Australian Cars

[SOL FROM OZ]

the latest australian muscle car magazine made mention that whilst filming the new gt falcon ad, sony employees took photo's of the new ford falcon v8 supercar, fpv falcon gt and the new fpv f6 typhoon.

Accrding to either Wheels or Motor(I cant remember wich) there was a small artical saying that the only Aus car that was going into GT4 was againg the Ford Aus Racing Team car, that was Tickford now FPR. As for HRT being in the game probably not as they have a deal with X box and Mark Skaife is personally sponsored by them as well and as he owns HRT there is next to no chance of one of there cars being in the game. I dont know if that will stop any of the HSV vehicles being in the game as HSV is still owned by Tom Walkinshaw. just have to wait and see I guess.

 

[marduke]

doesnt have to be HRT could be k-mart racing, or valvoline cummins etc. or even the castrol commodore..

ill just be happy if they include afew aussie cars. id love to see the Joss supercar on there!

 

[JamieD]

kmart car is a big possiblity because kmart have alot of exclusivitiy deals with sony.

 

[JohnBM01]

EA license or not, the celebration of the automobile should include Australia to the party. After all, they are the only country in which Utes are stylish and fun. Plus, the roar of those V8 supercars are pretty sweet. They sound a bit more mean than American V8s. I guess for a video game, the Falcon is pretty mean-sounding in "Pro Race Driver." If Holden wants to branch out into the world market, they can bring a "Monaro GT" (or is there a such thing?) to the American Le Mans Series, and they can freely market themselves. They will need a nice, three-driver lineup, though. Peter Brock would be can't miss. I don't know who's still in V8 Supercar, but Mark Skaife of the Holden Racing Team (HRT) would be a nice pickup. And you can think of a third racer to match or be a threat. Names would include Steven Richards, Craig Lowndes, Russel Ingall, and I don't know too much about V8 than I'm supposed to know, I'm afraid.

Then again, that's not a bad idea. Take a Monaro, add two or four extra lights, carbon-fiber up the body, enhance the engine performance and horsepower, add an aggressive GT wing, and you have:

Holden Monaro LM Race Car

You like? I think true to Holden's colors, I think it would have to be red with white accents, or something like the HRT V8 team's paintscheme.

 

[nightcreature84]

i have seen the super V8 cars on the "speed channel" and it is very fun to watch, the drivers are aggressive. hope the cars are in the game.

 

[Jenna Jamerson]

Old Skool Australian Muscle cars would rock. Like this beast.

1978 Ford XC GXL

 

[SkylineObsession]

We used to own a Falcon that looked like that. Not sure what model it was though. :/

I think it would be a MASSIVE mistake for Holden, Sony and Ford to not include Aussie cars, or even if they only put in a few. There are heaps of Australian cars that are worthy of Gran Turismo.

FPV F6 Typhoon? *droooooooooooooooooooooooool*

 

[Eagle]

I think part of the reason that I don't take V8 supercars or any of the 'race' cars Holden or Ford Australia produce seriously is because they don't feature in any prominent, recognised, international racing championships. We don't see a Monaro at Le Mans or in the ALMS series, they just race against each other and that's it. Every company that's looked at getting int V8 Supercars hasn't succeeded (Toyota and Mitsubishi come to mind, there are others). Nissan brought their 4WD machines and completely conquered Bathurst, so we banned them. It's like these V8s have a niche they don't want spoiled, and I know countless Australians delight in the Holden vs Ford rivalry, and the racing generally is quite good and entertaining, but I think the lack of variety lets it down, along with some of the circuits. Hidden Valley is like a deformed oval, or was that Pukekohe? The Queensland Race Way was just a U in the dust, that's not exactly an exciting or interesting circuit in my opinion. V8s always leave me feeling that they couldn't match the rest of the world so rather than lift their game and try, they'd rather just ban the competition and not be shown up.

 

[WRX]

Then again, that's not a bad idea. Take a Monaro, add two or four extra lights, carbon-fiber up the body, enhance the engine performance and horsepower, add an aggressive GT wing, and you have:

Holden Monaro LM Race Car

You like? I think true to Holden's colors, I think it would have to be red with white accents, or something like the HRT V8 team's paintscheme.

There is already a Monaro similar to this racing in Australia. It won the Bathurst 24 hour race last year and in 2002, against Ferraris, Lambos and Porsches. Peter Brock occasionly races in one in the Nations Cup Championship, which is where it competes for most of the year.

As for the "Monaro GT", I think you are referring to the HSV GTS Coupe, which is the HSV version of the Monaro, and is the fastest and most expensive one you can buy. It would be nice to see a Monaro race in the ALMS, but I doubt it would ever happen, since Holden is owned by GM who would proberly not want to see Holden competing against the other GM teams in America.

 

[JohnBM01]

So Eagle, you don't think they've received as much attention? I mean, I'm American. I don't know much about Australia and the motorsport thereof. But I think that with the Falcon XR8 in GT3, at least the V8 Supercars wouldn't be bad to put into a game. And as far as stuff like ownership goes, Open and Vauxhall are GM-owned brands in Germany and England respectively. So saying they don't belong is like saying that even though Nissan is owned by Renault (from what I hear), Renault won't make as much of a prescence in GT.

I provided my caring analysis of Australian cars out of seriousness. Gran Turismo games helped open my eyes to the world of automobiles. Often times, I want to learn more about cars America may or may not see. I'll have to read about Skyline in Australia before being banned, but I'd personally love to see Australia represented, even if 1% represented. I think the V8 Supercars are very unique race cars. And unlike in America where you need at least a V6 to talk the talk and walk the walk, the V8 Supercars are more like... supercars. And unlike American stock car racing, the V8 cars in Australia look more like their road cars, just with a few aero parts, and... oh yeah, an Australian V8 powerplant. Basically, these machines are the most unique race cars in the world, I'd say. All I've been saying in my replies is that, okay. Maybe Australia may or may not compete with America or Europe or Japan, but you can't tell me that there is at least one non-Australian that loves Australian V8 supercars. You can't tell me that at least one person seen the Bathurst 24 Hour race with Holden domination. And to me, any car that can do well in its respective country and be able to impress fans around the world deserves a world challenge. Look at the JGTC. They were all-Japan. But look at them now. They race in Malaysia, (unconfirmed) China, (unconfirmed) South Korea, and America later this year. If the JGTC can put on a show outside of Japan, why can't Australian V8 Supercars? In fact, I heard they raced in China two months ago, based on the Holden Racing Team website.

So, I'm very passionate and I hope Australia is represented at least one way or another for the reasons specified.

 

[marduke]

i think V8 supercars are racing in china next year at their new track.

also i dont mind the idea of an aussie LM racer. would be awesome. but id much rather see the Joss supercar in GT4 (and the lemans series)

also i have an XB Falocn GT sitting in my garage sounds AWESOME!

 

[bara]

Being a dinky di oztrayun I'd love to see some oz built cars in GT4 such as:

The Giocatolo (sp?) - This thing was mad, take one alpha coupe, yank out its poor excuse for an engine, insert one 5L V8 some where behind the driver. Made notorious by the guy who died after crashing his 1000+ hp example.

HDT VK Group A touring car - Those things look mint

The LS1 powered caterham styled thing featured in MOTOR a while back - can someone say wheelspin

The HRT 427 concept, and the 6.2 ltr Maloo concept



And as already mentioned
The GRM Monaro's
LJ XU1 Torana
Elfin
Joss supercar
Bullet roadster and SS - mmm blown 1uz, drool

Hmm for balance I guess I should include some ****s, the sierras of the late 80's were pretty trick - a light car with a big turbo is always entertaining, the GTHO Phase 4 falcon would be interesting (especially trying to stop the damn thing), and maybe an APS tuned BA XR6 turbo (pitty they're so heavy).

Oh and they just have to include Bathurst, pleeease

Maybe its time to stop dreaming now.

 

[marduke]

you mean this http://www.elfin.com.au/ms8/C_013.html
the Elfin ms8 clubman?

DRIVETRAIN
• Holden 5.7 litre Gen III alloy V8 • From 245 kW
• Holden 6 speed gearbox • Holden Limited Slip Differential
SAFETY
• Traction control • ABS braking system • Cruise control
SUSPENSION
• Fully independent rear suspension with top and bottom wishbones plus toe link adjustment • Front suspension with top and bottom chrome moly, unequal, aerofoil wishbones • Fully adjustable race spec rose joints throughout • Elfin alloy uprights (front and rear), fully adjustable for camber, caster and toe • Coil over Koni shock absorbers, adjustable for bump, rebound and ride height

BRAKES • Slotted and ventilated 4 wheel disc brake • Front: 32 x 343mm discs
• Elfin alloy billet machined 6 pot calipers • Rear: 18 x 315mm discs with handbrake • Elfin alloy billet machined 4 pot calipers
STEERING/
PEDALS • Rack and pinion with adjustable steering column
• Fully adjustable alloy pedal box with brake bias adjustment
WHEELS/TYRES • Alloy 18” wheels • 235 x 40 tyres
CONSTRUCTION • Jig assembled, hand crafted multitubular space frame
• GRP body panels

DIMENSIONS
MS8 CLUBMAN

Length
3200 mm

Width
1700 mm

Wheelbase
2290 mm

Front Track
1460 mm

Rear Track
1430 mm

Kerb Weight (est)
875 kg

 

[prepman1]

Holly that's a fine looking car. Is that an autralian car?

 

[marduke]

yep built by holden and elfin (two aussie manufacturing icons)

 

[Schrodes]

Names would include Steven Richards, Craig Lowndes, Russel Ingall...

How often do you get V8 Supercar news there? Lowndes and Ingall drive for Ford now.

Peter Brock is a great Aussie racer.

You must be a good bloke John.

If Holden wants to branch out into the world market, they can bring a "Monaro GT" (or is there a such thing?) to the American Le Mans Series, and they can freely market themselves.

The Emotional Engineering car in the British N-GT series is a GT car, so are the cars run by Brock and GRM over here. I don't think GM would let the Monaro compete against the Vettes.

Every company that's looked at getting int V8 Supercars hasn't succeeded (Toyota and Mitsubishi come to mind, there are others).

Toyota and Mitsubishi are the only other manufacturers eligible as they are the only other ones who make four door sedans in Australia. They both decided this year that it was too expensive to enter the series.

Nissan brought their 4WD machines and completely conquered Bathurst, so we banned them.

So did every other Touring Car series in the world along with the other turbo cars.

In fact, I heard they raced in China two months ago, based on the Holden Racing Team website.

They were supposed to race on the new Shanghai track this year but the deal fell through. They will be there next year.

HDT VK Group A touring car - Those things look mint

I prefer the Group C VK. Looked and sounded better.

 

[marduke]

How often do you get V8 Supercar news there? Lowndes and Ingall drive for Holden now.

dont you mean drive for ford. i only watched it on the weekend, and they were with ford.

 

[Schrodes]

dont you mean drive for ford. i only watched it on the weekend, and they were with ford.

Oh bugger, I did. D'oh.
Fixed now.
I've been slack and haven't seen the Winton round yet. Fox should replay it tomorrow. I will be at the Oran Park round, love that track.

 

[Eagle]

I guess I view V8 supercars as being not that much better than NASCAR. If NASCAR ran on actual circuits, it'd be pretty much the same as V8s here. The cars are all incredibly closely matched, technologically deficient, modelled off real world cars available in their country of origin, V8 powerplants.

I should go have a look at how the rules and regulations for V8s compare to things like DTM and NASCAR or something. I'll try and find a CAMS guide tomorrow.

 

[Biased turkey]

Ive never heard of the "Australian serie" before I played Toca race driver. My first reaction was: The tracks look great, the cars seems to be very similar in performances allowing for close racing.With better graphics and better physics that serie should be great.
2 years ago I was in Brasil and watched on TV a touring race from the Curitiba race track ( If I remember it was named stock car serie ) that too loked very similar. I was not surprised because Ford and GM are very present in Brasil.

Just a question: I visited the Holden website and the names of some of their models are the same as the Opel ( GM ) models in Europe ( Astra, Vectra ) and some GM models in Brasil. Is Holden GM in disguise or do they modify GM cars ?

I hope that serie will be included in GT4.

 

[Eagle]

Holden is owned by GM, hence the identical names and models across continents, just under a different badge.

 

[gt3freak_2001]

Ah don't compare NASCAR to V8 Supercars as I can't stand NASCAR and I am sure the V8 Supercars are slightly different machines.

@turkey - Yeah Holden is a sub company to GM just like Opel, Vauxhall, Chevrolet etc. I spose with cars like the Astra, Vectra etc, they couldn't be bothered renaming them. I mean they rename the Corsa to a Barina so I dunno.

 

[Travi_D]

A lot forget about some other vehicles that are made down under. The Ralliart Mitsubishi Magna and the Magna AWD, produced in Adelaide would be awesome for road and rally events.

In addition to the great road tracks that adorn our great country( i hope we aren't forgetting Barbagello, my home track) don't forget that we have a WRC rally stage here, which takes place in my home stage, featuring sections of the states south west forest regions. The lack of rally tracks for GT3 was a touch disappointing, but this could easily be remedied.

The reason that Holden hasn't had any vehicles featured, and probably never will, is because of their contract with EA and the Need for Speed games. The closest thing we could probably have would be the new Pontiac GTO, a re-hash of our GTS Coupe.

Anothe interesting concept would be the addition of utes. They would be a great challenge to handle because of their light back ends. Two that come to mind would be the FPV Pursuit and the HSV Maloo. They would be sweet.

 

[Uncle Harry]

The Holden Barina Started life in Australia as a rebadged Suzuki Swift in the 1980's.
This Car was replaced somtime latter by the imported Corsa from Europe renamed the Barina. I guess Holden decided to keep the Barina name as a Marketing ploy.
However the Opel/Vauxhall Astra and Vectra cars replaced Toyota's badged as Holdens. So I guess Holden wanted to drop those names (Apollo was a Camry and Nova was a Corolla) and stay with the European names due to low sales of the Apollo and Nova.

Edit: Befor Holden sold the Nova, Holden was selling Nissan Pulsars which were called Holden Astras.
Gets a bit complicated down under!

 

[JohnBM01]

Well, stock cars here in the States are close to stock (at least, that's what NASCAR wants us to believe). But I think the V8 Supercars are more closer to stock if anything. The only differences are the racing tires, racing fuel, aerodynamics, and... oh yeah. That Aussie V8. And to me, they are the most unique race cars in the world. Where else are you going to find cars that look very close to stock despite aerodynamic improvements and wings, and packs a V8 to boot? To me, NASCAR may have used real stock cars long ago, but since they aren't as stock-as-possible anymore, they are basically non-production-based race cars. And when I say that, I mean that the cars don't resemble the cars they are based on other than lights and doors. Now compare a stock car to its road car, then compare a GT race car to its road car. Take the Corvette C5R, for example. Now THAT is a production-based race car. A lot of the car looks close to its road car, the C5. The body, most of the styling... a lot looks close.

The funny thing about the V8 Supercars is that (expect some disagreements, John...) they look more powerful than they actually are, almost as if they were packing 650hp across Eastern Creeek or Sandown. I'm kind of a fan of Sandown, by the way. And that Ford Falcon from GT3 looks like it should compete against the GTS class, but by regulations, they could compete with the Porsches. And why not have the GT fight as Porsche vs. Ferrari vs. (Holden/Ford Australia)? If that beautiful BMW M3 GTR isn't much of a contender anymore, then why not give Australia a chance?

 

[JohnBM01]

My next question is... how do you market Australian cars in GT4? What about exposure and special races? I'll be going now. May not be on GTPlanet later today or early tomorrow (Central Daylight Time), so see you later.

 

[Schrodes]

Gets a bit complicated down under!

Don't forget the Nissan ute which was a re-badged Falcon.

Ah don't compare NASCAR to V8 Supercars as I can't stand NASCAR and I am sure the V8 Supercars are slightly different machines.

Yeah, thats not a good comparison. NASCARs are dinosaurs with their carbys and complete lack of engine management systems. Our V8s aren't as technologically deficient as you might think. Pushrods don't necessirly equal outdated.

The only differences are the racing tires, racing fuel, aerodynamics, and... oh yeah. That Aussie V8.

The only thing they share with the production versions are the cosmetic stuff like panels and lights. Thanks to operation blueprint the Commodores don't even have the same suspension setup as the road version Commodores! Don't let their looks fool you, they are not the slightest bit a production based car regardless of what CAMS thinks. When someone says they look production based, what they mean is their looks are production based.

...they look more powerful than they actually are...

About 620hp. You're not far off.

 

[marduke]

id say that the engines are capable of easily more than that. and are the falcon supercars still using the pushrod engines? or the newer australian made BOSS V8's?

also the cars share some parts, like the commodores used a ford diff (last time i heard, could be different now)

 

[Schrodes]

Still a Ford based diff. Everyone still uses a 5 litre pushrod engine and the rules are going to stay that way for a long time yet.

 

[bara]

Marduke: Nope I was thinking of the X7 (Motor Oct 02, "if your hobbies include kissing brown snakes and juggling chainsaws this could be the car for you..."), although the elfin appears to be the better car. As the X7 has fairly basic rear suspension (described as four-bar, Panhard-rod-located live rear end) which resulted in excessive wheelspin even in 4th gear. But still 240kw and 826kg speaks for itself.

Schrodes: Yeah the group C (pictured) is the car I was thinking of I just wasn't sure what model it was ie. what group.
I had no idea ford utes were sold as nissans, which model / year falc was it?

"And why not have the GT fight as Porsche vs. Ferrari vs. (Holden/Ford Australia)? " ...because having supercars racing against taxis is just silly??? (even if the taxis are worked off their nut in orded to comply with GT regulations)