mirrors team up with the ute’s natural ‘B’ pillar blind spot to increase the degree of difficulty of conventional lane changing and reverse parking. Weak FM reception from the six CD tuner is also a nuisance, though at least a 3.5mm auxiliary audio jack takes care of the tunes when you’re not in the mood for static.
Switch gear too feels a little on the cheap side with most of the dials and switches lacking any real tactility – especially those of the heating and ventilation controls. What I do appreciate however is the clarity night illumination from the instrument panel and the option of Saab-esque night mode that allows all the cabin lighting to be blackened except for the speedo, a great eye-saver on long country trips.
Joining the steering-wheel-controlled Blaupunkt audio system, the Commodore SS ute also features power windows and mirrors, cruise control, remote central locking, leather wrapped tilt/reach adjustable steering wheel, air-conditioning, and dusk sensing headlamps as standard kit. It’s not a bad level of equipment all things considered, but for my money, I’d want Bluetooth and climate control thrown in – especially when you consider this ute is near fifty-grand on road.
Powered by a Chevrolet-sourced 6.0-litre V8 engine, the Commodore SS ute develops an adequate 260kW of power and brawny 517Nm of torque (in automatic guise) and is fitted with Holden’s AFM (Active Fuel Management) cylinder-shutdown technology in a redundant attempt to save fuel. The AFM system is seamless in operation, but even through a rather restrained city and highway driving cycle, the Commodore SS Ute still saw the a thirsty 16.2L/100km average.
Getting that power to the road is General Motor’s recalibrated 6L80-E six-speed automatic transmission. I’m not a fan. At best it’s dull; at worst it’s awful. The transmission simply takes too long to react the changes in throttle pressure, especially on kick down, and is indecisive when challenged with a change in incline or through spirited cornering. The option of manual override (+/- function) does exist, but sadly makes little difference — even in manual mode the transmission still calls the shots when challenged.
The sum of the transmission’s woes is that the Commodore SS ute not nearly as capable as it could be if optioned with a manual gearbox, either in terms of acceleration or drivability, for under that heavy body is a well sprung car that responds with a tenacious, sedan-like grip… when the planets are all aligned. The ride isn’t too choppy and there’s no nasty jarring from the rear-end, a common complaint with utes, thanks to the coil spruing trailing arm arrangement (MacPherson struts are found up front). Perversely, for a ute, it’s actually a really comfortable ride.
Steering is sharp, slightly heavy (gotta love that) and reasonably accurate of feel, but as much as the mechanics of the situation are great, the ergonomics are well below par with the large steering wheel feeling plasticky and cumbersome when cracking through twisty country roads.
With a level of safety equal to, or better than, most family sedans, the Commodore SS ute includes such standard safety kit as front and side airbags, three-point inertia reel seatbelts with pyrotechnic pretensioners, ESC with Traction Control plus four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, EBA & EBD for a total ANCAP score of five-stars (2009 build onward), an impressive effort when stacked against other commercial offerings.
The Commodore SS ute is far from perfect, yet there’s still a lot to love – especially if you love that V8 throb – and if head-turning attention gets priority on your shopping list, then you could certainly do a lot worse.
Ratings:
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Road Test the Rivals:
*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer.
Specifications:
- Engine: 5,967cc OHV eight-cylinder (16 valve)
- Power: 260kW @ 5,700rpm
- Torque: 517Nm @ 4,400rpm
- Induction: Multi-point
- Transmission: Six-speed automatic
- Driven Wheels: Rear (with LSD)
- Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
- Top Speed: 260km/h (Claimed)
- 0-100km/h: 6.5 seconds
- CO2 Emissions: 307g/km
- Fuel Consumption: 12.9L/100km (ADR)
- Fuel Consumption: 16.2L/100km (As Tested)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 73L
- Fuel Type: 91-98 RON Unleaded (E10 suitable)
- ANCAP Rating: Five-star
- Airbags: Front & Side
- Safety: ESC with Traction Control
- Spare Wheel: Space Saver (Steel)
- Suspension: Strut (F) / Trailing Arm (R)
- Cargo Capacity: 594kg (Max. legal)
- Tow Capacity: 1,600kg (Braked)
- Turning Circle: 11.7m
- Warranty: Three Year / 100,000 kilometre
- Weight: 1,791kg (Tare)
- Wheels: Alloy 18 x 8.0-inch (Standard)
I personally think the UTE is the best looking car in the Commodore range now. Despite getting on in age it still stacks up.
Would have to agree Callous. The proportions of the ute look just right (particularly with these alloys). I think the Sportswagon would have to come a close second in terms of appearance. Calais and SS versions look so much better than the lesser-specced models as would be expected.
Matt, did you drive the car at all? Bluetooth is a standard feature and is found, wait for it, on the steering wheel!
I realise that the button says that, but for all our trying, that button did little more than mute the audio.
So it had it, but it was just playing up??
Despite looking like a bluetooth button, all it does is mute the audio unless you option it..
Correct, same with the Falcon (and other vehicles) they come from the factory with the buttons that will mute the stereo unless the Bluetooth kit is optioned…
Just because the button is there doesn’t mean the kit is fitted… just ask anyone who ever bought a second hand Daewoo 1.5i or Cielo thinking it had aircond because the button was there..
bluetooth is standard on ss…but you still need to press the phone part of the button,not the mute part,bogans…
and matt,your have still got to “pair” your phone to the car before the bluetooth will work.go back to the dealer,and get him to show you how,mate…
Speaking of Bogans Mr. Jekyl, perhaps your dealer can show you proper punctuation, spelling and capitalisation of words? Bogans indeed.
school bells rang,you betta get back to your students,chalky…
16lt/100km with AFM? Cue all the comments from the Holden lovers on how it was driven with a heavy foot, not run in, wind was blowing in the wrong direction etc below…….
What figures are you expecting? ADR is 12.9 per 100km combined.
My 03 Cr-v does 15 in the city. I wouldn’t be complaining if i had 6 Litre that did 16 in the city.
I’d expect no more than 13 or 14 seeing as its touted as a cutting edge econo machine – which quite obviously its not. I’ve come to expect no less from Holden and their Kevin Rudd-esque spin doctoring.
But Robin, perhaps you are not undertanding how AFM works… see you don’t need to be thrashing the car to get out of the AFM figures, all you need is slight undulations in the road and the AFM will not activate.
AFM will cut cylinders when the vehicle is under a constant light load, if the throttle requirement changes (even slightly) it will switch back to standard motor. This is why AFM is useless around town and on most Australian highways.
Try driving a V6 Accord with it, it is frustrating as t really wants to go into clever mode so quick and ends up bouncing in and out of 3 / 4 or 6 cylinders..
I’m interested to know if your comment is based on actual experience of the Holden with AFM?
I don’t think you can compare the Honda V6 to the Holden V8. The only similarity is that they both have AFM systems, everything else is different; manufacturers, power, torque, weight, etc.
As I,ve mentioned in a post further down, I,m considering a Holden with AFM and am interested in why some people don’t like it.
You are in the wrong place to get an unbiased opinion on this vehicle. I would suggest going to the holden forums where there will be actual owners to help you.
There are people here that will lead you astray.
Yes go an a Holden Forum for an unbiased opinion ! Where they’ve never driven anything else other than Holden’s. I wish this site would moderate BS. Other that that the ute looks great, but that’s about it.
Gazza i can tell you from experience that it is very hard to feel the turnover, and that it is very smooth when in ECO mode. And although it doesnt reduce fuel consumption by 3-4 litres like some expect, if you get it into the right ‘windows’ it will reduce consumption by about a litre on the highway and a bit less in town. See Holden desinged it to operate only in 3,4,5,6 gears.
Thx for the feedback.
From what I can gather from comments and various reviews, AFM does work with no detrimental affects other than the loss of 10kW.(Big deal!)
At worst you would get very little difference in fuel economy but the potential to save a few dollars when you are in the right “window” is definitely there.
The only ones that seem to have a problem with it are people that have had no experience with it and/or are Holden haters.
Robin – for the record I picked up a manual SS ute two weeks ago, and after doing only 500km it’s already averaging 13.6l – and that’s with all the excuses you note in your comment – brand new, giving it a bit and both around town and some highway.
For everyone else – I have driven all manner of European cars and these things are a seriously great piece of kit. If you want an incredibly fast, raw and entertaining drive these things tick all the boxes!
Oh and Bluetooth works on my car, and I didn’t tick any box to option it on, so I’m pretty sure it’s standard (indeed on every single Commodore)
In the states they are remapping Pontiac G8′s so that the AFM has more of a chance of kicking in. They adjust engine load and speed points.
I’m sure they have adjusted it so that in kicks in lower and has a higher top speed cut off. They normally cruse at 75mph+ in the states.
BTW if you put your VE into engineering mode you can see when it goes from V8 to V4 in realtime.
Yeah agreed with Satin, the Bluetooth function is on the steering wheel and is actually visible in one of the interior pics above -.-
(click to show comment)
Thats only a special edition run, not the full time model
Only the SS-v in ute and sedan run the pontiac front.
Yes special “sucker” edition. Finally saw one over Christmas… not a good look IMO
Had to dump all the excess panels and parts left over when the seppos canned Pontiac. Easy fix, make a special edition Commodore.
Overall a pretty good review Matt.
You are right that the manual is a much better drive. I havent tried it with this auto box, but your complaint seems to be inline with every other review.
The manual is actually quite fun to drive, but I also share your complaint of absolutely shocking visibiity.
Oh yeah and whats with the bluetooth???
Also you will find this isnt just the “Boss’ vehicle”, but many fit a tow bar and have a work trailer to lug their gear with these sorts of vehicles.
Tow capacity is only 1600kg, my old Magna was rated at 1500kg. Sure the Ute may ride comfortably on its sedan-based rear end, but it’s not a work ute. If you want to go to work in a ute, then the Falcons 2200kg makes more sense. Even the Jap utes will do over 2000kg. Sorry, but the Commodore ute is for the posers, not the tradies.
Agreed, the SS ute has always been the poor mans Monaro.
That is the purpose Holden intended for it. they wanted to make it sportier while at the same time retaining some of its load lugging ability.
Didn’t the earlier models (autos), have acceleration figures in the mid 5′s….? Or is this due to lower output on the AFM’s? And, I thought they did 14l fuel consumption.
Pretty much all VE V8′s will hit the 100 in under 6 without too much fuss. Not sure where 6.5 is coming from.
I thought the everything but the omega had bluetooth, my mum’s ss sedan has it. my best mate just bought an MY10 Sv6 and it has it, my VZ Lumina has it so im pretty sure your probably just not interfacing with your phone right.
Either way tell your going else where if they don’t throw the bluetooth in and you’ll soon get it.
Or maybe Matt’s phone was not compatible with the bluetooth.
The manual would get into the 5′s, but the AFM auto had been detuned some 10kW and a bit of torque as well. 6′s is now common for AFM-equipped VEs.
Seems to me AFM is more gimick than substance.
Like SIDI?
Regards
Whitbomb07
Direct injection isn’t a gimmick, from a mechanical point of view, its certainly more effecient/powerful.
The mistake holden made was downsizing the motor. Thats what happens when politicans try to make cars.
The alloytec is fundamentaly a good, modern motor; it just needed to be refined.
You’re right regarding the downsizing – reviews of the 3.0 SIDI say it needs more poke, the 3.6 reviews say its about right
Just to let everyone know i have an ssv ute with afm and around town i get 500kms out of 72 litres and on the highway i easily average 800 – 850kms before i fill up and thats sitting on 108kms but the holden computer tells me im getting 12.9l per 100kms but i do my own calculations and know that i average between 7.5 – 8.5L per 100 kms dont believe the computer system
72/12.9=558kms per tank, no?
If you drove it till empty. Better off finding a servo 1st!
That’s the first Commodore trip computer I’ve heard of that’s actually pessimistic .ie. says your economy is worse than in reality.
They are usually very optimistic. For example, a friend kept spruiking to me his economy firgures for his VT and another for his VE. I asked them to write down there litres and kms when they filled. They were both disappointed to learn their real economy was a litre of two worse than they thought.
After 8 fills I’ve found my cars trip comp has been no worse than 0.3L/100kms out according to the bowser.
The numbers you state equate to 8.5 to 9.0L/100kms for highway and 14.4 around town. Sounds about right.
ahh no worries yeah even if i reset it straight after fueling at a servo beside the highway and get straight back on the highway no city driving the trip computer wont read under 11l per 100kms must be something wrong there but i believe the afm is pretty good
Just realised something. Do you reset your average economy after every fill? If you don’t than 50/50 urban/highway would have around 12L/100kms on your trip computer.
yeah mate i do always reset it after and the best i can get it to read even if 100% highway kms is 11L per 100kms so must be something wrong there as u calculate about 8 – 8.5 L
I think we can all agree that AFM is a failure… BUT people are sucked in by holdens marketing and thats all that holden care about.. selling cars.
… not so sure about that crouchy, I reckon I could make it work, given reasonable driving conditions and using the natural torque of the motor, instead of stabbing the accelerator as some people do.
No, I’d say the natural state a 6.0 V8 should be revving it’s guts out, not giving a stuff about extra 0.1 of a litre. C’mon, of course AFM is a dud: it just gives buyers mildy concerned with the environment a reason to buy a V8.
i disagree i buy a v8 to flog around town then do lots of highway k’s and i reckon the afm works a treat i dont care about fuel around town but on the highway i dont want to be stopping for fuel all the time so thats where i need it and i find thats where it works very good
I agree Baddass…that’s why I got a manual – no AFM and no crappy 6 speed!
My friend’s uncle got his AFM deactivated and got the extra 10kw back. Apparently it’s a simple chip tune. SIDI however isn’t a gimmick, ask anyone with the 3.6 Litre.
Gimmick definition:
1. an ingenious or novel device, scheme, or stratagem, esp. one designed to attract attention or increase appeal.
2. a concealed, usually devious aspect or feature of something, as a plan or deal
I don’t think that could define SIDI any better……..
If it is not a gimmick then why do you only tell people to ask the 3.6lt owners? If SIDI is the greatest thing since sliced bread (as many make it out to be) then why doesn’t it work with the 3.0?
Regards
Whitbomb07
it does its just that you need to drive it properly. Not like a nutter who thinks they have an SS. My Uncle has a 3.6 and 3.0. While the 3.0 litre doesnt acheive the 9.3 quoted, many cars dont acheive their quoted figures. It gets about 9.9 which is very good for a 1700 kg car with a V6 that can carry five and their luggage. The thing is just drive economically. Dont flatfoot off the lights, brake early, slipstream and keep proper distance.
Shak
I’m all for driving economically, it doesn’t need to be preached to me, but try telling the majority of SIDI owners that they have to drive granny style (by that I mean the stereotype of slow driving, before someone makes a smart remark about racing grannies)
I don’t see it happening, and so therefore you will continue to hear people whinge that they don’t get what is advertised, while the fanboi’s continue to defend it.
However I disagree with 2 of your economy tips:
1st is braking, for my regular drives (and just most drives in general) I know exactly where I need to disengage cruise/take foot of accelerator and coast into corner/red light etc etc (it never ceases to amaze me watching people fly by me then slam on the brakes at the last second entering the corner, and then I go past them through the corner) braking is for when you get caught out/emergency situations/or at worse misjudge your distances.
2nd is slipstreaming, obviously you are someone who thinks that you are getting a benefit out of this, truth is that even at the unsafe distance that I see most sit at behind someone (ie tailgating) will have negligible effect, to get any benefit you would have to almost be kissing the vehicle in front (with maybe the exception of an 18 wheeler, but even then you would still be at an unsafe distance) = highly dangerous and higly illegal.
Regards
Whitbomb07
I guess its just a shame then that the stupid bogans who purchase the majority of these cars, give it such a bad name. while im not a die hard Holden fan i can acknowledge when they make a mistake and AFM is one of them, SIDI is not. All they need now is a diesel in the Caprice and Calais and all will be well.
I guess its just a shame then that the stupid bogans who purchase the majority of these cars, give it such a bad name. while im not a die hard Holden fan i can acknowledge when they make a mistake and AFM is one of them, SIDI is not. All they need now is a diesel in the Caprice and Calais and all will be well. As for the braking i was referring to coasting. trying to use neutral as you approach a junction (auto’s), meaning you put less strain on the brakes and use engine braking. As for my slipstreaming, i get where your coming from ,but i refer to on the highway behind large trucks and cars which are faster than you. Mythbusters have proven that at the unsafe distances you quote you can achieve up to 10% fuel savings.
V6 that can carry five and their luggage. Sure but it isn’t going to get below 10L/100Ks doing that.
I might be opening a tin of worms here!
There are a number of comments here regarding AFM and how bad it is.
One of the vehicles I am seriously considering at the moment is a Holden with the 6.0L AFM motor.
Whether a car has AFM or not won’t change my decision at the end of the day but it seems like a good idea.
Can anyone explain to me what is wrong with AFM? Is it a bad thing or does it just not work in practice.
Basically it goes into V4 mode by shutting down cylinders 1,7 on the left
bank and 4,6 on the right bank. Only available on automatic transmissions
as the “slip” in the torque converter masks the shutdown process.
It doesn’t work above 3,000rpm as its too difficult to switch AFM on and off
this rapidly, doesn’t work in first or second gear. Works from 3rd to sixth
gear and is really only beneficial when coasting along at say 60-80kph
or on the highway.
Thanks for that.
I live in a rural area and do a lot of travel between 70-100kph
AFM doesn’t sound so bad, I don’t understand why a number of people here are rubbishing it.
it also isn’t successful if the rural area you live in has a lot of rolloing hills as the system requires a constant throttle.. hence why it worked so well on the Darwin to Adelaide run but others haven’t had such success with it.
If your rural area is a flat expanse like much of Australia it will work fine. if you do the occassional romp up the Hume Highway it will work fine.
Rural, Flat???
unlikely unless you are referring to the inland dessert
The area right through the western side of the great divided range which also happens to be a major farming region from Bendigo in Victoria right up through central west of NSW through Parkes, Hay and Denilquin and then on to Goondawini, Thargomindah in Southern QLD and though tne on to Winton in Qld’s central west and right up to the southern Gulf of Carpenteria around 3,000 k’s in a straight line (only about 1 million sq kilometres) is farming land and extremely flat.
Get out of your office Andrew instead of making stupid comments and go for a drive. It should take about 3 weeks to drive across it all and it ain’t desert. Most of it was Brigalow Forest prior to braod scale farming and it doesn’t grow on hills.
Have a look at The comparrison CA did between the Falcon and Commodore.
(Under reviews I would think)
The hilarity of it is that fuel consumption was Lineball for both V8′s.
AFM (in terms of function) Works. In terms of real consumption cuts? No.
Just about any V8 will get 6 or 4 Cylinder like consumption figures if doing highway/country driving.
you then have a 3L 4 cylinder dragging a heavy vehicle with a heavy engine.
Just trying to think who uses a 3L 4 cylinder for anything these days………
Nope, nothing in petrol, diesel – yes but turbo charged. No petrol engine 4 cylinders with 3L.
Gotta ask yourself why.
Gazza, they rubbish it because it does not wear a Ford badge.
If you took off the Holden badge and replaced it with a Ford badge they’d never shut up about how good it is.
hi gaz i have an afm ute and find it works a treat i drive about 7000kms a month and really enjoy the fuel savings i get on the highway i can get about 800kms easily on the highway before filling up and thats cruising on 110kph and passing cars with a bootful but i have no doubt at all if you did about 70 – 100 like you do that you could get 850 – 900kms out of a tank i have no doubt ive seen it show in my trip computer done 200kms and got 700 till empty it works a treat
ideally i would think you would wait until coyote is realeased??… light weight and improved consumption over both the boss 290 and afm 6.0l with similar kw and torque figures to boot. however a guaranteed date of release isn’t available yet…. rumoured to be mid this year?
you are then comparing the latest offerings and set your own benchmark?
regard;ess of the advice received from people here the best way to make you mind up would be to drive one….. our dealer allows us to take our cars for weekend and return them full of petrol again…. perhaps use half a tank and see the results/performance for yourself. But as i said i would wait to ensure no disappointment
why is it so heavy? quater of it is cut off. and only 260 kw from a 6 litre, well that was a bit of a let down
I absolutely hate the AFM
As it stands by the mid 6 0-100, i have seen DI 3.6 Commodores clocked at that same time…
I bought an AFM SS ute 4 weeks ago. Most of the driving is 80-100ks, I think the AFM is a wank. It is getting 12.2L per 100ks. I’m very happy with that. I upgraded from a V6 Coomodore wagan that got 12.5L. I don’t drive quite, or to hard, but I have fun. I don’t like the 6 speed auto because it changes gears so quick. Each change is like a flat spot under normal driving, but with a heavy foot it smooths out. I love the car.
Yep..i certainly want one…ssv8…perfect for me. i would just get it without the overpriced hard lid that you can get half price all around the country and the overprice poxy alloys….apart from that, a nice black one red leather would look good in my garage….all i need is money now….
now..where is that cash..hmmm i had it here somewhere… ….hmmmm…
dam i shouldnt of let carl williams in my house…dammit….
:)
You would think by 2010 that Holden could get the basics right. What\’s the point of supporting Australian made if Holden just take advantage of your patriotic desires to ship rubbish?
shame holden, shame
What is up with the seats. They look like sham wows. The upside is if they are sham wows they will be able to absorb all the sweat from the fat commodore bogans bum cracks.
anyone want to buy a august 2009 6L v8 auto ssv ute 15000kms black with 20″ supersport mags slimline hard lid sat nav parking sensors front and rear mud spats tinted windows ss branded mats 9 months qld rego $39000 only reason for sale is need 5 seats PH 0437730945
anyone want to buy a August 2009 6L v8 ssv ute auto in black with dark tinted windows rear parking sensors hard tonneau cover slimline 20″ supersport mags holden sat nav 15000kms on clock invisible car bra ss branded floor mats $39000 need to sell as need five seats only purchased 29th of september 2009 ph 0437730954
It only needs a new interior colour for the roof. If this was in my group, we would have set aside a new colour for the roof lining months ago, and then worked on some of the dash parts with something apart from black. black is fine on dash sections, but the roof black is over kill.
We did a back to back test of AFM Vs No AFM. Same roads same highways, the AFM was .2 better off. We don’t see it as a great system unless you’re on the long highway trip.
It might depend on you in the end.
Im with you. In My SS-V the sections of colour really help the interior, but the roof needs a different colour. Just make it lighter.
I couldn’t buy an SS when there’s a car like the XR6 turbo lurking out there. The SS makes a sweet sound but the ford trumps it in just about every other category.
Wouldn’t you all agree?
Erm, no I don’t Jimmy!
Fair enough! And yes, point taken with the XR6′s leafspring. The SS has one thing over the XR6 at least!
Love the SS ute, no other vehicle puts a bigger smile on my face every time I hop in it, and the smile gets bigger as the right foot goes down and the tacho goes up! My only gripe is that they need to beef it up abit so that the towing capacity can be increased – should be able to pull 2 tonnes and not just with the auto – manual too, I still want to be able to have fun when not towing.
The “Interior, Fuel consumption & Poor Visibility” were expected, so no surprise there. But i must say, 2+ years on, Ute still looks great & heaps better than Falcon Ute. I love the Voodoo Blue & Exterior still looks heaps good. I am seeing alot of these Utes around now & more “SIDI” models, so people are buying into “SIDI” marketing. Interior isn’t that good. I agree with the comments above. change the colour of roof to make it more welcoming. Plastics look crap just by looking at photos but yer, i’d buy one if i had the money. People complain VE doesn’t have latest features like climate control etc… Wait till VF. They’re obviously going to add thinbg etc… Go Holden!
Anyone know anything about VF??? Any details or interior/exterior rumours etc…?
In regards to AFM, my dad owns a V8 Caprice with AFM and on a recent 1600km trip to Brisbane and then driving around Brisbane for a week, we finished with a fuel economy of 11/100km.
This disgusting piece of rubbish is an insult to Oz engineering.
As a utility vehicle it fails miserably. If you want a ute you want something tough, not this show pony. Insurance will cost a fortune. Buy a Hilux or equivalent, at least they have diesel options.
you people probably don’t know, the thing is , a stock factory BF XT series 2, with a 6 speed auto is more fuel economical than FG XT with 5 or 6 speed and both omega 3.0 and 3.6 sidi. Not to mention one fact and that fact is that if you get a chance to get your hands on a very last barra230 with 6 speed, that v8 is a nudge more fuel efficient than its brother i6 4.0, most will agree with me that you can thank its 500nm of torque , drive one and you’ll sere how potent it is from idle rpm towards 4000rpm, and who races their cars on the streets when the speed limit is anywhere between 40 to 110km/h therefore 500nm from as low as 2500rpm peaking towards 3500rpm still holding 480nm at 4000rpm is all you need from a car, and yet you still have 474nm at just 1500rpm and zero latency or lag in engine response when you touch the accelerator pedal, i’ve compared it to a g6e turbo and the 5.4l 3v beats all engine so far all the way up to 6.2l 325kw hsv for throttle response and part throttle, yet it only has 230kw and 500nm , but all focuses in the lower rpm register below 4000 where it counts and where you need it.
There’s one up here getting around. I don’t mind the look. Maybe a little outdated like the rest of the car but no moreso than the falcon. Both need a major overhaul soon.