My FH5 Log: Bathurst Legend

Obtained from Forza Horizon 5's Rami's Racing History Storm Season Playlist, the iconic HDT VK Commodore Group A is now joining the party, and looks like I'm going to have some one-on-one with the Bathurst legend that cemented Peter Geoffrey Brock to one of the all-time-racing greats.

Based on the VK Holden Commodore, the homologation version built by the Holden Dealer Team was originally limited to 500 units but they've built two more. Painted in Formula Blue exterior color, the Group A VK Commodore is equipped with a special body kit as well as a 4.9L V8 engine that produces 260hp of power.

With a quick introduction done, it's time to get down and dirty with the Bathurst legend because...well, it's Aussie rules after all. Roll the tape!

Scarred for life but it barely made it to victory lane. What a true legend this is.

Enjoy your new ride!

Forza Horizon 4: Hella Yellah

The last Holden in the Series 25 update is the HSV VS GTS-R, a V8-powered monster saloon that is known to be one of the rarest machines to exist only in the Land Down Under and now that I got my hands on this rare beast, it's time for explanations.



Based on the VS Commodore, the HSV GTS-R is powered by a 5.7L V8 engine, which is a 5.0L engine improved by the folks from Harrop Engineering, producing 215kW of power and 475Nm of torque while mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and a Hydratrak LSD.

In terms of design, the GTS-R features three-spoke wheels finished in charcoal, rear wing inspired from its V8 Supercar racing machine, carbon-fiber panels, yellow cloth inserts in the interior, and only one exterior color offered in this car: XU-3 Yellah.



With the quick explanation done and since I'm on my well-deserved break from Festival activities, time to take the GTS-R for a little street scene to see what's like to drive one of the rarest Aussie beasts ever existed.

Job well done. There's nothing else I can say.

Enjoy your new ride!

Forza Horizon 4: VL Commodore Group A SV

Forza Horizon 4's tribute to the soon-to-be-axed Australian motoring great, Holden, continues with the second additional car on the Series 25 update; the Holden VL Commodore Group A SV, the car that signaled the birth of Holden Special Vehicles division.



Based on the VL Commodore saloon, the SV is a special model featuring a special bodykit courtesy of TWR, which reduces drag by over 25% over the previous HDT SS Group A. The 5.0L V8 engine, producing 241HP of power, has been improved to withstand racing conditions.

It was limited to 500 units, due to homologation regulations, and it's only available in Panorama Silver exterior color, but due to demand, an additional 250 units were made.

After many failed attempts in racing since its 1988 motorsport debut, a race-spec VL scored a win in the 1990 Tooheys 1000 by Win Percy and Allan Grice, as well as the 1990 Nissan Sydney 500 by Perkins and Tomas Mezera in a privately entered car.



With the quick intro done, let's head to Fortune Island and give this VL Commodore a twist and shout just like the good old days.

Job well done. There's nothing else I can say.

Enjoy your ride!

Forza Horizon 4: HSV E Series 3 GTS

The recent Forza Horizon 4 series update pays tribute to Holden, the Australian carmaker that is set to be disappeared at the end of the year following General Motors' decision to stop selling their cars in the right-hand drive market. The first one on the list is the HSV E Series 3 GTS.

The E Series 3 version of the VE Commodore-based HSV GTS is powered by a Corvette-derived 6.2L V8 engine producing 437hp of power and 405ft-lb of torque, while mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. It can get through 0-60mph in under five seconds. The E Series 3 GTS features the same features as the E Series 2 but with added features such as Enhanced Driver Interface, Liquid Propane Injection, and Side Blind Zone Alert. It features the same look as the Series 2 but with a revised interior.

With the quick introduction done, let's give the E Series 3 GTS a quick roar on the meadows to see what's like living with an Aussie great.

Job well done. There's nothing else I can say.

Enjoy your new ride!

New Buick Regal Sportback and TourX

Following the Europeans launching the all-new second-generation Opel/Vauxhall Insignia range, it looks like Buick, General Motors' semi-luxury car brand, is not far behind because they decided to borrow one of these for the all-new Buick Regal and while that sounds good news, it can also be bad news because thanks to PSA, it looks like this is the last time Buick will borrow the Insignia as a Regal. After that, it's no more, and that's kind of sad.

2018 Buick Regal Sportback

2018 Buick Regal TourX

While lamenting that this is the last time Buick will borrow the Opel Insignia as the Regal following Opel's acquisition by PSA, this Euro import Buick Regal now comes with two new body styles to choose from such as the five-door Sportback and the first-ever sport utility wagon called the TourX. Yep, America's back at selling wagons as crossovers like the Subaru Outback, the Audi A4 allroad, and the VW Golf Alltrack but seriously, this is the first time an American car brand selling a station wagon since the forgettable Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon. Sure, it maybe a wagon but they call it an SUV because station wagons are a forbidden fruit on American roads.

Anyway, for a quick refresher, the new Regal range, like the new Insignia, traces its looks from the Mazda Atenza and while this is basically a European copycat of the Mazda Atenza, there are many things that your Mazda doesn't have, even performance but that comes later because let's step inside to see what's what.

2018 Buick Regal Sportback interior

Like the new Insignia, the new Regal's interior may have been as similar to the outgoing model but it's now surprisingly spacious than before so people at the back can get themselves accommodated and as for boot space, the trunk volume of 490 to 1,450 litres makes it enough to accommodate most of your grocery shopping stuff of the day. In the TourX, you can fill up to 1,665 liters of cargo space with everything to your heart's content. Also, the new Regal offers some basic General Motors goodies such as the available OnStar 4G LTE and built-in Wi-Fi Hotspot, meaning there's so much to make topics online while driving one as well has letting the kids at the back binge watch some cartoons. Now that's luxury done right for the new Regal.

For most variants, the sole engine is the 2.0L turbocharged engine that produces 250HP of power and 295 lb.-ft. while mated to an 8-speed AT. Not only this engine provides high performance by midsize car standards but it's surprisingly sporty enough for a Buick because of its 5-link rear suspension and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive that behaves pretty much like the Ford Focus RS in lesser ways.

2018 Buick Regal GS

If you want more, there's the sporty GS variant which features some bits and bobs from the Insignia GSi, including the recalibrated all-wheel drive system but unlike the GSi, the Regal GS is powered by a more powerful 3.6L, 310-HP V6 Engine mated to a 9-speed AT. How come the Europeans withdraw such a powerful offering? Well, no one knows but in Australia's case, the Regal GS will be their Commodore VXR, and that makes it super unfair. Still, since this the Buick Regal, the GS will be the next best thing since the Ford Focus RS because with such powerful dynamics, it can even upset an Audi S4 in a pinch and it could become your favorite Buick for the time being.

What about safety? While the Insignia it was based on comes with a 360-degree camera, Rear View Camera, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Advanced Park Assist, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Following Distance Indication, Forward Collision Alert, Traffic Sign Assist, and a wide range of radar and camera-based automatic assistance, the new Regal is limited to Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. That sounds odd but that's payback for not offering the most powerful variant to European roads.

Price? The Regal Sportback is priced at 24,990 US Dollars (Php 1.25 million), which is cheaper than the previous model it replaces, while the TourX starts at 29,070 US Dollars (Php 1.453 million), which is more affordable than the made-in-China Envision, which isn't bad for a sport utility wagon that competes with the Audi A4 allroad in a pinch.

Sure, the new Regal may be different than the Insignia it was based on, apart from the Regal GS variant that massively produces more than the Insignia GSi it was based on, but differences aside, the Regal is proven to be a decent contender to the Audi A4 because with Focus RS-like dynamics thanks to its clever all-wheel drive system, it can lick the A4 goodbye in a pinch and it's fair value so you can afford one as well.

It's ashamed that it could be the last Insignia-based Regal ever made following Opel being taken over by the French but as the future remains uncertain, let's be thankful that General Motors still sell one of those and while this is basically the last car to share some General Motors components across the Atlantic, now it will be the ideal time try out the newest Regal before its too late.

Photo: General Motors

Opel/Vauxhall Insignia B GSi

The GSi moniker has returned after years of being dormant since the old Corsa GSi and the first to implement the return of the legendary moniker that adorned most hot Opels (Vauxhalls) since the 80s is the latest version of the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, a car fit for businessmen when they got it as a company car from a fleet.

2018 Opel Insignia Grand Sport GSi

2018 Opel Insignia Sport Tourer GSi

Why bringing back the GSi name all of the sudden? Car enthusiasts wanted to see the latest version spawning a hot version like the previous model's OPC/VXR but sadly, the PSA-owned company decided to ditch them both in favor of returning the GSi marque as the hot ship of the Insignia B range. Starting at 45,595 Euros OTR (2.734 million Php), the Insignia GSi can be offered in the choice of the five-door Grand Sport or the Estate version.

Sure, you can expect the same bits and bobs as you experienced from the normal Insignia but the GSi transforms the motorway cruiser into a posh Ford Focus ST of some sorts because of the recalibrated four-wheel drive system that behaves almost like a Focus ST because of the twin clutch differential on the real axle as well as improved suspension setup and lightweight body that weighs less than the old Insignia OPC/VXR. As a result when engaged to its exclusive Competition Mode, the GSi's dynamics are now more sensational than before and because it almost has no understeer, it won't make you binned to a pile of garbage bins while trying to handle through a corner full of garbage bins. Now that is a good mark for a car that produces less than the old Insignia OPC/VXR, perhaps no wonder they developed it to the Nurburgring just to fine tune its dynamics.

As a rule, a car that is engineered at the Nurburgring is nowhere near as good on the public roads and you can take that as a supreme compliment because there has been some tantrums about the way it behaves on public roads thanks to its Nurburgring-honed dynamics but with a little tough love, the GSi tries to show drivers that it the Nurburgring never ruined the once-known motorway cruiser fit for a fleet of company cars used at your workplace.

The GSi is powered by a choice of two engine choices such as the 2.0 DI Turbo engine and the torquier 2.0 BiTurbo Diesel, mated to an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission that can be controlled via paddle shifters. The hot ship on the GSi range is the petrol engine with 260 hp of power and 400Nm of torque. It does 0-100kph in 7.3 seconds and it was electronically limited to 250kph so it sounds fair for a hot ship of the Insignia B range.

My evaluation for the GSi that even though they've gone to the beaten path to abandon the OPC/VXR moniker in favor of the GSi's return, the dynamics are worth the shot, hoping that by the time you try its recalibrated four-wheel drive system, there are slim chances that you'll get binned by the corners and it's great to have the GSi back in this motorway cruiser if you have the resources to buy one.

Photo: Opel

This is the last Australian-made car in history

A moment of silence, ladies and gentlemen, because what you're looking at is the last Australian-made car in history as Holden rolled off the last VF Series II Commodore off the Elizabeth production line, signalling the definitive end to Australian car manufacturing.

The last Holden

A thousand workers past and present have been gathered at the plant to witness the last Australian-made car in history, a red V8-powered Holden Commodore, at a private ceremony held at about 1045 hours local time.

This signals the end of Holden's almost seven decades of local manufacturing and almost a century of Australian car manufacturing. Since the FX of 1948, about 7,687,675 Holdens were produced within the last 69 years, that's more than Ford's 5.9 million production figures and Toyota's 3.4 million, both of which closed their Australian factories within the past year

Before the last Holden Commodore saloon rolled off the Elizabeth line, Holden has rolled off the last Commodore ute, the last Commodore wagon, and the last Caprice luxury car. All of these cars will be kept by Holden as museum pieces.

In Holden's near seven decade history, the fastest selling Holden of all time is the HQ Kingswood from 1971-72, of which over 485,000 were built. The fastest selling Commodore of all time is the VT model from 1997 to 1999, with over 303,000 built. In its prime, Holden has employed 23,914 workers across seven factories in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia in 1964. The number of factory workers in Elizabeth in the lead-up in the final day was 945.

Despite the factory shutdown, General Motors Holden's is pleased that 85% of their employees have either found new jobs or are training for a new career as it thanked "the partnership and assistance of the state and federal governments, along with the unions, over many years" according to their statement.

Holden will continue to sell new vehicles after the factory shutdown but the models will be sourced from across America, Europe, and Asia, including their next Commodore which is now based on the second-generation Opel/Vauxhall Insignia lineup.

URL: http://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/motoring/here-it-is-the-last-holden-commodore-to-roll-off-the-elizabeth-production-line/news-story/1b7bdd090ddfee3628a26f69ca1e1c1d

Thank you Australia for all the best cars ever made and the best people behind those wonderful cars. Even though the Aussies have stopped making cars, they will remain the beating heart of Australian motoring for many years to come.

Photo: Holden

Forza Motorsport 7: A Ute's End

General Motors Holden is the last of the Australian car companies that remained to produce some of the best cars in the Land Down Under and with production coming to a complete end, this is the end of Australian car manufacturing as we know it but for the emotional, the one we will be missing the most when Australia stop making cars is none other than the ute and Holden is the last to make those cool-looking coupe utilities that became the trademark of Australian car manufacturing we all know and love.





Ever since the end of the Second World War, the birth of Australia's own car forever revolutionized the world of motoring and with a ute that bears the Holden marque on it, you'll know that it's truly the kind of vehicle the Aussies are proud of. Fast forward to this decade and the VF Commodore Ute became the harbinger of the end of this wonderful automotive genre that Ford started it all. Ford may be introduced the ute to the Australian motoring public but Holden became the last to make one and what we have here is the alpha and omega of Holden's ute history. Once started with the FX and ended with the VF.



What's so unique about the ute? Well, an Aussie ute combines the best cars in the world; a pickup truck, a sports car, and a sedan, combined into one unique vehicle that was mostly adorned by the Aussies when Ford was first introduced to them. You know, the Aussies aren't the ones who buck this trend, even the Americans did when they try a shot with their Chevrolet El Camino a few decades ago. It may be made to pick up some stuff during work days but when it has a day off, the ute's starting to show its true self by showing its crazy sportscar dynamics, especially when it comes with big V8 power like this HSV GTS Maloo that I'm driving.



Take this workhorse around the track and it will be an instant track toy right off the bat. That's how unique the ute is, it's all work and all play. It can do 9 to 5 stuff on the weekdays while doing most of its free time on the weekends, especially racing stuff on road and on track, and while it's sad to see the end of the ute, rest assured that this piece of Australian motoring history will never be forgotten.



To say goodbye to the Aussie ute, let's find out how much the ute progressed from beginning to end and to find out, let's pit between the FX Ute and the GEN-F GTS Maloo round Bathurst and see how much progress the ute has done through the years. Let's finish this!



And now the results...

FX Ute - 3:57.189
Maloo - 2:41.768

After almost a century, the progression rate of the Aussie ute from beginning to end just took over a minute to do so! At least, this is evolution and this is how it all ends here.



Ah, the cars of Australia. Sure, the Aussies no longer made those but with cars like these, they remain the beating heart of Australian motoring history and as we say goodbye to all-time greats like the Ford Falcon and the Holden Commodore, along with many other Aussie car greats in history, it's hard to fathom what comes next after the last of their factories shut down for good but rest assured, the rich history nine decades in the making will not be forgotten as long as they can put their pride to it.

To all the Aussies making great cars like Falcons and Commodores, I say thank you. It's been an honor to get to know about the Australian motoring industry and what it really means for Australia.

Until then, see you later, alligator!

Opel/Vauxhall Insignia B Grand Sport and Sports Tourer

The Insignia, a favorite among company car drivers and fleet decision makers across Europe, is now on its second generation and it's even more promising than ever thanks to its new look, new interior, new tech, new dynamics, and new engine choices, setting the new gold standard for midsize cars in this ever-changing landscape. So, what's new about the Insignia B range?

2018 Opel Insignia

2018 Vauxhall Insignia

2018 Vauxhall Insignia

The all-new Opel/Vauxhall Insignia range sets the new standards in the executive midsize car market by promising new and exciting features way unheard for most midsize saloons in the market and it promises world-class quality ready for the world's toughest challenges, whatever lay ahead. There are now two styles to choose from such as the Grand Sport fastback and the Sport Tourer and wherever you live, you can see one of these worldwide as either a Buick Regal or Holden Commodore, wait what? 

The new Insignia is the new Commodore in the Aussie market? Sadly, it is and because of Australia stopped making cars at the late quarter of this year, Australians will be getting the new Insignia as their new Holden NG Commodore next year and what does it mean? It's the end of Aussie muscle as we know it but let's not lament on the first-ever front-wheel drive Commodore for the Australian roads. We're talking about Insignia for the European people and in terms of design, there is a high possibility that some people may easily mistake it for a Mazda Atenza because by the looks of it, the new Insignia does look like an Atenza by all means necessary. Because the current Mazda Atenza is a good-looking midsize saloon to look at it, so is the new Insignia and mistaken identity aside, it's still very pleasant to look at one of these on the road and it's now easier to refuel because they have to ditch the old twist-off cap so drivers can refuel it quicker, easier, and without the spills.

2018 Opel Insignia interior

The inside looks rather similar to the outgoing model but because it now runs on a new platform that was used on today's Chevrolet Malibu, it's now surprisingly spacious than before so people at the back can get themselves accommodated and as for boot space, the trunk volume of 490 to 1,450 litres makes it enough to accommodate most of your grocery shopping stuff of the day as well as some stuff your grandma needs such as a walker or a wheelchair. In the Sports Tourer, meanwhile, it's been given more convenient ways to like about its boot space that can accommodate up to 1,665 litres such as the special tailgate that can be opened at the lift of your foot in case your hands are full. Because of such generous space, both the Grand Sport and the Sport Tourer are very accommodating indeed.

Regarding the tech word, both the Insignia Grand Sport and Sport Tourer now come with IntelliLink system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility so no matter your smartphone, these tech saves you more than just distracted driving and for occupants who are so busy doing stuff on their mobile phones, OnStar's 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot is ready for these kinds of people who want to do silly status updates on social media sites. Convenient, isn't it?

2018 Opel Insignia

2018 Opel Insignia

In terms of handling, the new Insignia, apart from its Malibu-derived platform, feels very above average for midsize saloon, in fact it is pretty good indeed for a car made for company car drivers and fleet decision makers but there's a real kicker to this new Insignia because later on, a 4x4 variant with the Torque Vectoring will make the new Insignia range very convincing for a company car because with torque vectoring on a 4x4 Insignia, you might almost have the same driving impression as the Ford Focus RS and that makes it from pretty good to very good if you got the chance to sample its clever four-wheel drive powertrain that works like a Ford Focus RS in every tangible way. Yes, please.

The choice of engines at launch comes with a 1.5L DI Turbo and a 1.5L ECOTEC DI Turbo but later on, a 2.0L turbo, 1.6L diesel (with or without ECOTEC), and a 2.0L diesel may follow, and depending on the choice of engines, they can be mated with either a 6-speed AT, MT, or even an 8-speed AT at a later date. Most of the engines are made out of aluminum and because these engines are very light indeed, they are contributed to such better fuel efficiency fit for today's roads. It may not be much to satisfy your driving style but they're very decent enough for a midsize car like this.

To keep the new Insignia well-suited for today's driving conditions, it's been given a host of safety features such as a brand new 360-degree camera, Rear View Camera, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Advanced Park Assist, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Following Distance Indication, Forward Collision Alert, Traffic Sign Assist, and a wide range of radar and camera-based automatic assistance for a safe driving feel that will satisfy most of health and safety standards.

Should you buy one? The new Insignia starts from 25,940 Euros (17,185 GBP) for the Grand Sport fastback while the Sports Tourer costs 26,940 Euros (18,685 GBP). That sounds like great value for money for a pretty good executive saloon fit enough to become the ideal car for company car drivers and fleet decision makers but the new Insignia is more than just being a company car, it's an ideal family car fit for day-to-day use and it's starting to gain shape with all these new features but demonstrating its world-class capabilities is yet to be seen but I'm sure that for the rest of the world, it feels fine for a midsize saloon of this caliber but for the Australians getting one next year as the new Holden Commodore, that's going to be a very different story that should be taken very seriously.

Photo: Opel/Vauxhall

Forza Horizon 3: Final Trip with the SS

As you may have heard it right now, Chevrolet stopped selling the awesome rear-wheel drive four-door saloon called the SS a few months ago and it's a sad twist of fate to see this Aussie import vanished into thin air. It's also sad that the year 2017 signals the end of Australian car production and we're going to miss the duel between Falcons and Holdens in its glorious years. As we say goodbye to the American Commodore we loved, it's time for me to take a final stroll with the SS.



As they say, the Chevrolet SS is basically a Holden VF Commodore rebadged and sold in the USA in the same way the deceased Pontiac G8 did to the Holden VE Commodore. Unlike the Aussie one that is available in three body styles, the SS only offers a saloon powered by a 6.2L V8 engine producing 415HP of power and can be mated with either a 6-speed automatic or a manual gearbox.



It's hard to explain more about the Chevrolet SS but pretty sure, I'm going to miss this thing because while it was short-lived for a four-year run and with drastic poor sales, it remains one of the most enjoyable sports saloon ever made and the cheapest compared to the European imports. This is by no means the last car made in cooperation with the Americans and the Australians and we're going to miss this cooperation since the Pontiac G8. We're also going to miss the sound of its V8 engine as well because even though this is naturally-aspirated, it sounds as old-school as the Age of Aquarius and smells like meat pies on a Sunday drive. Mmm... There's so much stuff to miss about the American Commodore, despite some misses, but for me, there's some unfinished business to do with this.





No time to explain what just happened with it but for the final sendoff, the Americanized Holden Commodore is ready to play rough against the competition while not afraid to get its face dirty and since this is Australia and that car's Australian-made, playing rough is best describes it and it's time to get the camera rolling in for the Chevy SS's sendoff drive. Okay then, let's get this going, for the greater glory of Aussie-made V8s!



What a way to say goodbye to the Chevrolet SS. The Holden VF Commodore sold to the USA with less offerings than the original but with a lot of feast for the speedo boys in the free country for less than European imports. It may have less followers in America but it's going to be an instant classic through the years. Farewell, mate.

Forza Motorsport 6: Smells like Calais

Continuing on Forza Motorsport 6's tribute to Australian motoring, there is another classic Australian muscle car added to the roster courtesy of the Mobil 1 Car Pack. It's another Holden and this time, it's a VL Commodore Group A SV, the car that signalled the birth of Holden Special Vehicles division.



Ever since the collaboration between Holden and racing driver Peter Brock ended, Holden needed someone to create a new performance division and that's what Tom Walkinshaw Racing turned in and with that, Holden Special Vehicles was established, succeeding where the Holden Dealer Team left off.

Based on the VL Commodore saloon, the SV is a special model featuring a special bodykit courtesy of TWR, which reduces drag by over 25% over the previous HDT SS Group A. The 5.0L V8 engine, producing 241HP of power, has been improved to withstand racing conditions.

It was limited to 500 units, due to homologation regulations, and it's only available in Panorama Silver exterior color, but due to demand, an additional 250 units were made.

After many failed attempts in racing since its 1988 motorsport debut, a race-spec VL scored a win in the 1990 Tooheys 1000 by Win Percy and Allan Grice, as well as the 1990 Nissan Sydney 500 by Perkins and Tomas Mezera in a privately entered car.



Although I am not familiar with the VL Commodore, I had an unquestionable feeling that I'm starting to enjoy the VL Commodore when I spent so much time driving one. Although this is a road-going touring car heavily inspired from its motorsports involvement, driving one smells and feels like I'm in Calais. Yes, and some might say there was such thing as a VL Calais in the real world, this hardcore VL Commodore feels like I'm as close as I can get to Calais but this isn't Calais though because I'm in Bathurst and while in Bathurst, its dynamic character makes it very tricky to handle but at the hands of skilled drivers, driving one of these is as enjoyable as reminiscing its motorsports past and its remarkable feats that the legendary Tom Walkinshaw invested in spawning these machines and give birth to the HSV as we knew it.

Speaking of which, I need to compare it to a modern equivalent to the car I'm driving and find out just how close are these two Aussie saloons.



To some people who may have noticed that this is just an American saloon known as the Chevrolet SS, you haven't seen the rest of it because the fact is, the Chevrolet SS is basically a Holden VF Commodore rebadged and sold in the USA in the same way the deceased Pontiac G8 did to the Holden VE Commodore. Let's remember though, this is built in Australia so that matches the qualifications of a comparo I set up with. Without further ado, let's compare the classic Aussie muscle versus its modern-day equivalent.


Look at those Australian-born cars, feeling at home at their home ground and since they're having the best time of their lives, these Aussie cars think that the Land Down Under never felt so alive for them. Anyway, no time for being sentimental because it's onto the results. The SS did it in 02:46.983 while the VL Commodore Group A SV did it in 02:57.726. So there's an eleven second gap between them but never mind though because even though the VL Commodore did it eleven seconds slower than the modern-day VF Commodore....errr....Chevy SS, I am glad that I have driven another Aussie greats in FM6 and I'd expect more like these because with Australian car production is nearing its end, there's nothing like a better time than paying tribute to Australian motoring.

Mmmm....This VL Commodore smells like Calais...

Chevrolet SS

Remember the Pontiac G8? Yes, it's that FR sports sedan we all indulged for and even though it was an import from Australia, judging by the fact that it's an Americanized Holden VE Commodore, the G8 is still the best V8 sports saloon you can afford. Sadly, this car went to its premature death and Pontiac was killed by General Motors since 2010 over the course of the credit crunch. It's kinda ashamed that Pontiac was officially dead three years ago and the G8 served as the last hurrah for the brand.

Now though, in order to fill the gap where the G8 left off, the folks from Chevrolet called up their Aussie mates from Holden and have their Holden VF Commodore be sold in North America as...a Chevy!

2014 Chevrolet SS

Like the previous Pontiac G8, the dead one, the Chevrolet SS was imported from Australia and even though it was essentially a Holden VF Commodore smothered with burgers and beef jerky, there's a bit of a difference between those two and mainly, their involvement in motorsports. Whereas the VF Commodore enjoyed its newly found reputation in Mt. Panorama, Bathurst, the Chevy SS enjoys itself in the field of NASCAR.

Sheesh, I hate NASCAR. Even Top Gear knows that "NASCAR Sucks", especially at the back of James May's old banger while the boys visited the Southern nation where they got attacked by rednecks. Anyone enjoyed the life of being a Gran Turismo fan has a potential of being a NASCAR fan and hey, since most of the 2013 NASCAR Chevy Power cars are going to be at GT6, this is just baloney. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Juan Montoya, and Tony Stewart, those NASCAR racers got hooked over the raw power of the Chevy SS in stock car form but the most interesting for me is the #88 driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. because...well, that's worth intimidating. I once had a game of Car Town streets and like you and I, we took advantage of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s #88 National Guard CHEVROLET SS' special ability that scares rivals to slowing down. Don't be fooled, this is definitely made to intimidate foes.

If by intimidation, what about the normal SS? It may not be quite as toasty as the V8 Supercar tackling down Bathurst or as intimidating as a NASCAR, well most famously Dale Jr.'s, but in every angle, the new Chevrolet SS does have a little reminder that it has nods to the late Pontiac G8 while staying true to its roots to Chevy's past FR sports saloons. Famously, this is Chevrolet's first FR sports saloon for almost two decades since the fourth-generation Chevrolet Caprice & the seventh-generation Impala SS. Almost two decades? Just how long before Chevrolet managed to make a tail-happy sports saloon?

With prices start at around $43,475, think about it, the SS could be a poor man's BMW M5 but because this is not a suitable rival to the M5, the Chevrolet SS only laughs at the face of...a normal BMW 5-Series, a normal Audi A6, a normal Mercedes-Benz E-Class, an Infiniti M, or a Lexus GS. Well that's a theory even though the SS's pricing is worth competitive.

2014 Chevrolet SS

So, what do you get with such a budget that competes against the best of Europe and Japan? Well, for starters, the SS is only available with the 6.2L V8 engine, which is as identical to the one used in the latest Corvette Stingray. This one is different because the SS's V8 engine churns out 415HP of power and it's only mated to a 6-speed flappy paddle gearbox. I'm sorry what? Only available in a flappy-paddle gearbox? That's quite disappointing for harcore enthusiasts because while the VF Commodore is available with both auto and manual gearboxes, the SS is only available with a slush-matic which is a swift as throwing stuff left-handed. With the SS though, it's flappy-paddle or nothing, and this rather annoying gearbox can spoil your fun...or is it?

2014 Chevrolet SS

Apart from the stupid gearbox offered for this redneck version of Australia's favorite sports saloon, the SS is still a dynamically-challenged car. It's still as savage as Twisted Sister's You Can't Stop Rock and Roll and as enjoyable as using the laws of science to stop those glam rockers signing that kind of song. I'm thinking...dropping caravans, getting dragged by a van, a chainsaw, a flamethrower, a fire extinguisher, a double-barreled shotgun, TNT, hammer throw, nunchucks, baseball bats, an air mortar, gravity, and a baseball being thrown at it. Those kind of things. Brainiac things.

When you give it a run on a track day, the SS sure is a menace at the track and because it's been racetrack proven thanks to its sport-tuned suspension, combined with Electronic Power Steering, the SS is surely an executive saloon mixed with racetrack DNA, much like shocking Brainiacs through the electric fence. Still as interesting as this though. Also, the SS has a better weight distribution, so it feels more planted every time when you turn it into a corner, smooth as a cocktail mixed with anchovies, gravy, and raw milk. Should I spit or swallow? I'm guessing it's a spit. Now that's what I called the professional edge.

2014 Chevrolet SS interior

2014 Chevrolet SS interior

On normal roads, it's still as civilized as the Vicar of Dibley. It even has a luxurious interior, enough for five people to fit in. It also comes with iPod connectivity, Chevrolet MyLink, HUD, and tons of interior features that will keep them accommodated for hours but not at all. Surprisingly though, it even comes with a clever parking system that allows the car to park itself. You can think about making your last minute dressups or searching for lost objects while the car parks by itself. Thank heavens for technology.

So, what can I say about the SS? Well, even though it was a VF Commodore but born to take on NASCAR rather than enjoying itself on tracks like what its Holden VF Commodore do on V8 Supercars, it's still the executive car worth spending for and since I would gladly want to have one rather than those executive saloons from Europe and Japan, it's still the most enjoyable Chevy ever made, despite using the stupid 6-speed automatic. It's still the V8 saloon on a budget that picks up where the Pontiac G8 left off. You can thank the Aussies for some clever sophistication on this car. No wonder it's still worth the shot for those who are brave enough to have its TCS OFF and enjoy sacrificing its sports tires all in the name of science.

Available colors: Phantom Black Metallic, Red Hot 2, Silver Ice Metallic, Heron White, and Mystic Green.

Photo: General Motors

2011 HSV E Series 3 GTS says, "Call me Vauxhall VXR8 GTS"

Some say, we saw this car on Top Gear's original video called "Top Gear at the Movies" where it overtook the Ford Mustang Boss 302. Some say, we last seen this one on the internet when The Stig blown up the caravan in celebration of BBC Top Gear's 10 million Facebook likes. All we know is...wait, what? Why are we doing this?

Outta my way, Germans!

Oh, now I see the point. The February ALMS Pack, now on sale, for Forza Motorsport 4, featured the latest version of the Commodore-based GTS saloon car from Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). Like other European 4-door sports cars like the BMW M5 and the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, the HSV GTS is the kind of saloon that you would probably go bonkers. That car was made from the country that hadn't signed up to the Kyoto Protocol. Take note that the latest version of the HSV GTS is sold in United Kingdom as the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS and it was featured at the Top Gear original video titled "Top Gear at the Movies" where Richard Hammond imagines what if Bullitt had to be remade. Surely, the Boss 302 Mustang is a lot faster but when the VXR8 GTS overtook the Boss 302 after a spinout, the VXR8 GTS stayed ahead to the very end.

"If Bullitt had to be remade, Steve McQueen will be driving a Vauxhall" - Richard Hammond, Top Gear

A peek inside the HSV GTS

You should know that this car is sold in Britain
as a Vauxhall VXR8 GTS

Another fast fact that the 2011 HE HSV E3 GTS won last year's Fleet World MPG Marathon where it scored a fuel consumption of 11.4km/L (32.14 MPG UK), a 53% improvement to the factory-rated fuel consumption of 7.4km/L (21.0 MPG UK). Bear that in mind that in real life, a driver's habit is the key to a better fuel economy rather than focusing on the factory-derived fuel economy, especially the EPA rating or the JC08 mode test cycle. But that's not we're talking about. When I tried this car on Forza Motorsport 4, I am very impressed about the sound of the 6.2L V8 derived from the Corvette. That 4-door executive saloon car has the noise of the American muscle car! Oh, thanks General Motors.

It's a spindle grille! That's what matters...

This car drove me mental because the HSV GTS is completely insane on the corners and you'll have much chances of getting yourself thrown out unless you fit this car with the right performance parts in terms of handling. I once bought a suspension part and I made it stiffer. Also, I bought some anti-roll bars and some Sport Weight Reduction. My HSV GTS lapped the Top Gear Test Track in 1:25.9. I was on par with the BMW Z4 M's lap time from the show but no matter. This car is a great value because while the BMW M5 F10 costs 90,000 CR while the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG costs 100,000 CR, the HSV GTS cost about 65,000 CR! Outta my way, Germans!

If you were the 10 millionth Facebook fan of BBC's Top Gear, this car is for you because The Stig drove it while blowing up the caravan with some explosions.

R U KIDDING ME? VXR8 GTS wins MPG Marathon! Owws? Hindi Nga?!

2011 Vauxhall VXR8 GTS

You might think that hybrids and diesels always win the Fleet World MPG Marathon, but chances are that you are wrong. On the Fleet World MPG Marathon, the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS emerged as the champion on this kind of fuel consumption battle.

R U KIDDING ME? Owws? Hindi Nga?!

The Vauxhall VXR8 GTS, British version of the HSV GTS, emerged victorious on the two-day, 350 mile fuel consumption battle but how? This Vauxhall VXR8 GTS was driven by Top Gear online editor, Chris Mooney, along with Vauxhall archivist and eco-driving expert, Andrew Duerden.

The VXR8 GTS's fuel consumption is 7.4km/L (21.0 MPG UK) but Mooney managed to improve it even further by 53%, resulting to 11.4km/L (32.14 MPG UK)!

Looks like there is a lesson learned that fuel economy is not relied on the car itself but for the driver himself that makes the difference, whichever comes first...

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/10/vauxhall-vxr8-sport-saloon-wins-mpg.html

Vauxhall VXR8 GTS

2011 Vauxhall VXR8 GTS

After its hiatus a few years ago, the super saloon that was designed and engineered in Australia, the Vauxhall VXR8, is back and the latest VXR8 minor change came with a new name called VXR8 GTS. The Vauxhall VXR8 is the Great Britain version of Holden's HSV E-Series based on the Commodore sports sedan. Australia's HSV E-Series 3 Clubsport is sold as Great Britain's Vauxhall VXR8 GTS. The main disappointment is the pricing because of the currency rates. The pre-facelifted VXR8 used to be priced by about 35,105 British Pounds Sterling but because of the British Pound Sterling's weak currency rates against the Australian dollar, the new Vauxhall VXR8 GTS priced to an expensive 49,550 British Pounds Sterling but the optional automatic transmission adds 1,700 Pounds to the pricing. Despite the ultra expensive pricing, it's still much more affordable than the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, BMW M5, Cadillac CTS-V sedan, or even the Jaguar XFR.

In terms of design, the new Vauxhall VXR8 GTS looks abruptly impressive because of its new face that scares the competition away. This minor change sounds convincing and the interior is considered to be "premium amenity" in the eyes of a London getaway driver. The VXR8 GTS features Enhanced Driver Interface that allows the driver to check the VXR8 GTS's status such as lap times, performance stats, friction check, suspension check, body acceleration, tires, and so on. The EDI can also be added with the optional Side Blind Zone Alert for added safety on unexpected blind spots.

2011 Vauxhall VXR8 GTS interior

The VXR8 GTS is powered with the 6.2 LS3 V8 engine sourced from the Chevrolet Corvette C6 that releases a power output of 431PS/6000rpm, torque output of 550Nm/4600rpm and it comes with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Vauxhall VXR8 GTS 6MT grade can accumulate 0-100kph in 4.9 seconds and fuel economy of 7.4km/L in a combined figure while the VXR8 GTS 6AT grade can achieve 0-100kph in 5 seconds and fuel economy of 7.3km/L in combined figure. The new VXR8 GTS comes with the all new Magnetic Ride Control suspension system that digitally controls the suspension system within various situations like for instance; the mountain passes or circuit corners. With various settings the VXR8 GTS is born to slice through different corners like you have never seen in a sports sedan. The fun feature on the VXR8 GTS 6MT grade is the launch control feature. If turned on, the VXR8 GTS starts from standstill to its full potential. This is great when you want to take the lead at the first lap.

The new Vauxhall VXR8 GTS is available in ten exterior colors ranging from Heron White, Sting Red, Hazard Yellow, Nitrate Silver, Phantom Black, Alto Grey, Voodoo, Karma, Sizzle, and Poison Ivy.

My comment:
Despite its heavy pricing because of the weak Pound Sterling against the OZ dollar, the minor change VXR8 seems to be getting a full respect to the VXR fans across the Great Britain. With the new name, VXR8 GTS, this high-performance super saloon picks it up where its pre-MC model left off after its two year hiatus to the Vauxhall lineup. Seems like the new Vauxhall VXR8 GTS wants to relieve the glory of being Britain's V8 super sedan which has the striking familiarity of the Lotus Carlton, a Vauxhall Carlton modified by Lotus. Come to think of it, this minor change is one heck of a masterpiece only a true Brit can ever salivated for it.

Photo: General Motors UK Limited