Zeta News 2.0: New VF Commodore and Chevrolet SS

[YSSMAN]

I thought Chevrolet at one point had said that we should only really be expecting 3,000 to the US each year, although I'm sure that number will change based on demand. It'll be an exclusive car, seems like they really want to make that a point.

 

[RocZX]

 

[dsgerbc]

^A review by shallow idiots.

 

[Paulie]

They want attitude? Get the Ute, oh wait, they can't. No, but that review sounds about right for my money, and Matt Farrah is by no means a shallow idiot, he's one of my more respected car reviewers (except for the obsession with burnouts but what ever).

 

[dsgerbc]

Those who want attitude should get Camaro SS and not bother reviewing the SS. If this car had MT I would've bought/ordered it already.

 

[Nish]

Just reminds me of the Pontiac G8 and I didn't like that either but having more rwd cars around can't be a bad thing I guess.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Just reminds me of the Pontiac G8 and I didn't like that either but having more rwd cars around can't be a bad thing I guess.

Pretty much the same car.

 

[dsgerbc]

Pretty much the same car.

Mechanically. The interior is quite a bit nicer.

 

[Paulie]

I wouldn't say it's similar mechanically either. Anyone who's compared the old hydraulic steering to the new electric steering will know there's a huge improvement, and they did quite a bit with weight reduction and chassis refinement to make it feel like almost a totally different car. The brake system has been adjusted too, much better feel on the pedal. Anyone who says they're pretty much the same car hasn't driven both.

 

[dsgerbc]

Anyone who says they're pretty much the same car hasn't driven both.

I intend to test-drive one shortly. It's been a while since I drove a G8 GXP though.

 

[dsgerbc]

Holy crap, I want it.

 

[BKGlover]

This SHOULD have been an initial option, but I'm glad it's an option now.

 

[ShobThaBob]

I loved my GTO, but the Zeta platform is really long in the tooth.

 

[Azure Flare]

Holden Commodore that is sold in 'Merica + 6-speed + magnetic shocks = I NEED.

 

[05XR8]

If that's the same gearbox from the VE II, it's like rowing through a box of bolts. Plus, I think reverse doesn't have a lock out. Unless thats the SV6 manual- reverse is left and up.

 

[VXR]

Jaguar used left and up as did BMW and I've never once selected reverse?!

Is it that big a deal?

 

[Zenith]

I would expect them to use the T-56 Magnum from a Camaro. Same engine, same transmission.

 

[05XR8]

Jaguar used left and up as did BMW and I've never once selected reverse?!

Is it that big a deal?

My Megane is left and up and all my VWs were left and up. The VWs have to push down to engage. The Megane has a ring you lift up to engage. The HOLDEN didnt have either. It was quite easy to select reverse at stop lights.

 

[ND4SPD]

I would expect them to use the T-56 Magnum from a Camaro. Same engine, same transmission.

I thought they were using the TR6060 nowadays?

 

[Zenith]

I thought they were using the TR6060 nowadays?

TR6060 = T56 Magnum.

 

[YSSMAN]

I loved my GTO, but the Zeta platform is really long in the tooth.

Different chassis with the GTO, but I do agree that Zeta is getting quite old. It was old when it debuted in 2006. The updates for the Aussie-market VEII have translated well, but its definitely ready to step up to the Alpha chassis. Lower weight, similar size, better handling. The next-generation, uh, whatever it'll be called. I imagine it'll be fantastic.

EDIT: RE: STICKING A STICK ON THE BIG SS STICK

Its about time. I wonder if GM fully expected to get beat up on this, but they wanted to make sure. Test the waters. We'll see how it impacts the sales, I'm guessing it'll give them a slight up-tick, but I don't know if it'll get it to be that much better than the initial plan of 3000 or so units a year.

Now we just need to give the SS the LT1, and we'll be all set. Or, call it the Chevelle, and make the standard option the 355 BHP 5.3L V8.

 

[ND4SPD]

TR6060 = T56 Magnum.

I had no idea they were the same!

I'm also now even sadder that Canada still won't get them....

 

[Zenith]

EDIT: RE: STICKING A STICK ON THE BIG SS STICK

Its about time. I wonder if GM fully expected to get beat up on this, but they wanted to make sure. Test the waters. We'll see how it impacts the sales, I'm guessing it'll give them a slight up-tick, but I don't know if it'll get it to be that much better than the initial plan of 3000 or so units a year.

Now we just need to give the SS the LT1, and we'll be all set. Or, call it the Chevelle, and make the standard option the 355 BHP 5.3L V8.

I agree. The whole appeal of this car over a Mercedes or BMW is the old school charm. Old school means stick shift. Besides, it's not like GM was strapped for gearboxes to choose from.

Maybe GM is trying to ape the Germans in the wrong way. They should leave the uber high tech zero compromise stuff to The Germans and focus on fleshing out their own models.

 

[dsgerbc]

So, for upper-$40k, this or a used CTS-V?

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

^ The only way I'd opt for the CTS-V is the wagon version period.

~> Unless GM ships the SSW (Commodore Wagon) here...

 

[YSSMAN]

So, for upper-$40k, this or a used CTS-V?

I'd have the SS. As often as former GTPer Douglas J. DeMuro says his CTS-V wagon was the "bees knees," reality comes knocking as soon as precipitation falls. Even though its down 130 BHP, it just makes a hell of a lot more sense, especially if its your primary vehicle. I think the big question would be how vast the gasoline consumption difference would be, let alone the insurance rates. I guess to me, the Chevrolet just makes a hell of a lot more sense.

 

[VXR]

First in Autocar's test of the VXR8 GTS.

 

[GTboyz]

View attachment 152651

First in Autocar's test of the VXR8 GTS.

and also the cheapest one

 

[Omnis]

I'd have the SS. As often as former GTPer Douglas J. DeMuro says his CTS-V wagon was the "bees knees," reality comes knocking as soon as precipitation falls. Even though its down 130 BHP, it just makes a hell of a lot more sense, especially if its your primary vehicle. I think the big question would be how vast the gasoline consumption difference would be, let alone the insurance rates. I guess to me, the Chevrolet just makes a hell of a lot more sense.

Get a G8 GT. Same thing, but you can throw Shaq and Hodor in the back seat.

Prepare to fill up though. Great highway mileage but it just DRINKS gas in the city.

So for $40k, get a G8 GT and a small city car.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, here's some super-sad news:

Holden totally had a Commodore EV pretty much ready to go before GM pulled the plug on them. Imagine a world where you could get a full-size EV sedan from GM, with rear-wheel-drive, and presumably a 200 mile range for less than $60k. A legitimate Tesla Model S competitor, way ahead of the game compared to most other brands. A practical engineering effort to extend the life of the car, exceed CAFE standards in the US, and straddle that affordability vs size line that isn't quite working with the Volt and so on.