monaroCountry

Crazy Gen-TT Skyline Fires Up! [flamesuit on ]

Have a quick look at this link........ http://www.vorshlag.com/ls1bmw1.asp LS1 into BMW conversions are very common overseas. Might be a good idea to ask around.

the camry has a problem with its power and RWD setup ...........

If you think the Barina was bad have a look at the problems going on with toyota Toyota models rank at bottom of crash-safety study http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_4699240 Toyota and its Lexus division accounted for nine of 16 vehicles with "acceptable," "marginal" or "poor" rear-impact protection, lowering their overall rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said today. Models included the Toyota Camry and the Lexus GS 350................... A "poor" grade predicts serious or possibly fatal injuries in front-end and side collision tests performed at 40 miles an hour, while a "good" rating predicts a lower risk of serious injury, said Russ Rader, an institute spokesman. Passengers in vehicles with "poor" rear-collision ratings are "much more likely" to sustain neck injuries compared with people riding in "good" vehicles, Rader said.

Recalls aren't good but Holden’s response has been excellent so far. Recalls for a series 1 car is now days a given, yes even with Toyota. The media frenzy with Holden’s recall has been appalling. It’s really biased reporting, Drive et al have left out other recalls from other manufacturers. Some dodgy practices from Toyota and co have gone unreported in Australia. Examples below.

Those pictures released by HSV just don’t capture the magnificent lines of the car. I love the new HSV design, looks great. It has a sleek, powerful, European and strangely Australian design. I love the new LED lights – even Euro models don’t have LED signal lights. Good job HSV. With the new MRC suspension this new HSV should out handle most cars on the road. Again good job HSV for introducing a very advanced suspension setup - Only the fifth (?) vehicle to introduce MRC in the world (along with Ferrari’s top of the line model, Audi TT, Corvette and top of the line Cadillacs). The back actually looks more like a fancied up Audi. And I just love the side profile Huge ass brakes (remember these are 20 inch rims). From Eastonchang and LS1.com.au, visit for more pics.

What’s the GTR's biggest advantage?........................yup grip. Better launch always equal better time. The new HSV has a bigger footprint, better suspension, better dynamics, and gearbox etc. It's quite believable that it's capable of sub 5 and sub 13 sec times. The mags have already commented on the HSV being able to do 0-100 in under 5 sec, easily. Pictures from ls1.com.au and http://www.eastonchang.com

Not as bad as everyone thinks. If you can afford to run a skyline then you can definitely afford to run those big V8's. It has similar consumption to other performance cars like the WRX, better than an RX8 (IMO) and definitely better than my nissan. Like turbo cars, fuel consumption really depends on how you drive. Led foot = empty wallet, feather foot = boring guy . If you can’t pay to play might as well buy a 3cyl 1L car (like everything). Good thing is the development of LPG V8's. Several have already done this, apparently not too hard to tune, no noticeable drop in power (using newer LPG systems), and cleaner running. There’s a long discussion about this on an ls1 forum.

I love the looks, would have prefered a more Euro look though. HSV's will have their own magneride suspension - like those used on Ferrari, AudiTT, corvette and CTS-V (only cars with this type of suspension). Aparently excellent suspension for great handling without compromising comfort. HSV has first crack, since this component was designed by Delphi and GM. Ferrari found out about this technology during the GM-Fiat tie up.

Mint do a little more research.............type in zeta platform on google. As a fellow car enthusiast you should have an open mind. Your embarrassing other import owners (including myself) with your stereotypes and your refusal to believe that Australia and Australians can make a good car (not the greatest but a great car none the less). This afternoon I compared they NEW Camry, the NEW commodore, the NEW Chrysler and also the NEW BMW. BMW first, Holden/Toyota tied, and the Chrysler last in terns of pannel gaps.

Chris Rogers my experiences with the VE have been different. I’ve recently compared the panel gaps with the new Camry and IMO the gaps seems to be smaller on the new commodore (especially around the doors, bonnet and A pillar). The Camry impressed me with the window seals and also the rubber seal on the front bumper. Overall both look good. The VE obviously have a more muscular look (like comparing a R34 to a Silvia - one muscular the other sleeker). The best thing with the VE was its stance and wheel positioning. It could be just me but I LOVE SHORT OVERHANGS :). MintR33 what exactly are you saying? Holden’s are popular yes. Not all Holden owners are bogan bums though, same as not all skyline (and other import owners) are teenage hoons. I cant imagine the homeless buying HSV's and Holden v8s........stay off the stereotypes!!!!!

wink very nice pic....thanks. Where did you get it? Should be a couple more days till the unveiling . Anyway thanks.

Most likely. Many LWB models will go to middle East, China (even longer than Australia's with more chrome etc) and Korea. M-E mainly use statesman, they are also LHD.

Interior looks BMW (not the current one). Ive got a pic of this, need to find it .

The Alloytech is actually a great engine, although the alloytech in the VZ was garbage. Holden for some reason didn’t get the potential and also the smoothness out of the VZ alloytech. This detuned (or un tuned) Aussie donk looked pathetic, especially when compared with the smooth and refined alloytech (HFV6) found in Cadillac’s V6 offerings. IMO holden done this for marketing reason – so they could incrementally improve refinement and power every year, like what they done to the LS1. To support my argument that the alloytech isn’t a backward engine…….. Have a look at SAAB and Alfa Romeo’s V6 engines. Both praised as great and refined….. both sourced from Holden. The main difference is their displacement, 2.8 and 3.2, compared with Holden’s 3.6L. Most technology advancement on the VE commodore is under the skin. Here are some examples: -Zeta platform (often called GM’s Global RWD Architecture) that will be the basis for around 1 million GM vehicles worldwide and (should be) a great $$$$$ earner for Holden. -Neat thing about zeta is its flexibility and its rigidity (rated for 400kw). Notice the VE’s doesn’t use strut braces in their 270kw V8’s. -Front end comes as one module = easy to change front design, easy/faster/cheaper to manufacture, and cheaper repairs for front end bingles. -Holden designed/patented 4.5 link rears and Holden designed front suspension. This setup is very compact. -Magnaride suspension (for HSV) models as used by Ferrari, corvette, CTS-V’s and AudiTT’s. -several other advances that I cant be bothered going into (got to go home you know ). Have a look at the GoAuto link below. http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf...A2571CA000A24B4

Can’t really benchmark a car that doesn’t even exists, can you? Holden benchmarked a 2000 BMW 5series because VE design started at around 1999. Holden have no doubt improved on their initial design. I actually had a look at the VE yesterday and compared the car to current BMW's (across the street). Both had very similar lines. One area that impressed me with both are their very very short front overhangs - which is great for handling. The 3 series had a slightly shorter overhang, followed by the commodore and then the 5 series. 3 VE 5 Another interesting thing I noticed with the VE was its chameleon like appearance. When viewed from afar the car look small (medium sized), up close the car shows its muscular appearance. Comparing this with BMW again (hey they were the closest dealership….lazy bugger like myself cant be bother walking) the VE hides its shape better. The BMW’s look flatter but wider and bigger whereas the commodore looks small (but in reality is a wider car). Looking inside the BMW’s look luxurious with little touches that the run of the mill (SS) doesn’t have – hopefully Holden addresses this in their V offerings. The BMW however looks cramped and not as comfortable as the SS. Also does anyone know the weight distribution (F:R) of the 5 series and 3 series. I know that the VE has 50:50 weight distribution.

Funny how people automatically bag Holden, Ford and even the struggling Mitsubishi for being inefficient. Note that the Camry has FWD, 2.4L engine, less power and torque and a lighter body (increased by only 30kg) – yet only gets 9.9L per 100km. The Holden VE has a heavy body (increased by 100kg), far stiffer chassis, more room, more power, more torque and a 3.6L v6 – yet achieves a 10.9L per 100km. I would call the new Camry as inefficient whilst the 380, Holden and especially the 6speed Ford as being extremely efficient. Just in from Drive.com.au New Camry in role reversal Joshua Dowling, The Sydney Morning Herald, 25/07/06 -Toyota released the new, sixth generation Camry today but it has the unlikely tag of being the thirstiest vehicle in its class. -The new Camry's fuel rating label shows an average consumption of 9.9 liters per 100km, even though it is now available with a five-speed automatic transmission, which is designed to provide better economy at highway speeds. -While Holden yesterday announced a fuel saving for its biggest-selling model in the new Commodore range, the new Camry's consumption remains the same as the model it replaced.........The car is a little heavier about 30kg than the old model -The new Camry's main rivals are more fuel-efficient -It's an embarrassing move for the maker which prides itself on fuel economy. The Camry is a globally-developed car, manufactured around the world, and the product of a much bigger development budget than the Commodore. -A week ago, Toyota claimed that its V6 Commodore rival (called the Aurion and due on sale in November) would be more fuel-efficient than the new Holden Commodore -The new Camry is available only with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine; the V6 will be exclusive to the Aurion. From http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleD...18735&vf=12

Europe = Diesel Japan = Electric/Hybrids Australia and America = Ethanol and LPG (Holden also supplies E85 Omegas to Brazil). Japan is so far behind America/Australia in E85 and LPG technology its not funny. 80kg more For those that compare the VE to the 380 and to Ford. Front of VE v 380 and BA Back of VE v 380 and BA Sides of VE v 380 and BA

Theres also reports of the vette coming into Australia (and Japan). Things can only get better

All it needs to dip into the 12sec is a CAI, exhaust and tune. Holdens are detuned from the factory. HSVs are in a higher state of tune (more like proper state of tune).

Choose carefully, there are those that know how to drive their LS1s and those that dont. The hardest part with Holdens are in their launch (very tricky), take that out and your basically toast. Even lightly modified holdens (LS1) are very powerful. BTW stay away from turboed LS1, many are running 350-450rwkw (some 500rwkw) with stock internals. Its a bit scary how easy it is to extract power from the LS1.

Should be But not everyone would think it a wise idea. For example I regularly use my work Commo/Ford to travel to country areas, a corolla simply would not do. What you want on long journeys are good air con, comfy, and a relaxed motor that can be serviced anywhere.

Basically the monaro-coupe4 comparo has more presence than the GTS-GTR comparo. Definately hope so!!! Im guessing that the Chinese push into the Australian market would make it very difficult for all car makers. Hopefully this computer generated image will prompt Holden to release the real pictures and some more specs on the car.

Similar in some ways but in real life I think the VE will have alot more presence - especially with a wider stance and a far bigger wheel arch and flares. Alread the 380 looks very plain, which is a very good thing for Holden, but a bad thing for mitsu. 380 VE Commodore

GM investegated other engine types, even had one of the best OHC with the vette. Ultimately they thought that they could gain more power, reliability and better fuel consumption with a OHV layout. BTW OHV and OHC have both been around for a very long time. Both are not new tech. If you want new tech have a look at the hybrids.