Y2kGoofball
11-07-2006, 09:45 PM
Well I got the August motor magazine sent to me today, which is ironic as today is supposed to be the last time a VZ will roll off the production line!
Low and behold motor being motor theres a write up about 3/4 way through about the VT to VZ era, keeping in mind in 1997 we were all excited about the release of a new platform and totally different car to what we had seen previously, alot like the VE.
During the VT to VZ reign ...
Engines
We've seen 10 engine variants ranging from a mere 147Kw to 300 + Kw.
1) 3.8 V6 Ecotec
2) 3.8 V6 Ecotec Supercharged
3) 5.0 Holden V8
4) 5.7 HSV "Stroker" (VT's mainly)
5) 5.7 LS1 / Gen III
6) HSV C48
7) 3.6 V6 Alloytec
8) 3.6 V6 Alloytec Hi Performance 190
9) 6.0 V8 L76
10) 6.0 V8 HSV LS2
along the lines of
VT Series 1 and 2
- 3.8Ltr Ecotec @147Kw.
- Supercharged Ecotec @171Kw
- 5.0 Ltr V8 a massive 179Kw.
- HSV version 5.0Ltr @195Kw (sounds sad by todays terms)
- HSV GTS version 5.7 Ltr @220Kw (more around the 235Kw mark though)
- Gen III @220Kw
- Gen III HSV version @250Kw
- HSV version V6 Supercharged @180Kw (aka XU6)
Move onto the VX/VY
- 3.8Ltr Ecotec now @152Kw
- Gen III continues to increase in power along the range
VZ
- 3.6Ltr Alloytec @175Kw
- 3.6Ltr Alloytec @190Kw
- 5.7Ltr Gen III did its final run out.
- 6.0 Ltr V8
- 6.0Ltr LS2 V8 (HSV)
Between the 2001 VT II and 2005 VZ Gen III 5.7Ltr V8's power increases from 220Kw and gradually climbs 225, 230, 235, 245, 250, 260, 270, 285 and 300Kw as time went on.
"All up, the VT Platform carried 10 different hardware specific engines with no less then 20 different levels of tune during its life"
Models
Where to start? This era has produced many many many variations and different models and platforms.
- Various levels of Commodore and HSV luxury, including some new names and some oldies ... in no real order Executive, Lumina, Berlina, Calais, S, SS, SV6, SV8, SVZ, Thunder, Storm, R8, GTS, GTO and a few more
- We went from a prototype 2 door coupe at the motorshow to the CV6 and CV8 / CV8Z Monaro
- The VS III ute was finally put to rest in 2001 with the introduction of the VU (VX shaped) ute.
- A long time coming but back into the lineup saw the One Tonner and Crewman 4 Door Ute in the VY range.
- The Cross Track All Wheel Drive system was born and put into various new models including AWD variations of the Cross6 and Cross8 One Tonner, Crewman, Adventra, Coupe 4.
- Various prototypes including the Sandman Panel Van, HRT 427 Race Monaro, ECOmmodore Hybrid VT, SSX AWD, SST Ute, UTEster.
Motorsport
Very successful time in the V8 Supercar series.
After winning the Championship in a VS in 1998, Craig Lowndes went on to win the Championship in 1999 and 2000 in a VT. Mark Skaife then took over in the VX for 2001 and 2002, but sadly this came to a halt in the 2003 VY when Ford took the championship with their new BA and sadly have ever since.
Bathurst however has been the most productive yet.
Since the introduction of the full seasoned VT race car in 1999 (there were some test VTs being polited during late 1998) the Commodore has won at the mountain every year since.
1999 - Richards / Murphy VT
2000 - Tander / Bargwanna VT
2001 - Skaife/Longhurst VX
2002 - Skaife / Richards VX
2003 - Murphy/R Kelly VY
2004 - Murphy/R Kelly VY
2005 - Skaife / T Kelly VZ
also 2003 saw Greg Murphy pilot his VY Commodore to a blistering shootout lap time of 2.06.84, all pit lane and fans could do was stand and applaud as the Kiwi brough the car home for the day.
Mark Skaife was also quoted as saying that he feels the 2002 season was the best he has ever had, and the 2002 VX is the best race car he has ever had, if only I could find the quote though (I read it somewhere but cant find the damn thing)
Just something to think about as we move forward. Lets see where we end up in another 9 years time when we're doing the VE to V?? end of an era. Will the Commodore still be around? With the way fuel prices are going we'll probably be posting engine power declining rather then increasing as we are forced to drop cylinders. Lets hope not.
But I suggest buying the August Motor Mag with the "The Next Monaro?" thing on the front. Its a good read about the VT to VZ Era and how the cars have changed so much in the time frame! You dont realise how far we've come, the VT feels like only 3 days ago and yet now we're at double the power and 10 engine variations later :flip3:
Low and behold motor being motor theres a write up about 3/4 way through about the VT to VZ era, keeping in mind in 1997 we were all excited about the release of a new platform and totally different car to what we had seen previously, alot like the VE.
During the VT to VZ reign ...
Engines
We've seen 10 engine variants ranging from a mere 147Kw to 300 + Kw.
1) 3.8 V6 Ecotec
2) 3.8 V6 Ecotec Supercharged
3) 5.0 Holden V8
4) 5.7 HSV "Stroker" (VT's mainly)
5) 5.7 LS1 / Gen III
6) HSV C48
7) 3.6 V6 Alloytec
8) 3.6 V6 Alloytec Hi Performance 190
9) 6.0 V8 L76
10) 6.0 V8 HSV LS2
along the lines of
VT Series 1 and 2
- 3.8Ltr Ecotec @147Kw.
- Supercharged Ecotec @171Kw
- 5.0 Ltr V8 a massive 179Kw.
- HSV version 5.0Ltr @195Kw (sounds sad by todays terms)
- HSV GTS version 5.7 Ltr @220Kw (more around the 235Kw mark though)
- Gen III @220Kw
- Gen III HSV version @250Kw
- HSV version V6 Supercharged @180Kw (aka XU6)
Move onto the VX/VY
- 3.8Ltr Ecotec now @152Kw
- Gen III continues to increase in power along the range
VZ
- 3.6Ltr Alloytec @175Kw
- 3.6Ltr Alloytec @190Kw
- 5.7Ltr Gen III did its final run out.
- 6.0 Ltr V8
- 6.0Ltr LS2 V8 (HSV)
Between the 2001 VT II and 2005 VZ Gen III 5.7Ltr V8's power increases from 220Kw and gradually climbs 225, 230, 235, 245, 250, 260, 270, 285 and 300Kw as time went on.
"All up, the VT Platform carried 10 different hardware specific engines with no less then 20 different levels of tune during its life"
Models
Where to start? This era has produced many many many variations and different models and platforms.
- Various levels of Commodore and HSV luxury, including some new names and some oldies ... in no real order Executive, Lumina, Berlina, Calais, S, SS, SV6, SV8, SVZ, Thunder, Storm, R8, GTS, GTO and a few more
- We went from a prototype 2 door coupe at the motorshow to the CV6 and CV8 / CV8Z Monaro
- The VS III ute was finally put to rest in 2001 with the introduction of the VU (VX shaped) ute.
- A long time coming but back into the lineup saw the One Tonner and Crewman 4 Door Ute in the VY range.
- The Cross Track All Wheel Drive system was born and put into various new models including AWD variations of the Cross6 and Cross8 One Tonner, Crewman, Adventra, Coupe 4.
- Various prototypes including the Sandman Panel Van, HRT 427 Race Monaro, ECOmmodore Hybrid VT, SSX AWD, SST Ute, UTEster.
Motorsport
Very successful time in the V8 Supercar series.
After winning the Championship in a VS in 1998, Craig Lowndes went on to win the Championship in 1999 and 2000 in a VT. Mark Skaife then took over in the VX for 2001 and 2002, but sadly this came to a halt in the 2003 VY when Ford took the championship with their new BA and sadly have ever since.
Bathurst however has been the most productive yet.
Since the introduction of the full seasoned VT race car in 1999 (there were some test VTs being polited during late 1998) the Commodore has won at the mountain every year since.
1999 - Richards / Murphy VT
2000 - Tander / Bargwanna VT
2001 - Skaife/Longhurst VX
2002 - Skaife / Richards VX
2003 - Murphy/R Kelly VY
2004 - Murphy/R Kelly VY
2005 - Skaife / T Kelly VZ
also 2003 saw Greg Murphy pilot his VY Commodore to a blistering shootout lap time of 2.06.84, all pit lane and fans could do was stand and applaud as the Kiwi brough the car home for the day.
Mark Skaife was also quoted as saying that he feels the 2002 season was the best he has ever had, and the 2002 VX is the best race car he has ever had, if only I could find the quote though (I read it somewhere but cant find the damn thing)
Just something to think about as we move forward. Lets see where we end up in another 9 years time when we're doing the VE to V?? end of an era. Will the Commodore still be around? With the way fuel prices are going we'll probably be posting engine power declining rather then increasing as we are forced to drop cylinders. Lets hope not.
But I suggest buying the August Motor Mag with the "The Next Monaro?" thing on the front. Its a good read about the VT to VZ Era and how the cars have changed so much in the time frame! You dont realise how far we've come, the VT feels like only 3 days ago and yet now we're at double the power and 10 engine variations later :flip3: