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View Full Version : Took 10 VZ HSV's for a spin around Mallala.



hsv BRO
29-06-2005, 09:58 PM
Well what a kool afternoon, got an invite by a HSV dealer to go to Mallala to try out the VZ.

Pulled up to the track and on the in-field are 10 LS2 VZ's - "BRO" :drool:

We were then all called together in the briefing room and were informed that the day was about the dealers and service team (and a few customers :) ), getting to know the car. So the afternoon was broken down into 4 sections,

1/ Acceleration
2/ Braking
3/ Traction Control
4/ Handling

So now that we are in our groups, away we go!! First up was the Acceleration test. The test cars were,
1/ White Clubby A4 with the old pbr brakes.
2/ Red Clubby M6 with the Harrop brakes (4 piston frt and 4 piston rr) and 19'
3/ A red R8 M6 with the AP brakes (these mothers are massive), short shifter, leather trim.

So into the A4, Geezus there is some torque there! the tech guy said that now 80% of the torque is available at 10% throttle ("Whatever"). The only thing that I didn't like was there is no more Pwr/Eco switch - So how can I do my Edit! ;) So the wife can use the car.
Into the red M6 clubby and still kool, then into the R8 - Yeah Baby! :D That short shifter and the fly by wire, too much. (the new safety feature of the car, where you can't start the car unless the clutch is pushed in - caught a few of the guys out).

Now into the braking - Man those new AP's are HUGE - 343mm in the frt and 315mm in the rr. You can stop on a dime.

Off to the T/C area and 3 new cars, jumped into a R8 A4 - was told to drive up to the cone and stay in the water puddle. Was then instructed to turn the t/c off and lock the wheel hard down to the left and floor it. Yeehah!!!! :burnout:
Now! - pull up to the same spot and turn the t/c on and do the same thing! Man! the new t/c is so much better than whats in me VY II. It doesn't bog down, instead of cutting out a couple of cylinders like it does on mine, it applies the brake to the spinning wheel and only just.... depowers the motor.

On to the s bend and check out the suspension. Gees these things handle well, we got to do this twice, and then came a nice surprise. They then pulled out a Zero car (Lead car) from the Targa of Tassie. It has the new Dealer Team Spec Package..... Stage one.

Stage one
1/ Modified Performance Suspension
2/ Short Shifter
3/ Linear Steering Rack
4/ Power Steering Cooler
5/ Six-Piston Brake System – (AP Racing six-piston front calipers on huge 362mm cross-drilled and grooved rotors with four piston calipers and 343mm cross-drilled and grooved rotors at the rear).
6/ Lightweight OZ Racing Wheels (18 inch Black) wheel weight is only 8.2kg
7/ Pirelli P-Zero Corsa Asimmetrico tyres 235/40ZR18 – (semi competition tyre)

We were also told that the Dealer Team Spec also comes in a Stage 2 spec, which includes the Ohlins Adjustable Suspension, Tyre Pressure Monitoring system and Driver Dynamic Interface (DDI) system.

We all looked at each other and then looked at the HSV boys and they said "YES" you can take this though the s bends twice as well - "Hell Yes". Man - What a huge difference in performance. Bro! this package is the "Bomb".

Well what an afternoon, when we thought that that was the end of the day, all the driving instructors tolds us to jump into the cars with them and that they will take us around the track a couple of times. Bro, I thought that I was driving the car fast, but these guys! Too much. The young guy that I was with just chucked the car into each corner and drifted through them. Braked late and gave it death.

Bro! What a day - "I just drove one... or two or three" :lol:

Kirium
29-06-2005, 10:02 PM
Good day out then bro...

VX2VESS
29-06-2005, 10:15 PM
. (the new safety feature of the car, where you can't start the car unless the clutch is pushed in - caught a few of the guys out).



sound like a fun day.

couldn't help smile reading about the new safety feature. even excels had that since 1998.

can't say its really safer however. i have a habit of holding the brake and clutch in on any car when starting them anyway. if its in gear and started and you didn't notice then release the clutch it will really jump forward.

Martin_D
29-06-2005, 10:25 PM
Yeah, I got told off for smokin the tyres too hard in that traction thing Bro. The trick you see was to get a manual, and start the wet bit in 3rd :)
We were in the 8am session :lol:

Cainer
30-06-2005, 08:08 AM
sounds like you had a great day.


I havent had th oppertunity to drive a ls2 yet :(

hsv BRO
30-06-2005, 07:48 PM
Good day out then bro...

Yeah Bro!

First time being in a flash car and not having people ask if I'm a Drug runner :lol:

hsv BRO
30-06-2005, 07:52 PM
sound like a fun day.

couldn't help smile reading about the new safety feature. even excels had that since 1998.

can't say its really safer however. i have a habit of holding the brake and clutch in on any car when starting them anyway. if its in gear and started and you didn't notice then release the clutch it will really jump forward.

So the feature has been around that long! I didn't even notice as it seem to be a habbit to start the car with the clutch in anyway!

hsv BRO
30-06-2005, 07:57 PM
Yeah, I got told off for smokin the tyres too hard in that traction thing Bro. The trick you see was to get a manual, and start the wet bit in 3rd :)
We were in the 8am session :lol:

Hey Martin, I should have guess that you had been there! The instructors were stressed out! Had you been bouncing off the rev limiter again :lol:

Bro, what did you think of the LS2?

Clarke

hsv BRO
30-06-2005, 08:01 PM
sounds like you had a great day.


I havent had th oppertunity to drive a ls2 yet :(

Hey Bro! - Yeah, Tu Meke (Kiwi for Awesome). Go to your local dealer and take it for a drive, you will have a smile from ear to ear. :D