Just Spotted a VE

[fairmont1998]

Battery is in the boot

[Dazza XLT]

Ah Ha. That would explain it then

[Nappa]

from what we could see the interior looked similar to the astra and less like the current commodore with the wachine machine dials.

[BadMac]

Originally Posted by fairmont1998

Battery is in the boot

No it isn't it was in the early mules, but was relocated back under the bonnet 6 months ago. At least thats what I was told.

Therefore it may have been a jump start, which could mean mechanical/electrical gremlins.

[Ryan]

I am so anxious to see the un-veiling now.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Nappa

...snip...and i think our BF will look a bit dated after the VE's release...snip.

To be frank if the BF didn't look dated after the VE's release then Holden are in big trouble....lol...don't forget BA work started just as AU was released so its design goes back to '98 and if you include the carry over AU parts then its design began when EL was new for doors and roof.

[Dazza XLT]

There is still an obvious difference size wise between the two models also.

[BPXR6T]

I'm just thinking how good a coupe version would look! I almost bought a Monaro but went for an XR8 at the last minute. When will Holden learn. Do something with that boring bonnet...

[brendan24688]

Where are these pics Nappa??? lol

[AU-MUSTD]

The 380's battery is located to the rear of the engine so might be the new trend. The computer was also next to the engine which l wouldnt think would be good for it.

[AnthonyQLD]

Originally Posted by brendan24688

Where are these pics Nappa??? lol

What he said sleep:

[Dazza XLT]

Yeah surely there must be some clearer pics than mine!!

[2kool4u]

SS looks pretty mean from the front, they done a good job of making the LWB look shorter than it is, it doesn't look much longer than the SS.

[Dazza XLT]

Hard to get a side on shot of it without getting the smack down laid on me by the holden techies!! lol I had to sneak one in thru the window with the ice cream price list too!

[Aeron]

Eventhough the cars are covered, you can tell its going to look good. And angle of the bonnet looks great, but the nose of the car looks shorter, like a BMW 5series. Definently euro style, and why not. Could be similar to the Torana they had at the Motorshow.
The V8Supercar version should also look great.

[jabba]

Originally Posted by HSE2

No it could be the battery. I know some Euro cars have the battery in that postion and its that far up there you need a special tool to get the battery out. Batteries used like that normally have a dedicated jump station becasue the terminals are such a ***** to get too.

For the record, they also put the battery there to get the weight away from the nose of the car. Make the car better balance= faster time on the track

[Poetic Justice]

Almost looks Liberty-ish from the front..

[WILDTRAKPX2]

Looks like two cars mutated ... a little snub nosed Astra at the front, then the body of a "normal" sized family car. I bet the engine bay is cramped fitting in the V8.

[Rollin]

Originally Posted by AU-MUSTD

The 380's battery is located to the rear of the engine so might be the new trend. The computer was also next to the engine which l wouldnt think would be good for it.

the computers in the HFV6 and the 2.2L astra/zafira are actually mounted to the engine, they are designed to handle the heat and vibration.

i had a look under a VE a few months back, had modified fibreglass VZ body panels on it - the front suspension looks freaking wierd, very spindly and weak-looking, though of course im sure its more than strong enough to do the job.

steering rack is mounted in front of the motor, and the motor is a lot further back than in VZ.

IRS is totally different to the current setup, and by comparison to the front looks very complicated and heavy - its very different under there than VZ.

rear discs IIRC were ventilated with quite substantial size callipers.

the interior was a chopped up molested VZ one, so i dont know what it will look like.

i did try to get pics but the guy who was with the car was watching me like a hawk :(

[FGX-351]

Originally Posted by Rollin

the computers in the HFV6 and the 2.2L astra/zafira are actually mounted to the engine, they are designed to handle the heat and vibration.

i had a look under a VE a few months back, had modified fibreglass VZ body panels on it - the front suspension looks freaking wierd, very spindly and weak-looking, though of course im sure its more than strong enough to do the job.

steering rack is mounted in front of the motor, and the motor is a lot further back than in VZ.

IRS is totally different to the current setup, and by comparison to the front looks very complicated and heavy - its very different under there than VZ.

rear discs IIRC were ventilated with quite substantial size callipers.

the interior was a chopped up molested VZ one, so i dont know what it will look like.

i did try to get pics but the guy who was with the car was watching me like a hawk :(

so where abouts in qld are you to have seen the mules?

[YLDGTS]

Seems to look alot better than all the computer generated images that have been floating around the last few weeks.

[FGX-351]

mmm yeah i know, i wonder how close they are to actually showing off the real thing

[Rollin]

Originally Posted by hbk_dx

so where abouts in qld are you to have seen the mules?

brisbane ;)

[Dazza XLT]

Do car companies normally produce this many test vehicles?? Must be clocking up the miles now!

[Deadman]

Originally Posted by YLDGTS

Seems to look alot better than all the computer generated images that have been floating around the last few weeks.

You can see the latest computer generated images and details (from Drive) here . Look at that ute : Hope it doesn't look like that in the flesh...

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Darran

Do car companies normally produce this many test vehicles?? Must be clocking up the miles now!

I would say that there would be atleast 100-200 test cars (includes VZ mules), depending on how holdens finances are being checked by the US.

About 10% should go on the road at some point.

[FANTASY]

Dont matter how many times you try to dress it, it still looks like a commondore

[YLDGTS]

Originally Posted by Deadman

You can see the latest computer generated images and details (from Drive) here . Look at that ute : Hope it doesn't look like that in the flesh...

Yeah they're the ones im talking about.They are very average looking renderings

[Fairmont I6]

noone else has said this, but in every VE pic ive seen it just looks like an overwieght astra/vectra, not very attractive in my opinion.

[gtfpv]

it is going to be way better than the vz . and that looks good . so does the vy. so dont knock em . just cause they arent a ford . they are a manufacturer to be reckoned with . if i think of an fpv or xr8's direct rival it is a ss or hsv.