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HSV E-Series 2 update to focus on fuel economy, styling
There will be a fraction more power for HSV’s updated 6.2-litre V8, but expect most of the engineering effort for the E-Series 2 to centre around increased fuel economy.
An updated HSV E-Series 2 is expected to focus more on fuel economy rather than increased power in a sign of the times for performance car manufacturers trying to improve their environmental footprint.
Improvements of around 5% or more to fuel economy are expected while power is expected to increase by a maximum of 2.5%.
The new HSV E-Series 2, due on sale in September, will use the same 6.2-litre V8 but is expected to consume up to one litre less fuel per 100km. That would reduce consumption to something under 14L/100km, which is still well about the 7.5L/100km-odd for small cars and 10L/100km-odd for six-cylinder large cars.
Peak power for the new HSV E-Series 2 is expected to jump slightly from 317kW in today’s car to either 320kW or 325kW. It is not expected to continue the move to have the number 7 on the end, as with the 307kW E-Series original or the 317kW update that brought the current car’s 6.2-litre V8.
HSV E-Series 2 update to focus on fuel economy, styling - www.drive.com.au
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Holden loses $70m in 2008
Costs related to Family II engine plant closure see GM Holden lose $70m in 2008
GM HOLDEN this evening posted a $70.2 million operating loss for its financial year ending on December 31, 2008.
The better-than-expected result came in the same week that Toyota Australia announced a $123.4 million profit for its fiscal year ending on March 31, and following the record $274.4 million loss revealed by Ford Australia a week ago.
Holden stressed that it would have made a small after-tax profit of $6.6 million except for special, one-off charges that amounted to $76.8 million and related mainly to the upcoming closure of its Family II engine plant closure.
In addition, Holden said it made top-up contributions of $50.3 million to its Defined Benefits Scheme as the world financial markets began to deteriorate.
Reduced sales volumes saw total revenue drop from $6.1 billion in 2007 to $5.8 billion last year, which chairman and managing director Mark Reuss described as “disappointing, because the organisation was well placed to make a healthy profit in Australia before world markets fell in the third quarter of 2008”.
Holden - Holden loses $70m in 2008 - News
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We bitch and moan about crappy this and the other cars do that but to be honest - we are spoiled in this country.......
| Quote: | | | Strip show - 370Z v HSV R8
The 6.2-litre V8 gently rocks the HSV Clubsport on its springs, ready to kick big-bore sand in the new face of the lightweight Nissan 370Z. To outsiders, it looks like the Nissan has shown up on the wrong test day. But the Zed is here, facing off against an archetypical Aussie muscle car, because it has in fact outgrown its own sandpit.
Its predecessor, the 350Z, had recorded a best to 100km/h of 5.8 seconds and 13.8 for the standing 400 metres. While avoiding specifics, Nissan's Japanese boffins suggest their new charge is easily quicker, capable of 0-100km/h in sub-5.0sec. Our initial seat-of-the-pants impressions heap scorn on that claim, but, even with just 2000km on the odo, the new 370 certainly feels more urgent.
Like Nissan, HSV optimistically claims a sub-5.0-second 0-100km/h time – 4.96sec to be precise – for its E-Series range of sedans (Clubsport, Senator and GTS). In reality, we’ve seen everything from 5.2sec in a GTS to 5.7sec in Clubsport.
Though we’re expecting this mismatched pair to deliver similar times, it’s impossible to ignore their spec differences. The HSV’s 317kW represents 23 percent more power than the Zed’s 245kW, but at 1812kg, the Clubbie is 19 percent heavier. Bottom line is similar power-to-weight ratios – 175kW per tonne for the HSV and 167kW/tonne for the Zed (just 4.5 percent in favour of the HSV).
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Wheels - Strip show - 370Z v HSV R8
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Australian May 2009 Sales Results
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries
3 June 2009
[URL="http://www.fcai.com.au/"]www.fcai.com.au
There is positive news in the latest vehicle sales figures with increased business purchases providing a much-needed confidence boost to the market.
Official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) shows that 75,439 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in May 2009 – down 14.9 per cent (13,201 vehicles) compared to the same month in 2008.
“The May figures provide a tangible indication that new vehicle sales have stabilised and indeed there are even grounds to suggest we may see signs of improvement in coming months,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.
Sales to business buyers in May were only down 7.2 per cent on a year ago.
“There is clear evidence that the Federal Government’s business tax break is providing the market with a renewed sense of optimism and confidence,” Mr McKellar said.
“The business tax break is proving extremely effective, providing a much needed boost to vehicle sales and stimulating economic activity,” he said.
“Vehicle brands have been promoting this incentive heavily in recent few months and since the legislation has been passed there has been a perceptible increase in business sales,” he said.
Year-to-date 352,374 new vehicles have been sold, down 19.2 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Toyota continued in the top sales position in May with 15,481 vehicle sales, ahead of Holden with 9,177 and Ford with 8,440.
Top Australian Brands May 2009
Brand - Sales
1. Toyota - 15481
2. Holden - 9177
3. Ford - 8440
4. Mazda - 6052
5. Hyundai - 5178
6. Nissan - 4582
7. Mitsubishi - 3921
8. Honda - 3189
9. Subaru - 2965
10. Volkswagen - 2612
Top Australian Vehicles May 2009
Vehicle - Sales
1. Holden Commodore - 3683
2. Toyota Hilux - 3180
3. Mazda 3 - 3038
4. Ford Falcon - 2846
5. Toyota Corolla - 2583
6. Hyundai i30 - 1959
7. Nissan Navara - 1946
8. Toyota Yaris - 1655
9. Mitsubishi Triton - 1538
10. Hyundai Getz - 1429
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The Holden VE II – or VF – will be the VE Commodore's first facelift since its introduction in 2006.
The new car is hiding more under the skin than on top.
A new, high-tech direct-injection V6 could be destined for the big sedan late this year when the car gets a refresh. The VF Commodore is likely to get a range of improvements designed to lift fuel economy and further develop the company's ‘Ecoline’ strategy.
Visually the car may also borrow some design elements from Holden's Coupe 60 concept car, like the repeaters in the rear view mirrors, deeper grille and restyled lower bumper air intake to give a smoother look to the front end.
The interior is also likely to get a styling make-over to better compete against the FG Falcon's stylish interior.
GM-Holden is not revealing details yet but the company has a choice of two DI engines of either 3.0-litre or 3.6-litre capacity that substantially reduce emissions and improve fuel economy.
The 3.0-litre delivers 190kW/298Nm, which is 15kW more than the current 3.6-litre Commodore engine but 27Nm less torque.
The bigger 3.6-litre DI engine delivers 225kW/369Nm and is available in GM's Cadillac models.
Holden Commodore VF: VE facelift | carsguide.com.au
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