Here is the one and only blog for our beloved Holdens and HSVs. If it makes a good noise, goes really fast, and has a lion on the badge then here is the place to read up on it.
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The first ute to be sold in Australia with a 5 star safety rating is the VE Holden Ute. This means that the whole VE Commodore range boasts the 5 star crash safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program.
At this stage the Ford Falcon ute only has a 4 star rating.
By: Matt | Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 10:49 AM | |
HDT in Queensland have announced a mean looking VE SS Based Group A limited to 250 builds. It resembles the SS Group A VK Commodore from back in the 80s.
As for power this Commodore uses the 270kW V8 standard on the SS and manages to get a sweet 350kW out of it. According to HDT, if you say the word (and pay the price) they'll happily bump that up to 500kW for you!
To get the 350kW they have installed a camshaft with a few tweaks, performance ECU reprogram, custom exhaust system, and a cool air intake system among other mods.
Body changes are very similar to the original VK SS Group A. The front bonnet recieves a bump, the grill is made to look very similar to the VK, air slots in the front bumper, Formula Blue paintjob, wheels, rear wing, and various decals and badges.
The VE SS Group A also gets a Blitzen spring and shockie upgrade, brake upgrade, and 19" wheels.
It is only priced at $75,000 and no doubt this could be one of the modern day collectors like the W427 and could hopefully fetch $120,000+ in 20 years time like the VK SS Group A cars do today!
For more info make sure you check out HDT's site for the car at http://www.bluemeanie.com.au/ . This car, "The Blue Meanie", is really nice.
By: Matt | Monday, October 12, 2009 at 11:47 AM | |
Holden have released to the press information about the new "SS-V Special Edition" and the special features package that will be available for it. With the Pontiac G8 (VE Commodore variant exported to the USA) coming to an end in the US, Holden is taking on it's twin-nostal bonnet and big-grill/air-dam front bumper.
It will be available in sedan, sports wagon, and ute body. Manual sedan starts at $55,290 RRP, Manual Sportswagon starts at $57,290 RRP, and manual Ute at $47,490 RRP. 6 Speed Auto is $2000 extra.
Question: Where are they going to put the Holden badge on the front? What aftermarket Chevy grills will come to the market? Will people bother putting Pontiac badges on the front?
By: Matt | Friday, October 02, 2009 at 9:02 PM | |
900km from one tanks sounds possible - but never before in a Commodore!
The new SIDI Direct Injection 3.0L V6 available in the Holden Commodore makes it possible to reduce fuel usage by 12% and reach 9.3L/100km in the Omega (according to Holden). The 3.6L V6 found in the Auto SV6 with SIDI can achieve a 10% improvement allowing 10.1L/100km (Holden claims).
The 3.0L V6 produced 190kW (up from 175kW the 3.6 Alloytec once used) and the 3.6L that teh Calais and SV6 use is up to 210kW from 195kW.
Combined urban and highway driving scenarios can see ~780km out of a 70L tank on the Omega.
This is exactly what the large family car market needs. Not only are they helping the green movement in motoring but ensuring that the fuel bill each week is less for the families driving.
By: Matt | Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 4:31 PM | |
A new style and plenty of features have been given to the new line second series of the VE HSV models. This is the first update to the new VE Commodore released a few years ago.
A Pontiac G8 bonnet, Audi inspired driving lights, larger air dams, new wheels, and remodeled back bumpers all give the new HSV a mean and wider look. The Grange also gets a tough and taller front grill.
A new "Competition Mode" also allows the driver to reduce the stability control systems for thrill seeking purposes without entirely turning them off. A Launch Control allows the driver to rev to the band of RPM where there is high torque for a quick and easy take off.
Most importantly the GTS has an upgraded powerplant! It now has a 325kW 6.2 litre LS3 V8 instead of the 317kW LS3 that the other models get. The suspension on the GTS has also been stiffened.
Optiional extras will be available with E2 models, and will be sold as “SV Enhanced”. This includes leather seats, wheel upgrades, Bi-Modal exhaust and performance suspension.
By: Matt | Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 1:04 PM | |
Richard Hammond reviews the Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst and Maloo VXR in series thirteen of Top Gear.
The VXR8 Bathurst is essentially a new VE2 GTS that has had a Supercharger dropped in it by Walkinshaw allowing it to produce 564bhp @ 6000rpm and hitting 100kmph in an estimated 4.6 seconds. It is only £45,000 and is compared to the BMW M3.
Enjoy...
By: Matt | Sunday, September 06, 2009 at 10:41 AM | |
The E Series range is getting an upgrade from the Chev sourced LS2 6.0 litre V8 to a LS3 6.2 litre V8. This will see a power increase from 307kW to 317kW.
The LS3 will appear in the Australian export G8 GXP and will output a reduced 402hp. Since the LS3 would be used in the exports, HSV must have figured that they might as well use it in the local performance vehicles too!
Personally it would probably have been better off leaving the LS3 for the E Series GTS so there is more distinction other than a few nitty gritty upgrades that really rob the GTS of it's exclusive status.
Figures have been released regarding new car sales in the first three months of 2008. It has seen the Toyota Corolla has taken the number one spot from the Holden Commodore for the first time in 12 years.
Over 500 Corolla sales puts the popular small car in the lead so far in 2008.
Fuel economy will have to be big on the to do list for Holden and their fuel guzzling V6 and V8 Commodores. Perhaps a Diesel for the Commodore would be more strategic than a LS7 V8? Sad, but true. However, people are still buying the V8s - Australian's love their fast cars.
Holden has announced a special edition VE Commodore marking the 60 years that the company has been producing cars in Australia. With over $8000 of extra value, the Commodore will boast an array of features.
Along with standard air conditioning, 6 airbags, and ESP standard, the Special Edition will receive:
18 inch Alloy Wheels
Leather Seats
Leather Steering Wheel
Front Grill Inserts
Decorative silver lining on dash
Bluetooth Connectivity
Rear Parking Sensors
Special Edition Badging
Holden announced that it will be on sale from the 1st of May for a RRP price of $33990
The SS V is also getting some of the 60th Anniversary attention with Holden also releasing a Special Edition of the model. It will include
20 inch alloy wheels - 10 spoke...they look awesome!!
Rear parking sensors
Colour screen Sat Nav
Chrome detail surrounding exterior door handles
Higher mounting rear spoiler
60th Anniversary special badging
The Special Edition SS V will too be on sale on the 1st of May and will be RRP-ing for $55290.
By: Matt | Thursday, April 03, 2008 at 12:35 AM | |
The E Series range is getting an upgrade from the Chev sourced LS2 6.0 litre V8 to a LS3 6.2 litre V8. This will see a power increase from 307kW to 317kW.
The LS3 will appear in the Australian export G8 GXP and will output a reduced 402hp. Since the LS3 would be used in the exports, HSV must have figured that they might as well use it in the local performance vehicles too!
The new Ford Falcon release will see the new FPV GT with a 315kW. The LS3 provides an extra 2kW will will hopefully shatter the Ford. Lets hope.
Personally it would probably have been better off leaving the LS3 for the E Series GTS so there is more distinction other than a few nitty gritty upgrades that really rob the GTS of it's exclusive status.
In terms of fuel efficiency, the Maloo R8 and the Grange are the only models to have a reduction of 0.1L/100km to 14.5l/100km. Automatic models have seen an increase.
Along with the release of the LS3 is a new Red colour available on luxury models such as the Senator, and a 20inch wheels package upgrade available on all models.
At a New York car show, vice president of General Motors, Bob Lutz, also mentioned that they are not interested in taking on the new Monaro concept at this stage during press interviews.
Mr Lutz mentioned that the issue of fuel economy is too greater deal and therefore they don't see the Coupe 60 being a wise business move. The issue of fuel economy could eventually be bad for our V8 export market.
Apparently Holden dealers and head office have been receiving many calls from keen buyers of the new Monaro shown at the Melbourne Car Show as the Coupe 60.
Holden sold 14 000 Monaros from 2002 to 2006 and more than 40 000 Monaros were exported to the US as Pontiac GTOs alone.
Alan Batey, Holden's executive director of sales and marketing, said that he does not plan on the Coupe 60 to be produced as it was only meant to be a show car. However, it's good to know that Holden designers are still playing around with Coupes, as it means there could be one again in the future.
By: Matt | Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 9:52 PM | |
A Holden ute was recently shown off at a New York car show, shortly after a VE Commodore badged as a Pontiac went on sale.
The ute, which has not yet been given a name, was shown off by rapper 50 Cent. He has been sponsered by GM and was quoted "There's a lot of people who want a pick up and a sports car, well this thing does both."
The ute market in the US is a big thing. The Holden ute has an iconic status in Australia so getting sales may prove to be a marketing challenge. However I don't think there are too many utes in the US with a sedan variant like the Commodore.
50 Cent has not yet driven the car but did mention at a press conference that he'd like to see a bit of chrome on it.
The West Coast Commodore Club is one of the newest enthusiast club in Western Australia.
The club is run by Holden lovers, providing benefits to it's members through knowledge, sponsor discounts, sponsor advice, and special activities and events. They strive to getting the most out of your beloved Holden.
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The first ute to be sold in Australia with a 5 star safety rating is the VE Holden Ute. This means that the whole VE Commodore range boasts the 5 star crash safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program.
HDT in Queensland have announced a mean looking VE SS Based Group A limited to 250 builds. It resembles the SS Group A VK Commodore from back in the 80s.
Holden have released to the press information about the new "SS-V Special Edition" and the special features package that will be available for it.
Jeremy Clarkson gets to borrow a Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S and gives the motoring world his verdict.
A new style and plenty of features have been given to the new line second series of the VE HSV models. This is the first update to the new VE Commodore released a few years ago.
Figures have been released regarding new car sales in the first three months of 2008. It has seen the Toyota Corolla has taken the number one spot from the Holden Commodore for the first time in 12 years.
The E Series range is getting an upgrade from the Chev sourced LS2 6.0 litre V8 to a LS3 6.2 litre V8. This will see a power increase from 307kW to 317kW.
status.
Mr Lutz mentioned that the issue of fuel economy is too greater deal and therefore they don't see the Coupe 60 being a wise business move. The issue of fuel economy could eventually be bad for our V8 export market.
