Why would Holden need to match the Ford's power? They have consistently outsold Ford by two to one for months, so the higher output of Ford's in line six obviously isn't hurting Holden sales. Buyers are no longer looking for increasing power with each new model - they are more concerned with economy and refinement. Holden's most recent engineering efforts have been concentrating on both of those factors. Sometimes, power increases as a consequence of engineering refinement, but only in small increments. The VE is starting to age. Six years without major redesign is a long time and the Series 2 facelift only freshened the design for a couple of years at best. Despite Reaper's assertions, I'm convinced the wheel arches on the front will be toned down, without compromising the basic Zeta platform. The whole front design of the car can be far better streamlined than it is at present. My money is on new sheetmetal forward of the windscreen, new rear bumper and tail-lights, new wheels, colours and major redesign of the interior dash and doortrims. Engineering will be limited to further refinement of engines and transmissions but I doubt that any new engine will be added to the range, apart from a diesel, if at all. The new LPG sixes will hold the fort for the time being, and Holden will undertake a campaign to educate the masses of the availability of a six that has the economy (in dollar terms, not mileage) of a four.
Whilst I agree with most of your post I'll respond to the wheel arch question. Part of the problem here is also one of the strengths of the Zeta platform. The car has a relatively wide track and the front axle line has been pushed way forward. This means you either wind up with an enormous body on this chassis (don't think that will happen), a very nose heavy car that looks like a stylistic pig to hide the front flares (not going to happen for any number of reasons) or they dramatically reduce the front track. You may see a restyling of the guards that some people will like and others don't but one way or another there is no getting away from the big wheel arches whilst still using this platform. Reaper
If people like myself who have always loved and owned Holden's say the FG turbo is better. How many more could there be out there who jump ship?. They keep selling off V8's which guzzle in massive numbers. I'm just a Holden man asking for the one car i can't buy, a turbo V6 in a Holden product that eats less fuel than their v8's but keeps up with them. We V6 guys want the power also. I'm almost sick of it's bum now, seen it day after day. No wonder HSV went to such extraordinary lengths to change it.
I'd love to see something along those lines, but I don't think it will happen. Probably more of a contestant for the fords ecoboost engine as the 3lt V6 engine in the omega's and berlina are pretty fail. And honestly, with all the V6 hate and "get a V8" comments I see online and in real life I really doubt a boosted V6 would sell. Aussies perf-heads love big cubed V8's.
The 4 cylinder one?. God hope not. When Ford change to the V6 Turbo its said to be pretty good although comparing that to the current turbo is anyone's guess. We can only wish. Tell you its lucky i feel at home in a Holden or they would really lose me.
Reap I don't get your point that the excessive flare of the guards is an essential requirement to accommodate the Zeta platform. The Camaro doesn't have anything like that flaring yet it runs the same basic platform. I believe there is plenty of capacity to tone down the flares without detriment to the basic chassis dimensions.
Its also the last chance for there to be a new monaro (v8 rwd) in the traditional sense but i feel if they used the name on some little fwd coupe there would be allot of unhappy punters.
G'day guys i'm new to your forums and was doing some work on Vf when i was linked to your posts just a quik history im the spy guy that has been exposing(oz product) for years here, and was reading calabers and reapers coments and thought i would releave some of your frustrations with a little pic and some info the pic was taken on said test run by Mr Devereux's on the day's/week he was here to sign off on VF, he drove a few modles and this one is the SS due to my investments i will be short on info/pic SORRRY huge change frount /rear(DERR) more MALIBU than anything GM i call it the malidore Dash is part captiva(joysticks)part caddy(BIG screen) as for tect V's will match CADDY'S for safety systems their are LEDs on SS and others Regards spyman03.....
Only reason I posted the comment is because too many people over the last few years have said their 'secret Holden insider' has leaked them details about an upcoming model which have turned out to be totally wrong. The VE was getting a turbo 6, a diesel and various other options we still haven't seen. The VEII was also getting integrated DRLs in the headlights and as yet the only way you can have those is by buying the ghastly aftermarket ones. Even Wheels/Motor publish what they claim are confirmed facts and images which are wrong. This is why I only believe official factory press releases and not 'secret sources'. Edit: Here is a few examples (Posted by a long standing forum member in 2006) 'Same goes for the supercharged alloytec. Mooney has once again confirmed that GM is currently organising development of the supercharged alloytec variant, and if GM doesnt do the development, Holden will do it itself.' And one from Carpoint (http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/200...modore/diesel-commodore-looms-on-horizon-2235) also from 2006 'A high-tech diesel-powered VE Commodore will arrive in Holden showrooms within 12 months' And this one for lulz
Personally, I really don't care if the commodore does get smaller, as long as they don't put tiny little engines in them. Just look at when the commodore was first released in Aus, it was to be an alternative to the dated kingswoods and all that. Just gotta move with the times, downsizing is good, less weight = possibility for better everything, except maybe cyclone survival.
It's about positioning the wheels relative to the body. Have you seen a Camaro in the flesh?? - they are massive! As in 2 door??? You have more of a chance with a Camaro in Aus but that's not going to happen either You really shouldn't be listening even to Holden then until the product is in the showroom. Taking your Camaro quote from above for example - it was announced that the Camaro will come to Australia, as was Caddillac destined for it's own niche brand down here. Unfortunately the GFC happened, GM went broke and things changed thus, not only do we not have the Camaro or Caddillac, but Hummer and SAAB have gone. They are only a few examples of manufacturer confirmed programs that either didn't happen or were substantially changed. Reaper
The Camaro has the same basic platform but doesn't have the extreme flares of the VE. Perhaps it's because the bonnet and upper front guards are wider, thus reducing the actual width of the flare, but not the track? Whatever the case, the overhang on base Commodores looks ridiculous and it's only when you stuff the biggest wheels you can under them that the guards are filled. I think one of the VE's ugliest angles is when you approach one from the rear in multi-laned traffic and you see this huge piece of mudguard protruding way out past the front wheels. It reminds me of the HD and HR, both of which had large overhangs and narrow wheels. I don't gamble, but I am pretty certain those flares are going to be toned down on the VF, even if only slightly, or new front guard pressings will be introduced which maintain the overall width of the body, but reduce the actual width of the flares.
That is because the body is larger thus the wheels don't stick out as far (relatively speaking) Dunno - we will see. They might do something to disguise them - time will tell Reaper
