Zeta News 2.0: New VF Commodore and Chevrolet SS

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They started shoving the LS2 in the GTO in 2005, following its introduction in the Corvette. According to the Wiki, you guys had the L76 in the VZ, not the LS2. They're related of course, but had a little less power and was related more to the LQ9 than anything else. That, as a matter of fact, has carried over to the VE and indeed is the V8 we find in our G8.

Philly
I was referring to putting the LS9 into the G8 to beat the M/AMG/RS cars like the LSA in the CTS-V does against it's competitors.
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I don't think they'd overshoot the 550 BHP standard set by the CTS-V because of that. Given that the Pontiac and the Cadillac weigh about the same (give or take about 200 lbs), the performance would be too close and the price difference wouldn't be enough to justify the Cadillac option. Using the LS7, keeping the power down to 505 BHP, would keep the distance... Well, at least one would think that.

The LS3 would certainly help in the power department, putting this car on par with the Germans, but I think GM might be looking into the fuel mileage and other benefits of the LS3. That and I think that you are going to have to boost power far over what the M5 has in order to be an alternative to that car.
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Depends, but yes, I think you're about right. The G8 GT is a bit faster than the 535i, thanks to the extra 60 BHP, but it wouldn't take that much more than 500 BHP to keep up with the M5. The 414 BHP Clubsport R8/VXR8 does just fine, and thats down 100 BHP. So I guess we just have to be happy with the LS3 in the end?
 
YSSMAN
They started shoving the LS2 in the GTO in 2005, following its introduction in the Corvette. According to the Wiki, you guys had the L76 in the VZ, not the LS2. They're related of course, but had a little less power and was related more to the LQ9 than anything else. That, as a matter of fact, has carried over to the VE and indeed is the V8 we find in our G8.
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The HSV GTO (Holden Monaro based) had the LS2 by that same time period. It made 297kw back then (roughly 400hp). Has anyone seen the InsideLine review of the G8?
 
Of course!

Inside Line, Motor Trend and several others have had nothing but glowing review/previews. One hopes that all 15K or so of them will be gobbled up quickly here in North America. I haven't seen one at the dealer yet, but I plan to poke around sooner than later...
 
They said something about it pulling 0.85 Gs on the skid pan- is that good? Maybe the car will be success enough they'll need to make more. Don't miss out on the deal of a century Americans...........
 
The only way this will be considered a success is if they build it in Oshawa with the Camaro. But then that would kill the Elizabeth plant.... Maybe we could build the Utes there?
 
Oshawa is no longer important to me, just let them deal with the Camaro production. They're talking about bringing jobs with the Zeta platform to Lansing, and I'm all for it... We really, really need it right now!

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Holden
hey said something about it pulling 0.85 Gs on the skid pan- is that good? Maybe the car will be success enough they'll need to make more. Don't miss out on the deal of a century Americans...........
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Its pretty damn good for a car that size, right on par with the BMW 535i. I can't complain, but we'll see how things go. I have no idea if its exactly what Americans want or not with gas hovering around $3.00 a gallon constantly...
 
Take that BMW! :lol: Well let's hope there's 15K cashed up Americans who like Pontiac :D
 
Oh yes, these cars will sell in no-time. With considerable mark-ups. With very little depreciation.


They're near-instant collectibles.


YSSMAN: I think that they should invest in the Flint area, and bring some life back into that town.
 
YSSMAN
I don't think they'd overshoot the 550 BHP standard set by the CTS-V because of that. Given that the Pontiac and the Cadillac weigh about the same (give or take about 200 lbs), the performance would be too close and the price difference wouldn't be enough to justify the Cadillac option. Using the LS7, keeping the power down to 505 BHP, would keep the distance... Well, at least one would think that.
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Umm. The CTS is mid-size and the G8 is full-size. Are they worried about them overlapping?
 
You're allowed to post the video, but knowing that it is an otherwise glowing review of the car, we can't have anything positive said about the car...



To quote the video on the body roll issue:
"Its a little more body roll than we like, but it never gets in the way"

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Given the price, the performance, and the overall quality of the car I'd be pretty surprised if they couldn't move all of them this year. Even in V6 trim, its still a damn-good car, easily one of the best, if not the best, "normal" cars that GM offers in North America. Truthfully, only the CTS outdoes it in my book...

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Philly
Umm. The CTS is mid-size and the G8 is full-size. Are they worried about them overlapping?
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The size difference between the two is minimal, really. The wheelbases are within an inch of eachother, however the Pontiac is just a big longer (about five inches) and a bit wider (about two inches), but otherwise they're pretty close to the same. Hell, even the curb weights are within about 100 lbs between the 3.6 DIG CTS and the G8 GT.

For $33K fully-loaded, I'd be hard pressed to consider the lower-level CTS models as a better alternative.
 
YSSMAN
To quote the video on the body roll issue:
"Its a little more body roll than we like, but it never gets in the way"
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But really, when was the last time you saw a review say that any car was anything other than great to good (aside from obvious flops). It seems that the automotive press really points out strongly the best parts of the car and overlooks the downsides. And whatever downsides they point out they are quick to dismiss by saying that it is something that doesn't get in the way or is easy to overlook. Given this bias, I would really have to look at those issues critically because they could be something that could end up being bothersome.

However, when you consider the price, you should be expecting to see this little engineering gaps.

The size difference between the two is minimal, really. The wheelbases are within an inch of eachother, however the Pontiac is just a big longer (about five inches) and a bit wider (about two inches), but otherwise they're pretty close to the same. Hell, even the curb weights are within about 100 lbs between the 3.6 DIG CTS and the G8 GT.

For $33K fully-loaded, I'd be hard pressed to consider the lower-level CTS models as a better alternative.
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That's interesting that GM would design the two so close, being pretty much completely different cars. Class differences usually aren't that big, but I wouldn't expect the difference to come in the size of the front and rear overhangs.
 
How could they not put a redline on the gauge cluster?

I'm sure the aftermarket can get rid of that roll, and I don't see anything wrong with the "80's" technology they're talking about.
 
The aftermarket can get rid of pretty much anything. The idea is to design a car that doesn't need the aftermarket to be a good car though.
 
True. I don't know why it rolls that much, though. It's doesn't even really ease into the lean, it just plops to the side.
 
That would probably just mean a fairly soft bound, which would be fixable with firmer springs, right?
 
One recalls that even the HSV/VXR trimmed model have a bit of lean in them as well. I think its more or less for the ride/handling tradeoff, becasue as the video showed, if its pulling .85g on the skidpad with all season tires... This one is no slouch around the bends!

You can likely count on it to easily outhandle anything Mopar throws at it, and I really don't think it would be too far behind the compariable 5-series or E-Class (M and AMG models not included).
 
Will you stop comparing it to Chrysler!!! we know that company's quickly going the way of Studebaker!
 
Jim Prower
Will you stop comparing it to Chrysler!!! we know that company's quickly going the way of Studebaker!
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It shows that at least Chrysler is something worth worrying about. That counts for something, even if it will be "easily beatable."
 
philly cheese
But really, when was the last time you saw a review say that any car was anything other than great to good (aside from obvious flops). It seems that the automotive press really points out strongly the best parts of the car and overlooks the downsides. And whatever downsides they point out they are quick to dismiss by saying that it is something that doesn't get in the way or is easy to overlook. Given this bias, I would really have to look at those issues critically because they could be something that could end up being bothersome.

However, when you consider the price, you should be expecting to see this little engineering gaps.
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This car beats a Subaru WRX for Bang for the Buck in Australia. It's all it is and much much more. When you consider the size and power a slightly softer suspension is necessary for weight transfer and drivability/ride. It's still a family car in many respects- just one that beats every other one on the block :sly: I've never heard of this no redline thing, in recent Commodores the redline sometimes shows up as a little red light spreading from the centre of the tacho I think- maybe it was there and they couldn't see it in the light they were in. Otherwise you just check the book where peak power is and don't rev past that anyway because you'd be going slower then.
 
I'd be willing to bet redline comes around 6000 RPM, just like in every other American V8. Its not completely necessary with a slushbox on hand, but I'd bet that it'll have it when the manual version comes out later this year...
 
Any info on gas mileage?
 
According to our EPA:

Pontiac G8 (3.6L LY7, 5A)
- 17 city, 25 highway

Pontiac G8 GT (6.0L L76, 6A)
- 15 city, 24 highway

There also aren't any ratings for the manual version(s?), but I'd expect a modest improvement in that case. Certainly not class-leading, but certainly in the mix for cars of that size.
 
It's the HSV W427.

The modern American auto show circuit has turned into a series of venues at which automakers try to out-green or out-crossover each other, with the occasional fire-breather thrown in. Down in Australia, it's like the late 60s or early 70s, with a power-mad pissing contest between GM and Ford going full-tilt. We already saw Holden's killer flex-fuel muscle concept, the Coupe 60. Now it's time for the skunkworks to unveil its newest street missile. We previewed it this morning, but here it is in all its glory: the HSV W427. The "W" is a nod to Tom Walkinshaw, whose TWR crew joined up with Holden in 1988 to create the Group A VL SS Commodore, a homologation special that marked the birth of GM's Australian factory performance division, HSV.

The 427 represents the engine's size in cubic inches, as in GM LS7 V8 cubic inches. The Corvette Z06's heart has been transplanted into the VE Commodore's body, which has been substantially modified with a unique blackened fascia (you might also call it "ugly," or, more diplomatically, "menacing"); updated aero bits all around; new 20" wheels; and an immeasurable amount of testosterone. That's what the LS7 brings to the party -- no blue pills required. Final power numbers aren't yet available, but HSV expects them to be in excess of 496 horses and 472 lb-ft. That should make the W427 the fastest Aussie street-legal supercar ever produced. All the good Corvette trickery is in play, too: magnetic ride control, big brakes, and the bi-modal exhaust system are among the hidden goodies that make it the ultimate super saloon. Quantities will be limited, but lucky owners will feel like every road is Bathurst.
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If there isn't weight reduction this car is almost pointless. Even I must question those rims and front bumper.
 
I think 500bhp+ offsets any lack of weight-reduction. It probably isn't much heavier than the (much pricier) M5, S6, AMG, that it's competing against.
 
Straight line performance isn't what I'm worried about- it obviously has plenty of balls. It needs weight reduction to aid in cornering.
 
Didn't look too hard, but I couldn't find these posted anywhere else. Holy Jebus this looks good.

coupe60-19.jpg


coupe60-25.jpg


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Edit: Saw them in the Melbourne Motor Show thread. Duh. Oh well. I reckon the car looks good enough to be in both.
 
Bloody hell, they lied!

Or are they going to be big smart-asses and call it a Commodore Coupe and not the Monaro (which they had said was dead). One assumes that if the US gets a version, it will be the G8 Coupe, not the GTO... Likely explaining why Lutz said the GTO won't happen again.
 
Didn't look too hard, but I couldn't find these posted anywhere else. Holy Jebus this looks good.
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HOLY BALLS!!! :eek:

This is a GM concept!?
 
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