HSV E2 GTS Review & Road Test

Pros: Performance; exhaust note; strong braking; neutral handling

Cons: Cabin rattles; quality of some interior plastics; steering ratio

By Matt Brogan | March 05th, 2010

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Price: $44,910 to $68,760

Our Rating:

Performance, Ride & Handling	4
Comfort and Interior	4
Quality & Design	3.5
Value & Features	3.5
Safety	4
Green	2

With more front than Elle and bigger balls than Rundle Mall, this is how Australia does Grand Touring.

Model Tested:

2010 HSV E2 GTS; 6.2-litre, eight-cylinder, petrol; six-speed manual; four-door sedan – $80,990*

Options:

Six-Piston Brakes $3,790

CarAdvice Rating:

Australia has quite the tradition of making a damn quick four-door sedan, in fact 40 years ago we famously produced the fastest four-door on the planet, and while our efforts may have grown more powerful since, with ever-growing output figures year after year, the excitement and the underlying appeal of such top-end offerings seemed to fall flat compared to the brutal power and garish styling offered in heady days of the early 1970s. Until now.

HSV’s new bold as brass GTS screams ‘fast’ – if that’s OK with you, and proves that when it comes to making a statement – or indeed to making some serious V8 mumbo – the lucky country hasn’t lost its Midas touch.

Like it or hate it, the angular, edgy looks of the new HSV GTS are as in your face as it gets, and while the standout appearance is truly better in the metal, even hardened HSV loyalists might find certain elements of the GTS’s new fangled styling a little over the top, as they don’t quite suit the familiar, more subdued VE contours.

But subtle simply wasn’t in the design brief, and that’s not altogether a bad thing, I mean who buys a GTS to blend in with the mob? If you ask me the ostentatious approach is a far better representation of the car’s true personality, and with its pumped muscular stance none-too subtly hinting at the enhanced performance credentials beneath, this bold approach is an apt way of showing the GTS rightfully retains its title as king of the Aussie muscle brigade.

Under that large, nostril-fronted bonnet lies the augmented 325kW heart of the new GTS – a ballsy 6.2-litre V8 engine with enough torque to ensure those huge 275/30 R 20 rear tyres will break traction wet or dry to deliver straight-line performance that would put the odd BMW M car to shame.

A ground pounding 550Nm of torque is sent to the rear wheels in shock-wave of grunt via a sweet, short-shifting six-speed manual gearbox with an involving mechanical feel to deliver 0-100km/h times HSV claims at 4.9 seconds. The best we could do after three runs was 5.3 seconds, according to VBOX.

Engaging launch control is the ctrl-alt-delete sequence from hell. But the result’s a jaw-dropper. With the car’s Traction Control set to ‘Competitive Mode’ it’s a simple case of selecting first gear, building the revs to a touch over 4000rpm (you’ll hear them hold at this point, any more and you’ve missed a step) and sidestep that meaty W427-sourced clutch, a move that takes immense faith because of the potential for mechanical destruction with that much shock loading underfoot, as you mash the throttle to the firewall. A flat change in to second gear will see the big V8′s revs climb quickly to redline for the second time in what feels like as many seconds and sure enough, 100km/h comes up as quick as silver.

It’s quick, bloody quick, and even if we couldn’t match HSV’s times, that isn’t a reflection on the car. Besides, there aren’t too many places you can try this on without being labeled a hoon.

Riding on a strut front / multi-link rear arrangement specifically tuned for those huge 20-inch rims, the GTS also includes HSV’s dual-mode (Normal and Track) Magnetic Ride Control system to instantly firm the dampers at the push of a button. The car handles like something half as heavy; a composed cruiser with oversteer on demand at the dab of the throttle.

The bus-like leather-clad steering wheel feels quite comfortable in hand with more than enough communication to keep you in the loop, though the ratio is a touch long for the car’s ability and intent.

Braking is strong enough to stop a Hercules with HSV’s optional six-pot yellow calipers well and truly worth the $3790 asking price. The pedal feel is firm, but suitably progressive and with late threshold ABS as standard, the GTS could comfortably tackle a track day without raising a sweat.

Completing the package, the GTS is also fitted as standard with HSV’s active bi-modal exhaust (a $2290 option on other HSV models), that according to HSV “manages back pressure and noise quality” for a real V8 bark over 4000rpm. The crackle on gear change is absolutely intoxicating on cold mornings, and once hot, makes a blissful deep burble and pop on overrun that is music to the ears of any bent-eight purist.

Although hardly a concern at this end of the performance scale, the GTS returned a combined fuel consumption figure of 15.7L/100km during our test, only half a litre more than the ADR result.

Inside, the GTS’s cockpit remains unchanged from its predecessor, but still does the job with minimum bother. The layout is rather straightforward and all of the features are easy to operate, but on the downside, some of the interior fit and finish is well below that of Japanese cars costing a third the price, and the car we tested boasted several niggling interior rattles that would disappoint if you had just forked over $80k for them.

The seating is generous in size, almost too generous, and while the larger framed person will no doubt feel comfortable, smaller adults and children may find the seats lack lateral support. Disappointingly for the price tag, the front seats are only of mechanical/electrical adjustment instead of being fully electric. The seats are adjustable in all the usual directions while the steering also offers both tilt and reach adjustment.

Standard equipment includes a six-CD tuner with steering wheel-mounted audio controls and a 3.5mm auxiliary input jack, cruise control, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, binnacle gauges, power windows and mirrors plus remote central locking. Satellite navigation, an electric tilt and slide sunroof, full-size matching alloy spare wheel and overhead rear DVD played are optional.

With all that performance on tap, HSV has still made certain the GTS is as safe as any offering in the current VE range. Standard safety equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, ESC with Traction Control and ABS brakes. Head restraints and three-point inertia reel seatbelts are offered in all five seating positions while the front seat occupants get pyrotechnic pretenioners on their belts. The E2 GTS achieves a maximum possible five-star ANCAP safety rating.

At a touch over 80 grand, the new GTS is a cheap way to get yourself in to the performance arena of the six-figure European big boys, which you have to admit, makes the E2 GTS a Bathurst-flavoured bargain.

*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer and does not include dealer delivery, on-road and statutory charges.

Ratings:

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Reader reviews of the HSV GTS

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The competition

FORD FPV

Rating:

Tubby

Yeh, very true 80K, for a very decent muscle car.
NickBoghaan

Out doing the doof doof brigade, this captain plastic fantastic is as busy as you can get in the front and rear styling. Losing the plot on the otherwise handsome and elegant outline of the VE.

15.7 combined is very impressive? this statement has taken me back to the late 80s. Sure, fuel economy isn’t a conversation with this sort of cars but please don’t sugar coat it where there’s no merit to be had unless you’re writing a HSV sales brochure.

Sure the performance is a big sell here but this constant comparing such cars to the “European big boys” is getting tiring considering the different target buyer demographic… even before we get to talking about quality and refinement. This so called 80G bargain in the same sentence with rattle… hard plastic of a tarted up family car is a bit rich. There’s a market for it but it’s lost on me.
Crossy

I agree with the tester that HSV’s should stand out from the crowd but I reckon their design team are trying too hard with this car. There’s too many add ons that just don’t seem to blend in.
Disregarding all the other choices in the market, if I had around 80K to spend and it had to be a HSV, I’d probably look at a Senator rather than this.
GGG

Its a HSV ricer now….new Senator is my pick…much less busy.
David

Just too much money for a Commodore, especially one that’s been repeatedly beaten with the ugly stick.
Classic

Ok, I don’t want to just bag HSV, but please come on. This car is hideously ugly – what on Earth were the design team thinking? I don’t know if it’s just the colour, but God it looks awful.
greenroom

what a revolting looking car. couldn’t care what it goes like, it looks like a plastic cheap toy car from a tacky show bag. car advice makes reference to the world’s fastest car made from 40 years ago… the xy ho… how much better did that look compared to this rice cracker! we’ve gone backwards with this hsv attempt.
Joker

Why are reviewers saying it looks a “bit” edgy but “ok”?…
It’s overdone to the Nth degree! Stuff being cautious with your words guys, it look’s bad. BAD.
Really…no bias. I can appreciate HSV’s previous model, it’s aggressive and scream’s street cred. This one has to beg for it.
The Menz

HSV build such a damn good product these days. Especially for the money, but the look of their products is just trapped in body kit heaven.

I can’t say I have ever been a fan of HSV’s look. But I thought they were growing up with the E1 series it just seemed aggressive yet subtle. But after seeing the E2 it seems clear to me that Holden should take back design duties over there.
Hung Low

This gold is a revolting colour as is the dark bottle green they come out in.
The older model looks so much cleaner and better.
smoov

You can stand out in the crowd like an elite athlete, or you can stand out in the crowd like a circus clown, sadly the e2 gts is the latter.
Freddy

I would be ashamed to drive this car, is HSV trying to lure 10 year olds to the market, the rims look abit hippie-ish too. A meat pies look good natuarally you dont need no fancy dressing, a few tweeks here and that would have been enough, a BIG step back i think in terms of exterior, interior looks neat!
wes

Those are the ugliest rims I have ever seen!
And too much racer try hard with the front and back end. Seen 1 the other day in white,looks a lot better than the other colors, and in black tones down the styling and not everything stands out so much.
HSV going backwards, will have to wait and see what FPV come up with on the updated model very soon!
motogp fan

they don’t look too bad in photos but in real life.

they just look stupid. pontiac front looks worse.
MB

$ for performance the HSV beats Ze Germans hands down. But I prefer my sedan to be suttle and without cladding. The M5, E63, RS etc are understated and classy the HSV is 80′s boy racer. Tone down the body kit (especially the rear, and unaligned LED) and perhaps the people that purchase suttle German sedans will purchase a HSV

ABMPSV

You comparing HSV with Mercedes or BMW. You should compare HSV with AC Schnitzer, Alpina (BMW) or Brabus (Mercedes) Hamann…etc this companies are for aftermarket in Germany. You compared factory German muscle cars. Anyway HSV wont beat any German cars. Why? Just put on racing circuit at let the show start. Just one example. Top Gear circuit BMW M3 is 1 sec faster than VXR8 Bathurst.

mat

Ahh, actually I would suggest MB is actually more correct then you are. HSV is not an aftermarket tuning house like Brabus etc. It is akin to M, AMG, and Quattro arms of the German manufacturers… Walkinshaw etc is more like Brabus.

But I agree to compare a M5, RS6, E63 to a HSV is a stretch…playing to a different market on price alone!

Jackson McFly

yes great performance, but the styling is horrible. HSV have butchered an otherwise attractive car. I dont understand the trend for shitty cheap plastic body kits.? IMHO the grange is the best looking car in the HSV stable and interstingly its the one that they left alone. I dont know what\’s going on at holden but the decision makers for the daewoo lineup and the HSV styling should be shot.

Wake up holden, the koreans are here, and your poor decisions are helping them.
Watto

How does CA get 4.98s 0-100km/h in a G6ET and only 5.3s in a GTS?
G6ET has average rubber and no LSD.

As most have said, if I was forced to have an HSV E2, it’d be the Senator.

Radbloke

Gee, who knows? Maybe…. the G6ET is quicker?
Philthy

The big fat meaty torque curve from the turbo makes all the difference.

Al Juraj

… which is why you should buy the G6ET instead.

Kiwi 1

The FG Ford Turbo range of vehicles are cheaper, Quicker and much higher tech than this UGLY car.
HSV must have employed some Korean kids to do some of their car design!!
When GM find the R&D dollars to develop a replacement engine without pushrods they may start getting somewhere, and keep up with the rest of the world.
GM and Chrysler are the only car companies I can think of that still rely on ‘old’ pushrod monster engines. Need more grunt, just make it bigger, don’t bother with any technology, no one will know!!! Yeah Right!!!
What else do GM and Chrysler have in common, that’s right they are both almost bankrupt. That’s why there are no R&D dollars.

Jimmy

God that’s hideous. This car just galvanises my disdain of the HSV brand. If I had $80k to spend on a car, it certainly wouldn’t be this epileptic fit inducing circus freak. You can buy a low mileage BMW 335i or Porsche Boxster with that sort of money.

The Realist

Exactly – look at all the second hand BMW 335i’s on the market now, which are almost on par in performance, but kill the Holden in every other facet.

This car is a monstrosity, absolutely hideous.

Andrew M

There are also 2nd hand HSV’s too you know.

I doubt I would ever buy a HSV, but at least I can be reasonable and respect what they are.

All you do is walk around slagging on new Aussie made cars, with your nose stuck in the air and buying 2nd hand cars with seats that people have already farted in.
Well good for you

The Realist

So what you’re saying is that if you had $80K to spend you would buy this Big Mac mobile over an E92 BMW 335i.

Andrew M

No I wouldnt buy either for 80K

80K is too much for HSV, and 80K is too much for someone elses 2nds.
If you are that high and mighty, buy it new and dont be a stinge

Why?

Anyone notice that in one of the pictures it showed the GTS had a range of 300kms left and the tank was almost full. Ridiculous fuel consumption in my opinion.

deco

Performance testing….. WHen you rev an engine hard, it uses more fuel.

14l/100km is decent for a V8 in a heavy car.

http://www.betweentwopoints.com Andy

I think the purpose of this car’s styling is so that people would think that the previous GTS was “subdued”.

I remember Top Gear saying the previous VXR was vulgar. Their heads are going to pop when they see this.

I’d love to give this a drive, but I’d wear dark sunglasses and a hood so friends don’t recognise me behind the wheel.
ABMPSV

HSV and FPV still can not get it! You make muscle car not by increasing engine size every few year and fuel consumption is out of reach but use TECHNOLOGY!!! Smaller engine, more power less fuel. Try it if you can.

Hung Low

Last time I looked the Germans are doing the same! C63, M5, M3, all up in displacement!

ABMPSV

That must long time ago. AMG went from 6.3 to 5.5 liter. Check it!

deco

And added two turbos. That is the only reason they went down in displacement.

ABMPSV

Yes you right. WHy HSV can not do it. More power, more torque at lower rpm and lower fuel economy. Use technology.

Shak

Ah no they didnt, all AMG’s still use the same capacity engines a HSV. And cmon a big burly V8 makes a much nicer sound than some ricer with eight turbos that go whoosh everytime you change gears.

ABMPSV

Looks like you can get it. You can have V8 but HSV started from 4.2 and now is up to 6.2 liter. What next 8.0 liter?? Why not go 4 liter V8 turbo or supercharged. You do not need big V8 to sound good you can have a small V8 too. F1 engines sound good and it is only 2.4 liter engines!
Shak

Each to his own is suppose, but i hope HSV do keep some sort of V8 offering in the future.

jp

that would be the coyote 5 lite v8 in the case of fpv…… down from 5.4 litres

deco

With a supercharger added.

People have to read everything, not just see something interesting and stop..

Tom22

The last time a HSV was this ugly was in the VY series. I’m not actually sure who you would pick out of a VY HSV and a VE2 in a beauty contest, it really is Oprah Winfrey vs Rosie Odonald.
AussieCars

On the road this and the Clubby catch your eye then they blind you. Last model was a good looking car… this thing just looks ridiculous.
The GTS seems like one of those cars that if you really wanted one, black would be your only choice to hide some of the ugly
I hate the front and I hate the rear bumper.

In my opinion the GXP and Senator are the only good lookers in the E2 range. Clubsport and the GTS just looks ridiculous….. Way too overdone HSV

New interior is a nice improvement. Esp the instrument panel.
And those wheels would look nice on a better looking car but I like the Senators wheels better.
Shak

I think the thing that really puts people off about the car is the front blackout bit and the scoops. If HSV cold try and either remove them or restyle them ,they would bring in many more buyers. other than that if i had 80 large to spend it would be on the Senator with the shiny tech bits from this(bi modal, and W427 brakes.) While i my not have the extra power a small ECU flash should sort that out.
justin

I think those rims just lept off the screen and scratched my eyeballs !

The most unfortunate dog-puke color.
The most tacky accents .. Black? Chrome? White? Smoked? You can have it all!

but those rims take the cake. Like they got 80% of the way to Ugly and just decided, hell, why not go for the full monty.
darren

I could live with the front (actually looks pretty good in the flesh in white) but the rear is god awful, and those rims….yuk
Splatcat

What an ugly car. A $80,000 6.2 Litre V8 gets smoked by the 4.0 Litre $45,000 XR6 Turbo. This just confirms what truly exceptional value the XR6 Turbo is. H

ABMPSV

I better spend my money on 2010 Mercedes-Benz E 220 CDI five speed automatic; four door sedan – $80,900. Same price much better car.

Hung Low

That is the Taxi spec model!
Define much better car? Yes in quality and materials but no where near the HSV in Performance, handling and grin value. Why are you trying to compare the two anyway?

Andrew M

Why compare new and used prices???

there would surely be some 2nd hand HSV bargains out there, your argument just became a stale mate
Hung Low

So you see it fit to compare a diesel Merc luxury car to a performance v8 sports sedan? HSV has mentioned its cars as cheaper alternatives to the the AMG’s etc…………yes far fetched indeed as the German cars are much better, but you will get almost 90% of the performance and handling with an Australian built HSV or FPV for 1/2 the price. Remember these are sold as performance sedans not plush luxury cars………. Add in running and maintenance cost, these are good alternatives that even average joe can own and keep running, carry the whole family in comfort, tow a boat etc. You haters need a reality check, for the money they are a very good alternative, not everyones cup of tea but neither is a clattery E class diesel!
My money would be on a F6 with a ecu reflash..you will not find more grunt for under $170k~~!!
Hung Low

Except the GTR of course! From the Euro camp anyway!

Bent 8 Brigade

hilarious…all you euro-cringing whiners should wake up and realise that HSV (like Holden) understands and caters to their target market very well indeed.
Like a buyer of a HSV GTS or an FPV for that matter would cross-shop with a Mercedes E220 or a 2nd hand BMW
ROFL

Fenno

I think we’re all blinded (literally) by the styling, but we need to remember that for 80k you get a heck of a lot of car which no matter how ugly, will make you smile every time you drive it.

ABMPSV

It will make me cry!! I do not want a lot of car. Big does not mean is good!!
Hung Low

Or you could get a 2003 S- class! You would still fly first class but your car is almost as old as a DC-10……you are far from a Realist!

The Realist

2003 S-Class is better than any product from our 100% American Owned GMH or Ford Oz.

Hung Low

Question, is it good enough for you to fork out your own $80k on a 7y.o S-Class with over 150000km and depreciating quicker than when the Titanic went down?

Mk

Al least your kids will want to walk to school.

rocket_v6

thanx Mk that comment made my day

Buck

This is without doubt the ugliest HSV ever. Clearly HSV have saved money on the design of this model by asking the local school to run a design competition with their 12 year old students.

It just beggars belief how they could make a car so ugly and another thing, HSV not getting anywhere near their claimed performance times , gee that’s something new isn’t it LOL.

A G6ET at 4.98 seconds or an F6 even faster, both rated at around 12 litres per 100 km’s are a far better bet in more ways than one.
Reality Check

Matt, here’s why you couldn’t get the HSV’s performance times down to what they say can be achieved.

Firstly, you are not a 45kg Jockey weight race car driver.
This particular engine was not specially blueprinted and run in for you.
You didn’t take the spare wheel and jack out.
It may have had more than 5 litres of fuel in the tank.
You may not have been running race fuel in it.
It may have been hotter than the ideal day HSV use which is about 5 degrees.
And finally you didn’t have the benifet of a 60 knot tail-wind and a 20 degree down-hill slope LOL.

When HSV get real with their performance claims people will stop the ridicule, simple as that.

Tom22

To be honest, 5.3 is hardly that far off 4.9. The temperature could be 0.2 of a second… i have no problem with them claiming that time.

But heres the crusher of this situation, remember back to Motor performance car of hte year 2006, what did the winning manual VE SS run? Oh thats right, 5.3. Ouch.

Reality Check

Tom22,

The point of my post was a tongue in cheek way of saying the obvious, that no independent testing over the years by anyone in any conditions ever experienced has ever been able to replicate HSV’s claim’s…that’s over all the years HSV has made cars…they’re B.S. its as simple as that.

Meanwhile a relativly humble 270KW G6ET gets 4.98 seconds, that’s the real OUCH !!

Hung Low

Was the G6E T time a one off? I would expect a quicker time with the XR6T as it has a LSD unlike the G6E……..press cars are always dodgy, a simple software reflash and a few extra psi dialled in will make a turbo car much quicker. I think Holden has done the same dodgy in the past by the way with different spec press cars!

Rick Shaw

Didn’t car advice run under 5sec with another fg falcon? a ute i think so i hardly think it was a fluke

Andy

3 x flat changing into second to achieve a 5.3 0-100? poor car. say goodbye to your drivetrain + greabox.

on a hard, normal launch expect an even slower 0-100 than this.

Shak

The thing is other publications have made a 5.0 flat, and were able to repeat it. It does depend a lot on the type of driver. And other variables, such as weather, weight fuel load, temp. Dont bag a manufacturer. If they claim something they cant just make it up, thats illegal. And if you doubt them, then sue for false advertising.

Andrew M

Matt,
You say the brake upgrade is definately worth the extra coin, did you compare both systems on the day??
How do you know the stock system isnt good enough??

deco

Because the 6 pots are really that good.

From accounts I’ve heard around the place, they stop like nothing else.

Andrew M

What I want to hear Deco is how good the stocks are.

Its a little inconclusive to declare a 4K upgrade worth it unless feedback is given as to whether or not the stocks are adequate.

I mean are they worth it to even stop safely on the road, or worth it come track time…..

deco

They look cool .

Jack

I wonder if anyone on here commenting has actually seen one in the flesh?

Knobs hating the rims, i wonder if they’ve seen the rims on the Maserati Granturismo? No diference besides the colour.

There’s a reason why these cars are styled like this…THEY GET SEEN!

Go drive one.

Golfschwein

I’ve seen one, Jack. It’s not pretty, but neither was a Datsun 120Y, and people bought them, too.

deco

I like them. It’s subjective.
Jack

These cars are designed to catch the attention of by-passers, and so they do.

You can see a difference between the Commodore and an HSV, something customers want when they’re buying a top of the line car. Look at an FPV and an XR. The FPV gains a silly spoiler, racoon eyes but still keeps the dreaded Falcon rear.

As i mentioned before, they get seen, no matter where you are. And from a distance you can easily mistake it for something euro thanks to those LED’s. I might trade in the Calais for one of these

Hayzel

Mistaken for something EURO HAHAHAHA nice one…oh sorry you were serious!? The thing is the whole “body kit” ensure that the car will not be mistaken as anything else other than an HSV, which in this case looks like some hoon pimped car.

JooberGTI

Sooner or later you probably see the LS7 become standard.
They’ll just follow the footsteps of the Vette…

Ive seen a black one and yes… as somebody stated it kind of hides the ugliness of the car had yellow badges and yellow calipers.
Nov

Very, very ugly car
ABMPSV

It is easy to decide if this car or FPV is good. They should enter in 24H Nurburgring race. I would like to see that or for them is better just race at Bathurst and ban every other car so they can claim “We are the best”
Save it for the track

Ah, yes be seen in an HSV, as it gets dusted at the lights by a more subtle and comfortable and afordable and more fuel efficent xr6t, g6et, or FPV F6. Not to mention the more useful and meaningful acceleration superiority of the Fords in the 80-120km/h overtaking range. And the interior looks just like any other Crumidore, just covered in leather. It’s an Omega wrapped in leather and a bodykit, with a dinosaur V8 under the bonnet. If the v8′s used were so ‘up to date’ why can’t they achieve at least the longtime old benchmark of 100NM per litre (for normally aspirated engines), which at least now the v6′s with SIDI are getting close to, and the base Falcon with the granpa’s axe 6 cylinder has been close to that benchmark torque figure for quite a while. HSV = overhyped & overrated.
BK

took Holden 35yrs to catch up to the XYGTHO. Cant wait for the new ford 5 litre.Its gonna be another long wait for HSV to catch up. Cant wait for the new VD commodore
http://www.checkwebhosting.com tim

This revised look is absolutely horrible. Bring back the old one!!
daniel

Soooooo it is .3 seconds faster than an Volkswagen R36 not to mention the R36 will get to 100 in 5.6 seconds rain hail or shine using significantly less petrol, it’s not as well equipped, nowhere near as well made and is $15,000 more expensive……

Tom22

Because 0-100 times mean anything… All that shows is that their AWD systems can cook up

60-120 should also be a standardised tests, its as important if not more important than 0-100, i guarantee, the any LS3 Holden would destroy them.

Hayzel

No Tom22, you are wrong. 0-100 time shows the balance between weight, torque and power as well as traction, gearbox and power delivery. 60-120 time shows only how much power you have and so it shouldn’t be used for anything other than a drag race between 2 kids to resolve dispute in “my engine is bigger than yours” scenario.

Andrew M

I would have thought 0-100 times were the numbers of drag racing peoples concern.

When can you legally ever scream from 0-100???
60-100 or whatever can be usefull for an overtaking insight

Tom22

Hayzel, 0-100 shows off the line grip, which doesn’t necessarily equate to a balanced chassis or handling grip.

It just annoys me that AWD cars can often muster up impressive 0-100 times, when in reality it is a measurement that is intended to show a cars power. People quote it as a power figure, yet really, its just about grip.

To acheive the time most Subaru Impreza’s get would require devastating launches which is bad for the car, and would most certainly require a new gearbox.

Maybe rolling acceleration isnt the best alternative, is it time for a 0-150kmh test to become the standard? To take into account launching ability and actually give the car a few seconds to stretch its legs?

Matt

I’ll keep my FG XR6T thanks… I haven’t driven a GTS but mine looks better, goes faster, uses less fuel, costs less, uses better technology than ‘lets get a BIGGER engine’, etc

“returned a very impressive combined figure of 15.7L/100km this week, only half-a-litre more than the ADR result!” Put that one down in the diary – a Holden actually get somewhere near its claimed fuel consumption figures lol

daniel

aghh yeah but look at how high the damn thing was….. it would have wanted to have been spot on if you ask me!!! I cant remember seeing a ADR that high for a car in a long time!!!!
Jack

The HSV uses a similair amount from an engine that makes more power and is bigger. Looks like you’re not the big winner here.

Mitchell Oke

While I agree those are more desirable cars than the E2 GTS, worth considering the rather wide gap in servicing and maintenance costs. While they may cost the same to buy (new aussie vs. second hand euro of course), they are very unlikely to cost the same to keep.

Personally I hate the styling of the new E2 models, the HSV range looked pretty good in its original VE guise, now though the styling is just too fussy with all the gills, vents and the look-at-me DRL. Sure they will get noticed, but do you really want to get noticed like this?
Hayzel

It’s hard to find a review in this website where the reviewer is not so conservative and a tad biased. Come on Car Advice, inject a little personality in your reviews and be able to criticize. I bet that would make the website much more popular because as of now it feels like your reviews were written with car manufacturers looking over your shoulders.

Andrew M

Didnt like the review???
I thought CA made many references to its flaws. Rattles and squeaks were well and truely pointed out, but at the same time the reviewer was able to appreciate the performance of the car.
Just because they didnt write it off totally like you would have preferred, doesnt mean it is biased
Shak

So if a reviewer likes a car they are biased, but if they dont point put its flaws they are also biased, but if they do point out its flaws then they criticize too much. If a person doesnt like a car thats their opinion, you dont have to blindly follow them.

Al Juraj

For 80K, there are better cars out there. A used E36 M3 looks better, is way better built, not as quick but eats this fatso in the corners. If the buyer simply can’t be talked out of a GM muscle car, it’s best to wait for the RHD Camaro SS, which is projected to be priced this much if Chevy turns the light green. You get a handsome car with pretty much the same V8 growl, indeed an instant classic. If you want to buy Aussie, an F6 beats this in just about every way.
http://www.neoespresso.com neoespresso

I would consider buying either the HSV GTS or a FPV F6 if the stories of their massive depreciation weren’t so wide spread. If I wanted a car that shouted look at me the HSV is the one.
Jack

If you follow the car industry, you’d know that Commodore did not fail overseas. It was the economic downturn. America is spewing they still cant have it.