Bollocky.
Pressing the VZ's POWER button will shift into overdrive and RPM will easily reach 3,000+ without sweat and without drama — literally pinching up its skirt and bolting. The Alloytec and transmission is a wonderful combo when you need to drive and travel, irrespective of the distance, rather than try and look impressive pulling stunts. I have not from memory seen the RPMs go higher than I think 3,400 in POWER mode. I know this as I used it very frequently with a full travel load, up and down to Darwin, and crossing the Nullarbor, overtaking big rigs. The transmission is very capable and has the beef to get moving when it is prodded, just that neither it or the engine will allow you to get donuts or smoke the rubbers, which is what so many drivers are angling for and end up wrecking perfectly good and capable cars.
VZ transmissions must be serviced at the 100,000km interval (first service) then 80,000km (second service). There should be no whining or rumbling, clunking or metallic noise in normal drive or POWER/overdrive modes. Because of the age of VZs now prospective buyers must have their wits about them in going over the engines and especially the transmission — a not inconsiderable expense if major repairs are required!
