Autoblog

Holden shows wagon and ute versions of new Commodore

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Wagon, Holden, Australia

Holden isn't giving anything away when it comes to specs, but the Aussie outpost of General Motors has offered a few snapshots of the Sportwagon and ute versions of its brand-new VF Commodore. All the company will say for now is that the models are still being tested before final approval and that all three variants will go on sale at the same time later this year.

What are the chances we'll get either one of them - or both - here? Well GM did file to trademark both "El Camino" and "Nomad," but remember how it all ended in heartbreak last time we were so close to this? Let's get the Chevrolet SS here and on sale first, then assuming all goes well, we might dare to dream about rear-wheel drive Chevrolet wagons and car-based pickups again. We'd advise you to likewise keep your hopes in check as you read the press release below.

Continue reading Holden shows wagon and ute versions of new Commodore

Holden shows wagon and ute versions of new Commodore originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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El Camino revival hopes scuttled by Aussie dollar?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:45:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, Earnings/Financials, Australia

Could Chevrolet sell a reborn El Camino in the United States? Let's ask an expert, General Motors International Operations boss Tim Lee, what he thinks. Speaking to the Aussies at CarPoint.com.au, Lee had this to say: "I think here in the US that vehicle has a tremendous amount of cache so if we could [import it] we would if it makes sense."

Great! So, we'll be getting a pickup car within the year, right? Well, not so much. Lee continues, "You tell me about what the Aussie dollar is going to do over the next 12 to 24 months and I'll tell you the export potential of cars like that." Obviously, nobody can say with certainty what the exchange rate between the US and Australia will be in two years, but as of right now, the Aussie dollar is worth a nickel more than a US dollar.

To quote Mr. Lee once again, "You can't make a business case of something like that." Indeed you cannot.

But what about the Chevrolet Caprice PPV, isn't that built in Australia? Indeed it is, and the upcoming Chevy SS performance sedan will be important from Oz as well. Thing is, Mr. Lee says the SS "will have to take a very premium price position" in order to be sold in the States, and that's apparently not in the cards for an El Camino.

Also not an option: Building the Australian Zeta-chassis machines in the US. Being that we've quoted Lee so many times already, here's one more to close out the discussion: "We will not be investing one penny to implement the Zeta architecture in the United States. I am the chief manufacturing officer of the company - that is written in stone."

El Camino revival hopes scuttled by Aussie dollar? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo 850 T5 R pickup conversion is ready for a cool yule

Zach Bowman — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Truck, Europe, Volvo, Specialty, Design/Style

There are plenty of ways to get your holiday tree home from the farm, but few are so classy as this Volvo 850 ute. Built in Sweden and shipped to Belgium, the car wears all of the necessary kit to pass as a 850R, and with a turbocharged 2.3-liter five cylinder under the hood, this creation should have no trouble dashing through the snow. Looks like a mighty fine use of an otherwise derelict Volvo wagon to us, though we have to imagine all that torque steer and no weight over the aft would make for all sorts of silliness once the roads went slick.

Still, if it were our Sawzall, we'd be happier with the keys to a certain BMW M5 utility in our pocket. Or, you know, the 3 Series conversion BMW whipped up not too long ago. You can head over to Autofans.be for a closer look at the 850 ute.

Volvo 850 T5 R pickup conversion is ready for a cool yule originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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High tarriffs curb resurgent U.S. hopes for Holden Ute

Chris Tutor — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Pontiac, Holden, Australia

With the Holden Commodore sedan on its way back to the States as the Chevrolet SS, we were hoping that the El Camino-like, two-seat Ute wouldn't be far behind (after all, the halfbreed was supposed to be offered here as the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck before General Motors offed the brand altogether). Unfortunately, however, the Aussies have been informed that the Ute falls under our light commercial tariff rate of 35 percent - roughly three times the rate on passenger vehicle imports.

"We were hopeful at one stage, we thought we might be able to duck in under it, but it was ruled out," Holden executive director Richard Phillips tells the Herald Sun. "With the dollar where it is, exports can only be pursued that are niche... and profitable in this environment."

Bummer.

High tarriffs curb resurgent U.S. hopes for Holden Ute originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FPV announces 450-HP supercharged GT RSPEC

George Kennedy — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, Australia

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) is the Australian equivalent to Ford's SVT division here in North America. Its high-performance sedan, the GT, is based on the Ford Faclon saloon. FPV has unveiled the most hardcore version of the GT yet - the FPV GT RSPEC. The machine was developed by FPV with the intent of providing track-minded consumers a competition-ready performer.

Under the hood is a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, codenamed "Miami," that puts out 455 horsepower and announces its arrival with a bold "Boss" paint scheme. Power is routed through a ZF six-speed manual transmission, sending power to the road via Dunlop Sport Maxx tires. The GT RSPEC will feature a very limited run of 350 units.

In addition to the GT sedan is a new limited edition Ute that will feature the same fire-breathing supercharged V8 and exterior treatment. Even more rare than the GT, the FPV Pursuit Ute will be limited to only 75 units. Click below for the press release and to get all the nitty gritty specs.

Continue reading FPV announces 450-HP supercharged GT RSPEC

FPV announces 450-HP supercharged GT RSPEC originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kiwi ute drift goes all wrong, then all right

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Videos, Humor

A New Zealand man, for reasons only clear to himself, decides to attempt a Starsky & Hutch drift around a corner in a ute that can only kindly be described as vintage. With that opening, you're no doubt expecting the obligatory "of course it all goes wrong and he crashes."

And that, indeed, is what happens.

What he does next, though, is something straight out of a ridiculous Grand Theft Auto videogame scenario, and the payoff is terrific. See for yourselves in the video below.

Continue reading Kiwi ute drift goes all wrong, then all right

Kiwi ute drift goes all wrong, then all right originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Jul 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM considering RWD wagon and ute for U.S. market

Scott Burgess — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, Australia, Rumormill

The General wants more rear-wheel drive vehicles in its lineup and has plans to bring a few more to America, including a sedan and possibly a wagon and sport utility, according to Car and Driver.

GM already sells a rear-wheel-drive Chevrolet sedan in the U.S., but only sworn law enforcement officers are allowed to drive it: The Chevrolet Caprice PPV.

Now, GM will reportedly build a civilian offshoot of the the PPV and market it as the SuperSport sedan, as we reported last week. Under the hood would be GM's 6.2-liter V-8 creating more than 400 horsepower. That SuperSport badge will also go onto Chevrolet's NASCAR entry next year.

Car and Driver reports that after the V8 SuperSport launches, a milder 300-plus-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 model will follow. By 2015, when the rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform is improved, production of this vehicle (as well as the PPV) will come to America, thus opening up the market for more police car sales, as some local governments can only buy American-made cruisers.

Furthermore, GM is considering building a rear-wheel-drive wagon as well as a sport-utility (read: ute) model. The updated Zeta II platform can handle both vehicles, especially since the next-generation Camaro will be shifting to the new Alpha platform that will underpin the Cadillac ATS and next-gen CTS.

Really, all of these vehicles are derivatives of the Pontiac G8, which is still on sale as the Holden Commodore in other markets. It was, arguably, the best Pontiac ever made. Bringing cars, wagons and utes like that to America, under any name or brand, is an immigration policy we can fully endorse.

GM considering RWD wagon and ute for U.S. market originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 May 2012 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Targa Tasmania kicks off with prologue stages

Zach Bowman — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Etc., Videos, Australia, Racing

The 2012 Targa Tasmania is officially underway, having started on the 17th of April. While we'd give (nearly) any portion of our anatomy to see the spectacle in the flesh, we'll simply have to content ourselves with living vicariously through the miracle of YouTube for the time being.

Competitors use the prologue stages to work out any kinks in their vehicle as well as get a feel for the competition. As always, the range of vehicles in attendance is as wide as it gets. We're particularly fond of the fire-spitting Nissan GT-R, though the sight of a Holden Commodore SS ute thrashing about puts a smile on our faces, too.

The Targa runs through April 22, covering 366 miles of transit and rally stages in the process. We'll do our best to keep up with the coverage. In the meantime, you can check out the competitor list at the Targa site and click scroll down below for the Prologue recap.

Continue reading 2012 Targa Tasmania kicks off with prologue stages

2012 Targa Tasmania kicks off with prologue stages originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Custom 1956 Bentley S1 ute up for charity auction in Australia

Noah Joseph — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 07:39:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Truck, Auctions, Etc., Bentley, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia, Luxury

1956 Bentley S1 pickup - Click above for high-res images

Bentley and Bugatti may be under common ownership these days, but back in the day, they were bitter rivals. That rivalry lead one Ettore Bugatti to deride his English competition as "the world's fastest lorries" (the British term for commercial trucks). He was speaking figuratively, because while the notion of a Bentley sport-ute has been rumored every now and then, the company doesn't actually make trucks. This, then, stands as an exception.

This classic started life in 1956 as a Bentley S1, purchased by the owner of a large retail chain before changing hands to the Earl of Stradbroke who had it converted to a pickup. The work was carried out in New South Wales, Australia, where they've always been bonkers for utes. They painted it yellow and gave it a woody-style pickup bed.

The car was donated by Stradbroke to the Trinity Grammar School, which is now auctioning the vehicle through insurance broker Shannons to raise funds to build a new library. The vehicle will hit the auction block during the Australian Motor Show on July 10, where it's expected to fetch between $22,000 and $32,000 in Australian funds, or about $23,600-$34,400 in equivalent American greenbacks.

Custom 1956 Bentley S1 ute up for charity auction in Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 07:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Meet the other BMW with a bed: Stuart Appleby's M5 Ute

Aaron Richardson — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Truck, BMW, Australia, Celebrities, Luxury

Stuart Appleby's BMW M5 Ute - Click above for high-res image gallery

Turns out the BMW M3 pickup we showed you yesterday isn't the first BMW to be turned into a sport pickup. Back in 2008, PGA Tour golfer Stuart Appleby had his E39 BMW M5 turned into a ute by Australian custom shop Southern Rod.

Appleby has a deep-seated love of utes from his childhood on an Australian dairy farm, and has loved M cars since he first laid eyes on them. He also has a history of tearing into his rides, trying to squeeze each extra pony from them. His first M5 hadn't gone 4,500 miles before the engine was torn down and pushed to 460 horsepower.

The build for this ute was finished in October 2008, and used an undamaged M5 to make a factory-looking build as easy as possible. The build took months and left no stone unturned making sure the car retained its original stiffness and functioned like a normal Ute.

We dig the finished product, and we dig that Appleby doesn't care what people think of it. Along the way, the car got a sport suspension to go along with the 460-horsepower engine, thanks to a chip, headers and exhaust.

UPDATE: Appleby originally created a thread about his M5 ute on the m5board.com forums before launching his official M5Ute.com website.

Gallery: Stuart Appleby's M5 Ute

[Source: M5ute | Images: M5ute]

Meet the other BMW with a bed: Stuart Appleby's M5 Ute originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aussies build a Chevy El Camarino

Zach Bowman — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Truck, Chevrolet, Holden, Australia

Holden Commodore SS Ute Camaro Conversion - Click above for high-res image gallery

So you have a Holden Commodore SS Ute and, for some vexing reason, you want it to look more like the American-market Chevrolet Camaro. Well, we've got good news for you. An enterprising young soul from Victoria, Australia has worked up just such a kit. With new sheetmetal from the A-pillar forward and a custom Camaro nose cap, the end result is as close to a Camaro-meets-El-Camino mutation as you're likely to find. This particular example was spotted outside of a Nashville, Tennessee tuner.

We have to say that while the Commodore SS Ute is as handsome as can be right from the factory, the Camaro nose doesn't exactly do the car an injustice. There's no word on exactly how much the conversion kit will set you back, though with all of the appropriate pieces and sheetmetal, we'd be surprised if the final price tag were less than $5,000 - before paint. Worth it? That's a conversation you'll have to have with your wallet.

Gallery: Holden Commodore SS Ute Camaro Conversion

[Sources: Car Advice, Performance Street Car]

Aussies build a Chevy El Camarino originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Chevrolet Montana compact truck unveiled in South America

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 11:08:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, South America

2011 Chevrolet Montana - Click above for high-res image gallery

Say hullo to this little truck: It's the 2011 Chevrolet Montana and it might just make its way up from South America into U.S. dealer showrooms. It's a small two-door, two-passenger ute that rides on the same platform as the Brazilian Chevy Agile, a hatchback city car.

According to Mike Levine over at PickupTrucks.com, General Motors has no successor planned for the U.S.-version of the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon twins. This car-based, front-wheel-drive trucklet could provide a nice stepping stone into its family of larger pickups. The engine would likely have to be beefed up for this market, since potential truck shoppers might be scared off by the Montana's 1.4-liter four-cylinder (it's good for 97 horsepower, 95 pound-feet of torque, and 30 miles per gallon on the highway). Despite its modest power numbers, the Chevy Montana is capable of hauling 1,671 pounds in the rear cargo area - a number comparable to the payload ratings of several full-size pickups.

Is North America ready for a pint-sized, front-wheel drive truck? That's a tough call, especially one with such ~~Aveo-like~~ unique styling. The 2011 Chevrolet Montana might not arrive in the form you see above (and in the gallery), but it could provide a glimpse at what's waiting down the road.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Montana

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

2011 Chevrolet Montana compact truck unveiled in South America originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aussie Envy: HSV E Series 2 lineup unveiled

Alex Nunez — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Truck, Wagon, GM, Holden, Australia

The HSV E Series 2 lineup - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Just as wounds from the Pontiac G8 being ripped from us are beginning to scar over, HSV has torn them open anew by revealing version 2.0 of its Commodore-based E Series lineup. It's facelifts all around for the gang of Aussie stoplight brawlers, four of which - The GTS, Maloo R8, ClubSport R8 and ClubSport R8 Tourer - even get the erstwhile Poncho's twin-scoop hood. The more luxurious Senator Signature and long-wheelbase Grange models have smooth hoods and less overall ornamentation. Either one would have made a sublime performance Buick, but oh well...

The most extreme looker of the bunch is the range-topping HSV GTS (front and center), which rocks a vicious Fu-Manchu blackout treatment on its new front fascia. All of the cars get new wheels, LED running lights, and new treatments out back as well. Every HSV machine also has an LS3 V8 pumping out 317 kW (425 hp), except the GTS - its LS3 makes 325 kW (435 hp). To further drive home the point, 317 or 325 badging is prominently displayed on the back of the GTS, Maloo, and the two ClubSports so that other drivers have a better understanding of why their doors just got blown off. The Corvette's new launch control system is on every manual gearbox-equipped car, and a manual is standard equipment on all of them but the Grange, which is only sold with a six-speed auto. Finally, new "SV Enhanced" options such as upgraded wheels, bi-modal exhaust, and, in the case of the GTS, 6-pot front brakes let drivers trick things out even further.

It's basically a massive laundry list of good stuff we'll probably never ever see in the U.S. now that GM leadership has put a bullet into the whole North American Zeta sedan idea once and for all. Obviously, this rots. Follow the jump for the official HSV press release and have a gander at the new cars in the gallery below. The photos are all labeled so you know which car is which. That way you'll know precisely what it is that we're missing out on.

Gallery: HSV E Series 2 Lineup

[Source: HSV]

Continue reading Aussie Envy: HSV E Series 2 lineup unveiled

Aussie Envy: HSV E Series 2 lineup unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crazy Kiwis: Buy a new Mitsubishi Triton, get a free goat with purchase

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 30 May 2009 09:25:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Mitsubishi, Humor

New Zealand Mitsubishi wants you to buy a Triton ute, and to lure you into doing it they're using goats -- because really, who can resist a goat? Said Mitsu's New Zealand sales and marketing manager, Peter Wilkins, "three years of drought has severely depleted sheep and beef populations, so what better time to float the goat?''

But wait, there's more! If you don't end up taking the goat -- said to go well with the Triton because goats are "hardy, versatile units which will integrate directly into existing farm operations'' -- a goat-free package is available. That will get you a 5-year extended warranty, five vehicle fitness inspections, five thousand km of road user charges paid, five years of roadside assistance, and $500 worth of Triton accessories.

New Zealand Mitsubishi, working hard to... get your goat. (Sorry, had to...)

[Source: Courier Mail]

Crazy Kiwis: Buy a new Mitsubishi Triton, get a free goat with purchase originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 May 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: RWD Commodore platform could underpin Caddies, G8 GT could make a comeback

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Truck, Cadillac, GM, GMC, Australia

Pontiac G8 ST - Click above for a high-res image gallery

With Pontiac's death official, Holden stands to lose around $1 billion annually with the demise of the Pontiac G8. However, Holden doesn't plan to go quiet into night. The Aussie automaker has drawn up plans to offer the rear-wheel drive Commodore platform to Cadillac and GMC.

Although GM's CEO, Fritz Henderson, has confirmed that the G8 won't live on, there's a chance it could be used by law enforcement in the States, and with Cadillac's recent attempts to inject more RWD models into the mix (save the Epsilon II-based sub-CTS), the Zeta architecture could be used for a new line of Caddies.

More interestingly, with GMC safe - for now - from sharing a grave with Pontiac (not to mention the inevitable liquidation of Hummer, Saab and Saturn), Holden could make a case for importing the stillborn G8 ST 'ute to the U.S. as a fuel-efficient alternative to GMC's otherwise big and thirsty pick-ups. Where there's a niche, GM normally likes to fill it, and while the case for the Zeta-based Cadillacs could be made -- particularly as GM seeks to downsize the platform to aid its survival -- the G8 ST's revival seems far less plausible.

Gallery: 2010 Pontiac G8 ST

[Source: GoAuto]

REPORT: RWD Commodore platform could underpin Caddies, G8 GT could make a comeback originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 May 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tear in my beer: GM reportedly kills off 2010 Pontiac G8 ST

Chris Paukert — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, GM, Pontiac

Click above for high-res gallery of the Pontiac G8 ST

Hold on to your Budweiser coozies: Details are scarce at the moment, but Pickuptruck.com is reporting that Pontiac has quietly euthanized plans to introduce the 2010 Pontiac G8 ST. The muscular G8-based trucklet was to signal the re-emergence of the unibody pickup in North America, a genre once populated with vehicles like the Chevrolet El Camino and Ford Ranchero, along with smaller front-drive moppets like the Volkswagen Rabbit pickup and Dodge Rampage.

The Austrailian-built rear-drive G8 ST was to arrive with V8 power, a 74-inch cargo hold, and a 3500-pound towing capacity, making it less capable than full-size body-on-frame pickups like General Motors' own Silverado/GMC Sierra twins, with the predicted trade-off of markedly better handling and fuel economy.

The ST was to launch as a 2010 model later this year, and prices were rumored to start in the low $30k range. Although we are unsurprised to learn of the truck's cancellation (as GM is actively slimming down its portfolio and the baby muscle pickup was expected to serve as a small-volume niche model), we can't help but get a little misty-eyed at the loss of what promised to be a truly epic donut-making machine. G8 ST, we hardly knew ye...

Gallery: 2010 Pontiac G8 ST

[Source: Pickuptruck.com]

Tear in my beer: GM reportedly kills off 2010 Pontiac G8 ST originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Skyline R32-amino, wait... wha?

Chris Shunk — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Truck, Videos, Supercars, Nissan

Click above to view video after the jump

The Nissan Skyline R32 is a legend on the track and in the eyes of tuners around the world. There are legions of fans who have tweaked their R32s to go faster and move with more agility, but we don't think many have turned their precious Skylines into a Ute to obtain optimal drifts. Following the jump is video of a race-ready R32 that looks more Ford Falcon from Down Under than it does a super-tuned Nissan from the land of the rising sun. It may look beaten with an ugly stick, but it could be the only R32 that can hot lap a track and help a friend move in the same day. And it's a hella-good drifter, too. The video after the jump is English free, so if you have any Japanese language skills, let us know what they're saying in the comments section.

[Source: Carscoop]

Continue reading VIDEO: Skyline R32-amino, wait... wha?

VIDEO: Skyline R32-amino, wait... wha? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: The new FPV range launches Down Under

Alex Nunez — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Truck, Ford, Australia, FPV

Click above for high-res gallery of the FPV F6, more galleries after the jump

FPV's seemingly endless rollout of its new FG Falcon-based lineup has finally culminated in the actual launch of the cars (how novel), which we've already touched upon. To that end, we'll keep this brief and turn you loose on the multiple new photo galleries now available (check out the rest after the jump). The FPV range encompasses both Falcon sedan and Ute bodystyles, and power comes from either the turbocharged F6 inline-six or the 5.4L Boss 315 V8. The six delivers 415 horsepower and a tire-humbling 416 lb-ft of torque. The eight's no slouch either, pumping out 422 horses (315 kW, hence the engine's name) and 406 lb-ft. A Tremec TR6060 6-speed stick is available across the full range of cars.

Speaking of that, here's the rundown:

FPV F6 Ute
FPV Pursuit (V8 Ute)
FPV Super Pursuit ( Top-of-the-line V8 Ute)
FPV F6 Sedan
FPV GT (V8 Sedan)
FPV GT-P (Premium version of the GT)
FPV GT E (Top-of-the-line V8 FPV sedan, more subtle styling than GT, GT-P)

You can see galleries of everything below and after the jump. We'll take an F6 sedan in the lime green. In fact, we need one of those approximately yesterday.

Gallery: 2008 FPV F6

[Source: FPV]

Continue reading Pics Aplenty: The new FPV range launches Down Under

Pics Aplenty: The new FPV range launches Down Under originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 May 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York '08 Preview: 2010 Pontiac sports truck, GM wants you to name it!

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:02:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Truck, Pontiac

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Pontiac G8 ST

After more than two decades, the ghost of the El Camino has finally risen from the grave, at least for U.S. drivers. It never actually went away in Australia. Now that the Pontiac G8 has ushered in a new era of affordable rear-wheel-drive performance at General Motors, the car-based pickup truck, or Ute as they are called Down Under, is coming back. Rumors have been flying for months about a G8 Ute and GM even showed the GMC Denali XT concept at the Chicago Auto Show last month - a four-door ute with a two-mode hybrid power-train that may or may not see production.

What we will definitely see in showrooms late next year is the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck. The G8 Ute gets a 6-foot 2-inch long cargo bed behind its two-passenger cab. Compared to the sedan, the pickup has a four-inch longer wheelbase plus two more inches hanging behind the rear axle. The box that's unified with the passenger compartment comes with a color matched soft tonneau cover to enclose the 42.7 cubic feet contained within the composite bed. That's nearly double the volume of the late and unlamented Chevy SSR. The G8 can haul almost 1,100 lbs and tow 3,500 lbs, that latter figure also 1,000 lbs more than the SSR.

Gallery: 2010 Pontiac G8 ST

Continue reading New York '08 Preview: 2010 Pontiac sports truck, GM wants you to name it!

New York '08 Preview: 2010 Pontiac sports truck, GM wants you to name it! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:02:00 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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