Supercharged HSV? - Part 4

[wazza01]

looks like it's the choice of V8 Racers

Is that ride height normal? or has that been dropped?? Because it is looking pretty low- gap to wheel arch.

[wazza01]

Is that normal ride height? or has it been dropped at all,not much gap between tyre and wheel arch!!!

[mattnsw]

Is that normal ride height? or has it been dropped at all,not much gap between tyre and wheel arch!!!

I think the tyre to guard gap is lost in the dark shadows.

Check them out on Carsales and the gap is fairly wide.

[wazza01]

I think the tyre to guard gap is lost in the dark shadows.

Check them out on Carsales and the gap is fairly wide.

Does the GTS sit higher then the Clubsport R8? i seen one the other day and the ride height on that was great,and that was in the showroom.Thanks also,will go and have a look.

[mjrandom]

A few more km and a few more words.

Without doubt this GTS is the most refined HSV I have ever driven. Over the last couple of years I have had the chance to drive in two supercharged E series cars from two of the largest tuning houses and my thoughts on those were that while they had enormous power they were unsophisticated to the point of being raw. Coil over suspension was fine where the tarmac was reasonable but way too harsh when the road began to degrade and traction was a big issue. The new GTS is probably nearly as quick as these cars (maybe even quicker I don't know what numbers they were running to be honest) but where they were uncompromising in their operation, particularly as a daily drive, the GTS is like silk. Obviously that is not to say all the aftermarket E series are like that, just my experience.

Looking back It is hard to comprehend that the E2 that I was driving about a month ago has the same basic bones. I have nothing but praise for the automatic gearbox which is nothing short of superb. I have had two A6 Fords and this box is better than either of those. The suspension is something else, grip from the chassis/Continentals is quite strong as well. The g meter is reading some very high numbers, be interesting if it is remotely accurate.

I think the GTS rides a little lower than the R8 SV based on a couple of shots I have so it will be interesting to see how they measure up side by side. This one looks higher to me.



A couple more looks from drivers who recognise what it is.

I do have a couple of niggles, minor though they are. The first is I am still coming to terms with the spare in the boot, compressor and sealant have arrived so I will take the spare out around town. Another is the HVAC. Like others there seems to be a very fine line between outside air temperature and set point as to how it behaves. If the outside temperature is 5 or 6C below the set point then the car will blow hot air. The other day the outside air was measured at 15C and my setting was 21C from the previous day. Until I dropped the temperature to 19C the HVAC blew hot air at me. As the outside air temperature increased then so could I increase the setting back to 21C. As I understand it there is a second flash available and I will get that done when the 3,000 km inspection comes along. Another issue that will be common with the other HSVs and probably Calais is the piano black and chrome finishes around the centre console reflect light quite strongly. It came as a shock to me as I went around a corner to be virtually blinded. I shielded my eyes with my left hand and now I know this happens I will be careful.

Otherwise only good news. Without trying to set any economy records the best the car has done over 100km is 11.1 L/100km and over 25km down to 9.0 L/100km. Those were set wandering back on the highway yesterday.
I gave the car a wash today and gave the upper panels a wax refresh just to make sure it is well covered. I know it is hard to see a deep shine on light colours, especially white, but it looks not too bad.







I love the wheels, they are far easier to clean than either the E1 Clubbie wheels or the W427 wheels that were on the E2.



And finally a shot from the trip yesterday.



I know I sound like someone who has just dropped $100k on a Commodore justifying their choice but you will just have to believe me this thing is that good. Is it worth 2x a Calais V or SSV Redline? That is a very tough question. For 90% of my driving probably not, the other 10% is just all smiles.

Will have to organise that road trip and get another GTS and an “old timer” together for a photo shoot.

[wazza01]

Great photos of the car,i was tossing up between white or red,and have gone with Sting Red, the white looks great though,just have to wait until March to get it though,going to be a long wait.

[johnfhall]

Fantastic write-up. Sad there are those niggles, but eventually they'll be sorted, I guess.

The fuel economy comes as a surprise. All the negatives report on it come from journos who are obviously thrashing them. Like all cars, it really depends how heavy your right foot is. Great to see your positive view.

Love the pics - the selective colouration ones are very effective. I'll give that a go when I get mine (this week or next, hopefully)...

[wazza01]

Fantastic write-up. Sad there are those niggles, but eventually they'll be sorted, I guess.

The fuel economy comes as a surprise. All the negatives report on it come from journos who are obviously thrashing them. Like all cars, it really depends how heavy your right foot is. Great to see your positive view.

Love the pics - the selective colouration ones are very effective. I'll give that a go when I get mine (this week or next, hopefully)...

Yep I was surprised about the economy to,that is one thing that had me a little worried,but as you said it's how you drive them,what colour are you getting John??

[mjrandom]

Don't expect good economy around town or giving it a squirt on a back road though. I was sitting on a multi lane highway at pretty much constant speed to get those numbers. As constant as you can anyway.

Niggles aren't a big deal. I want the HVAC sorted the rest is just getting used to it.

[wazza01]

When it's all said and done,you don't buy these cars worrying about fuel economy!!! Cannot wait for mine...

[offshore]

I wouldn't be surprised if the GTS gets the best fuel economy of all the V8s in the Holden and HSV range when at cruising speed on the highway due to the efficiency of the supercharger put the foot down and its another story lol.

[Wonky]

^^^^^

One of my mates with a TT WM Grange can get amazing economy just cruising, especially given it's 400+ rwkw and absolutely flies!

[NickS]

The HVAC issue sounds like it occurs in auto mode ... is that correct? i.e. the car is deciding what to do to reach a chosen temp ???

This mode has always ticked me off, if you turn that off, set the air to say 20 degrees and choose your own fan speed does it seem to act normally ... as that's all I will be doing!

[mjrandom]

Nick I don't use the auto mode. It annoyed me in the E series ramping up the fan to max so I haven't tried it. The VF seems to be able to be tuned more according to the manual.

[GTS LSA]

Spotted a white GTS in broadbeach around midday today : )