Are utes really that much slower?

[Inter-ceptor]

Listing through some Motor magz Ive noticed that XR6T and SS utes are marginally slower than their sedan cuzins... although theres not much in the weight ratio, also the SS wagon seems to be quicker than an SS ute... whats the deal there?

[Danv8]

Listing through some Motor magz Ive noticed that XR6T and SS utes are marginally slower than their sedan cuzins... although theres not much in the weight ratio, also the SS wagon seems to be quicker than an SS ute... whats the deal there?


Less weight in the back = less traction.

[BLK6T]

I test drove a XR6T sedan and Ute (and decided on the ute) and I think its due to the tray and aerodynamics, also the suspension setup plays a role in it too. The Ford has rear leaf which does not match the smoothness of the sedan and the Holdens sit a bit too high. Unless theres something secret holden and ford are doing to the engines or maybe its just ford who adjust the power of their cars when they please...

[Inter-ceptor]

I test drove a XR6T sedan and Ute (and decided on the ute) and I think its due to the tray and aerodynamics, also the suspension setup plays a role in it too. The Ford has rear leaf which does not match the smoothness of the sedan and the Holdens sit a bit too high. Unless theres something secret holden and ford are doing to the engines or maybe its just ford who adjust the power of their cars when they please...
Motor quoted XR6T ute to do about 6.9 to a 100... man thats SV6 commo NA!

I drove a VU ute with an LS1 and it felt super quick, Id imagine the sedan would only be quicker!

[BLK6T]

Motor quoted XR6T ute to do about 6.9 to a 100... man thats SV6 commo NA!

I drove a VU ute with an LS1 and it felt super quick, Id imagine the sedan would only be quicker!


I know it odd, when I took the ute down the 1/4mile I was pulling times on average low 14's and flat 6's 0-100. But it took me a couple of weeks to learn how to drive it being my first ute and turbo...

[Merlin]

Dont the utes weigh more than the sedans?

[stealthvz]

Not too sure bout the holden ute's, but the Ford ute's weigh about 100kg heavier due to the difference between leaf spring setup and blade IRS! :eek:
Can't really see why a holden sedan would be lighter than a ute!
May be quicker due to low traction, and 4x4 height the rear suspension is set at! :rolleyes:

[Ghia351]

Not too sure bout the holden ute's, but the Ford ute's weigh about 100kg heavier due to the difference between leaf spring setup and blade IRS! :eek:
Can't really see why a holden sedan would be lighter than a ute!
May be quicker due to low traction, and 4x4 height the rear suspension is set at! :rolleyes:
Actually its the ladder type chassis of the Fords which adds the weight. Compare the gauge of the steel chassis rails over say a Hilux. The Commodure Ute is unitary body (car like body structure) and only the Holden one tonner has a similar ladder type chassis to the Ford but slightly narrower gauge steel rails.

[alexcs]

the ss utes are about 1620 without rear tray. the sedans are 30 or so kg heavier.

the difference at the moment with MOTOR etc is mianly that the sedan ss has 3.73, the ute 3.46 ratios. even still, the times ive gone to WSID on wednesdays and seen completely stock VZ SS utes pulling 13.8-14.1 would indicate there isnt a massive difference. its all about driver skill with utes, if you can do a 2sec 60footer youll be able to get a sub 14 out of it stock.

also seen one of these same stockers with extractors, cats, catback do a 13.3 a couple of weeks after he did the 13.9, so theres gains to be made in the exhaust.

[plonkerchops]

I was under the impression that the torque management was set a little more on the utes cos of their lighter rear end, or something thereabouts

[alexcs]

whats torque management meant to be?

[Major_havoc]

same as traction control. weight reduction of right foot

[alexcs]

hey elliot!

[cyal8r]

It's just that the utes are harder to get off the line with alot of axle tramp and all.

[MNR-0]

Monaros are the heaviest of the three. The Utes, then sedans being the lightest. Explains why the fastest cars are sedans and the slowest Monaros. Still, a Monaro looks way better doing the QTR than a sedan. ;) its all about the look - isn't it? :lol:

[alexcs]

the utes are lighter than the sedans equivs in VZ

[stealthvz]

the utes are lighter than the sedans equivs in VZ

True, by 41kg to be precise! :D

[Jag530G]

Monaros are the heaviest of the three. The Utes, then sedans being the lightest. Explains why the fastest cars are sedans and the slowest Monaros. Still, a Monaro looks way better doing the QTR than a sedan. ;) its all about the look - isn't it? :lol:

Only the VZ Monaro is heavier than a VZ Calais V8 Auto (equivalent interior spec)

the V2 Monaro's CV8 Auto's when compared to the equivalent VXII, VY Calais V8 Auto's were a good 40kg lighter, all of this would be over the rear axle, hence less grip and slower 400m times than the sedans, as the magazines showed at the time.

Cheers, Matthew

[rednut99]

My XR6T ute weighs in at the local weigh bridge at 1920kgs with me and a full tank of fuel and hard cover.

Its manual.

And it accelarates at exactly the same speed as a manual sedan.

Put the theory to the test last night, 4 time with my friends sedan, off the line the sedan would beat me up to a car length, and I would be left struggling for traction in 1st and second.

once rolling third was in my favour for some reason and fourth was all mine. I managed to beat him once have losing 4m on the start and passed him mid way through 4th quite quickly.

Got me stuffed how two identical motors can have one pulling a 2 tonne ute faster in top gear than a sedan.

Good fun though! :D

[Tonner]

Yep some utes are slow in comparison :lol: :burnout: But they will never die trying.

[COUPE]

Monaros are the heaviest of the three. The Utes, then sedans being the lightest. Explains why the fastest cars are sedans and the slowest Monaros. Still, a Monaro looks way better doing the QTR than a sedan. ;) its all about the look - isn't it? :lol:

Slowest? I don't think so. Not in the VZ range anymore. Either that or the VZ Utes and SS's I've blown were crappy drivers. One even cried foul that I had the car edited. :lol:

[COUPE]

the ss utes are about 1620 without rear tray. the sedans are 30 or so kg heavier.

the difference at the moment with MOTOR etc is mianly that the sedan ss has 3.73, the ute 3.46 ratios. even still, the times ive gone to WSID on wednesdays and seen completely stock VZ SS utes pulling 13.8-14.1 would indicate there isnt a massive difference. its all about driver skill with utes, if you can do a 2sec 60footer youll be able to get a sub 14 out of it stock.

also seen one of these same stockers with extractors, cats, catback do a 13.3 a couple of weeks after he did the 13.9, so theres gains to be made in the exhaust.

Weight of VZ SS Ute with rear tray is 1613 kg for the M6. This according to the specs on Holden's web site.

http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/techdata?modelid=15002

[Mongy]

Yep some utes are slow in comparison :lol: :burnout: But they will never die trying.Hey, settle petal :lol: Utes do have torque management with the A4's. It is the computer cutting back on the power output the engine can make. The PCM is programmed to do this so it helps give longer transmission and driveline life, and makes utes easier to control off the line. Anybody who has done edit on a ute will certainly know the difference once it has been dissabled. Oh, and my ute weighs in at 1,740kg with me in the front and a Bluey's wovan mat in the back.

[Dacious]

Straight off Holden's site - all cars manual with a/c and kerb-type fluids

Ute SS - 1613kg
SS - 1654kg
Monaro (VZ) - 1692


As the Monaro gained about 50-60 kg in VZ form (new fueltank safety frame, bodywork, exhaust) an S1-S3 is actually marginally lighter than an SS.

[Smitty]

Yep some utes are slow in comparison :lol: .

not sure 'bout that
just read the comparision test in the latest 'Motor'/'Wheels'..one of them :lol:
HSV Maloo ute v FPV ute
the Maloo pulled some very impressive ¼mile stuff (forget actual times)
but
also went 270kmh (as tested by the mag, not HSV data)
bloody hell, thats one quick ute

btw
the Maloo got the guernsey from the mag over the FPV turbo ute


cheers

[Mimo]

According to Wheels Jan 02 issue.

CV6 - 1603kg
CV8 - 1640kg (M)
CV8 - 1645kg (A)

I imagine some weight reduction tweaks would take a Series 1 Monaro down to 1600kg.

[Tonner]

Hey, settle petal :lol: Utes do have torque management with the A4's. It is the computer cutting back on the power output the engine can make. The PCM is programmed to do this so it helps give longer transmission and driveline life, and makes utes easier to control off the line. Anybody who has done edit on a ute will certainly know the difference once it has been dissabled. Oh, and my ute weighs in at 1,740kg with me in the front and a Bluey's wovan mat in the back.
Yes I jumped the gun here ,without reading the ealier posts, I assumed we were talking Edited vehicles, and the weight difference was the issue.
eg. My Tonner weighs 1760 kg unloaded on track day,with 1/3 tank of fuel,Without my weight included :(

[uncle]

lol I was just talking about this at work with a mate who has a vt SS sedan and if his or my ute was lighter....Hmm I think I will now go and bet him a case of beer that I am :)