777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 11350 posts, RR: 17 Posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 2258 times:
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Australia and New Zealands biggest selling vehicle, GMs Holden Commordore will be on Americas roads soon as the Pontiac G8. The Holden Commodore SS V8 (Pontiac G8) with a 270Kw 6.0litre engine will be released at the upcoming Detroit car show.
The Australian Police departments use the Holden Commordore SS, as well as other Commordore models. The New Zealand police also use the Holden Commordore, but not the SS model and recently signed a new 6 year deal with the New Zealand police for being the polices only vehicle supplier
JetsGo From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 2971 posts, RR: 5 Reply 2, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 2247 times:
How much horsepower is 270 kW?
That car looks great, hopefully it will do well for Pontiac. Now Ford just needs to do the same with the car they sell in Australia, but not in the US. The name of this car escapes me at the minute though...
Good luck GM. Oh, and please make sure it is RWD. Nothing will kill it faster, as seen with the Impala SS and Grand Prix GXP.
IAH777 From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 0 posts, RR: 5 Reply 6, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2215 times:
Melpax From Australia, joined Apr 2005, 1426 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2212 times:
Quoting JetsGo (Reply 2): Now Ford just needs to do the same with the car they sell in Australia, but not in the US. The name of this car escapes me at the minute though...
It's the Falcon! 4 litre straight 6 or V8, RWD. I own the Luxury version, the Fairmont (previous model though - from 2002). Superfly would approve of this one.
Quoting AsstChiefMark (Reply 4): The American cops will love them as much as the Dodge Charger
The cops here love them as well - That is a perfect impersonation of an unmarked traffic car! I dare say the owner of that one has everyone on the road making way for him!
777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 11350 posts, RR: 17 Reply 8, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2211 times:
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Quoting Bill142 (Reply 3): Quoting JetsGo (Reply 2):
How much horsepower is 270 kW?
362. But if your lucky you could get a 307kw version which is equal to 411hp
I've driven a 300kw Ford Falcon FPV GT-P beast several times at work and it was wicked leaving everyone in my dust at the traffic lights, all you have to remember is to make sure the anti-skid button is on, or you will leave one very long burn out skid. I got some nice and weird looks from people
Quoting AsstChiefMark (Reply 4): The American cops will love them as much as the Dodge Charger.
Wrong model mate, the new model is 100% times better. I've driven the new model and I loved it.....if only I had a spare $50,000 needed to purchase one.
Itsjustme From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 2765 posts, RR: 10 Reply 9, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2211 times:
Quoting IAH777 (Reply 6): Will they place the steering wheel on the correct side?
No way man, leave it where it is! It'll save me from having to walk my lazy butt around the back of my car when making traffic stops.
LTBEWR From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 12365 posts, RR: 12 Reply 10, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2203 times:
Yea, well the last Holden sent to the USA, the Pontiac GTO, went over like a lead baloon in sales. While great preforming cars, they just didn't look right, just too bland in their style. Americans want their big RWD cars to look more squared off, musclar and flashy, like the successful Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. Even Ford is showing at the Detroit Auto Show several large RWD car proposals that have the more squared off look of the '300'.
Right now GM has some serious problems with sales in the USA and I don't think a US version of the Holden Commodore will work here.
Aussie18 From Australia, joined Jun 2005, 1617 posts, RR: 10 Reply 11, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 2194 times:
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Ive actually spoke with some Highway Patrol Officers and they said the SS is an absolute bitch to drive and Prefer the XR8's which their arent many left in fleet at present because of safety issues,Stalling,flat batteries etc and overall they prefer the XR6 turbo which are 240Kw and give more power off standing start and can kick some serious dust up when they give it to it.
I have actual pics of VE SS in marked NSW HWP but wasnt given permission to post the shots online anywhere due to how i got the shots...Sucks!
QR332 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 2157 times:
Quoting 777ER (Thread starter): Australia and New Zealands biggest selling vehicle, GMs Holden Commordore will be on Americas roads soon as the Pontiac G8. The Holden Commodore SS V8 (Pontiac G8) with a 270Kw 6.0litre engine will be released at the upcoming Detroit car show.
Strangely enough, that car is sold here in the Middle East as the Chevrolet Caprice. We also have the Lumina SS and LS available, I think they are both based on Holden cars but they are branded with the Chevrolet brand.
777DadandJr From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 1516 posts, RR: 12 Reply 14, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 2156 times:
Quoting 777ER (Thread starter): Australia and New Zealands biggest selling vehicle, GMs Holden Commordore will be on Americas roads soon as the Pontiac G8.
A big thumbs up to GM for finally realizing that the way they build them here in the US just ain't cutting it.
As the owner of a 2004 GTO (see pics in profile) I can attest to the fact that if GM USA could build a car like the boys from OZ, GM wouldn't be in the financial sh*thouse it's in.
Say what you will about the styling, but my GTO is one bad ass machine!
Quoting LTBEWR (Reply 10): Yea, well the last Holden sent to the USA, the Pontiac GTO, went over like a lead baloon in sales.
Yea, yea, I have heard this, ad nausem. I really don't think it was so bad. In the three year run, Pontiac sold nearly 38000 GTO's. Granted, that is shy of the 18000 units/yr that were slated, but not all that bad.
I am excited to see GM going out and finding good solid platforms from it's global warehouse, and utilizing them to rejuvinate Pontiac. I have seen some sneak peeks at upcoming Pontiac products, and IMHO, Pontiac's future looks bright, indeed!
Russ
My glass is neither 1/2 empty nor 1/2 full, rather, the glass itself is twice as big as it should be.
DeltaGator From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 6341 posts, RR: 16 Reply 15, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 2150 times:
I want to see the SS Ute brought over here and rebadged as the new El Camino. I'd be first on the list to get one of those bad ass cars.
"If you can't delight in the misery of others then you don't deserve to be a college football fan."
DesertJets From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 7677 posts, RR: 18 Reply 16, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 2139 times:
Basically my understanding is that Holden is the lead for the development of what has become of the Zeta platform vehicles... that is the high volume RWD GM cars, not Sigma which underpins the RWD Cadillacs.
I have no idea how radically GM plans to rework the Holdens, but I suspect it'll be a bit more extensive than putting the steering wheel on the left side and swapping badges and grills like they did w/ the Monaro/GTO. But they will be built in Australia and shipped to the US for sale, at least that is what I have read thus far.
All this points towards is a much more cohesive product strategy, and better global utilization of resources, by GM in distinguishing its product lines. For Pontiac is means becoming the performance division, and that means having RWD based vehicles. The current and upcoming crop of GM cars really does give me hope that they will turn around. GM has the talent and capability to build good cars that people want to buy (I've been drooling over the 2008 Cadillac CTS since it was unveiled yesterday). And their sales numbers, plus rapidly decreasing incentive monies points in that direction.
Stop drop and roll will not save you in hell. --- seen on a church marque in rural Virginia
Superfly From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38590 posts, RR: 80 Reply 17, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 5 days ago) and read 2135 times:
Well this car reads great on paper in terms of specs but why didn't Holden complete the job by giving the car some style?
It looks like a puffed up Honda Accord.
Quoting Melpax (Reply 7): Superfly would approve of this one.
Yes that is a nice car and I wish that was sold here in North America instead of the current Five Hundred / Montego.
Quoting LTBEWR (Reply 10): Yea, well the last Holden sent to the USA, the Pontiac GTO, went over like a lead baloon in sales. While great preforming cars, they just didn't look right, just too bland in their style.
Agreed.
The coupe they send over should have been called the Chevrolet Beretta. I think that is a cool name for a car but the original was very weak and bland. Then the Pontiac could have had a dressed up version with a boxier trim and that could have been the GTO.
Under the hood, those cars are fantastic.
Here in California, the police are sticking with the Ford Crown Victoria / Police Interceptor.
I really wish Ford would drop in the current 5.4 liter in to the current Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis and Town Car.
PHLBOS From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 7264 posts, RR: 24 Reply 18, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 5 days ago) and read 2127 times:
Quoting Superfly (Reply 17): Here in California, the police are sticking with the Ford Crown Victoria / Police Interceptor.
I really wish Ford would drop in the current 5.4 liter in to the current Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis and Town Car.
According to the below-post, Ford has a RWD Concept Car called the Interceptor at this year's Detroit Auto Show. Hopefully, it will come to the Philly Auto Show this February.
Quoting LTBEWR (Reply 10): Americans want their big RWD cars to look more squared off, musclar and flashy, like the successful Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. Even Ford is showing at the Detroit Auto Show several large RWD car proposals that have the more squared off look of the '300'.
No pics of this concept are available as of yet, but according to one article I read in the local newspaper; the concept car is modeled after the big Ford sedans of the 60s. 'Fly, maybe that Continental concept car of a few years ago may be revived into a production model after all. Let's just hope CAFE doesn't kill it.
Back to the Holden-based Pontiac G8. As 'Fly mentioned, it looks too much like an over-dressed Honda-Accord. Plus it lappears too small to be a flagship model. Heck, both the current G6 & Grand Prix sedans have 112" & 110" wheelbases respectively. In comparison, the Crown Vic. & 300 have 114.7" & 120" wheelbases respectively (not counting any stretched models).
"TransEastern! You'll feel like you've never left the ground because we treat you like dirt!" SNL Parady ad circa 1981
Superfly From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38590 posts, RR: 80 Reply 19, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 2102 times:
Quoting PHLBOS (Reply 18): According to the below-post, Ford has a RWD Concept Car called the Interceptor at this year's Detroit Auto Show. Hopefully, it will come to the Philly Auto Show this February.
Sounds like it will be the Ford version of the Lincoln LS.
The press is boasting about it being 'based off the Mustang' when in reality, the fmr. LS and fmr. Thunderbird were the original models on that platform.
777DadandJr From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 1516 posts, RR: 12 Reply 20, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 2092 times:
Check here for a rundown of the upcoming Pontiac lineup and a sweet pic of the G8 Concept!
SlamClick From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 10062 posts, RR: 71 Reply 21, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 2085 times:
I suppose it was necessary to replace downdraft carburetors with fuel injection in order to get these to run in the northern hemisphere. Or do you run updraft down under?
Happiness is not seeing another trite Ste. Maarten photo all week long.
DeskPilot From Australia, joined Apr 2004, 767 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 2048 times:
Quoting SlamClick (Reply 21): I suppose it was necessary to replace downdraft carburetors with fuel injection in order to get these to run in the northern hemisphere. Or do you run updraft down under? Smile
Actually SlamClick, I was thinking they'd need to downspec the Commodore a bit for the US market; live rear axle, elliptical springs, pillow soft suspension and crappy build quality
By the way, is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?
Itsjustme From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 2765 posts, RR: 10 Reply 23, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 2034 times:
Quoting Superfly (Reply 17): Here in California, the police are sticking with the Ford Crown Victoria / Police Interceptor.
However, in Alaska, in a poster boy for cop recruitment pose, ANCFLYER demonstrates his affection for tradition...
Bill142 From Australia, joined Aug 2004, 8326 posts, RR: 9 Reply 24, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 2004 times:
Quoting DeltaGator (Reply 15): I want to see the SS Ute brought over here and rebadged as the new El Camino. I'd be first on the list to get one of those bad ass cars.
You probably will. At this point there is no Zeta based ute avaliable as design and development is on going.
Quoting DesertJets (Reply 16): Basically my understanding is that Holden is the lead for the development of what has become of the Zeta platform vehicles... that is the high volume RWD GM cars, not Sigma which underpins the RWD Cadillacs.
Correct. Holden in the lead RWD development centre. The Zeta platform has been rumored to be the basis of over 100 new models. When Holden wanted to replace the old v-car platform, they went to the GM catalog of platforms and found nothing that would suit. Previous Commodores had all been based on European cars. However, this time they had to go with a clean sheet design.
The design is such that a worked over version for the US could be dramatically different, while being much the same. The Australian version of the car has various different dash combinations varying based on trim level. So interior wise, they could look very different and the same for the exterior.
25 Skyway1: What's up mate....2004 GTO owner here as well. If you're not a member over at LS1GTO.com come and join us...
26 777DadandJr: Awesome man! Then I know you know where I'm coming from. Say what you will about the GTO styling(which I love, btw), but once you drive one, you won'
27 Skyway1: Great car for sure......wish more people would go out and drive one.... Chris
28 777DadandJr: True, but I like to think of it as belonging to an "exclusive" group! Russ
29 Skyway1: You're more exclusive than me driving a Yellow Jacket......I have a Phantom Black.... You a member at LS1GTO??? I'm sure if you are you know I am rof
30 777DadandJr: I am now. Just joined. "macgto" There is a dealer here in town that has an 05 Phantom Black, automatic, with 2K on the clock for $19K. Would have bee
31 Skyway1: Awesome deal....just make sure it isn't a flood or salvage car.....we keep a good track on cars that have been moved and put up for resale. The famou
32 777DadandJr: Nope, mine's clean. It was a one owner Pa car. Came out of the Pittsburgh area. I saw that Katrina car. Made me sick when I saw the pics. Even sicker
33 Skyway1: Well that's a great deal for sure. Put some long tube headers on and get a tune on that sucker. Just a tune is worth every penny...
34 777DadandJr: Well, the previous owner has already installed a SLP exhaust, and intake. Believe me, she's got a tune! Sweeeeeeeeeeet! Russ
35 Aussie18: http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=62133 Images of what the VE utes will possibly look like.
36 777DadandJr: Hey Aussie! That Ute is awesome! Thanks the boys at Holden for me, will ya? Russ
37 Skyway1: That's a badass Ute for sure....there were 2 current generation Utes running around Woodward during the dream cruise....
38 Zkpilot: hehe nice one... now as someone asked earlier who Richard Hammond was... well he's on this show called TopGear and the 3 presenters (Jeremy Clarkson
39 DeskPilot: Jeremy loves bagging poor quality cars, but he certainly enjoys it on US cars. The F-150 review was hilarious !
40 Superfly: Let's not forget the GMC Caballero. You know GM missed the boa AGAIN with that stupid SSR. I mean, what the hell is it? It's not a truck, it's not a
41 TSV: Unfortunately one doesn't necessarily follow the other. Can't find a link but in the Paper today GMH is only now about to file 2005's result and it l
42 DeltaGator: I hope they don't screw it up. I want the bad ass SS Ute with the 6.0L V8 engine. Environment be damned! (just kidding but I really do want this car.
43 777DadandJr: I hear ya. My point mainly refered to the quality of the Holden product, specifically, my GTO, compared to some of the crap that comes out of Detroit
44 TSV: Don't blame you for loving your GTO - very nice car. I get really mad with the bloke a couple of doors down the road - he leaves his Monaro out on th
45 777ER: There is a Holden Commordore limited edition Lumina.
46 Bill142: The Lumina is the Commodore re-badged for middle east markets.
47 Aerorobnz: export them all so I don't have to see them on the drive to work.... Yuck they're tasteless cars for guys called Muzza or Bazza who wear tight black j
48 Bill142: Muzz and Bazz usually drive VL's or VNs. VE's are driven by Gazz, Greg and Dave.
49 Melpax: Link to an Oz forum discussing this same topic - a couple of interesting rumors there as well. http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=81167&pag
51 Bill142: as much as I would like a BMW I would certainly be building extra garage space for my monaro.
52 TSV: With the Monaro in the Garage I'd be buying one of those $200 plastic car canopies/portable garages for the Bimmer from Super Cheap Auto/Silly Solly'
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