Final Commodore LS3 304kw 570nm

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by arronm

My VE and VF. I like the black surrounds on the windows on the VE better

image

Cars look good debadged. No lame lion, and no Chev badges either

[Express]

Originally Posted by Big_Daz

Did you have a chance/bother to give the Bose stereo a decent go?? Chasing opinions on it, ive got the 11 speaker Bose System in my Mazda 6 and its not a bad system for a stock one (I value SQ over straight out Bass/SPL)??

I had a little bit of a play with it but I didn’t push it or get involved with the settings as it wasn’t important because I don’t think the Ute comes with the Bose speakers and while I was driving I mainly had it off or down low so I could listen to the car.

It sounded a little bit tinnie to me but to be fair that could have been the settings, though at this price range I wouldn’t expect too much.

Holden would be teaming with Bose for the name and I would expect it’s fitted with budget Bose speakers but without pulling one out or fine tuning it I don’t know.

I would also guess you may have the basis of a good system and some amplification and such may reap rewards.

When you get the demo crank it up and post your thoughts here.

I have Harmon Kardon as a factory fit in two of my cars and the sound from them is fat and streets ahead.

Maybe someone who’s experienced a VF Series 1 Redline could comment on the Bose system fitted to them.

[Big_Daz]

Originally Posted by Express

I had a little bit of a play with it but I didn’t push it or get involved with the settings as it wasn’t important because I don’t think the Ute comes with the Bose speakers and while I was driving I mainly had it off or down low so I could listen to the car.

It sounded a little bit tinnie to me but to be fair that could have been the settings, though at this price range I wouldn’t expect too much.

Holden would be teaming with Bose for the name and I would expect it’s fitted with budget Bose speakers but without pulling one out or fine tuning it I don’t know.

I would also guess you may have the basis of a good system and some amplification and such may reap rewards.

When you get the demo crank it up and post your thoughts here.

I have Harmon Kardon as a factory fit in two of my cars and the sound from them is fat and streets ahead.

Maybe someone who’s experienced a VF Series 1 Redline could comment on the Bose system fitted to them.

No worries mate, thanks for the feedback.... The 11 Speaker one in my 6 is pretty bloody good (now that ive had a play with the settings).. well, good for that is really only a $45k car anyway...lol..

Ive got an appointment at another dealer now that the one I was dealing with have been giving me the run around.. Reckon if im going to spend circa $55-60k on a car I can take my ipod cable and give it a bloody good listen. I'll post my findings once I go in on Saturday...

Going to see if they have a demo I can have overnight to show the Minister of War and Finance.. Fingers crossed they do.. I, like you, wanted a ute but that got nibbed In the butt pretty quickly unfortunately...

Cheers

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by Big_Daz

No worries mate, thanks for the feedback.... The 11 Speaker one in my 6 is pretty bloody good (now that ive had a play with the settings).. well, good for that is really only a $45k car anyway...lol..

Ive got an appointment at another dealer now that the one I was dealing with have been giving me the run around.. Reckon if im going to spend circa $55-60k on a car I can take my ipod cable and give it a bloody good listen. I'll post my findings once I go in on Saturday...

Going to see if they have a demo I can have overnight to show the Minister of War and Finance.. Fingers crossed they do.. I, like you, wanted a ute but that got nibbed In the butt pretty quickly unfortunately...

Cheers

The BOSE sound system on my old Mazda 6 MPS was noticeably better sounding then the BOSE on my VF Redline.

I think if you are an audio guy, you will probably want to replace the speakers at least.

Dan

[Big_Daz]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

The BOSE sound system on my old Mazda 6 MPS was noticeably better sounding then the BOSE on my VF Redline.

I think if you are an audio guy, you will probably want to replace the speakers at least.

Dan

Sweet as, thanks for that mate... My 6 is an MY15 with the 11 speaker system and its not bad for the price point of the car... I rented a VE Caprice a few years back with the "Bose" stereo and it was bloody woeful.. Was hoping the VF isn't the same.. As you say though, If need be I could change the speakers up to something a little better I suppose..

Good to hear from someone with a Redline... Looking forward to testing it on Saturday..

[MethodX]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Cars look good debadged. No lame lion, and no Chev badges either

Yet its ok your traitorous blur oval is leaving?

[Sioso]

From Motor December issue: SSV-R vs XR8

Manual SSV Redline LS3
0-100km/h - 5.27
0-400m 13.44 @ 174.4km/h
80-120km/h - 3.12

Auto XR8
0-100km/h - 5.17
0-400m 13.25 @ 178.4km/h
80-120km/h - 2.74


And in a separate article the new 400kw Clubsport auto:
0-100km/h - 4.59
0-400m 12.67 @ 183.0km/h
80-120km/h - 2.59

[Chopped]

The 0-100 is closer than I thought. The SSV must launch better but after about 70kph the XR8 will just start pulling away.

I like the front bar treatment on the VF2 SSVs, I've seen a few now and they look good. Noticeably louder too.

[kypez]

Originally Posted by Sioso

From Motor December issue: SSV-R vs XR8

Manual SSV Redline LS3
0-100km/h - 5.27
0-400m 13.44 @ 174.4km/h
80-120km/h - 3.12

Auto XR8
0-100km/h - 5.17
0-400m 13.25 @ 178.4km/h
80-120km/h - 2.74


And in a separate article the new 400kw Clubsport auto:
0-100km/h - 4.59
0-400m 12.67 @ 183.0km/h
80-120km/h - 2.59

Did they have the optional forged 20's on the Redline? Also, was it Auto vs Auto or Manual vs Manual this time around?

[Chopped]

Originally Posted by kypez

Did they have the optional forged 20's on the Redline? Also, was it Auto vs Auto or Manual vs Manual this time around?

The SSV was manual and the XR8 was auto, maybe the manual SSV has a better final drive ratio letting it launch harder.

[kypez]

Originally Posted by Chopped

The SSV was manual and the XR8 was auto, maybe the manual SSV has a better final drive ratio letting it launch harder.

Not sure if you're quoting another one of my posts (trolling me) or making your own comment...

would be nice if they ran the same types of cars for once!

[Chopped]

Originally Posted by kypez

Not sure if you're quoting another one of my posts (trolling me) or making your own comment...

would be nice if they ran the same types of cars for once!

No not trolling just responding to the second part of your question about if they were both manual or auto.

I agree that they should run either both autos or both manuals.

[kypez]

Originally Posted by Chopped

No not trolling just responding to the second part of your question about if they were both manual or auto.

I agree that they should run either both autos or both manuals.

All good mate. I had posted the same thing in another review with the miss match of transmissions. Said exactly what you said around the final drive ratios. The XR8 is ridiculously tall in the Auto.

The manual vs manual would be interesting or Auto vs Auto. Interesting mix of ratios. The Manual SSV is a 3.7 and Auto XR8 is 2.73. Pretty big difference if you nail the launch though would have thought the XR8 auto would run a better quarter time.

Also, not sure why the XR8 runs different final drive ratios to the GT... Maybe they made them "slower" to protect GT owners...

[futura]

It never seems to amazing me why time after time magazines try to manufacturer the outcome by not matching the gearboxes!!

[Sioso]

SSV Redline was on 19's

[devoGT]

I read somewhere the manual SS is faster than the auto, probably why they went with the stick shift. Fastest Ford over the quarter would be the auto so comparing the two fastest of each camp.

[XG_Falcon]

Originally Posted by devoGT

I read somewhere the manual SS is faster than the auto, probably why they went with the stick shift. Fastest Ford over the quarter would be the auto so comparing the two fastest of each camp.

Aren't the auto SS Commodores de-tuned to produce less power than the manual versions though?

[devoGT]

I believe that was series 1 VF and VE's, LS3 has same power output both auto and manual.

[XG_Falcon]

Originally Posted by devoGT

I believe that was series 1 VF and VE's, LS3 has same power output both auto and manual.

Yeah, seems like you're right about that. My mistake.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by futura

It never seems to amazing me why time after time magazines try to manufacturer the outcome by not matching the gearboxes!!

Do the magazines get any say? AFAIK, they test what the manufacturer gives them.

[johnydep]

Originally Posted by XG_Falcon

Aren't the auto SS Commodores de-tuned to produce less power than the manual versions though?

6.0L VE & VF I - 260 kw for the auto. 270 kw for the manual.

The Auto VE & VF I have cylinder deactivation, the manual does not.

[tranquilized]

Originally Posted by b0son

Do the magazines get any say? AFAIK, they test what the manufacturer gives them.

That's my understanding of it as well. Often you'll see mis-matched cars being compared and it's usually explained in the article - we asked for that but showed up on the day and they gave us this instead - kinda deal

Originally Posted by XG_Falcon

Aren't the auto SS Commodores de-tuned to produce less power than the manual versions though?

This was the case with VF series 1 due to the AFM I believe - manual's don't have AFM, no VF series 2 has AFM.

[Robos F6]

Nice times by the new VF SS, not far off the XR8 and the clubby chops the XR8

[kypez]

Originally Posted by Robos F6

Nice times by the new VF SS, not far off the XR8 and the clubby chops the XR8

here we go...

[kypez]

Originally Posted by b0son

Do the magazines get any say? AFAIK, they test what the manufacturer gives them.

Guess that's true. Good luck getting a manual XR8 from Ford for a test.

[Iggle Piggle]

Not sure how many press cars there are getting around, but if these are legitimately the last of each "mainstream" offering (ignoring pending sticker packs) it would be great to see someone do a comprehensive 3 day comparison that was something like...

Get an auto and a manual from both camps

Mileage as similar as possible (does not have to be similar across the board, so long as both manuals have similar-ish kms, and both autos have similar kms)

Refresh all consumables (tyres, pads, fluids, etc) with brand new OEM bits at the start of each day

4 drivers swapping between the 4 cars in each test, so the cars can be run head-to-head in same conditions while also smoothing any gains from cars suiting driving styles - each driver tests each car in each discipline multiple times

Independent confirmation of stock factory tunes


Day 1 go somewhere like Coota airport for multiple tests of the straight-line stuff like:

0 - 100

80 - 120

100 - 0

160 - 0

Standing Quarter

Standing KM


Day 2 refresh tyres, pads, fluids etc with OEM then start circuit testing at a tight circuit like Winton.

Let them go at approx 20 second intervals so there is no gain from different conditions - all cars on track at the same time in same conditions but without tripping over each other. Again, each driver testing each car throughout the course of the day.

Other than quickest lap time that can be achieved over the course of the day, include tests over 3 consecutive laps, over 5 consecutive laps, etc.


Third and final day you refresh tyres, pads, fluids then repeat day 2 but at a fast flowing circuit like Phillip Island.


Day 4 they refresh tyres and pads and then give at least one of them to me to keep (any of the 4 will do - maybe the one ticking the least).


Few weeks later they publish then brace for accusations of bias, dodgey drivers and rigged test methods, and complaints of no dyno session.


In addition to giving us Ford auto versus Holden auto and Ford manual versus Holden manual, it will also give us a good look at Ford auto versus Ford manual and Holden auto versus Holden manual in each test discipline.

[damo6]

Originally Posted by tranquilized

no VF series 2 has AFM.

Thank god! AFM lifters are complete rubbish

[kypez]

Originally Posted by Iggle Piggle

Not sure how many press cars there are getting around, but if these are legitimately the last of each "mainstream" offering (ignoring pending sticker packs) it would be great to see someone do a comprehensive 3 day comparison that was something like...

Get an auto and a manual from both camps

Mileage as similar as possible (does not have to be similar across the board, so long as both manuals have similar-ish kms, and both autos have similar kms)

Refresh all consumables (tyres, pads, fluids, etc) with brand new OEM bits at the start of each day

4 drivers swapping between the 4 cars in each test, so the cars can be run head-to-head in same conditions while also smoothing any gains from cars suiting driving styles - each driver tests each car in each discipline multiple times

Independent confirmation of stock factory tunes


Day 1 go somewhere like Coota airport for multiple tests of the straight-line stuff like:

0 - 100

80 - 120

100 - 0

160 - 0

Standing Quarter

Standing KM


Day 2 refresh tyres, pads, fluids etc with OEM then start circuit testing at a tight circuit like Winton.

Let them go at approx 20 second intervals so there is no gain from different conditions - all cars on track at the same time in same conditions but without tripping over each other. Again, each driver testing each car throughout the course of the day.

Other than quickest lap time that can be achieved over the course of the day, include tests over 3 consecutive laps, over 5 consecutive laps, etc.


Third and final day you refresh tyres, pads, fluids then repeat day 2 but at a fast flowing circuit like Phillip Island.


Day 4 they refresh tyres and pads and then give at least one of them to me to keep (any of the 4 will do - maybe the one ticking the least).


Few weeks later they publish then brace for accusations of bias, dodgey drivers and rigged test methods, and complaints of no dyno session.


In addition to giving us Ford auto versus Holden auto and Ford manual versus Holden manual, it will also give us a good look at Ford auto versus Ford manual and Holden auto versus Holden manual in each test discipline.

Ideally, it would be run by people from Euro and/or American mags that dont have a particular bias to either product.

The XR8 interior will get hammered by most and I'm happy to concede this.

The performance times are the real issue here. And then comparing the results from another car (Clubsport) from a different day makes no sense. There are quick days at the track and there are slow ones depending on so many things. They need to be run together, back to back or as close as that as possible.

Oh and the same gearbox in both!

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by kypez

Ideally, it would be run by people from Euro and/or American mags that dont have a particular bias to either product.

The XR8 interior will get hammered by most and I'm happy to concede this.

The performance times are the real issue here. And then comparing the results from another car (Clubsport) from a different day makes no sense. There are quick days at the track and there are slow ones depending on so many things. They need to be run together, back to back or as close as that as possible.

Oh and the same gearbox in both!

A bias? LOL you kidding me? Many of these journos aren't petty enough to get involved in Blue vs Red.

You think that Americans or Europeans don' have bias? Chev vs Ford anyone?
Don't forget the HSVs are loved by Europeans.
If they all still chose the Holden and or got the same times are they biased too?

Getting a car of specific configurations isn't easy. Either there are none available at that time, or and it has happened someone will buy the car allocated so another is rushed in to replace it.
I have a good friend who is the fleet manager for a car company and he tries to accommodate the journos where he can (they submit requests weeks/months in advance, advising them of the use too) but sometimes at the last minute that specification is not available.
The magazines then have to run with it because changing track booking dates, photographers and other such resources isn't something than can be done in a days turnaround.

[Sioso]

I used to know someone quite close who advertised in certain automotive magazines and he explained to me the correlation between the reviews and the amount of money a company might spend on advertising packages for said magazine - they don't outright lie but there is a grey area where something can be shown in a favourable light.

It would be nice to believe in a world of honesty and transparency but that is a pipe dream unfortunately.

If you decided to run a magazine and a manufacturer took out a years worth of advertising for say $250K would you make derogatory comments and advise people against buying their product knowing full well they wouldn't spend that much again next year?
Or would you bend the truth slightly and focus on the good points in order to securing next years income?