Supercharged HSV? - Part 2

[mjrandom]

Did you order a GTS ??

Quite some time ago.

[korrupt]

Carsales review of the Gen-F.
http://www.carsales.com.au/reviews/2...h-review-36998

Can you turn the DRLs off ? Or is there just something wrong with the R8 in those photos ? They must be fanging them pretty hard for that sort tyre damage so quickly.

[steve_t]

Can you turn the DRLs off ? Or is there just something wrong with the R8 in those photos ? They must be fanging them pretty hard for that sort tyre damage so quickly.

When you turn the headlights on, the DRL's reduce in power. Not only that but LED DRL's often flicker; not enough to notice in person but definitely visible in videos and photos. Oh, the Conti's didn't fare too well :/

[Vulture]

Oh, the Conti's didn't fare too well :/

The journos are probably giving them a hiding. Word is they are also a softer compound so will wear faster.
Journos are notoriously hard on cars in testing, hey I would be too if given a performance car to fang around and didn't have to pay for the tyres or wear and tear.
A good thing as it will show up any weaknesses.

[jaykay]

The journos are probably giving them a hiding. Word is they are also a softer compound so will wear faster.
Journos are notoriously hard on cars in testing, hey I would be too if given a performance car to fang around and didn't have to pay for the tyres or wear and tear.
A good thing as it will show up any weaknesses.

Wonder if owners will be replacing tyres as fast as they do on the C63's......

[sjhugh]

Wonder if owners will be replacing tyres as fast as they do on the C63's......

I hope so.

[Vulture]

One thing I noticed was that the rear lights of the HSVs have abandoned LED indicators.
On the E Series the lamps were all LED (other than reverse lights) but the Gen F has only LEDs for the brakes.
Cost cutting?

[Troutman]

Many car makers have tossed and turned over LED lighting. Examples include the late E46 3 series which had LED rear indicators which were later dropped, and possibly are now back again? The previous model Camry and Aurion had LED brake lights which are now dropped.

Expect them to muck about until they become standard fare in about 10 years. It's all part of the game they play to keep punters buying the latest model.

[XLR8 V8]

One thing I noticed was that the rear lights of the HSVs have abandoned LED indicators.
On the E Series the lamps were all LED (other than reverse lights) but the Gen F has only LEDs for the brakes.
Cost cutting?

I recall the VE HSV's having an issue where one of the indicators would flash really fast compared to the other. A quick search suggests the problem was pretty common and you even had it yourself -
http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthre...TS%20indicator
http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthre...linker-problem
Perhaps they killed it this time to minimise the chance of issues with this model?

[bouka]

I got a call this morning to come in and drive the senator. I had an e1 ls3 senator before the gt so I am familiar with the model.

I spent 40 odd minutes behind the wheel and this afternoon (bloody work) and my thoughts are as follows (sorry for the quick review).

Design:
This was the first time I have seen the senator and my initial thoughts were nice. A more subtle but still muscular front end treatment and the rear had the Holden lip spoiler in body coloured finish and not the low line hsv spoiler. It looked good. The side profile is very euro and the rims are very nice and add a real luxury look.

Interior:
I settled into my driving position and hit the starter button and was surprised by the heads up display. It took me several seconds to get used to it and I will come back to this feature. It is instantly apparent that this is not a ve and if you didn't know what car you were in you would not pick it for a hsv. The interior is a real piece of art and every little bit as well appointed as a high end euro. The more I drove the car, the more I loved the ambiance of the interior. The park brake is easy to use and the dash is brilliant in its layout and look. The seats are a work of art and much better than the fpv offering. Much better. The screen is big and has good resolution and the hsv screens are well layed out. My e1 did not have the edi thingy so I had nothing to compare it to, but I found it easy to navigate and useful. The turn dial where the old window controls were allows you to change traction, exhaust etc settings and when you turn it to a new setting, the areas changed appear on the screen and it clearly illustrates the differences. A great feature. The steering wheel is very nice and noticebly smaller than the ve. A world class place to be.

Driving experience:
The first thing I noticed is the exhaust note. It is changeable using the previously mentioned dial, even at idle, and the difference is night and day. It emits a very nice burble when opened and is almost in audible when closed. The first I noticed was how much I missed the driving position. You really do sit "in" the gen f (as you did in ve) as opposed to on the fpv. The seat and steering wheel is infinitely adjustable for a great driving position. Not so in the fpv. The exhaust note is

[bouka]

I went in to edit and it said I took too long. Fark!

Quick version (i went into some detail but lost it all and am on babysitting duties so don't have time to redo).

Exhaust note is awesome when bimodal open. Deep and smooth without being over the top. Perfect for the senator.

Auto is not 6l80. Don't care what they say. Smooth and positive on the up shift, downshift and manual mode is much, much improved. Much better than my e1 and almost as good as the zf in the gt.

It hooks up and goes of the line. Forgotten what traction felt like.

Overall impression:
Put a Mercedes or BMW badge on it (e500 or 550i) and ask 150k for it and it will sell like hot cakes.

This is truly a brilliant product. All involved in gen f, congrats.

World class! Really is.

[steve_t]

Obviously haven't driven the Gen F but drove the Camaro in the US last year. As you alluded to earlier, I loved the HUD and I loved the Cruise Control controls being on the steering wheel itself and not on the stupid stalk as per my VE.

Is the 340kW LS3 different in any way besides tune? A lumpier sounding cam would be nice

[jaykay]

So when does yours arrive George ???

[Pickles]

Well done bouka.....nice to see some really positive statements about an Aussie made car.....& you haven't even touched on all the electronic/driver aids in the car yet!!!!
No doubt about it....Gen F is indeed a winner.
Cheers, Pickles.

[bouka]

So when does yours arrive George ???

Waiting on a go in the gts John.

NEED to drive one.