Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Australian racing fans limited to just 24 beers per day]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/report-australian-racing-fans-limited-to-just-24-beers-per-day/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/report-australian-racing-fans-limited-to-just-24-beers-per-day/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/report-australian-racing-fans-limited-to-just-24-beers-per-day/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bathurst 1000 fan enjoying a coldie during The Great Race

You know what's not aces? When you're just trying to drink a little amber fluid and watch the Bathurst 1000 and the man treats you like a total bogan. What business is it of his how many coldies you drink when it's time to hit the turps? This makes us so mad we could eat a trough lolly! No doubt a pommy bastard thunk this 'un up...

And that marks the end of our silly attempt to sound Australian. However, it does not end our amusement over the fact that Australian officials have set a 24-beer per day limit on fans attending the Bathurst 1000. As in, you are allowed to drink 24 beers, but not 25. Cause you know, there's a huge difference. Why are they enacting this draconian alcohol policy? To cut down on booze-related crime of course.

If you don't know, the Bathurst 1000 is known in the Land Down Under as "The Great Race." Only V8 Supercars are allowed to compete. These days in Australia V8 Supercars consist of either the Holden Commodore or the Ford Falcon. That's it. Thousands of blokes and sheilas turn up in the town of Bathurst to watch the cars run, and turns out they like drinking.

Says police assistant commissioner Alan Clarke, "This is one of the greatest motorsport events in Australia and for some it is a pilgrimage that they make every year... Every year thousands of race fans attend and enjoy the event and Police will not allow their safety to be compromised by a drunken few." So there you have it. Drink your 24 beers, keep your nose clean and you shouldn't have any trouble. Oh, if you drink low- or medium-strength beer, the cops will let you have up to 36. Sweet! Hat tip to Bumbeck.

[Source: Reuters | Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty]

REPORT: Australian racing fans limited to just 24 beers per day originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AustraliabathurstBathurst 1000Bathurst1000BeerdrinkingFord FalconFordFalconHolden CommodoreHoldenCommodorepublic intoxicationPublicIntoxicationV8 SupercarsV8SupercarsWed, 07 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pontiac G8 resurfaces in Australia as a pair of special-edition Holdens]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/pontiac-g8-is-alive-and-well-in-australia-as-a-special-editi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/pontiac-g8-is-alive-and-well-in-australia-as-a-special-editi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/pontiac-g8-is-alive-and-well-in-australia-as-a-special-editi/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commodoreg8holdenholden commodoreholden g8holden veholden ve commodore international special editionholden ve commodore ssholden ve commodore ss v-series special editionHoldenCommodoreHoldenG8HoldenVeHoldenVeCommodoreInternationalSpecialEditionHoldenVeCommodoreSsHoldenVeCommodoreSsV-seriesSpecialEditionpontiacpontiac g8PontiacG8ve commodoreVeCommodoreThu, 01 Oct 2009 11:42:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: GM still working on importing Holden Commodore with police package]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/report-gm-still-working-on-importing-holden-commodore-with-poli/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/report-gm-still-working-on-importing-holden-commodore-with-poli/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/report-gm-still-working-on-importing-holden-commodore-with-poli/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commodoreholdenholden commodoreholden commodore policeHoldenCommodoreHoldenCommodorePolicelapdpontiacpontiac g8pontiac g8 gtpontiac g8 gxppontiac g8 policePontiacG8PontiacG8GtPontiacG8GxpPontiacG8PoliceThu, 17 Sep 2009 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[2010 Holden Commodore gets smaller engines, better fuel economy, six-speed tranny]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/2010-holden-commodore-gets-smaller-engines-better-fuel-economy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/2010-holden-commodore-gets-smaller-engines-better-fuel-economy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/2010-holden-commodore-gets-smaller-engines-better-fuel-economy/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 commodore2010 holden commodore2010Commodore2010HoldenCommodoreaustraliacommodoreholdenholden commodoreHoldenCommodoresedanThu, 06 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BREAKING: Lutz says Pontiac G8 to survive as Chevy Caprice in U.S.; Camaro Z28 reportedly dead]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/11/lutz-pontiac-g8-to-continue-as-chevy-caprice-in-u-s-z28-likel/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/11/lutz-pontiac-g8-to-continue-as-chevy-caprice-in-u-s-z28-likel/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/11/lutz-pontiac-g8-to-continue-as-chevy-caprice-in-u-s-z28-likel/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2009 Chevy Caprice SS (Middle East) - Click above for a high-res photo gallery


Bob Lutz is back, and after what seems like five minutes into his job as GM's new marketing kingpin, he's doing what he does best: making headlines. Rest assured that this is a good thing, as El Generalissimo Roberto Maximo told Automobile Magazine that yes, the Pontiac G8 will live on in the United States as the Chevy Caprice. So much for Fritz "I'm not a fan of rebadging" Henderson's statement to the contrary a couple of weeks ago.

"The last time we looked at [the G8], we decided that we would continue to import it as a Chevrolet. It is kind of too good to waste," Lutz told the mag. As for the G8 being "too good to waste": Amen to that, Bob. This also makes us wonder if law enforcement-grade models will be part of the deal with Holden to continue production. Chevy Caprice police cars? That's got a very familiar ring to it. The next question is whether a U.S. Caprice would mimic the Middle East-market Caprice, which is based on the long-wheelbase Holden Caprice/Statesman, or whether it will simply be a Chevy-badged version of the standard-wheelbase Holden Commodore/Pontiac G8/Chevrolet Lumina. Frankly, as long as there's ultimately a Caprice SS that is identical to the Pontiac G8 GXP in every critical way, we don't care.

In his conversation with Automobile, Lutz also essentially confirms that next year's Cadillac CTS coupe will be joined by a V-series variant, saying that the CTS-V coupe was the car that had most of the Presidential Task Force members' tongues wagging during the product-pipeline tour they were given by GM. Lutz even hints that a CTS-V wagon is not completely out of the question. (We'll take the wagon in brown, with the stick, Bob.)

On the bad news side, in a separate blog post, Automobile reports that Lutz kind of throws dirt on the idea of an LSA-powered Camaro Z28 (though he doesn't specifically state that the program's toast). He says that for "mainstream" sports models like the Camaro, powerful sixes (like the one in the Camaro LS and LT) and turbo fours (like the one used in the now-dead Cobalt SS, HHR SS and Solstice GXP) are more indicitive of the automaker's future direction in that regard. Hmmm. Well then, how about bolting a blower to the direct-injected V6?

Welcome back, Bob. This sounds like it could get pretty fun.


Gallery: 2009 Chevrolet Caprice (Middle East)


Gallery: 2009 Chevy Lumina SS (Middle East)


[Source: Automobile Magazine]

BREAKING: Lutz says Pontiac G8 to survive as Chevy Caprice in U.S.; Camaro Z28 reportedly dead originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob lutzBobLutzbreakingbreakingnewschevy capriceChevyCapriceholden capriceholden commodoreholden statesmanHoldenCapriceHoldenCommodoreHoldenStatesmanpontiac g8Pontiac G8 LivesPontiacG8PontiacG8LivesSat, 11 Jul 2009 12:19:00 EST<![CDATA[One Last Time: Henderson slams door on Pontiac G8 revival]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/one-last-time-henderson-slams-door-on-pontiac-g8-revival/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/one-last-time-henderson-slams-door-on-pontiac-g8-revival/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/one-last-time-henderson-slams-door-on-pontiac-g8-revival/#commentsFiled under: ,


Middle East-market Chevy Lumina SS - Click above for high-res gallery

General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson held a web chat with journalists earlier today over at the automaker's Fastlane Blog. (Full transcript available here.) Now, despite persistent rumors to the contrary, it's been reported a few times over that GM has no intention of resurrecting the Aussie-built Pontiac G8 under a different division, even though variants of the G8's Holden Commodore source material are sold in foreign markets under both the Chevrolet and Buick nameplates. This is a lamentable course of action, to say the least, because the G8 is a really good car. In particular, the G8 GT and GXP models are downright excellent. Towards the end of the web proceedings, AutoWeek's Greg Migliore went to the well one last time on behalf of enthusiasts everywhere, asking Henderson if the G8 has any future under one of the "new" GM's remaining brands.

14:45 [Comment From Greg Migliore--AutoWeek]
Does the Pontiac G8 have any kind of future within General Motors as a re-badged model? What kinds of changes would need to be made to the car for it to be sold under another brand?

14:45 Fritz Henderson: I am not a fan of rebadging.

That's a terse, disappointing, answer - especially considering that of GM's four remaining divisions, GMC is made up almost exclusively of warmed-over Chevrolets. R.I.P. Pontiac G8. (Or new Chevy Impala. Or Buick Park Avenue...)


Gallery: 2009 Chevy Lumina SS (Middle East)


[Source: GM Fastlane via Motor Trend]

One Last Time: Henderson slams door on Pontiac G8 revival originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BuickChevroletChevyfastlane blogFastlaneBlogFritz HendersonFritzHendersonG8G8 GTG8 GXPG8GtG8GxpGMCHolden CommodoreHoldenCommodorePontiac G8PontiacG8Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:59:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Group working on bringing Holden Commodore to U.S. police forces]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/report-group-working-on-bringing-holden-commodore-to-u-s-polic/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/report-group-working-on-bringing-holden-commodore-to-u-s-polic/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/report-group-working-on-bringing-holden-commodore-to-u-s-polic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Naturally, the death of the Pontiac brand has put a crimp in sales plans at Holden, General Motors' Australian arm that assembles and exports the Pontiac G8, essentially a lightly reworked version of the brand's own Commodore sedan. Interestingly, according to Aussie website GoAuto, a most unlikely new player may be preparing to make up for the sales short: a consortium led by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Currently, Ford sells about 60,000 Crown Vics each year for fleet use, with the majority of those going to various police units around the United States, but production of the Jurassic rear-drive Ford isn't likely to continue past next year, and it is thought that Dodge's Charger probably won't pick up all of the slack, so alternatives will be needed. With that in mind, Port Melbourne-based National Safety Agency has created a new prototype patrol vehicle based on the Pontiac G8 that could be rebadged as a Chevrolet and sold to law enforcement units in the United States and abroad.

There's even chatter that the new model could be made available for retail sale at Chevrolet dealerships. Not surprisingly, Holden has expressed interest in the project, though it's taking a measure approach given the current state of the American automobile industry. If this vehicle does come to fruition, it will be interesting to see how it competes against the Carbon Motors E7, another new vehicle specifically designed for police use.

[Source: GoAuto]

REPORT: Group working on bringing Holden Commodore to U.S. police forces originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holdenholden commodoreholden policeHoldenCommodoreHoldenPolicelapdlapd police carLapdPoliceCarpontiac g8pontiac g8 policePontiacG8PontiacG8PoliceTue, 28 Apr 2009 15:28:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Holden to lose $1 billion annually if GM shutters Pontiac]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/27/report-holden-to-lose-1-billion-annually-if-gm-shutters-pontia/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/27/report-holden-to-lose-1-billion-annually-if-gm-shutters-pontia/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/27/report-holden-to-lose-1-billion-annually-if-gm-shutters-pontia/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2009 Pontiac G8 GXP: Click above to view the gallery

The G8 may be the best Pontiac in decades, but the stellar RWD sedan doesn't stand a chance if the arrow head is forever retired. The loss of the G8 is difficult for enthusiasts, but it'll be even tougher for Holden. GM's Australian arm will lose $1 billion ($716 million US) in revenue every year with the loss of the Commodore clone. Holden has been counting on 30,000 annual exports to the US and 70,000 worldwide exports. GM spent $77 million to upgrade the Port Elizabeth plant to build left-hand drive vehicles, and the plant received $6.9 million in loans from the Australian government to make the project happen

Even though the G8 has generally been considered an excellent vehicle by the press and enthusiasts alike, it hasn't sold well in the US. About half of the 25,000 G8s shipped Stateside have yet to leave the dealer lot. The collapse of auto sales in the US have a lot to do with that, but we'd add that marketing efforts of the G8 have been less than stellar as well. It's hard to buy a G8 when you don't know it exists. March was a bright spot for the G8, though, as nearly 3,000 models were sold; the vehicle's best month ever.

One possibility for the G8 that could save Holden a lot of money while saving an excellent RWD sedan from extinction would be to convert it into a Chevy. The Commodore already dons the Chevy bow-tie in some markets, and we're sure US dealers would welcome a RWD sedan into its showrooms.

[Source: News AU]

REPORT: Holden to lose $1 billion annually if GM shutters Pontiac originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaholden commodoreHoldenCommodorepontiac g8PontiacG8Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Australian company wants Pontiac G8 to be next cop cruiser]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/australian-company-wants-pontiac-g8-to-be-next-cop-cruiser/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/australian-company-wants-pontiac-g8-to-be-next-cop-cruiser/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/australian-company-wants-pontiac-g8-to-be-next-cop-cruiser/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Police agencies across the United States are chock full of Crown Victoria cruisers. In all, there are over 80,000 Crown Vics on patrol, but the generations-old cruiser is finally getting consigned to history within the next year. That leaves a huge opening to any company that has a suitable replacement, and an Australian company thinks it has what it takes. Melbourne's National Safety Agency is working on newer, safer and more efficient technology for large markets like the US, UK and Canada, and they have a very solid partner in Holden. Holden builds both the Commodore and the Pontiac G8, giving the NSA both left and right hand drive RWD vehicles with powerful engine options. The very capable GM models also adhere to safety and emissions standards in several high volume markets.

The NSA has built a Pontiac G8 police cruiser prototype for an upcoming meeting with the LAPD and the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials, with several police-specific technologies on-board, including a integrated computer mounted into the dash. The G8 will also employs safety technology to keep officers safer, while also reducing the considerable costs that go into retrofitting a vehicle for police duty. Thanks for the tip, Andrew!

[Source: CarPoint]

Australian company wants Pontiac G8 to be next cop cruiser originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiag8 police cruiserG8PoliceCruiserholden commodoreHoldenCommodorensapontiac g8PontiacG8Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst models rock out with 560 HP]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/vauxhall-vxr8-bathurst-models-rock-out-with-560-hp/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/vauxhall-vxr8-bathurst-models-rock-out-with-560-hp/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/vauxhall-vxr8-bathurst-models-rock-out-with-560-hp/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click the Vauxhall Bathurst S for a high res gallery

The Vauxhall VXR8 (a.k.a. Pontiac G8 GXP) is no performance slouch by any measure. However, as we all know, there is no such thing as too much power or torque - there are only transmissions and tires that can't handle the truth. With that in mind, the kids at General Motors' British outpost, Vauxhall, have taken the VXR8 and bolted a big honking Walkinshaw supercharger to the normally demure 431 horsepower LS3 small block. The result is 560 hp and a bump in torque from the original 405 lb-ft to 527 lb-ft. They gave this beastie the name Bathurst S for the Australian city that plays host to the Bathurst 1000, scene of so many Commodore victories over the years.

Since drivers in the rest of the world seem to lack the anti-clutch pedal gene that has seemingly infected over 95 percent of the US driving populace, the 6-speed shift it yourself gearbox remains in place. The Bathurst S also gets an assortment of visual enhancements and an optional two-mode exhaust system that lets the whole world now how loud an engine can be. The $82,400 (£44,985) price tag makes this the least expensive 500 hp car currently available in the UK.

Gallery: Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S


[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst models rock out with 560 HP

Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst models rock out with 560 HP originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holden commodoreHoldenCommodorepontiac g8PontiacG8vauxhallvauxhall bathurst svauxhall vxr8VauxhallBathurstSVauxhallVxr8Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Holden Commodore once again Australia's best seller, with a catch]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/07/holden-commodore-once-again-australias-best-seller-with-a-catc/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/07/holden-commodore-once-again-australias-best-seller-with-a-catc/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/07/holden-commodore-once-again-australias-best-seller-with-a-catc/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the VE Sportwagon SS-V

In a classic case of good-news versus bad-news, the Holden Commodore has once again managed to retain the title of Australia's best-selling vehicle in 2008. With this announcement, the Australian arm of General Motors has extended the Commodore's run as best seller to 13 straight years. That's the good news part. On the other hand, its 51,093 sales in 2008 are the model's lowest total since it first debuted in 1978. That, as you may have guessed, would be the bad news part.

Australia's second-best-seller is the Toyota Corolla, and the compact from Japan put up a very strong fight to wrest the title from Holden. There were a few main factors that eventually put the crown back on the Commodore, including the introduction of the Sportwagon bodystyle (above) and the October launch of Holden's $29,990 (AUS dollars) driveaway deal. Fuel prices also dropped towards the end of the year, and that likely helped swing the momentum back towards the Holden from the more fuel efficient Corolla. 2009? Time will tell.

Gallery: 2008 Holden VE Sportwagon SS-V


[Source: Drive.com.au]

Holden Commodore once again Australia's best seller, with a catch originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>austrailias best selling carAustrailiasBestSellingCarholdenholden commodoreHoldenCommodoretoyota corollaToyotaCorollaWed, 07 Jan 2009 14:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Someone did it: Holden Commodore conversion for your Pontiac G8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/someone-did-it-holden-commodore-conversion-for-your-pontiac-g8/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/someone-did-it-holden-commodore-conversion-for-your-pontiac-g8/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/someone-did-it-holden-commodore-conversion-for-your-pontiac-g8/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



General Motors has been the perpetrator of several fortunate and unfortunate badge engineering jobs over the years, and the G8 -- based off the Holden Commodore -- is the most recent example. The Aussie sedan was partially developed with American sales in mind and because of that, it doesn't take much to give your spiffy new G8 a nose job inspired by the Land Down Under. Australian firm JHP Vehicle Enhancements will sell you an entire body kit to change your G8 into a Holden for a mere, um, $4,000 if you choose to go all out in an attempt to replicate the HSV model. That's a sizable chunk of change, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Since we're less concerned with appearances, we'd just put the extra scratch towards upgrading to the GXP.

[Source: JHP Vehicle Enhancements via Autofiends]

Someone did it: Holden Commodore conversion for your Pontiac G8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>g8 commodore conversionG8CommodoreConversionholden commodoreholden conversionHoldenCommodoreHoldenConversionjhp vehicle enhancementsJhpVehicleEnhancementspontiacpontiac g8pontiac g8 commodorepontiac g8 gtpontiac g8 gxpPontiacG8PontiacG8CommodorePontiacG8GtPontiacG8GxpThu, 06 Nov 2008 18:31:00 EST<![CDATA[APS builds 557 hp twin-turbo setup for Pontiac G8 GT]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/aps-builds-557-hp-twin-turbo-setup-for-pontiac-g8-gt/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/aps-builds-557-hp-twin-turbo-setup-for-pontiac-g8-gt/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/aps-builds-557-hp-twin-turbo-setup-for-pontiac-g8-gt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for a gallery of the turbocharged APS HSV Commodore.

APS is in the business of making power and that's exactly what they've done for the new Pontiac G8 GT and its Aussie-spec sibling, the Holden Commodore HSV. The tuner's Stealth Intercooled turbocharger setup uses two water-cooled turbos mounted deep into the engine bay, just ahead of the transmission, to ensure underhood temps are kept in check - road debris be damned. According to APS, the system is a straightforward, bolt-in affair, utilizing a right-sized, aluminum, air-to-air intercooler, seven pounds of boost and a pair of TIAL 38mm external wastegates to bleed off exhaust gases and optimize throttle response. While APS hasn't installed the system on a Pontiac G8 GT yet, they've strapped its own blown HSV (with a three-inch cat-back exhaust) onto the rollers of a Dyno Dynamics dyno and produced 557 hp and 583 lb.-ft. of torque while running 93-octane. Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but considering how impressed we were with the standard G8 GT, this setup has the potential to redefine the bang-for-the-buck quotient in the segment.

Gallery: APS Stealth Intercooled HSV Commodore


Gallery: First Drive: Pontiac G8


[Source: APS via FreshTarmac]

APS builds 557 hp twin-turbo setup for Pontiac G8 GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 May 2008 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apscommodorg8gtholdenholden commodoreholden commordore hsvHoldenCommodoreHoldenCommordoreHsvhsxpontiacpontiac g8pontiac g8 gtPontiacG8PontiacG8Gtturbo pontiac g8 gtTurboPontiacG8GtMon, 12 May 2008 14:33:00 EST<![CDATA[HSV Tourer super-wagon set to haul stuff, ass]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/hsv-tourer-super-wagon-set-to-haul-stuff-ass/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/hsv-tourer-super-wagon-set-to-haul-stuff-ass/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/hsv-tourer-super-wagon-set-to-haul-stuff-ass/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click image to enlarge

Like the sedan and ute before it, the Holden Commodore Sportwagon will also soon have a corresponding HSV performance variant. The HSV Tourer is essentially an HSV Clubsport R8 Wagon, as it features the muscle sedan's front clip and 425-horsepower (317kW) LS3 V8 powertrain. Look for it to arrive arrive in Australia this October and in the U.S. as a Pontiac, well, never. (Pontiac has no plans to bring over the Commodore Sportwagon, remember.)

HSV admits that the Tourer could take some sales away from the Clubsport R8 upon which it's based, but that the presence of the wagon in the now-complete HSV lineup should still help HSV's sales numbers overall. Drive.com.au notes that the Commodore Sportwagon was supposed to launch back in March, but has been delayed while Holden continues to work out kinks with the wagon bodystyle. We expect to get plenty more info on the HSV Tourer closer to its launch, but today, we're more bummed than ever that Pontiac isn't importing the Commodore Sportwagon. Imagine what the possibilities could have been... Pontiac G8 Safari GXP? Not bad. And unfortunately, not gonna happen.

[Sources: HSV, Drive.com.au]

HSV Tourer super-wagon set to haul stuff, ass originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 May 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Clubsport R8ClubsportR8Commodore SportwagonCommodoreSportwagonHolden CommodoreHoldenCommodoreHSV station wagonHSV TourerHSV wagonHsvStationWagonHsvTourerHsvWagonHV sportwagonHvSportwagonMon, 12 May 2008 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Upcoming Pontiac Ute gets five stars in Australian crash test]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/29/upcoming-pontiac-ute-gets-five-stars-in-australian-crash-test/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/29/upcoming-pontiac-ute-gets-five-stars-in-australian-crash-test/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/29/upcoming-pontiac-ute-gets-five-stars-in-australian-crash-test/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



For those of you interested in picking up one of the new Pontiac G8 ST utes when they come to the US next year there's good news. In a recent round of ute/pickup crash testing in Australia, the Holden Commodore Ute beat all comers to score five stars. No competitor matched the lofty score. The Ford Ranger-based Mazda BT50 got three stars while the Indian Mahindra pickup only managed two. The Mahindra currently doesn't have airbags, which hurt its scores. Look for that to change before Mahindra launches its trucks and SUVs in the US a couple of years from now. For the time being, however, if you plan on driving into any barriers, you'll want to go for the El Camino wannabe.

UPDATE: Enough already! Yes my NyQuil hazed brain still isn't working quite right as I try to recover from this flu I've been battling all week. I did indeed mis-read the story. The Holden/Pontiac Ute only got 4 stars. On to other topics of discussion.

Gallery: Holden VE Ute


Gallery: 2010 Pontiac G8 ST


[Source: Drive.com.au]

Upcoming Pontiac Ute gets five stars in Australian crash test originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden and Ford have been fighting the battle of Commodore vs. Falcon for many years, and with the recent announcement of the new Falcon range, the war has heated up. Holden's very competent Holden line has been given quite a jolt in anticipation of the Falcon's release, with many offerings trumping Ford's recently introduced Falcon models.

The Commodore will now feature standard side curtain airbags across the model range, as opposed to only two of eight Falcon models having the safety tech standard. The Commodore's side air bags will also protect both first and second row passengers, as opposed to only the front row in the Falcon. Holden also held the price of the upcoming Commodore wagon to within $1,000 of the sedan's price, where before it was an extra $3,000, and air conditioning is now standard on all models. Pricing for the eight Falcon models has yet to be announced, so Ford still has a chance to retaliate.

It appears that the battle rages on for RWD superiority in the land of OZ, and if we're lucky Ford will bring the Falcon Stateside to battle the Pontiac G8 on our turf.

[Source: Drive]

Holden and Ford trading punches before Falcon arrives originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AustraliaFord FalconFordFalconHolden CommodoreHoldenCommodoreOZPrice battlePriceBattleMon, 10 Mar 2008 09:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Pontiac G8 production now underway]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/19/pontiac-g8-production-now-underway/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/19/pontiac-g8-production-now-underway/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/19/pontiac-g8-production-now-underway/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Since the G8 was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, there has been an air of optimism for the Pontiac brand. There's good reason for the uptick in serotonin, too, as the G8 is a real live RWD sedan from the General. It doesn't hurt that its 6.0L V8 can kick out 362 HP and hit 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. It may seem as though the G8 unveiling was a million years ago, but production has finally begun for the Holden Commodore-based sedan. The G8 and the Commodore will be built in the same Australian plant, with the facility running at full steam to a tune of 620 units per day. About half of that number will make its way outside of OZ, split between Chevrolet (Middle East), Vauxhall (UK), Daewoo (Korea), and Pontiac. That probably doesn't make room for more than 50,000 G8s a year here in the States, and in the unlikely event the sports sedan isn't a hit, GM can shift sales anywhere else in the world. The G8 will hit dealer showrooms sometime in the 1st quarter of 2008, and we're eagerly anticipating taking a spin in the most exciting Pontiac in a generation.

[Source: Just-Auto (sub. req'd)]

Continue reading Pontiac G8 production now underway

Pontiac G8 production now underway originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>6.0L V86.0lV8Holden CommodoreHoldenCommodorein productionInProductionPontiac G8PontiacG8RWDWed, 19 Dec 2007 08:34:00 EST<![CDATA[The rocky road to the Holden VE Sportwagon]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/26/the-rocky-road-to-the-holden-ve-sportwagon/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/26/the-rocky-road-to-the-holden-ve-sportwagon/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/26/the-rocky-road-to-the-holden-ve-sportwagon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



You'd think after looking at it that the Holden VE Sportwagon was one of those no-brainer vehicles that was a production lock from the moment it was a twinkle in some designer's eye. According to GoAuto, that wasn't exactly the case. The outgoing VZ wagon was a fleet darling, beloved for its exceptional cargo capacity. That added space came courtesy of the same LWB architecture used for the Caprice and Statesman sedans. In a departure from tradition (the wagons had been built on long-wheelbase platforms for decades), the VE proposal was based on the shorter underpinnings used for the Commodore sedan. With that comes reduced capacity and a total package that's less attractive to fleets. After ultimately seeing a clay model of the car presented in Sydney, Holden execs greenlit the project anyway.

And that's where we, the US and Canada, come in. One of the factors that pushed the VE wagon into production was its obvious export appeal. No agreements or contracts are in place, but according to GoAuto, Holden sees exports of 10,000 per year as being the goal, and North America the biggest target market outside of Australia and new Zealand. Meanwhile, Holden feels it can mitigate the expected downturn in fleet sales at home by leveraging the VE's great looks and sporty practicality to sell more profitable examples to consumers, especially ones looking to get out of SUVs. Assuming the stars line up and the car comes over to the US as hoped, it would be after the arrival of the Ute, which appears to be next in line according to the GoAuto piece. There's a lot more to the article, which is interesting, wide-ranging, and worth a read. As for the VE Wagon, well, this Autoblogger's all for it. It's a hell of a lot cooler than the '87 Pontiac Safari my parents had, and that I learned to drive in. Let's leave the wood stickers off this one, though, okay?

[Source: GoAuto]

Gallery: Holden VE Commodore Sportwagon

The rocky road to the Holden VE Sportwagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holden commodoreholden ve commodore sportwagonholden ve sportwagonHoldenCommodoreHoldenVeCommodoreSportwagonHoldenVeSportwagonve commodoreve commodore sportwagonve sportwagonVeCommodoreVeCommodoreSportwagonVeSportwagonFri, 26 Oct 2007 19:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Modified HDT Commodores to commemorate racing legend Peter Brock]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/01/modified-hdt-commodores-to-commemorate-racing-legend-peter-brock/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/01/modified-hdt-commodores-to-commemorate-racing-legend-peter-brock/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/01/modified-hdt-commodores-to-commemorate-racing-legend-peter-brock/#commentsFiled under: ,

The relationship between Holden and the late Peter Brock goes back nearly forty years, and a good part of that time saw the Aussie racing legend compete behind the wheel of a Commodore sedan. During his illustrious career, Brock's leadership of the Holden Dealer Team (HDT) racing outfit also saw several modified high-performance roadgoing Commodores hit the market before the group was disbanded in the late '80s.

Now, the owner of one of the largest collection of Brock Commodores in Australia plans to revive the HDT nameplate in Brock's honor. Queensland mining contractor Peter Champion currently owns over 40 Brock Commodores and now wants to build the kind of car Peter Brock would have built today using the latest VE Commodore. Champion and Brock had been friends for over a decade and even talked about releasing a new model months before his untimely death in a car crash during a race last September.

The new cars will likely be based on the VE SS, the same car on which the upcoming Pontiac G8 is based. The cars won't have any mechanical modifications, although it will be offered if customers seek it, says Champion. Instead, the new HDT cars will receive bodykits and wheels designed to match the original racing Commodores from Brock's era.

[Source: Drive]

Modified HDT Commodores to commemorate racing legend Peter Brock originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HDTHDT CommodoreHdtCommodoreHolden CommodoreHolden Dealer TeamHoldenCommodoreHoldenDealerTeamPeter BrockPeterBrockVEVE SSVeSsMon, 01 Oct 2007 18:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Chevy El Camino could return for 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/06/chevy-el-camino-could-return-for-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/06/chevy-el-camino-could-return-for-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/06/chevy-el-camino-could-return-for-2011/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mike Levine at PickupTruck.com is speculating that there's a good chance the El Camino name will be revived in the near future. The prospects just seem too good considering that Holden, GM's Australian division, is set to soon export the Zeta rear-wheel-drive platform to the U.S. for use in the Chevy Camaro and Pontiac G8. More vehicles are likely, and the El Camino could be among them. Bob Lutz himself has reportedly talked up the business case for an El Camino comeback, and the timing could be right for an Australian Ute to finally make the long trip from Oz to American shores.

PickupTruck.com has a few renderings showing what the El Camino could look like, which isn't hard to guess considering that the new VE Commodore-based Utes are set to debut in Australia in about a month. From the A-pillars forward it would look much like the sedan on which it's based, but all body panels aft of that point will be unique to the Ute. The Australian version will have an engine lineup of V6 and V8 engines, and we suspect that concerns over fuel economy would also necessitate a V6 option for the U.S. market. That's fine, as the General's current crop of V6 engines are smooth and powerful. Of course, it wouldn't be a proper El Camino without the availability of a V8, and we know GM has a few of those lying around.

What do you think? Would there be any takers for a new El Camino in the U.S.? We think the answer is obvious, as this truck wouldn't be an SSR redux. Click on the read link to view three renderings of what a 2011 Chevy El Camino might look like and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

[Source: PickupTruck.com]

Chevy El Camino could return for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChevroletChevyChevy El CaminoChevyElCaminoEl CaminoElCaminoHoldenHolden CommodoreHoldenCommodoretruckUteVE CommodoreVeCommodoreZetaFri, 06 Jul 2007 12:28:00 EST