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!

Forza Horizon 3: The first Holden in history

In Forza Horizon 3's Mountain Dew Car Pack, here's the car Aussies forever worshipped for because to them, this is the genesis of what is known as "Australian's Own Car," Holden, and this is how it all began, the Holden 48-215, known by the chassis code as FX.



I knew this moment will come because as car production in Australia is nearing its end within a few months, it's a clear reminder that we should look back at the cars that became the forefront of Australian car production and nothing is more important than the FX Holden, the car that started it all. So, where did it all began? Let me go back to the beginning.

The year was 1945, in the climax of the Second World War, when the Australian Government urges the establishment of full-scale Australian motor manufacturing history and while Ford's presence in Australia is all in all at the moment, they demand Australia to have its own car maker and once such thing that steps up to the challenge is none other than General Motors Holden's. Two years later, in November 29th, 1948, Prime Minister Ben Chifley launched "Australia's Own Car," Holden.

The first Holden would officially be known as the 48-215 but they decided to call it just Holden and when it was replaced by its FJ successor, it was unofficially known as the FX Holden because it was never been used by Holden in such purpose. Since it was launched in 1948, General Motors Holden's managed to produce 10 Holdens a day, and over 75 million Australian Pounds were spent for expansion programs to enlarge and improve their facilities across Australia.

Despite being influenced by American styling, the Holden is 99% Australian through and through because nobody understands Australian driving conditions more than GMH. Under the bonnet lies a 132.5cu (2.2L) cast-iron 6-cylinder engine mated to a 3-speed manual gearbox. It produces 60HP of power and does a 0-97kph time of 18.7 seconds. Because this car is suitable enough to tackle Australian driving conditions, it's rugged enough to tackle the remote outback because of its dust-proof body and unique dynamics capable to handle such conditions.



I already driven the ute version of the Holden FX and with the saloon version of the very first Holden ever made, it all makes sense now that for a country that loves football, meat pies, and kangaroos, almost every Australian in the Land Down Under considered Holden to be the nation's favorite car because it really is Australia's driving future.

It's hard to say that if Holden celebrates its 70 anniversary next year, it will be sad because with car production well and truly over and their range is mostly imported from all parts of the world, including the next Commodore which is now based on the German-made Opel/Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport, what would Aussies think about Holden now since they have no Aussie-made car on their lineup, but the important thing is that without it, Holden will not exist as a carmaker and Australia became heavily influenced by Ford.



I guess it's time to owe this first Holden a heartfelt thanks by calling out anyone who loves the FX Holden for a little gathering of some sorts. Holden has been with us for almost seven decades thanks to this car built for Australian driving conditions and to celebrate, let's take the FX Holden for a race against other FX Holden lovers while dealing with typical Australian driving conditions. This should be very interesting.



I may have overcooked a bit but I am very proud that I feel like an Australian with the knack for football, meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars and it all makes sense to me now that this is the car that made Australia became part of the globally-competitive environment, helped Australia through its industrial maturity, stepped up engineering standards, and made "Made In Australia" a new status symbol among the nations of the world. It really is "Australia's Own Car" with the look and leadership wherever they go.

IMPUL made a body kit for the Infintii FX?!

IMPUL Infiniti FX

Wait a minute...how did it get here? You know that there is no Infiniti in Japan and this...the Infiniti FX...seems that Japan is also part of the smuggling fiasco here and those crooks in Japan did smuggle some some American cars that are not offered there, eh? You dirty smugglers...

If you're Japanese and if you've smuggled one of these, take note because IMPUL will provide a body kit to your smuggled Infiniti FX.

The front bumper costs 155,400 Yen, the Side Step costs 84,000 Yen, the Rear Half Spoiler costs 73,500 Yen and the Rear wing costs 63,000 Yen. There's also an available 189,000 Yen IMPUL Blast II Muffler as well but be warned. You don't want Japanese cops to notice your smuggled car though...

Innit though...Why would they accept a smuggled ride?

URL: http://www.impul.co.jp/products/model/S51_FX50.html

FX50 S. Vettel?

2011 Infiniti FX50 Performance Concept

Nissan's Infiniti brand unwrapped a Sebastian Vettel-inspired FX50 Performance Concept ahead from next month's Frankfurt Motor Show. Since it was inspired from Sebastian Vettel from Red Bull Racing, is this SUV have the genes of the...you know what...

Upon the appointment of having S. Vettel as Infiniti's Global Brand Ambassador, he was behind the cooperation of the design that brings more aero and performance using the Infiniti FX50 as the base.

Verdict: A Sebastian Vettel-inspired FX50 Performance Concept...does it have the genes of the X2010?

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/08/infiniti-sebastian-vettel-fx50.html

インフィニティ, FX35とFX50を一部改良

2012 Infiniti FX35 AWD Limited Edition

For the 2012 Model Year, the Infiniti FX35 and FX50 gets a minor change by any means of a new face that sports Infiniti trademark grille first seen on the Infiniti M37/M56 (Nissan Fuga Y51), revamped instrumental panel, standard heated front seats, and a Infiniti FX35 AWD Limited Edition model which sports a special Iridium Blue exterior color!

More can be found at:

http://www.netcarshow.com/infiniti/2012-fx35/