24 July 2006 - HOLDEN VE COMMODORE: FUEL ECONOMY FIGURES

[Ryzz]

HOLDEN VE COMMODORE: FUEL ECONOMY FIGURES

GM Holden today released fuel economy figures for its all-new VE Commodore range, reporting reductions in most powertrain combinations compared with previous generation cars.

The volume base model, Omega, is 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres compared with 11.0L/100km for the closest VZ equivalent, the Executive. Reductions have also been achieved on VE Berlina V6, SV6 manual and automatic, Calais V6 and manual variants of SS and SS V models.

Increases on other models have been minor, considering significant gains have been made in safety, crashworthiness and technology across the VE Commodore range.

Holden Executive Director – Engineering, Tony Hyde, today said Holden knew that customers were seeking competitive fuel economy as well as performance, styling and other features.

“Despite more mass for improved safety, larger wheels and tyres, more aggressive styling and more powerful engines – fuel economy on the Omega is 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres,” Hyde said.

“All V6 powertrains have improvements except Calais V which delivers features and content placing it in a higher test weight class. Consumption for V8 automatics has increased slightly.

“When it comes to fuel economy, Holden has delivered all the benefits, safety and technology improvements in VE Commodore and remained extremely competitive.”

http://www.excelerate.com.au/downloads/ls1/ve/VE_Fuel.jpg

[holdennutta]

I would have thought that a 6spd auto would at least give them room to get fuel economy down on the V8's. Although, the tiny decrease on the V6's are good news.

[mmciau]

So the figures that come out of a long trip on cruise control at 110 km/hr will be very eagerly awaited.

I've heard of figures of 8L/100KM for the VZ on trips so if these are achieved, they are very good figures.

Mike

[The_Senator]

Cruising at 100km/h in my VZ Exec company mule, I can get a 7.7ltr/100km average on the display.. 8's should be easily do-able.

Be interesting to see what the 6 speed auto's return for fuel economy.. But realistically, how many people buy a V8 and think "will this use much fuel?"

[aussiev8]

Overall disappointing. Expected the Omega to improve more with all the changes to the drive-train and hoop-lah about improved technology. :doh:

V8 MUST get DoD to make it viable in todays climate of petrol price rises, even better apply DoD to the V6 also. :bravo:


Well maybe it will get better on the VF if its not too late by then!!

[Vulture]

I would have thought that a 6spd auto would at least give them room to get fuel economy down on the V8's. Although, the tiny decrease on the V6's are good news.

Yes, I am surprised by this as well. I suppose the old four speed's ratios must not have been that bad. Maybe the main benefit for the 6 speed will be in acceleration and smoothness.

[Speedy Gonzales]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,19900566-2862,00.html

[JNP304]

I think the figures are not too bad condidering people want more and more features from the car such as better audio ESP ect ect which adds more kg, better suspension ect and then expect do get a dramatic drop in an already ecomomical car (v6) and as for the V8 if they bring in DOD on series 11 hopefullt it will impove economy.
I thought the figures are not too bad. I drive a Merc B200 for a company car and it rarely gets better than 10l/100 around town and its a 2.0l and no I dont flog it!

[UCNUNV]

at least its a step in the right direction, and the duel fuel cars shouldnt be to ofar behind... extra weight in the upper spec cars is always going to hurt!

[Vulture]

Supposedly the test cycle did not favour the 6 speed auto, which hopefully means that the gearbox ratios are set up for real world figures rather than to do well in a test. As for DoD, my understanding is that the L98 V8 fitted to the VE is not DoD ready whereas the L76 in the VZ is (but not fitted).

[BenZor]

Supposedly the test cycle did not favour the 6 speed auto, which hopefully means that the gearbox ratios are set up for real world figures rather than to do well in a test. As for DoD, my understanding is that the L98 V8 fitted to the VE is not DoD ready whereas the L76 in the VZ is (but not fitted).

The L98 has all of the DoD hardware, it's just not turned on..

[NiSSAN_GTiR]

Overall, not too bad considering the features, weight, and engine size!

[danfoss5000]

any figures for the lpg versions?

[CSV Jack]

Good to see they are making improvement's in the right direction. What about the resale values? Are they going to start gutting the price next year when they dont sell enough, leaving those that bought early with a huge capital loss on there new car.

[Everybody2]

I think the figures'll probably drop when they go to Diesel or Hybrid :yup:

Holden were talking about it recently...how far off would this tech be?

[Black AH CDX]

The L98 has all of the DoD hardware, it's just not turned on..

not quiet.

The L76 is as u describe above, however the L98 in the VE has had the hardware removed.

[CORRUPTSSV]

I did a recent trip from NT-QLD in my 6spd auto VE SSV. Needless to say the best fuel economy was in QLD.
Best economy 9.2ltrs/100kms at 105kms/hr on cruise control from Goldcoast to Brisbane.
Worst economy 19.4ltrs/100kms at 200-240kms/hr.
Of course these speeds were on done in pen speed zones of NT. Travelling at a constant 200 with no head wind it did drop down to mid 18ltrs/100kms.

[RJay]

How Many KM's had the car done when you did the test?

[CORRUPTSSV]

started the trip at 100kms on clock. Finished the trip with 11800ish.
Doing another one to Nth QLD next wednesday for holidays.

[Black AH CDX]

started the trip at 100kms on clock. Finished the trip with 11800ish.
Doing another one to Nth QLD next wednesday for holidays.


11800? :confused:



is that right? or a typo?

[CORRUPTSSV]

yep thats right. Just ricked 12000kms. Leave on wednesday for another trip to QLD. I lease the car so have to do the km's anyway.

[Boom]

My VE SS M6has just under 2000 ks under its bar. Havent gone much over 12 the whole time. Thats been some city driving and quick country runs. Very happy with the figures.

[CORRUPTSSV]

Back from QLD again. 17000 k on the clock now. Due for 2 tyres now. Pretty annoyed at these big flash $$$$$$$ tyres that dont lat long. and no thats not from doing burnouts all the time! Just some of the time:)

[slickholden]

I last week hired a VE Calais for a trip over the weekend with my mum friend and her sister. We left Sunshine Friday. And had too head too Cobdin and camperdown for the night, From there we went too cobdin too grab my mums friends sister and then headed too echuca over the big hills and it was a shit patch of road with single lanes and hard too pass on.. then from there we did a paddle boat ride.. Then back too cobdin visits and back too camperdown for the night. then home too Sunshine again.
Total Trip was 1203km.. Fuel used 110 litres. Cars trip read 29.9l/100 when i first got in. Reset that worst was 10.2l/100 best was 8.3l/100.
No easy driving you dont treat a hired car like it's yours, But a good tip i always go by, Treat a hired car too the point, Where only a car wash is needed when your finished with it.
Tell you something ESP is amazing:D.. Did some fast overtaking that V6 really moves much better then they say.. It's kills the 180 alloytech is all areas, Performance sound refinement economy, the 180 really isn't flash sounding next too the very quite 195 engine. The 5 speed auto is very nice also, It goes into Drive so easy you wouldn't know it did.

So overall i was so very impressed with the car and it's economy, My mums friend was paying for the fuel as she would have drove but i said i have been waiting for 3 months for the VE calais too be at avis and it's there now i'm looking for somewhere too drive it, Why not i drive you all away:D.
She paid for fuel twice, Once was $24 refill, Then $45 refill. I told them it would take 1 tank over 700km easy.
No secret that i want one so bad:). It's a great car all over best by a mile holden has built.