Autoblog

Pontiac G8 resurfaces in Australia as a pair of special-edition Holdens

Noah Joseph — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:42:00 EST

Holden VE Commodore SS V-Series Special Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

Holden giveth, and Holden taketh away. While we're still mourning the departure of the Pontiac G8 here in the U.S., the General's Australian subsidiary - whose Commodore gave birth to the G8 in the first place - has just announced a pair of special editions that seem to take back what we've lost.

The Holden VE Commodore SS V-Series Special Edition - available in sedan, Sportwagon and Ute body-styles - ditches the Australian brand's usual grille in favor of a twin nostril front end with a splitter down low and a pair of hood scoops up top. Look familiar? It's a Pontiac G8 GT, only without the Pontiac emblem. They just wiped the arrowhead off with a tissue like it was an errant booger. There's also the...um, sophisticated-sounding International Special Edition that packs AUS $7,500 of optional equipment, including leather interior and 18-inch alloys, into the ~~Pontiac~~ Commodore with the 3.0-liter direct injection V6 and six-speed auto, a.k.a. the Pontiac G8 V6.

You can read more about the pair in the press release after the jump. But all you really need to know is that the prisoner of GM's war on spending wasn't put to death, it was just sent off to Australia until the parts supply runs out. Press release after the jump, arrowhead-free high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Holden VE Commodore SS V-Series Special Edition

[Source: Holden]

Continue reading Pontiac G8 resurfaces in Australia as a pair of special-edition Holdens

Pontiac G8 resurfaces in Australia as a pair of special-edition Holdens originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM still working on importing Holden Commodore with police package

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, GM, Holden, Police/Emergency

Stop us if you've heard this one. GM's Australian-based arm is looking to send its Holden Commodore to the United States. Right, um, that's the Pontiac G8, right? Actually, no, it's dead. And it may not be a Chevy either, depending on how you read the report from drive.com.au, which quotes GM chief Fritz Henderson as saying, "We've been working on a package for police applications. I just think that's going to work. We're pretty optimistic about it and that product will be sourced in Australia."

We'll put in an unsolicited vote for sending the cars to the U.S. exactly as they roll off the assembly line in Oz, complete with a Holden crest on the front fascia. Why fix what isn't broken? One thing is for certain: Unless you happen to wear a badge and drive around in a black-and-white Crown Vic for your day job, you probably won't have access to one of the Australian sedans, which, as you surely know by now, is a downright shame.

We're sure that police officers in the United States and Canada will appreciate another modern V8-powered, rear-wheel drive sedan platform just as much as anyone else, but we still wish The General was able to find a way to keep this vehicle in American showrooms and available to the public.

[Source: drive.com.au]

REPORT: GM still working on importing Holden Commodore with police package originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Holden Commodore gets smaller engines, better fuel economy, six-speed tranny

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Holden, Australia

2010 Holden Commodore SIDI lineup - click above image for high-res gallery

Everywhere else but under its skin, the 2010 Holden Commodore differs from its current version only in badging: it will wear the acronym SIDI on its flanks, which stands for Spark Ignition Direct Injection. Pop the hood, though, and you'll find that the long-running Aussie sedan gets one of the smallest engines it has had in donkey's years: a 3.0-liter V6 with 190 kW (270 horsepower) and 290 Nm of torque (213 pound-feet).

That SIDI-equipped engine will power Omega and Berlina sedans, and they are also slated to get a long awaited six-speed transmission to replace their four-speed units. Calais and SV6 trim levels, on the other hand, will get the 3.6-liter SIDI engine that pumps out out 210 kW (281 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft). The primary reason for the smaller six is added fuel economy, which Holden says its customers have repeatedly requested, and which might help it retain its 13-year-old title of the best selling car in Oz.

Holden says that the 3.0-liter gets up to 13% better gas mileage (Omega Sportwagon), returning 9.3 l/km (25.3 mpg), with the help of standard equipment low rolling resistance tires. The GM marque also says that the Commodore can go from Sydney to Melbourne on one tank - according to Google Maps, that's 546 miles - with 7.5 l/km (31.36 mpg) during one real-world driving stint. If you're looking for even more from the Commodore, you'll get it at the end of 2010 when the car's four-year-old exterior is redesigned. High-res gallery below, official press release after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Len.

Gallery: 2010 Holden Commodore SIDI

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading 2010 Holden Commodore gets smaller engines, better fuel economy, six-speed tranny

2010 Holden Commodore gets smaller engines, better fuel economy, six-speed tranny originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Industry analyst says Australian car industry is doomed

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, GM, Earnings/Financials, Australia

Clive Matthew-Wilson, editor of Australia's Dog & Lemon Guide, says there's no way around a central fact of Australian automobile production: "Australia's car factories are losing money on every vehicle they make." Because of that, he believes that there is no future for the domestic car industry Down Under, no matter how much money the government provides to keep factories open.

Matthew-Wilson further believes that General Motors' Holden division will be the first brand thrown into the abyss, trailed closely by Ford. The economics of Australian auto manufacturing, as far as he's concerned, simply don't make sense and GM and Ford's cash drain will force them to shut down their operations there.

''Globally, there's a glut of new cars at bargain prices," he says, "yet Australia, which produces a small number of high cost cars, is trying to compete with countries like China.... The Australian car industry can re-focus on small cars, green cars, blue cars or red cars. None of this will make the slightest difference."

For its part, Holden recently cut production nearly by half, and rumblings are that it, like Saab and Opel and HUMMER, it may soon be looking for a buyer.

[Source: Sydney Morning Herald via Carscoop]

Industry analyst says Australian car industry is doomed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Baby got back: HSV launches ClubSport R8 Tourer

Alex Nunez — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, GM, Holden, Australia, HSV

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the ClubSport R8 Tourer

HSV's ClubSport R8 Tourer has officially arrived, giving our friends from Down Under the means to haul stuff, ass and any combination thereof as long as they part with $65K AUD. The super-duper Commodore SportWagon has got LS3 V8 power with 425 horses and 405 lb-ft of torque ready to transfer its rear tires to the ozone layer. To further underscore the undeniable awesomeness of this package, the standard gearbox is a six-speed manual. An automatic is available as an option, as are 20-inch wheels and a full-leather interior. Chances of us seeing this here? Essentially zero, since Pontiac is getting the Ute (G8 ST) instead of the wagon. That's just a shame. Sure, it's no Wagon Queen Family Truckster, but a hypothetical Pontiac G8 Safari GXP would deliver raucous fun for the whole family.

Gallery: HSV ClubSport R8 Tourer

[Source: HSV]

Baby got back: HSV launches ClubSport R8 Tourer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oz-some: HSV W427 launches Down Under

Alex Nunez — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:26:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Supercars, GM, Holden, Australia, HSV

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the HSV W427

"She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts." That's what Han Solo says about the Millenium Falcon. You could apply the same saying to the HSV W427 super-duper sedan just launched by Holden's in-house performance division. I mean, that front end has some serious issues, but the Corvette Z06's LS7 V8 lurks behind it, and it's no joke, giving the four-door 500 horses and 471 lb-ft of torque. Production is limited to 427 units total, 90 of which will be produced this year. All of those have already been spoken for at a heady $154,500 Australian dollars, including luxury tax. Buyers also get the opportunity to tour the cars' production facility, and get a letter from Tom Walkinshaw, who started HSV some 20 years ago. The "W" in the car's name is also a tribute to him. HSV says that the W427's angry fascia emphasizes the cooling needs of the 7.0L V8. We think it mostly tells drivers who catch it racing up in their rearview to simply move out of the way...or be swallowed whole. We hear the car runs best when fed a steady diet of FPVs.

A slew of new photos have dropped in conjunction with the car's production launch, all of which can be seen in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2008 HSV W427

[Source: HSV]

Oz-some: HSV W427 launches Down Under originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australian government asks for hybrid, promises to buy it

Chris Shunk — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Green, Ford, Holden, Australia

The Australian government has both feet firmly planted on the hybrid bandwagon, and the blokes down under are looking for more of the automotive combo platter in its fleet. The government already has 355 Toyota and Honda hybrids in its fleet, but Aussie lawmakers would like to utilize its own home-grown workforce for future models. NSW Premier Morris Lemma wants the option to purchase hybrids from both both GM-owned Holden and Ford of Australia, and has even guaranteed that his government will be one of the first customers in line if Holden offered a battery-assisted Commodore within two years, as has been reported. Unfortunately, a promise from the government for a few hundred sales is hardly enough incentive on its own for an automaker to begin developing a hybrid, so both Holden and Ford will no doubt be investigating closely whether or not there's enough demand in the Australian market for a gas-electric hybrid to support the investment.

[Source: The Australian]

Australian government asks for hybrid, promises to buy it originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden Commodore hybrid and turbo'd four under consideration

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 19 May 2008 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Green, GM, Holden, Australia

Two separate reports out of Australia say that Holden is looking to maximize the Commodore's fuel efficiency in an effort to stoke sales. Both stories quote General Motor's Asia-Pacific vice president, Nick Reilly, but the separate reports, while sharing a common theme, come to decidedly different conclusions about how the General plans to proceed.

The first story from the Sydney Morning Herald (thanks Patrick!) cites Reilly as saying that Holden is looking into hybrid technology to power the Commodore. "[It] could be one of the first hybrids that you will see," but Reilly insists that a gasoline-electric Commodore is still a few years out.

The second report comes courtesy of Drive.com.au, who also spoke with Reilly and asked if a four-cylinder version of the Commodore was in the cards. "It makes a lot of sense," Reilly said, "and therefore we're probably looking at it, but I can't tell you when." While that's far from a confirmation that a turbocharged four is on the way, it coincides with earlier reports that the new Camaro, which shares its platform with the Commodore, might benefit from the same 260 hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter found in the Pontiac Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Redline.

Both stories are somewhat devoid of hard details, but despite that, it may be proof that General Motors' operations Down Under are willing to look at a variety of solutions to address the Commodore's slipping sales.

[Sources: SMH, Drive.com.au]

Holden Commodore hybrid and turbo'd four under consideration originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 May 2008 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sorry Holden: GM cancels VE Sportwagon for US market

John Neff — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Wagon, GM, Pontiac, Holden, Australia

click above for more high-res images of the Holden VE Sportwagon

Holden wasn't sure if it was going to build a new VE Commodore Wagon when developing its new line of rear-wheel-drive Zeta-based sedans. Wagons are fleet darlings in Australia, and the new one from Holden was for some reason switched from the long-wheelbase Caprice and Statesman platform to the shorter Commodore platform. That reduced the wagon's cargo capacity, which in turn threatened its very existence. But after hearing that its parent company, General Motors, was interested in importing the VE Sportwagon as a Pontiac G8 wagon, Holden gave the wagon a green light in good faith that there would be additional sales from exports to offset the loss of fleet sales.

Well, Holden just lost the U.S. market, as Bob Lutz told Australian journalists at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show that the VE Sportwagon, a higher-octane version of the VE Commodore Wagon, would not be coming to America. His reasons include the cost of meeting U.S. regulations and the fact that Yanks don't seem to be interested in wagons at all anymore. Audi, BMW and Mercedes offer them but sell hardly any, while Dodge tried to make the sport wagon mainstream again with the critically-acclaimed Magnum. We all know how that turned out.

We bet that if the Magnum were a hot seller, GM would then have no qualms importing the VE Sportwagon. As it stands, though, without the Magnum, a Pontiac G8 wagon would be competing with Audi, BMW and Mercedes wagons for a small slice of this very niche segment's sales.

[Source: Goauto.com via GMInsideNews]

Gallery: Holden VE Commodore Sportwagon

Sorry Holden: GM cancels VE Sportwagon for US market originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden recalls 86,000 Zetas equipped with V6

Dan Roth — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, GM, Holden

GM's Australian subsidiary Holden has recalled 86,000 rear-wheel-drive Zeta cars with the V6 engine to correct a potential fuel leak that could lead to fires. The CNN Money article says that the recall doesn't impact the Pontiac G8, GM's North American Zeta variant, because that car's underhood layout is different. We should also mention that the G8 is not even on sale yet, so there are none in customer hands to recall.

VE and WM Commodores in Australia and New Zealand, Chevrolet Lumina and Caprice models in the Middle East, as well as the Chevrolet Omega in Brazil are all affected. When a clip chafes on the fuel line, it can apparently cause a leak with nasty results if the gasoline ignites. The risk is low, says GM's John Lindsay, but they're calling the cars back, nearly all of the Zetas with V6 engines sold since the car's redesign, and fixing them free of charge just to be on the safe side.

[Source: CNN]

Holden recalls 86,000 Zetas equipped with V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Pontiac G8 will spawn wagon, sport truck

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 08:04:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Wagon, GM, Pontiac, Holden, Australia

Automotive News is reporting what's been suspected all along: GM will bring a both a wagon and a Ute to the U.S. after the launch of the G8 next year. Citing three sources intimate with the project, the report goes on to say that the two models will be built in Australia and will be similar to the Commodore wagon, on which the Pontiac G8 is based, and the Holden VE Ute.

The move comes in an attempt to bring back the sporting credentials sorely lacking in GM's excitement division, so there are no plans to offer the Ute in GMC-guise. The sports truck will use the same platform as its G8 sibling and will be powered by the drivetrain from the Camaro.

The only issue that could affect the importation of both models is the weakening dollar. If it continues to slide, pricing will either be increased or both models won't make the trek across the Pacific.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Report: Pontiac G8 will spawn wagon, sport truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sydney 2007: Holden Commodore Sportwagon and HSV Maloo break cover again

Siddharth Raja — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Holden, Australia

Automakers go to great lengths preventing images and details of new cars being released prior to their official debut, but sometimes, well... often, they still fail. Holden is the latest automaker to suffer this fate, with images of its new VE Commodore wagon and high-performance HSV Maloo ute being leaked for the second time ahead of their debut at next week's Sydney Auto Show.

The pictures were published by local magazine Motor, the latest edition of which wasn't meant to go on sale until the official embargo date of the 11th of October. Subscribers of the magazine, however, received their new copies today in with full details of the two Holden show cars. These same cars were subject to another leak back in August.

The wagon Holden is presenting is being called a concept but it's an almost exact copy of the production model set to go on sale early next year. Previous versions of the car were normally sold to company fleets and accordingly were lacking in the style department. The new model is being touted as a more affordable alternative to sporty European estate models from the likes of Audi and BMW.

Holden's other model is the new Maloo ute, a hotted up version of the regular Holden VE Ute prepped by Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). It features a 411-hp 6.0L LS2 V8 and an equally powerful bodykit to match.

[Source: Drive]

Sydney 2007: Holden Commodore Sportwagon and HSV Maloo break cover again originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Oct 2007 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pontiac G8 prototypes roll off the line in Oz

Alex Nunez — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Pontiac, Holden

Click image for 2 more photos of the ceremony

The Pontiac G8 inched closer to American showrooms today as Holden held a ceremony to commemorate the production of the first engineering prototypes. Full production is scheduled to kick off at Holden Vehicle Operations' Elizabeth plant later this year at rate of 620 cars max per day. The G8 will arrive at Pontiac dealers equipped with either a 3.6L V6 or a 6.0L V8, and Pontiac has told us that the 8-cylinder G8 GT will have a starting price well under $35,000. Holden's full press release is pasted after the jump, and you can read more about the G8 here.

Thanks for the heads-up, Samantha!

[Source: GM Holden]

Gallery: Pontiac G8 Ceremony in Australia

Continue reading Pontiac G8 prototypes roll off the line in Oz

Pontiac G8 prototypes roll off the line in Oz originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM Holden reports loss

Siddharth Raja — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:08:00 EST

Filed under: Earnings/Financials, Holden

GM Holden has been in the international spotlight of late thanks to its new VE Commodore sedan, but the Aussie subsidiary is now getting attention because of its poor financial performance. Despite the Commodore maintaining its position as the number one selling vehicle down under in 2006, total revenues were down 7.8% over the period, which meant that Holden ended up with a substantial $123.7 million loss.

To its credit, the results were skewed by the costs associated with launching the VE range, along with a host of other reasons. Management blames exchange rates that favored imports, higher fuel costs and heavy discounting of older VZ series models as justification for the poor results.

Things were very different only a few years back. Under the guidance of Peter Hanenberger, Holden turned consecutive profits in excess of $200 million for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004. Things went sour when Hanenberger was replaced by American exec Denny Mooney, who just last month left the job to Chris Gubbey, who's stepping in following a stint as executive VP of Shanghai General Motors.

Holden's survival is vital to GM's revival of its rear-wheel drive heritage. Apart from the Camaro coupe, Holden engineers are also rumored to be developing several other rear-drive models for GM including a new Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet Impala and a V12 Cadillac flagship.

[Source: GoAuto News]

GM Holden reports loss originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden reveals Special Edition Commodore SVZ Ute and Wagon

Alex Nunez — Wed, 16 May 2007 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Wagon, GM

Click image for Ute gallery. Click here for Wagon gallery.

GM's Holden subsidiary has pulled the wraps off a pair of new Commodore special editions. The Commodore SVZ Ute has the General's top-notch 3.6L VVT V6 underhood, pumping 255 horses through an optional 5-speed automatic, or slightly less if the driver is making the shifts through the standard 6-speed manual tranny. The SVZ package includes black leather, exclusive badging, 18" alloys, performance brakes, a full spare and a range of paint colors that includes the color-shifting Morpheous finish seen in the enclosed photos.

Joining the Ute is the Commodore SVZ Wagon, which gets a powered-down 3.6 making 234 horses. Shifts come courtesy of a 4-speed automatic, and the car's list of features includes 17" alloys, foglights, a sport/luxury suspension, black headlamp surrounds, body color roof rails, chrome exhaust tip, and SVZ badging. This makes us want a V8-powered Pontiac G8 wagon to go head-to-head with the Dodge Magnum. Come on, General...do it! (And send the Ute over already while you're at it.)

Complete pricing and specs are in the press release after the jump.

UPDATE: As several have pointed out in the comments, these are both VZ cars, not the new VE models. The VE Ute is rumored to be debuting this summer.

[Source: GM Holden]

Gallery: Holden Commodore SVZ Ute

Gallery: Holden Commodore SVZ Wagon

Continue reading Holden reveals Special Edition Commodore SVZ Ute and Wagon

Holden reveals Special Edition Commodore SVZ Ute and Wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2007 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wanna see a red Pontiac G8? Yeah, we thought so

Chris Shunk — Mon, 07 May 2007 10:23:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Pontiac

The folks over at Kicking Tires had no intention of running into a red prototype Pontiac G8, but when they saw it, they whipped out the camera phones and did a great job with the limited tools at hand. The result is a pre-production look at one of the most anticipated vehicles for the 2009 model year. You can see from the pic that the silver Pontiac logo from the Chicago show is still present on this tester (we like it a lot), and as it turns out, on the right vehicle, the classic Pontiac grille looks quite nice on the right product. We'd agree with the Kicking Tires crew that the G8 looks better in red than it did in its showcar charcoal.

We've heard a lot about the Zeta platform over the past year or two, and the G8 is likely to be the first example of GM's flexible RWD platform here in the States. After driving the Holden Commodore down under, we're more primed than ever when the G8 finally hits production at the end of the year.

Kicking Tires got three pictures of the G8, and you can check them out here. Our shots of the G8 at the Chicago show are below.

Gallery: 2008 Pontiac G8

Wanna see a red Pontiac G8? Yeah, we thought so originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 May 2007 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Autoblog Garage: Toyota Aurion Sportivo SX6

Dane Muldoon — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:04:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Sedan, Toyota, First Drive

Click on the image for a gallery of high-res pics of the Toyota Aurion Sportivo SX6

For years, the large, family car market in Australia has been divided between the Aussie built GM Holden Commodore and the Ford Falcon, both on the road and on the track. The large car market has been characterised not only by their size, but also by V6 or V8 powerplants running on rear-wheel drive platforms. For years, other competitors, including Mitsubishi with their Magna and more recently their 380 models, have tried to chip away at this virtual duopoly, with limited success.

The game is changing though. As the price of fuel has risen, the Australian car market has seen a massive shift away from large cars and towards more fuel efficient, medium sized models. The market is currently dominated by vehicles like the Mazda6, the Honda Accord, the Hyundai Sonata and in particular, the Toyota Camry. As Australia's largest passenger vehicle brand, Toyota has long enjoyed segment-leading sales with the Camry, and although it's not a sexy choice, Toyota's mid-sized sedan represents a smart purchase, with high re-sale value, good fuel economy and Toyota's reputation for outstanding reliability.

Continue reading the Toyota Aurion Sportivo review after the jump.

Gallery: Toyota Aurion Sportivo SX6

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: Toyota Aurion Sportivo SX6

In the Autoblog Garage: Toyota Aurion Sportivo SX6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In The Autoblog Garage: Holden Commodore SS V-Series

Dane Muldoon — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Sedan, GM, Pontiac, First Drive

click image to view high-res gallery of the Holden Commodore SS V-Series

Since the Pontiac G8 burst onto the scene at the Chicago Auto Show heralding a new era of affordable, rear-wheel drive GM sedans, interest in the new vehicle has been intense. Based on GM's new Zeta platform, the G8 is actually an Australian Holden Commodore under the skin and is set to be manufactured Down Under at Holden's Elizabeth plant in South Australia. This could give us a great opportunity to tell you all about how the Pontiac G8 will feel and drive long before one lands on U.S. soil. That is, so long as Autoblog has someone actually in Australia - someone who can convince Holden to lend us a Commodore SS V-Series. Well we do, and they did.

[Images: Dane Muldoon and Damian Griggs]

Gallery: Autoblog Garage - Holden VE Commodore SS V-Series

Continue reading In The Autoblog Garage: Holden Commodore SS V-Series

In The Autoblog Garage: Holden Commodore SS V-Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Mar 2007 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vauxhall VXR8 to prowl UK roads

Alex Nunez — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:19:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Europe

click above image for hi-res photo gallery of the VXR8

This is the UK's new Vauxhall VXR8, which also happens to be Australia's HSV Clubsport R8 (ignore that "based-on" nonsense....this is as straight a rebadge as you'll ever see). Both are the spawn of the Holden VE Commodore as presented after the speed freaks at HSV have had their way with it.

In this case, "having their way" means 420 horsepower, 400+ lbs of torque, and a sub-5-second run to 60mph. The source of the enhanced juice is GM's muscled-up 6.0L V8, which is mated to a six-speed manual as standard equipment. A 6-speed automatic is available on the option sheet as well.

Big brakes, a new bodykit with unique front and rear fascias, and new 20" wheels help maximize the badassedness. All in favor of this car as the Pontiac G8 GXP say, "Aye!"

Let the General know in the comments.

[Source: Vauxhall]

Gallery: Vauxhall VXR8

Continue reading Vauxhall VXR8 to prowl UK roads

Vauxhall VXR8 to prowl UK roads originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharing is saving: GM to save up to $750 million on Zeta RWD platform

Chris Shunk — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 08:24:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, GM

Click image for a gallery of the Camaro Convertible concept

The new buzzword in Detroit is "common" -- as in common components or common architectures. That's the foundation for everything GM is doing right now, and the Zeta RWD platform is the newest poster child.Engineered in Australia for global use, the Holden VE Commodore was the first Zeta vehicle, and the '08 Pontiac G8 (a rebadged Commodore) is next in line. Beginning in 2009 and beyond, we'll see Zeta appear under the new Camaro and the next Impala. The architecture is special because it can be used for anything from a ponycar to a station wagon and everything in between. GM is estimating global units of Zeta at between 500,000 and 750,000 annually. When compared with a different-chassis-for-different-regions approach, the savings generated will be between $500 and $1000 per vehicle. These savings, which can range between $250 million and $750 million annually, result from engineering efficiencies, materials cost savings, plant tooling, and vendor tooling.

Japanese automakers have leveraged common resources for a long time now, which in turn has helped contribute to their cost advantages over the domestics. With a RWD platform that works anywhere on the globe, GM is finally starting to show that they're as serious about 'common' as the competition.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Sharing is saving: GM to save up to $750 million on Zeta RWD platform originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 08:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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