VF SS and SSV to have 6.2ltr

[planetdavo]

I am an Aussie car supporter. I have only ever owned Falcon and Commodore utes. Each one has been better than the last. I will buy another next, not a VF until the drivetrain upgrade. Only 65,000km on the current one so no rush at the moment.

But the fact is the majority of new car buyers are trending away from Aussie cars. There are multiple reasons - fuel consumption, bogan factor, size etc. But the killer for me is profiteering on the luxury models. Holden and Ford need to do something to get the buyers back. Right now money is tight in the economy, economy and price would be a great place to start. It would seem that Holden and Ford are losing traditional government vehicle contracts for more fuel efficient vehicles. Why we don't have VCT V6 and the latest offerings from GM astounds me. I applaud the weight savings on VF, they have een getting heavier and thirstier for so long.

In the most I agree.
However, I don't agree with the profiteering claims costing them sales. The "problem" Ford and Holden have gets back to the bogan factor you mentioned. Calais V and G6E offer awesome value, with excellent standard equipment, quite good fuel economy, superior space, power and ride comfort to virtually any other imported car for similar money.
What they lack is a badge with snob factor. Too many people now go "But for not much more money I can have a base or mid spec imported model in my garage". It's extremely hard to fight this kind of thinking. Giving the car away isn't the answer.
As for not having the highest spec V6's fitted? It's called marketing. The current arrangement leaves sufficient room for the more profitable V8 models to have extra appeal above the already more than sufficient V6's to "most" buyers. After all, high volume car makers exist to make money...not to cover every single niche in the market.

[redvxr8clubby]

I am an Aussie car supporter. I have only ever owned Falcon and Commodore utes. Each one has been better than the last. I will buy another next, not a VF until the drivetrain upgrade. Only 65,000km on the current one so no rush at the moment.

One of my sisters has 2 kids and recently bought a Freelander 2. She paid big money for it. I thought it was too small and too much money. 3 months in and they bought a cargo container that swings on the rear tail gate because she couldn't fit enough in the tiny boot space. She should have bought a Sportswagon.

My other sister has 3 kids and drives a diesl VW Passat. It is a piece of crap. Consumes oil 1L/1000kms, has had turbo failures, left her stranded more than once etc. She should be driving a sportswagon too but won't have it because she thinks she's a bit too classy for that, and doesn't like driving big cars. There are enough dings in the Passat to understand that.

Holden has an image problem with this market. And it's a big sector. One thing I will agree with Davo is that the knockers generally have no idea about cars, but they do buy. Even in the face of them being unpractical and unreliable, they still buy them. If holden can crack this thinking they might have a future.

In the meantime I will wait for the next generation drivetrain.

JJW

I can't really see new drivetrains are likely, it seems unlikely a V6 or V8 Commodore will run past the end of 2016. Given the VF won't be here until May/ June there isn't much more than 3 years production in the VF. If there are no new engines early in the life of VF, I can't see them releasing a new engine that will only have a lifespan of a few years.

I think you are right about people buying smaller cars that really aren't big enough, I reckon my son has spent a gazillion dollars avoiding buying a Commodore or Falcon on cars that that in the long term with a growing family were just too small. While a Commodore is really bigger than I need myself, they are great if you have a family and really need a roomy car, while they aren't cheap, I don't see any other company offering that size of car especially a rear drive one for the money. If new is over budget, a 3 year old example is getting down around half new price.

[FFAMan]

If there is so much profit in the luxury models can someone show me where it is??? Neither company seems to be doing that flash on the bottom line.

[planetdavo]

If there is so much profit in the luxury models can someone show me where it is??? Neither company seems to be doing that flash on the bottom line.

Think a dose of inner snob was coming out in his claim. Every single manufacturer loves to sell the upper range models, as there is definitely more margin in the more desirable models. It's the main reason nearly every brand has a range of increasingly better optioned models to tempt buyers. However, as said earlier, the top of the range local models are competing with the base models of the imported snob badges. To some, it doesn't matter how brilliant the locals are- if they can park a luxury "badge" in the garage for similar money...

[FFAMan]

Think a dose of inner snob was coming out in his claim. Every single manufacturer loves to sell the upper range models, as there is definitely more margin in the more desirable models. It's the main reason nearly every brand has a range of increasingly better optioned models to tempt buyers. However, as said earlier, the top of the range local models are competing with the base models of the imported snob badges. To some, it doesn't matter how brilliant the locals are- if they can park a luxury "badge" in the garage for similar money...

A dose of something for sure but it wasnt intelligence.

Anyone who claims a G6ET or Calais V is over priced needs to go look at equivilant Euro products, not entry level 4 cyl pov pack, but upper spec...
60K wont get you Jack anything.

[dotocomo]

honestly what a frickin joke, i bought a holden ve ss 2007 6 speed manual, great car but always a little under powered, then caradvice go f**k it up and say the new vf is 6.2 litre

i'd buy a 6.2 litre vf and do some work on it, would not touch a 6.0 with a barge pole

what are holden thinking?

no one will buy these cars, not holden enthusiats anyway...better of with a 2007 model...

[ti0350]

honestly what a frickin joke, i bought a holden ve ss 2007 6 speed manual, great car but always a little under powered, then caradvice go f**k it up and say the new vf is 6.2 litre

i'd buy a 6.2 litre vf and do some work on it, would not touch a 6.0 with a barge pole

what are holden thinking?

no one will buy these cars, not holden enthusiats anyway...better of with a 2007 model...

I'm quite sure lots of people will buy them if i was in the market for a new car I'd seriously look at one, I'm driving a z series SS ute this week and it has enough grunt for me I don't need the fastest car on the road the new interior and added would be enough to get me to buy one. If I wanted something more powerful i'd buy a HSV.

[701let]

honestly what a frickin joke, i bought a holden ve ss 2007 6 speed manual, great car but always a little under powered, then caradvice go f**k it up and say the new vf is 6.2 litre

i'd buy a 6.2 litre vf and do some work on it, would not touch a 6.0 with a barge pole

what are holden thinking?

no one will buy these cars, not holden enthusiats anyway...better of with a 2007 model...

are you serious mate? You find it that underpowered you wouldn't touch it with a barge pole??? seriously if you think that, a 6.2L stock for stock with a 6L isn't going to feel much (any) better!

[Drizt]

honestly what a frickin joke, i bought a holden ve ss 2007 6 speed manual, great car but always a little under powered, then caradvice go f**k it up and say the new vf is 6.2 litre

i'd buy a 6.2 litre vf and do some work on it, would not touch a 6.0 with a barge pole

what are holden thinking?

no one will buy these cars, not holden enthusiats anyway...better of with a 2007 model...

Joke post?

[jsme]

He is right in some respects. I'm holding out for the release of a new motor and I'm sure a lot of people are in the same situation.

[jaykay]

He is right in some respects. I'm holding out for the release of a new motor and I'm sure a lot of people are in the same situation.

Remember back to VT and VTII, I reckon VFII will bring LS3 to SS/SSV....

And who was dissapointed they bought a 5 litre VT SS just before VTII with the LS1 ?

[Drizt]

He is right in some respects. I'm holding out for the release of a new motor and I'm sure a lot of people are in the same situation.

I guess I must be on my own here in thinking that is what mods are for

[steve_t]

LOL. I think you guys took the trollbait

[JimmyXR6T04]

I'm due to upgrade my caprice in March 2014, and if holden had updated the engine with the 1st batch of VF, i think i would have got one. As it stands, i'm leaning towards a GT now or at the very least waiting to see what ford offer next year. My upgrade cycle was poorly timed though! I'll get a cracking deal on a run out 2012 or 2013 GT, maybe even a demo VF... but i'm still sort of stuck with the 'old' motor of the holden and the 'old' interior of the ford! My best bet is to perhaps hold the caprice until 2015, and then i'll know what the new models of ford/holden have to offer... I don't want to buy a car in 2014, and then late 2014 have FPV/HSV bring out an updated model with better motor or in fords case a better interior/tech

[BLACKVE]

6.0 Litre for VF SSV

http://www.caradvice.com.au/215006/h...-v8-commodore/

It would be nice to see say 280kw in VF considering we have had 260>270 since 06. But I think it will be more focused on fuel economy improvements considering i saw $1.58 today in adelaide.