Holden VE Commodore » Australian Car Advice

Hat Trick for Ford at Bathurst

October 13th, 2008 38 Comments

It was three in a row for Ford and a case of history repeating itself for Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes who come from fifth on the grid to take out this year’s Bathurst 1000.

The result recalled memories of Lowndes’ friend and mentor the late Peter Brock taking triple victories in the ’70s and ’80s, but was said to me even more impressive in this era of tougher more competitive racing.

HSV GTS 40th and Senator SV08 2008 AIMS

October 9th, 2008 31 Comments

HSV has unveiled two new models at the Australian International Motor with the new 40th Anniversary GTS and Senator Signature SV08.

This launch also marks the introduction of the new TR6060 manual gearbox into the range, which will become standard across the HSV model line-up later this month.

Cadillac Sportwagon’s supercharged V8 a possibility

September 16th, 2008 25 Comments

In news that we didn’t really want to hear, Cadillac’s new CTS Sportwagon is said to be considered for a supercharged version of the LSA 6.2-litre V8. That’s around 415kW, and apparently an easy transition from the Caddy CTS-V to the wagon.

Now, it’s not because we didn’t want to know about it. We always want to know about these sort of things. No, it’s that the CarAdvice office is now depressed because the Americans get something we’d very much like over here. Think E63 AMG Avant, or RS6 Avant, and you’ll get the picture.

HSV W427 goes 270km/h

September 15th, 2008 126 Comments

“Crickey, that thing is so wicked, it ought to be illegal,” the first words uttered by an excited Kiwi V8 Supercar driver Greg Murphy after stepping from his first few minutes in Holden Special Vehicles range topping W427 sports sedan.

Let’s be plain from the beginning, ‘Murph’ has spent more than a few minutes going very, very fast in all manner of cars, not just his regular V8 Supercar ride.

- David Twomey

Whatismore, it was palpably plain from the excitement on his face as he burst into The Chalet at GM Holden’s Proving Ground complex at Lang Lang outside Melbourne that he had had more fun than normally is the case, at least sitting down!

I, and my assembled motoring writer colleagues, stopped eating our very excellent GM provided lunch as Greg repeated his statement and then went on to wax lyrical for several more minutes on just how much fun HSV’s “supercar” W427 was – and all he’d done is a few laps of the so-called “ride and handling track” – a simulation of just about every bad piece of Australian road that GM has been able to put together.

Even better was to come later, certainly for yours truly, but let’s roll back a few hours to an early morning start in Clayton at the industrial complex-hidden headquarters of HSV.

While much of the local motoring media had spent a day at a wet and windy Calder Park Raceway near Melbourne with the HSV W427, CarAdvice was invited along to a road drive program from HSV HQ in Clayton that was to culminate at the super-secret Lang Lang Proving Ground with the opportunity to drive the W427 on some of the test tracks, in company with aforementioned Mr Murphy.

How could we refuse? Of course we didn’t!

In the beginning there were the usual presentations from a string of HSV executives who explained that the W427 will be built to a total of 427 individually constructed vehicles over the next two years and the first 90, governed by the availability of the LS7, 7.0-litre V8 monster that goes under the bonnet, will be built and delivered to owners who, apparently, have happily parted with $155,000 for the most expensive Holden Commodore, and the most expensive HSV, ever built.

The W427 was conceived to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of HSV and the 375kW/640Nm Chevrolet Corvette-engined W427 is the car “HSV has always wanted to build” according to engineering manager Joel Stoddart.

He added that it had been the focus for the organisation over the past two years.

Like most of HSV’s powerplants the LS7 engine is shipped direct from the GM Performance Build Centre in North America, but all the external bits, including the dry-sump system, the exhaust and the cold-air induction system were all developed right here in Australia.

The standard Corvette engine computer and the Electronic Stability Control system were also modified after a year of local development work.

HSV’s Managing Director Phil Harding was keen to tell us that the W427 demonstrated that engineering and design ingenuity was alive and well in the Australian car industry.

He’s also keen to have the W427 identified as a ‘supercar’ and while we doubt its credentials as such, preferring the tag to remain with somewhat more bespoke automotive creations, there is no doubting that this is one of the most competent cars ever built by HSV.

HSV’s design team, led by Julian Quincey, are also keen to ensure that the distinctive mark they have left on the W427 doesn’t go un-noticed.

Quincey told us;” the design brief for the W427 was to create a unique face for this HSV, one that would signal the car’s immense capability, authority and power.”
“The W427 is the flagship of the HSV range and we wanted to emphasise the hand-built qualities of this car, “ he said.

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Chevrolet Camaro SS V8 gallery

September 11th, 2008 26 Comments

General Motors has released a new high-res gallery of its flagship Camaro SS V8 model.

With much of its development carried out here in Australia by Holden engineers, naturally then it is powered by an LS3 V8 engine which also features in the local HSV line-up.

2008 HSV ClubSport R8 Tourer specs & pricing

September 2nd, 2008 17 Comments

Holden Special Vehicles has today launched its latest addition to the flagship performance VE range with the new ClubSport R8 Tourer.

Peculiarly however, it seems for the moment this is as far as the touring line-up will progress, with no official mention of a Senator based model as previously speculated.

Chevrolet Camaro US sales brochure leaked

August 20th, 2008 5 Comments

Now that the production Camaro has been officially unveiled, Chevrolet is gearing up to release the Australian-bred icon in the US by the first quarter of 2009.

In true Camaro style however, more information has been leaked onto the web, this time in the form of the official Salesperson Reference Guide.

Holden’s seven millionth vehicle milestone

August 18th, 2008 59 Comments

Holden’s seven millionth vehicle has rolled off the production line today, creating a record manufacturing milestone in Australian automotive history.

Since the first mass production Holden - the 48-215 - drove out of Fishermans Bend in 1948, the iconic marquee has become arguably the country’s most cherished brand.

Commodore Ute to be called Pontiac G8 ST

August 14th, 2008 23 Comments

Speculation over the name of the exported VE Commodore Ute has been put aside today, with the announcement that Detroit has decided to call it the Pontiac G8 ST.

Apparently wading through 18,000 entries in the “Tame the Name” promotion, the simple moniker was chosen over the popular El Camino to reflect the branding that the VE Ute will be marketed under.

LPG Holden Commodore now only $400 more

August 13th, 2008 56 Comments

Holden has given one strong reason for growing Australian families to stick with the Commodore as the family car. The company announced last week that all private customers can now purchase dual fuel LPG-powered Holden Commodores for only $400 more than their petrol equivalents.

Effectively this means Holden has reduced the recommended retail pricing on all its new LPG Commodores by $1500. The total cost includes the Federal Government’s current rebate of $2000.

“Holden has always been committed to providing vehicles that enable Australian families to enjoy spacious, safe and comfortable motoring at a price within their reach. As rising petrol prices continue to put pressure on all motorists, LPG offers an affordable solution that is already widely available. It gives motorists access to large car benefits at small car fuel costs.” GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mark Reuss said.

The three sedan models available include the Commodore Omega, Berlina and 60th Anniversary. All three have their LPG system price reduced from $3900 to $2400.

Meanwhile there is an equivalent price drop from $4900 to $3400 for VE Omega ute (auto only). Potential buyers in Western Australia also benefit from the States additional $1,000 subsidy.

Holden quotes fuel economy figures of around 15.5 litres per 100km for the Dual-fuel Omega and Berlina sedan and 15.7 litres for Omega ute.

Seems like a lot? Consider that LPG costs around $0.63 a litre and unleaded petrol comes in at around $1.45. Holden claims a typical motorist covering 20,000kms annually would recoup the initial $400 outlay on an LPG Commodore sedan in just four months, and the $1400 on a LPG Ute in less than a year.

Not much power is lost with LPG models either, with the LPG powered sedans producing 175 kW @ 6000 rpm (petrol 180 kW @ 6000 rpm) while torque comes in at a healthy 325 Nm @ 2600 rpm (petrol 330 Nm @ 2600 rpm).

Using two separate tanks, the dual fuel option on the sedan includes the 73 litre cylindrical LPG tank (located under the parcel shelf in the boot) whilst the ute receives a slightly larger 74 litre cylindrical tank. The regular 73 litre petrol tank still remains on both variants allowing a significantly increased “distance to empty” per cycle.

Buyers are also assured the LPG kits fitted to the cars by Holden are covered by the company’s three-year/100,000km new vehicle warranty, having undergone extensive safety and crash tests.

There is no significant difference in specification between the petrol and LPG models either. The main difference is the minor increase in service costs, with an LPG vapour filter needing replacement every 15,000 kms, and a liquid filter every 120,000 kms.

	Omega LPG	Omega Ute
	auto	auto
		From Sept 1
Petrol RRP - post Aug 1	36,790	28,990
LPG option - post Aug 1	2,400	3,400
Less Federal Gov’t Rebate (private buyers)	2,000	2,000
LPG option less rebates	400	1,400
Cost to private buyers after rebate	$37,190 plus on road costs	$30,390 plus on road costs

Western Australia only:
WA Govt Rebates (private buyers)	1,000	1,000
Cost to WA private buyers after rebates	$36,190 plus on road costs	$29,390 plus on road costs

Would you consider the LPG Commodore as your next family car?

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2008 Holden Sportwagon Review

August 13th, 2008 47 Comments

2008 Holden Calais Sportwagon Review & Road Test

Has Holden re-invented the wagon as we know it?

Model Tested:

2008 Holden VE Calais Sportwagon 3.6-litre V6, automatic - $46,790 (RRP)

Options:

Leather Trim with Eight Way Adjustment, Memory & Heated Mirrors $3000 (Fitted); Cargo Barrier $560; Sport Suspension & LSD $720; Full Size Alloy Spare Wheel $250; DVD System $1290; Full Colour Satellite Navigation $1990; Turn By Turn Satellite Navigation $1290; Metallic Paint $400 (Fitted)

Exterior Presentation, Easy Load Area Access, Capable Handling
Rearward Visibility, Coarse Engine & Auto, Diminished Cargo Space

CarAdvice Rating:

- by Matt Brogan

Holden seems to be bursting with pride over the release of its VE wagon, it’s almost as if it has reinvented the wheel. But is the new Sportwagon really a revolutionary step forward or just a Commodore with a nice behind?

Better yet, let’s put it this way. Imagine you’re at one of those speed dating nights, and after the passing parade is done you’re down to the final two. Contestant number one is drop dead gorgeous, everything is in the right place and the proportions measure up just fine - simply stunning, but that vacant stare and cute giggle simply won’t see it past the morning. Contestant number two on the other hand has it all together, a great job, double degree, is confident, smart and makes you feel good about yourself but is a little plain when all is said and done. So, who’s it going to be?

The VE already has a tough stance, with masculine lines and an imposing wide track under those large flared guards it was what buyers wanted from Holden’s hero car, and pleasingly the wagon doesn’t detract from these values at all. It’s a handsome car from every angle and with the added practicality and versatility of an open end rear it’s sure to prove a winner among family buyers wanting car-like feel without SUV bulk.

Calais Sportwagon in Red Passion metallic.

The new tailgate design, which is hinged further forward on the roof line, allows easy access in tighter car parks and with higher entry clearance means no more bumps on the head come grocery day. The luggage space, despite being somewhat smaller than we’ve come to expect from Commodore is at 895 litres (to window height - seats up) still quite sufficient, and usable thanks to the completely flat floor. Sadly though it is 359 litres lesser than that of its nearest competitor and even with the 60:40 split fold seats down still doesn’t measure up to that of Ford’s BF III Falcon.

Our road test vehicle, the V6 Calais, sits toward the top of the Sportwagon model line up and is suitably speced for a vehicle of its price tag. Offering 17-inch alloy wheels, dusk sensing projector beam headlights, multi-function trip computer, front fog lamps, and rear parking sensors it’s certainly a looker, and is far better kitted than the base-model only Falcon equivalent.

Cabin space is benign in appearance with an alloy look centre console and dashboard being appealling to the eye as well as neatly contrasting the black plastic and leather throughout. It’s quite simple in layout and offers an appropriate feature list and generous seating proportions for your outlay, especially in the rear leg room department where many modern cars tend to be lacking.

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